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Wolverhampton Wanderers may have come unstuck against Coventry City in the FA Cup quarter-final on the weekend, but they are well on track for a top-half finish in the Premier League.

Following a campaign of discontent during 2022/23 where the Old Gold sacked a manager and flirted with the relegation zone, Gary O’Neil has transformed the club.

A solid back three has conceded 44 goals, the ninth-best defensive record in the top flight. But it is O’Neil’s attacking options which have been a pleasant surprise this season, with the Old Gold scoring 42 goals in 29 matches.

This is 11 more than they achieved throughout the whole of the 2022/23 season, and it proves just how important it is to have attacking players on form.

It isn’t just one player who has grabbed the headlines, however. Pedro Neto has scored three goals and grabbed 11 assists, while Pablo Sarabia (12 goal contributions) and Matheus Cunha (18 goal contributions) have also contributed effectively throughout 2023/24, leading the Molineux outfit to ninth spot in the table at the time of writing.

Alongside Cunha, Hwang Hee-Chan is their top scorer with 11 goals this term and his resurgence under O’Neil has been a big bonus as they chase another top half top-flight finish.

Hwang Hee-Chan’s statistics for Wolves this season

The South Korean forward was signed on an initial loan deal by former manager Bruno Lage in August 2021 and was widely praised by Wolves technical director Scott Sellars.

“He’s got a good pedigree, having played Champions League football and at a World Cup,” said Sellars.

“He’s got a lot of pace, power and strength – he’s probably a little bit different to what we’ve got, and we think he’s a strong acquisition for the squad.”

Metric

2022/23

2023/24

Goals

3

10

Assists

1

3

Big chances created

1

4

Shots on target per game

0.3

0.6

Successful dribbles per game

0.5

1.5

It didn’t take long for his presence to impress the hierarchy as the club paid RB Leipzig £14m to make the loan deal a permanent one in January 2022, and he finished the season with five goals in the top flight.

The 2022/23 proved to be a bit of a damp squib, however, as the forward managed to score just four goals for the Molineux side during the whole season, although it appeared like everyone suffered, as this total ranked him as their third highest scorer, just two goals behind Ruben Neves and Daniel Podence.

This season, however, Hwang has enjoyed a rejuvenation under O’Neil. The 11 goals have been supplemented with three assists and his contributions have been key to the Old Gold currently occupying a top-half spot.

The attacker ranks second among the squad for goals and assists (13) in the Premier League, while also ranking second for shots on target per game (0.6), fourth for big chances created (four) and for successful dribbles per game (1.5), showcasing his importance to the cause.

According to Football Transfers, these displays mean Hwang is currently valued at €19m (£16.2m). This may not sound that impressive, but considering how poor a campaign he had last year, his valuation is currently back on the rise and more wonderful displays between now and May will see this break through the £20m mark.

There are a few players who are valued more than Hwang, however, with one being a former Wolves striker who played for the club between 2010 and 2012 – Steven Fletcher.

How much Steven Fletcher is worth in 2024 money

Of course, the Scottish striker is not currently valued higher than Hwang, as he is plying his trade for Wrexham in League Two at the age of 36.

But thanks to Totally Money, who have adjusted previous transfers for football inflation over the previous 30 years, it proves that Fletcher’s transfer fee is higher than Hwang’s current value.

Indeed, Wolves managed to secure his signature for a fee of £6.5m, which looked like a wise investment considering his performances during his maiden season in the top flight. Totally Money, however, states that this fee, now adjusted for inflation, would be worth around £17.8m today.

That is ahead of Hwang’s current market valuation of £16.2m and proves just how much of a blinder Wolves made when they snapped Fletcher up over a decade ago.

Steven Fletcher’s statistics for Wolves

The centre-forward had built his reputation north of the border, scoring 45 goals for Hibs in 163 appearances, leading to a move to Burnley in 2009.

They had just been promoted to the Premier League and were looking for someone to spearhead their attack. 12 goals in 38 games during his only season at Turf Moor was a solid if unspectacular record, and it led to him being on the move again in 2010.

It got even better at Molineux for the former Hibs starlet, as he scored 12 goals in 34 matches during his debut season and his goals meant the club avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth, finishing in 17th spot, just one point ahead of Birmingham City.

Another 12-goal campaign followed as Fletcher continued to terrorise defences in the Premier League, although this time, his goals could not prevent the Old Gold from slipping back into the second tier at the end of the season.

With that, his two-season spell at the Old Gold ended, staying in the top flight courtesy of his move to Sunderland.

