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Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has some big decisions to make ahead of this weekend’s clash with Burnley at St James’ Park.

The Magpies remain the only team in the Premier League yet to win a single match in 2021/22 after their 1-1 draw with Norwich earlier this week and are in desperate need of a positive result against the Clarets.

Sean Dyche’s side could move six points clear of Newcastle in the table with a win, whilst the Canaries would do likewise if they pick up three points against Tottenham on Sunday, and that would leave Howe’s team in a dire situation.

Unleash Almiron

One change that the 44-year-old could make in order to secure his first win in charge of the club is unleashing attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron from the start on Saturday.

The Paraguayan came on for 13 minutes against Norwich in midweek and looked sharp in his short cameo. As per SofaScore, he won three of his four duels, won one tackle and completed 100% of his passes. He was also fouled twice as he alleviated pressure for his team and showed his value in and out of possession with his work rate.

Last year, his former boss Steve Bruce lauded him as ‘bright’ and said that he is a dream for a manager with the way he trains. 

The ex-Magpies coach said: “Almiron is a manager’s dream. He’s bright, he’s tough, he trains every day and he’s been carrying a thigh injury but doesn’t want to tell anybody.

“The last 20 minutes on Sunday (against West Ham United) he was limping about the pitch. In 18 months he’s proved to be a really top, top player.”

Along with his showing against Norwich, this summary from Bruce highlights what Almiron contributes off the ball for the Magpies. He is willing to put in 100% on the pitch and play through injury to give his all for the club, which could be useful in what could be a physical battle against Burnley due to it being a relegation scrap.

The £15.75m-rated gem has 13 goals and five assists during his time at Newcastle. Whilst this is not an incredible record in 104 matches, it does show that he has the capabilities to make a contribution in the final third and it could be worth the gamble in this huge match.

Therefore, he should be unleashed by Howe from the start against Burnley. His energy, work rate, and ability on the ball could help the Magpies to pick up three points and finally kickstart their season as they attempt to stave off relegation to the Championship.

AND in other news, NUFC must seal move for “extremely gifted” £35k-p/w gem with a “real football brain”…

Celtic have been dealt a late injury blow concerning Kyogo Furuhashi ahead of their upcoming Premiership clash on Monday evening.

What’s the latest?

According to a report by The Scottish Sun, the 26-year-old centre-forward, who suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury in Celtic’s 3-1 victory over St. Johnstone on Boxing Day, looks set to be ruled out of action until at least next month, missing tonight’s clash with Hibs as a result.

The report claims that the Japan international is a doubt for the Old Firm clash on February 2 – despite the fact that Ange Postecoglou claimed after the St. Johnstone win that the striker’s injury was “nothing major,” leading us to believe he could return after the break.

The report went on to state that Kyogo will not link up with the Japanese national team for their World Cup qualifiers against China on January 27 and Saudi Arabia on February 1 due to his fitness concerns, as well as revealing that the forward has not been training with Celtic upon their return to Lennoxtown after the winter break.

Postecoglou will be fuming

Considering just how important a part of the Celtic side Kyogo has become since his £4.6m move to Parkhead last summer, the news that the centre-forward looks set to miss the fixture against Hibernian, as well as a number of other extremely important games in the coming weeks, is sure to have left Postecoglu fuming.

Indeed, over his 14 Premiership outings so far this season, the £4.95m-rated man has already scored eight goals, registered two assists and created four big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.1 shots and making 1.1 key passes per game.

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These returns have seen the £18k-per-week striker average a SofaScore match rating of 7.03, ranking him as Postecoglou’s 11th-best performer in the top flight of Scottish football – of the players who remain in the Greek-Australian manager’s first-team squad.

The Japan international has also bagged a further two goals and three assists over his five Europa League appearances, three goals over his four Europa League qualifying fixtures and three goals in three games in the League Cup – taking his total to 16 goals and five assists over just 26 appearances for the Hoops.

As such, being without Kyogo for any extended period of time will undoubtedly come as a huge blow to Postecoglou and his side, who will need to keep the 26-year-old fit and firing over the second half of the season if Celtic are to have any chance of going on to reclaim their Scottish Premiership crown come next May.