There is no doubt the club played a blinder by moving him on for more than double what they signed him for just two years earlier, with the 6 foot 1 hitman enjoying his stint in the Midlands.

Since then, he has played for six clubs and is still going strong for Wrexham at the time of writing, netting eight goals in the League during the current season.

The fact that his sale in 2012 eclipses the current market value of Hwang proves just how much Wolves hit the jackpot on the former Scotland international.

Brenden Aaronson played “like a wasp in a bottle” at Leeds and was “too lightweight” for the Premier League, but he is ready for a second chance.

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American struggled in England first time aroundReturning to Elland Road from Berlin loan spellCreativity will be put to good use by the WhitesWHAT HAPPENED?

The United States international made his way to England in the summer of 2023 as he linked up with fellow countrymen Jesse Marsch and Tyler Adams at Elland Road. He was later joined by Weston McKennie when the American midfielder completed a loan move from Juventus.

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Marsch failed to see out the 2022-23 campaign as coach, while Aaronson, Adams and McKennie formed part of a squad that suffered relegation into the Championship. They all departed, but Aaronson only headed to Bundesliga side Union Berlin on a year-long loan.

WHAT ROBINSON SAID

He is now due back at Leeds, after Copa America duty with his country, and former Whites goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes he could have an important role to play in efforts to secure promotion back into the Premier League. The ex-England international has told : "From what I’m hearing, it’s only Brenden Aaronson, of the loan players, that’s coming back in. I think the manager is quite keen on integrating him back into the squad and into the side next season. He’s had a decent loan. But for all the other loanees, Leeds are going to have to cut their cloth accordingly, move these players on and get the best price they can.

“Aaronson is the one that’s going to come back in and the manager is quite willing to use him and integrate him into a Championship side next season. I think he’ll be okay in the Championship. He’s a little bit like a wasp in a bottle at times, but with the way Daniel Farke plays, he could structure him in and tie him down to a position. I think he was too lightweight in the Premier League, but he could do a job in the Championship for Leeds.”

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Aaronson took in 40 appearances for Leeds during his initial spell on their books, but registered only one goal. He did not see as many starts as he was hoping for in Berlin, but another clean slate is now being presented to the 23-year-old playmaker.

Shreyas Iyer has an opportunity to end India’s search for a reliable ODI No. 4 as they head to the Caribbean, where he has had recent success with the India A side. But he wants to have some sort of continuity in the side, because “getting in and out of the team doesn’t create a good pattern.””If you are really a good talent, then you need a certain amount of chances to prove yourself and get acclimatised to the conditions,” quoted Iyer as saying. “If you keep coming in and going out [of the team], it doesn’t really set a good pattern for one’s self and you start disbelieving yourself. If you are a great talent, then you need some time.”Iyer, who at 24 is among India’s most consistent domestic performers, made 187 runs at 62.33, including two half-centuries in four innings, for India A during their 4-1 unofficial ODI series win in the Caribbean earlier this month. In April and May, Iyer played a key role in steering Delhi Capitals to their first IPL play-off spot since 2012, impressing not just with his run-making but also his leadership under head coach Ricky Ponting.In December 2018, Iyer admitted to being “emotionless” after being overlooked repeatedly despite consistent scores. He was part of India’s T20I squad against Australia in March, but couldn’t break into the XI. Iyer admits it’s only natural to lose patience, but wants to try and put past frustrations behind him.”Yes, you tend to lose patience but selection is not in your hands,” he said. “All you can do is perform, perform and perform and that is what I enjoy doing. You have to keep performing and keep showing people that you are capable of playing at the higher league. Once you get that sniff, you never look back.”Iyer also said “it was difficult to not get selected” for the World Cup, but wants to build towards the next edition through his consistency.”It was my dream to play the World Cup for my country. I know there are a few opportunities that I got but unfortunately the team combination was such that it didn’t demand me to be there.”There was a lot of buzz about me before the World Cup selection because I was consistent and aware about the hard work and smart work that I had put in. It will definitely reap benefits and help me in future when I play for India. I just kept myself positive and always in high spirits. It didn’t disturb me from inside at all. It was a dream to play the World Cup and I will play for sure in the future.”Iyer’s strength is his back-foot game, and he is quite a good puller of the short ball, an area he admits to have worked on with Ponting. For now, as he gears up for a second wind of sorts, he believes the familiarity of having played in the West Indies will help him.”The A tour has always given me an opportunity to prove myself in the higher league as this is the stepping stone,” he said. “I was in West Indies for the List A series and I had an idea of how the pitches play and also it’s so hot out there that you need to keep yourself hydrated. These are little things that you learn as you start playing.”You have to always work on your batting as you are never perfect. I am working on my batting every day and trying to perfect a few shots that will help me score all around the world. Pull and sweep are two shots that can help me score runs outside India. These are two shots that can immediately put pressure back on bowlers.”