In other news: Ange must unleash Celtic’s £1.44m-rated “dream” on Hibs, he’ll give Maloney nightmares

Lee Johnson’s time as Sunderland boss has been plagued with injuries to some of his key players.

When he first walked through the door he quickly had to get used to problems to the likes of Denver Hume, Josh Scowen and Luke O’Nien.

The boss has since seen Bailey Wright ruled out for a few months and Grant Leadbitter suffer from a dislocated shoulder.

This has all happened while Tom Flanagan and Conor McLaughlin nurse different problems.

Unfortunately, Johnson had yet more bad news on the injury front on Friday afternoon. Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Blackpool, the manager confirmed that Dion Sanderson would miss the game with a back problem.

The centre-back hasn’t suffered a fracture which means he could still return before the end of the season.

There was more bad news on Flanagan, however, who is set for more time on the sidelines.

Johnson said: “I don’t quite have the same positivity in that news. He’s had this problem with his foot which we discussed last time. Actually last time I came out with quite a positive statement and positive news. I then walked straight back into the staffroom to get caught by quite a lot of negativity from the physio based on that third opinion.”

The boss continued: They’re going to treat it as a bonus issue with the foot and they still haven’t decided the course of remedy. It could be an injection, it could be time or it could be a potential operation.

“I think it will probably go down the injection route to try and snuff out this issue which is causing the mechanics of the left-side to be completely different which is why he pulled his left hamstring and had his problems with his left hip flexor so it all stems from that initial broken foot.”

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After Sanderson’s problem, this news will have left the 39-year-old absolutely gutted.

Sunderland’s main issue last weekend was undoubtedly from a defensive point of view. They were the definition of a shambles from set-plays which allowed Wigan to score two goals.

Wright had to be rushed back into the XI and with the O’Nien and Sanderson combination split up, things didn’t go well.

Thus, the idea that Flanagan won’t be able to help the team with the Wolves loanee missing is a bitter pill to swallow.

In recent weeks it looked as though the centre-back was improving but his injury could go as far as an operation in the worst-case scenario.

Johnson now has little option but to continue playing Wright, presumably alongside O’Nien. They will have to significantly improve if they want to secure promotion.

AND in other news, SAFC flop has seen his value rise by £7.2m after leaving, he’s “excellent” in Europe…

Wolves want to extend midfielder Joao Moutinho’s contract at the club beyond its expiry date this summer, according to reliable journalist Liam Keen.

The Lowdown: Moutinho out of contract

The 35-year-old has been a fantastic servant for Wanderers since joining from Monaco in 2018, making a total of 170 appearances for the club.

Moutinho is out of contract at the end of the season, however, and there have been doubts over whether or not he would extend his stay at Molineux.

Now, a hugely promising update has emerged, in that respect.

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The Latest: Huge news emerges

Taking to Twitter on Friday, Keen confirmed that Wolves wants to extend Moutinho’s time at the club, with the Portuguese also happy to stay put in the Premier League:

“Lage confirms that Wolves want to keep Moutinho and that he also wants to stay. Talks ongoing.”

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The Verdict: Get that deal signed

This is a massive boost for Wolves, with Moutinho’s experience and class in the middle of the park still vital, despite his advancing years. He averaged a 95.8% pass completion rate in the Carabao Cup this season, which speaks volumes about his class in possession.

With Ruben Neves potentially leaving Wanderers in the summer, it is doubly important that his compatriot remains at Molineux – losing both at the same time would feel like a hammer blow.

Moutinho may have to accept that he won’t play every week moving forward, given his age, but the idea of him signing a new deal feels significant for Bruno Lage and everyone associated with Wolves.

In other news, one player has been tipped to start for Wolves next season. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United have been linked with Adama Traore for some time, and the club might be excited to hear the latest update surrounding the player.

The latest on Traore

According to The Daily Mail, Wolves will listen to offers for Adama Traore in the summer after they knocked back an offer from Leeds in January, but it won’t be easy for the Whites as sides like Manchester City and Barcelona are also being linked.

This is great news for the club

The 25 year-old ‘big talent’, as hailed by Jurgen Klopp, who is valued at £36m (Transfermarkt), is known for his great strength and ability to dribble pace, and such assets could be ideal in a Marcelo Bielsa side.

This season in his 26 appearances in the Premier League (eight from the bench), the Spaniard has managed 1.4 key passes and 4.2 successful dribbles (WhoScored) per game, and his ability to carry the ball forward at tremendous speed and take defenders out of the equation could benefit the fast-flowing Bielsa-ball Leeds fans have become accustomed to – even if his end product hasn’t necessarily been there this term.

It was reported earlier in the season by Graeme Bailey that Leeds Director of Football, Victor Orta, “loves” the winger after previously signing him for Middlesbrough. The link with Orta also helps massively and it would not be surprising to see a move come to fruition in the summer transfer window if he is up for grabs.

In other news, Phil Hay has dropped an injury update on this Leeds star!

Hampshire Live journalist Tom Leach has delivered an update on Angus Gunn joining Norwich City this summer, as Ralph Hasenhuttl continues to axe some of the deadwood from his squad at Southampton ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

The journalist confirmed on Twitter that:

“Angus Gunn will have his #NCFC medical on Monday, I’m told. He will then finalise a £5.5m move (£2.5m initial payment, could rise to £10m with clauses).”

Gunn has endured a nightmare spell at St Mary’s since joining in a £13.5m deal from Manchester City in 2017, making just 30 appearances for the first team, in which he conceded 52 goals and kept just eight clean sheets.

The 25-year-old has fallen behind both Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster in the pecking order at Southampton and spent last season on loan with Stoke City in the Championship, where he would make 15 appearances.

The shot-stopper’s contract at Southampton was set to expire in 2023 and given that he is reportedly on £40k per week at St Mary’s, both Hasenhuttl and chairman Jisheng Gao will surely be delighted to see him depart on a permanent deal, as the money raised could well go towards bringing in another first-team player.

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After Wesley Hoedt’s departure was confirmed earlier this week, it seems as if the Saints are on a mission to get rid of the vast majority of bit-part players in order to fund a rebuild, which will hopefully see them bring in enough players to steer them away from a relegation battle next season following their collapse in the second half of the 2020/21 campaign.

Gunn has spent time on loan at Norwich in the past during his time as a Manchester City player and it seems as if this deal will suit both parties, as Daniel Farke looks to avoid immediate relegation back to the Championship after winning the title last season.

However, after Southampton’s less than impressive defensive record last season, which saw only West Brom concede more top-flight goals, perhaps Hasenhuttl should consider using these funds to bring in another keeper who could oust McCarthy and Forster as the main options in goal for the South Coast club.

And, in other news… talkSPORT journo delivers huge Southampton update that’ll leave Saints fans buzzing

Kevin Phillips has urged Sunderland to sign on-loan ace Dion Sanderson on a permanent deal this summer.

Phillips urges Sunderland to sign Sanderson

The centre-back made the move to the Stadium of Light on a temporary basis from Wolverhampton Wanderers at the start of this season.

It has recently been revealed that the Black Cats have entered talks over a permanent deal for the 21-year-old (Daily Mail), and Phillips believes his capture should be a priority for Sunderland. He told Football Insider:

“I would get a permanent deal done for Sanderson as soon as possible. I think it will be a priority.

“He looks like he really enjoys being at the football club. In the final the other week you could hear him and a few of the other lads cheering on Sunderland so it looks like he loves the club.

“On the pitch, he has been amazing so I would definitely be looking to tie him down to the club permanently.”

One for the future

The 1.88m (6 foot 3) defender has grown into an important member of Lee Johnson’s squad as this season has progressed. He started just one of the first 17 League One matches of the campaign, but has been named in the starting XI for the last 11 (Transfermarkt). During that run, the Wearside outfit have not lost even once and have conceded on just four occasions.

At just 21 years of age, Sanderson clearly has a big future ahead of him, and may well relish playing in the Championship if Sunderland are able to earn promotion. For the reported £2m Wolves are said to be seeking, he could be an absolute bargain signing, so Phillips is right to implore the Black Cats to land him on a permanent basis.

In other news, many Sunderland fans loved these Aiden O’Brien comments.

According to West Ham United insider Claret & Hugh, after they gave defender Arthur Masuaku a ’50/50′ chance of playing this afternoon, the Congolese ace is now set to miss the match against Everton.

The Lowdown: Masuaku on the injury list

West Ham have had to cope with their fair share of injuries recently and the 27-year-old was added to the long list yet again after already missing a big portion of the campaign.