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has been ruled out of Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka after hurting his hamstring on Friday, the third and last day of training before the team departs for Colombo. Tamim Iqbal will lead the side in his absence.Allrounder Mohammad Saifuddin has also been ruled out due to a recurring back injury. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and seam-bowling allrounder Farhad Reza will replace Mashrafe and Saifuddin in Bangladesh’s squad.The injuries mean Bangladesh will be without four of their starting players from the squad that played the World Cup, with Shakib Al Hasan and Liton Das also out of the tour for personal reasons. With Shakib, the regular vice-captain, also out, the BCB has turned to Tamim to lead the side.Mashrafe’s injury is a grade 1 strain in the left hamstring, BCB’s senior physician Dr Debashis Chowdhury confirmed. “It is a recurrent injury that could take around three to four weeks to recover from. Therefore, he is ruled out from participation in sporting activity for a month.”Bangladesh play their first ODI in Colombo on July 26.Tamim Iqbal plays a shot•Getty Images

Just before sustaining his injury at training, Mashrafe had addressed a press conference where he had spoken of the importance of the ODI series against Sri Lanka in rebuilding Bangladesh’s confidence after their eighth-place finish at the World Cup.”I don’t think too much has changed between just before the World Cup and just after the World Cup,” Mashrafe said. “If there was a good young player available, who performed exceptionally, we would have most likely taken him to the World Cup. I think we have to prepare at least some cricketers at the highest level, over the next two years. Give them enough opportunity, so that they can serve us well in the next World Cup.”But this ODI series is important for Bangladesh cricket. Given our circumstances, we need to win this series, so we have to keep this in mind as well.”There will be a big difference in intensity between a World Cup and a bilateral series. But we have to absorb it like a professional side. Our reality, given how we did at the World Cup, however doesn’t allow us to have less intensity. This is an opportunity for us to take a positive turn, so I am sure everyone has the mindset to make a comeback.”Mashrafe, however, didn’t ignore the need for long-term planning, pleading for more focus on the pipeline leading up to the senior team. He felt most of the current squad could still be part of the set-up in four years’ time, but added that it would be crucial for Bangladesh to make the next rung of players ready for international cricket.”Apart from me, the rest of the side is capable of playing in the next World Cup,” he said. “But I think it is more important to focus on the Under-19s, HP (high performance) and A team, if we are to do well in the next four years. We must have players who become stable in international cricket during this time.”Focusing on just one team of players makes life difficult at the highest level. We don’t have Shakib [Al Hasan] for this tour so we have to look for two options. It is a great opportunity for those replacing him.”Bangladesh rejoice following their win•NurPhoto/Getty Images

Although Sri Lanka hold an overwhelming 36-7 head-to-head record in matches between the two sides, recent history has been a lot closer, with Bangladesh winning three of the last six completed ODI meetings. There has been on-field friction too, exemplified by the ‘Nagin’ dance that both teams taunted each other with during last year’s Nidahas Trophy. Mashrafe felt the upcoming series would continue the growth of the rivalry between the two teams.”I think we will start on equal footing,” he said. “They are playing at home where they always do well. They have been playing together for a while too. They are becoming a balanced side. They have some good memories from the World Cup, particularly beating England and pushing a few sides. There’s been a bit of excitement between the two teams since the Nidahas Trophy and that will play a part too.”Mashrafe said he was disappointed with his own performance at the World Cup, where he took just one wicket in eight matches. But he said that given his experience of playing at the highest level for two decades, he is equipped to deal with pressure and knows how to turn his form around.”I have to take responsibility as a player and when I took over the captaincy four or five years ago, I had a similar feeling as well,” he said. “I know it very well, having played for Bangladesh for 18 years, that our people raise questions quite quickly.”I am personally disappointed with how I did at the World Cup and it will be a shame if I am not hurting. I am in a “nothing to lose” situation. But I also have the mentality to turn around, and coming towards the end of my career, there’s no need to take pressure.”GMT 1600 The story was updated with the news of Mashrafe and Saifuddin’s injuries.

Paul Stirling’s century in vain as Ireland’s bowlers struggle against superior batting line-up

The Report by Mohammad Isam15-May-2019
Seamer Abu Jayed’s first five-wicket haul in only his second ODI coupled with fifties from Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan led Bangladesh to a six-wicket win and kept Ireland winless in the tri-series. However, Bangladesh will be sweating over Shakib’s fitness after the allrounder had retired hurt during the chase with a suspected side strain.Earlier, Ireland opener Paul Stirling put on a show, making 130 off 141 balls, and was well supported by his captain William Porterfield, who hit his first ODI fifty in more than a year, but their efforts went in vain as Bangladesh aced their chase.Abu Jayed bowls•AFP

Tamim set the tone with his second fifty in three matches this series, helping Bangladesh to another rapid start. He put on 117 for the first wicket with Liton and piled the pressure on Ireland with a flurry of boundaries. Tamim could have been dismissed on 22 had Gary Wilson hung onto a catch behind the stumps, but he went onto add 35 to his tally.Liton complemented Tamim well and was particularly strong square of the wicket, keeping Bangladesh ticking in the chase. Both the openers were bowled, but Shakib and Mushfiqur then took over, adding 64 runs together in 10 overs. During the process, Mushfiqur became the fifth wicketkeeper to reach 5000 ODI runs after Adam Gilchrist, Andy Flower, Kumar Sangakkara and MS Dhoni. The stand, however, ended when Mushfiqur’s leg-side tickle was superbly intercepted by a diving Wilson.Shakib suffered a suspected side strain while trying to pull Josh Little in the 35th over, and consequently retired hurt. Mahmudullah, though, got them home, with his unbeaten 35 off 29 balls.Such an emphatic Bangladesh victory had looked less likely when Stirling dominated the visitors in the first innings. Stirling got going with a crunch through the covers off Jayed and proceeded to add 174 with Porterfield – the highest third-wicket stand for Ireland in ODI cricket. In all, Stirling struck eight fours and four sixes in his 130.Porterfield made 94 off 106 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, but got out to Jayed just as he tried to accelerate. He had been particularly severe on Mashrafe Mortaza, taking the veteran seamer for 31 off 25 balls. Shakib wasn’t spared either. Porterfield also slammed five fours off Shakib, who finished with 0 for 65 in his nine overs, including a 23-run last over.Jayed also took the prized scalp of Stirling, helping Bangladesh keep Ireland to under 300. Porterfield was caught at the deep extra-cover boundary while Stirling gave deep midwicket a simple catch. Ireland’s slide either side of the Stirling-Porterfield stand and some wayward bowling meant they ended the series without a single win.

كشف لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول، أندي روبرتسون، عن سبب بداية ليفربول القوية هذا الموسم في منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وفاز ليفربول في أول 3 مباريات بمنافسات البريميرليج، بتحقيق الفوز على كل من إيبسويتش تاون، برينتفورد ومانشستر يونايتد.

وسيخوض ليفربول 7 مباريات في خلال 3 أسابيع قبل التوقف الدولي في شهر أكتوبر القادم.

اقرأ ايضاً.. رودري يختار المنافس الرئيسي لـ مانشستر سيتي في الدوري الإنجليزي.. ويتحدث عن “حلم” الكرة الذهبية

وقال أندي روبرتسون في تصريحات للموقع الرسمي لنادي ليفربول: “من الجيد أن نعود إلى أنفيلد من جديد، من الواضح أننا سافرنا جميعًا حول العالم ومن الصعب دائمًا العودة بعد فترة التوقف الدولي، لكننا عدنا أمام جماهيرنا ونأمل فقط أن نتمكن من مواصلة الزخم الذي بدأناه من قبل”.

وتابع: “لقد تدربنا أكثر من أي وقت مضى، وذلك بسبب الجدول الزمني، ولكننا الآن نخوض مباريات مألوفة بالنسبة لنا وأكثر طبيعية، لذا، سنحتاج إلى الجميع، هذه حقيقة، سنحتاج إلى الفريق بأكمله”.

وواصل: “لعبنا بنفس التشكيلة الأساسية تقريبًا في المباريات الثلاث الأولى، وأنا متأكد، على الرغم من أنني لست من يتخذ القرارات، إلا أنه في المباريات السبع القادمة ربما لن يكون نفس الفريق في كل مباراة وسنحتاج إلى الجميع للمشاركة والاستعداد بالمستوى الذي هم عليه الآن”.

وأوضح: “يتعين علينا جميعًا القيام بالأشياء الصحيحة، وعلينا جميعًا الاعتناء بأجسادنا بشكل صحيح والتعافي بشكل صحيح، ولكن أيضًا أن نكون مستعدين في يوم المباراة، هذا هو التحدي الذي نواجهه ونأمل أن نكون على قدر المسؤولية”.

وأردف: “نعلم أننا ندخل في فترة مكثفة، ونعلم أنه من الآن وحتى فترة التوقف الدولي القادمة لدينا الكثير من المباريات في فترة زمنية قصيرة، ويتعين علينا محاولة الحفاظ على هذا الزخم، ومحاولة الحفاظ على الشعور الجيد والروح الجيدة التي لدينا الآن ومواصلة البناء نحو ما نريد القيام به هذا الموسم”.

وكشف روبرتسون: “أعتقد أننا نلعب بثقة في الخط الخلفي الآن، أعتقد أننا ندخل المباريات ونحن نعتقد أننا قادرون على الخروج بشباك نظيفة والحفاظ عليها، وربما قمنا بتقييد أليسون بعدد قليل جدًا من التصديات، وهو أمر يرضيه بالتأكيد، وعندما تم استدعاؤه قام بالتصديات التي نحتاجها منه”.

وواصل: “كنا نعلم أننا ربما أهدرنا الكثير من الفرص في الموسم الماضي، واستقبلنا الكثير من التسديدات، وأعتقد أن الأمر يتعلق فقط بمحاولة الحد من ذلك، أعتقد أننا فعلنا ذلك حتى الآن، وأعتقد أننا حافظنا على عدد قليل من التسديدات للفرق وإذا فعلت ذلك، فستكون فرصك في استقبال الأهداف أقل”.

وبين قائلاً: “أعتقد أن الجميع أصبحوا أكثر تركيزًا على الدفاع كوحدة كاملة، والدفاع كفريق، وأعتقد أن هذا هو مفتاح ذلك، لكن يتعين علينا الاستمرار في القيام بذلك لا يمكننا الدفاع بأربعة لاعبين فقط أو خمسة، يجب أن يكون الأمر بالتشكيلة الكاملة وفي المباريات الثلاث الأولى أعتقد أننا فعلنا ذلك بالتأكيد”.

وأنهى: “لا أعتقد أنني خضت مباراة سهلة ضد نوتينجهام فورست، أعتقد أنهم دائمًا ما يكونوا صعبين، أعتقد أنه عندما تنظر إلى المباريات التي لعبناها ضدهم في الموسم الماضي، فقد أثبتوا ذلك”.

Aaron Finch has opened up about the “huge anxiety” he felt during his form slump and the possibility that it could lead to him being left out of Australia’s World Cup campaign.Finch endured a nightmare home season, during which he was dropped from the Test side, and, coupled with the pending returns of David Warner and Steven Smith, murmurs had begun about who would make way. But Finch emerged from his troubles in emphatic style soon after with a prolific series against Pakistan, which included back-to-back hundreds in Sharjah.Speaking in-depth to radio on Wednesday, ahead of joining Australia’s pre-World Cup camp in Brisbane, Finch talked about having learnt lessons from his difficult patch, which led to him over-training only to see the runs dry up even more.Since the Pakistan series, he has had a break from the game before returning to the nets ahead of the run-in to the World Cup, where a resurgent Australia will be aiming to defend their title and win a sixth title. But there were moments when Finch wondered if he would be there at all.”[I had] huge anxiety based on the World Cup coming up, being captain of the side and not getting the output I wanted leading from the front,” Finch said. “When I think of Australian captains – Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Mark Taylor, Allan Border – everyone leads from the front, and I was getting really frustrated, I was preparing, doing everything I thought I could to succeed, it just wasn’t happening.”The support I was getting was incredible, but in the back of your mind you are thinking, ‘gee, the World Cup isn’t far away, as a captain I could be left out of the squad’; then you start putting unrealistic pressure on yourself to perform when you can’t control that. That takes care of itself if you do your job.”David Warner checks out the pitch while Steven Smith looks on•BCCI

The pressure on Finch peaked when he made a duck in the opening ODI against India, but two matches later came the breakthrough when he struck 93 in Ranchi as part of an opening stand of 193 with Usman Khawaja, which sparked Australia’s run of eight consecutive victories.”It’s a game of inches,” he said. “Hyderabad, the first ODI, my hundredth, I’m thinking this is where the rut’s ending, I’m coming out going to be aggressive, and I get a good one from Jasprit Bumrah, out for a duck. I was going back through all my notes that I’m keeping of training sessions and mental preparation and thinking to myself why is it different to when I was in form? The reality was there wasn’t a huge difference, it was in my own mindset. I was starting to think a bit negatively.”I was lucky enough to get 90-odd, played a pretty good innings, had great partnership with Usman in Ranchi then started to feel like I’d turned it around. I walk out next game chasing 360 and out for a duck again, then you doubt yourself. To get a start in the next game was nice then to continue it on through UAE was pleasing.”Finch also admitted there were times when he was concerned his personal struggles with the bat were eroding his authority as captain. “You are trying talk to the boys about game plans and where you need to improve but I hadn’t been doing my job as well as I could have, so there were times when I was feeling I’m in no position to criticise anyone about their game when I’m not doing it well myself. I found that really tough and had to learn to put to one side.”He is now back leading the side from a position of strength, but still plans to make plenty of use of the experience of Smith and Warner as they return to international cricket following the ball-tampering bans. The pair paid a flying visit to meet the squad in the UAE before travelling to India for the IPL, but the Brisbane camp will be their official return to the Australia set-up since last March and Finch has spent a lot of time thinking about the dynamic of leading former captain Smith.”There’ll be plenty of time to sit down over a coffee or dinner and talk about my plan for him and how I want to use him. I’ve got no doubt he’ll be open-minded to everything,” Finch said. “I’ve put a lot of thought into it with him [Smith] and Davey. I’ve been friends with them for a long time so they’ll definitely be no issue.”I’ll be using them as much as I can tactically because they’ve both captained a lot of cricket and are very good captains on the field. That would be really naïve of me not to lean on them, they’ve been around teams a long time, they’ve been around Australia a long time. Yes, they are coming back for the first time but it’s an exciting time.”After the camp in Brisbane, which includes three one-day matches against a New Zealand XI, Australia will head to the UK via a stopover in Gallipoli to visit Anzac Cove, mirroring the trip made by Steve Waugh’s squad before the 2001 Ashes.They then have two warm-up matches against England and Sri Lanka before beginning their World Cup campaign with a day-night match against Afghanistan in Bristol on June 1.

The January transfer window is a matter of days away from opening up for business and Leeds United could dip into the market to bolster their squad.

They are currently competing to secure an instant return to the Premier League after being relegated at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

The Whites are chasing automatic promotion and bringing in reinforcements next month could give the team a lift ahead of the second half of the campaign.

One position that could be addressed by head coach Daniel Farke and recruitment chief Nick Hammond is the full-back area as the Yorkshire-based outfit have struggled in that area.

Injuries to the likes of Stuart Dallas, Sam Byram, and Jamie Shackleton have restricted the manager's options on both sides, whilst Djed Spence and Junior Firpo have also had their injury issues.

This has led to 17-year-old whiz Archie Gray nailing down the right-back position ahead of the experienced Luke Ayling despite being a central midfielder by trade.

Farke could now land a dream rival to Gray in the number two slot by securing a deal to sign reported transfer target Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Leeds transfer news – Bright Osayi-Samuel

It was recently reported by TEAMtalk that the Whites are one of a number of clubs interested in a possible swoop to sign the versatile defender in January.

The outlet named Premier League sides Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace as two of the other teams in the race to secure the Nigeria international's signature ahead of the second half of the campaign.

Palace are currently said to be leading the race as their recruitment chiefs have been impressed by his performances for Fenerbahce this season and they are now looking at a potential move for him in 2024.

His contract with the Turkish giants expires in the summer of 2025 and this means that the next two transfer window may represent their last chance to cash in before he could sign a pre-contract deal elsewhere in January 2025.

However, TEAMtalk did not reveal how much Fenerbahce are due to demand from any of the interested clubs in the upcoming January transfer window, or whether or not they are even prepared to sell him for any fee.

It will be difficult for Leeds to snap Osayi-Samuel up next month amid interest from two already-Premier League clubs as they will need to convince him to turn down top-flight football for five months in the Championship and the possibility of promotion.

If Farke can do that, though, then he could have a fantastic rival to Gray's position in the team and it would allow the academy starlet to play more minutes in his natural position, instead of being needed to be the first-choice right-back for the remainder of the campaign.

Archie Gray's season in numbers

The 17-year-old talent, who does not turn 18 until next March, has established himself as a regular starter in the Championship for Leeds this season.

Gray has racked up 23 league appearances for the Whites so far during the 2023/24 campaign and been selected as a starter in 21 of those matches.

As a natural central midfielder, the England U19 international has been a reliable outlet in possession for his side at right-back with a pass success rate of 83%, which ranks him within the top 14% of full-backs within the division this term.

This means that he is able to play out from the back under pressure without giving the ball back to the other team on a regular basis, which allows Leeds to bypass an opposition press to build up attacks.

Gray has also showcased his defensive capabilities with 2.7 tackles and interceptions combined to go along with 5.5 ball recoveries per match.

He has won 51% of his duels throughout the campaign and this shows that the teenager has held his own in physical battles, in spite of his age and inexperience.

These statistics prove that the English gem has taken to senior football like a duck to water, both in terms of the technical and physical attributes required of him.

However, Gray has only played four matches as a central midfielder so far this season and, therefore, has not had a good run in his natural position.

Osayi-Samuel could now come in to rival the teenager for his position at right-back whilst also opening the door for Farke to unleash the youngster in midfield more often.

The statistics that show why Leeds should sign Osayi-Samuel

The Fenerbahce star has been in impressive form so far this season and could be a superb addition to the squad to improve the team heading into the second half of the campaign.

Osayi-Samuel has emerged as a regular starter for the Turkish side at right-back this term and has showcased his qualities in and out of possession.

The 25-year-old dynamo has completed an eye-catching 87% of his attempted passes, which is more impressive than Gray's 83% success rate, and this shows that he is reliable on the ball and able to retain possession far more often than not.

He has also caught the eye with his defensive qualities in the Super Lig with 3.2 tackles and interceptions combined and 4.8 ball recoveries per game across 13 top-flight appearances.

These statistics suggest that the £40k-per-week talent could offer more than Gray at both ends of the pitch with his superb passing and his ability to win possession back for his side with tackles and interceptions more frequently.

His percentile rank among other full-backs in European competitions over the last 365 days:

Osayi-Samuel is also a versatile player who could be utilised further forward by Farke. Former QPR boss Mark Warburton claimed he has "sheer pace" that can terrify opposition defenders as a winger, which is a position the talented gem has played more than any other in his career.

The Nigerian gem produced eight goals and ten assists in 54 Championship starts across his two final seasons with QPR as a winger, which shows that the Leeds target can chip in with goal contributions on a semi-regular basis at that level.

Therefore, Farke could land a dream rival to Gray and more depth to his wide options by striking a deal to sign the Fenerbahce ac ahead of Wolves and Palace next month.

Fifties from du Plessis and Hendricks was backed up by four catches and two run-outs from Miller as the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the series

The Report by Danyal Rasool01-Feb-2019 192 for 6 (Du Plessis 78, Hendricks 74, Shinwari 3-31) bear Pakistan 186 for 9 (Malik 49, Shamsi 2-33)Where Pakistan play with a stand-in captain and the bizarre arrangement of the PCB announcing captains will be appointed on a “series-by-series” basis, their South African counterpart – captain of all formats and all foreseeable series to come – demonstrated the benefits of having a rock in that position. Faf du Plessis thwacked 78 off 45 in a partnership with Reeza Hendricks that added a colossal 131 at almost eleven per over through the middle overs, helping South Africa post a ground record 192 in the first innings at Newlands. Hendricks played his own part in full measure, adding 74 off 41. Job done, Du Plessis came out to the press conference and announced that he would rest for the remaining two games of the series.For a Pakistan side that had put South Africa in after winning the toss, this was just a few too many. There was no partnership to even remotely be considered a challenger to that Hendricks-du Plessis onslaught. All South Africa’s bowlers needed to do was keep it straightforward, and watch Pakistan crumble under the pressure of a ballooning asking rate. They were more than up for it, and rewarded with a six-run victory, pulling ahead in the three-match T20I series.This might just be the start of the year, but you could be sure the partnership between Hendricks and his captain will rank among the elite by the time 2019 is out. Du Plessis has come in enjoying steely runs in the Test series and solid ones in the ODIs, and here he showed he could do sizzling runs too. From the moment he spanked Shadab Khan – the unfortunate whipping boy among a number of contenders in the Pakistan line-up today – through the offside for four, the gloves were fully off. Eighty-nine runs were scored in the seven overs beginning with that one, Hendricks just as much a participant in the carnage.15,13,12,14,15. Those were the respective fates of the bowlers tasked with sending down overs 11-15, Shadab, Hussain Talat, Usman Shinwari and Faheem Ashraf all unable to stem the flow of runs. The quicker bowlers were a shade predictable in their approach, both in terms of the pace and length they delivered at, allowing two settled batsman to take full advantage with almost consummate ease. Reeza Hendricks eyed Shinwari for the most severe punishment, a six over midwicket from around the wicket to Pakistan’s fastest bowler indicative of the confidence flowing through his veins following a brilliant ODI series.South Africa were so far ahead of par by the 15 over mark – 157 for 1 – they could afford a poor last five and still post a challenging total. Pakistan came back brilliantly with a Shinwari over that removed both du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen, conceding just one run. Ashraf nailed his yorkers in the dying overs as the runs began to dry up, and where the top order had once eyed 220, the lower order could only manage 192.Pakistan began poorly, Fakhar Zaman edging to slip off just the third ball. The sort of innings they have come to take for granted from the ever-dependable Babar Azam did arrive, and for a period, he and 22-year old Hussain Talat built up a launchpad partnership. The trouble was Talat wasn’t nearly as capable of keeping up with the required rate as Babar, and with the asking rate rising, someone had to take responsibility. 81 was added in 57 balls by the two, meaning around the halfway mark, Pakistan were just three short of South Africa’s equivalent tally.It was there that South Africa’s innings had really taken off, but the same overs in the Pakistan innings saw their challenge fade. Talat went looking for successive big hits, but it was the run out of Babar that twisted the knife into Pakistan. David Miller, who found himself all over the field in the final ten overs, directed a brilliant hit at one stump to catch Babar out. It would be one of a staggering six dismissals he effected, with four catches to complement two run-outs. From there on, Pakistan’s chase took on a manic, even unsophisticated air.Make no mistake, they were in it till the final few balls, but with the class of Babar removed, it was Malik at one end and rudimentary slogs at the other. The hosts were far more effective with the ball in the middle overs; Andile Phehlukwayo was the pick. The pace was varied effectively and the batsmen were routinely out-thought as slogs and misses became the norm, mistimed hits carrying to the deep fielders the expected outcome. Ashraf struck a six and got out, ditto Hasan Ali, and with skipper Malik the anchor from the other end, a bizarre game Pakistan were supposedly out of went to the final over.Here, Chris Morris, coming back into the side after an extended lay-off, showed the utility of his skillset. The yorkers were immaculate off the first two deliveries, forcing Malik to feel the pressure and hole out with three deliveries to spare. Shadab took it deeper still to make it ten off two, but in a game where South Africa always appeared to be just one step ahead, Morris made sure they came away with a six-run win to reflect that fact.

Former Worcestershire cricketer had been accused of raping a sleeping woman in 2017

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Jan-2019The jury in the trial of Alex Hepburn, the former Worcestershire cricketer who was accused of raping a sleeping woman, has been discharged after failing to reach a verdict.The case at Worcester Crown Court was adjourned on Friday afternoon, the fifth day of the trial, after the 12-person jury failed to reach a majority verdict following more than nine hours of deliberation.Hepburn, 23, now faces the prospect of a retrial after pleading not guilty to two counts of rape, following his initial arrest in April 2017.In the course of the trial it was claimed that the alleged victim, who cannot be named, had awoken during the attack, having initially assumed Hepburn to be Joe Clarke, his Worcestershire team-mate, with whom she had had consensual sex earlier in the night.Hepburn, who was born in Western Australia and moved to England in 2013 to pursue his cricket career, told the court that he had previously arranged to sleep in his friend’s room, and did not see the woman until he was in bed beside her.The case brought to light what was described in court as a “sexual conquest game” on the social media app WhatsApp, involving a number of Worcestershire’s players, including Hepburn and Clarke.Miranda Moore QC, for the prosecution, alleged that Hepburn had been “fired up” by his desire to win the competition, having posted the rules of the game to the WhatsApp group five days before the alleged attack.Hepburn, giving evidence, had claimed the WhatsApp group was “meant to be nothing more than immature chat between a group of friends”, adding that he was embarrassed that his family had had to see the comments that he had made.The Crown Prosecution Service will now discuss the prospect of a retrial with the lawyers and the judge, Jim Tindal, with a decision due in 14 days’ time.It is also understood that the ECB, the PCA and Worcestershire CCC are paying close attention to the case, with the behaviour of the club’s players likely to come under scrutiny from the Cricket Discipline Commission, irrespective of the verdict.