Indeed, Masuaku underwent knee surgery in mid-December and didn’t return to the team until their away win over Wolves, being unavailable for a combined total of 20 games over 97 days (Transfermarkt).

However, following his return to action, he was quickly sidelined again for the Hammers due to a build-up of fluid around the knee (ExWHUemployee), causing him to miss the encounters with Newcastle, Chelsea and Burnley.

The Latest: Still sidelined…

Sharing an update in midweek, C&H gave some hope in regards to Masuaku playing this afternoon and refused to rule him out of contention, giving the left-back a ’50/50′ shot of featuring at the London Stadium.

However, providing updated team news, the insider says the 27-year-old is now set to miss the clash with Everton as West Ham gear up for what could be a crucial game in their bid for a top four finish.

The Irons will again have to cope without him in the left full-back role and it remains to be seen how Moyes shapes his team today, with a 4-2-3-1 formation perhaps likely after the win at Turf Moor last Monday.

The Verdict: Blow for Moyes…

There is an argument to be made that West Ham are most effective when playing three at the back and Masuaku was key to that earlier this season. Indeed, Aaron Cresswell also thrived as a left centre-half while partnering Masuaku on that side, with the Slaven Bilic signing doing well defensively and providing width before his knee surgery (whufc.com).

West Ham face a stern opponent in Everton today and Moyes would have been hoping to have more options available to him. Alongside Masuaku, C&H explained that first team star Declan Rice may also miss the match despite being back training on grass.

One hope for Moyes is the possible return of centre-back Angelo Ogbonna as he faces a late fitness test.

In other news: West Ham fans livid after ‘joke’ development, find out more here.

Leeds United are eyeing a summer move for Slavia Prague sensation Abdallah Sima in the transfer window.

What’s the story?

With the Premier League season inching closer towards its finale, it appears Marcelo Bielsa is already turning his eye to how best to strengthen this Leeds squad.

And, according to Football Insider, the club are keeping close tabs on the 19-year-old Sima, and that the forward “fits the profile” Bielsa is after.

The report adds that Leeds could face competition from rival Premier League clubs, with the likes of Everton and Manchester United also credited with having an interest.

Imagine him and Bamford

Primarily a right-winger, the teenager can also play up top, and has drawn impressive comparisons with Arsenal Invincible Thierry Henry, who, of course, started his career out wide before being transformed into one of the Premier League’s leading marksmen by Arsene Wenger.

Brian Laudrup meanwhile said (via GlasgowLive): “Sima, in particular, is a wonderful player. He is only 19 years of age, but is very good in the air and can take players on. He’s quick and is scoring for fun in the Czech league.”

And, former Chelsea goalkeeper and Czech Republic legend Petr Cech even went so far as to suggest “there aren’t many players like this in Europe.”

Dubbed as “always a threat” by former Liverpool star Vladimir Smicer, Sima could build a strong relationship with Patrick Bamford, and offer the Leeds man some vital support in terms of sharing the goal-scoring burden.

This season for Slavia, the attacker has bagged 19 goals in 36 games in all competitions, including showing his pedigree at European level with four goals in the Europa League – one of them coming in a 2-0 win away at Leicester.

Sima’s ability to come inside and be a threat in the penalty box would give Leeds that security of always having a presence in the area whenever Bamford makes those darting runs into the channel to draw the centre-backs out of position.

And, standing at 6 foot 2, Sima has got the height and physicality to be a real danger from crosses being whipped in from out wide, and offer the Whites another player to hit other than Bamford.

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Sima’s versatility in being able to play on both flanks and through the middle gives Bielsa the perfect option to either partner him with Bamford as a front two, or use him as an inside forward who can link up with Leeds’ number nine by coming in off the flank.

Either way, it’s a partnership that could bear rich fruit for Leeds next season.

Meanwhile, Bielsa could find a perfect Alioski successor in this star…

Coming after star West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice turned down two new contract offers in the summer, it appears the club have been dealt another potential blow surrounding the player.

The Lowdown: Rice new deal saga…

Reliable outlets like The Evening Standard and The Guardian reported over the summer that Rice snubbed two fresh deal offers at the London Stadium and wished to be informed of any incoming bids.

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Thankfully for manager David Moyes and co, Rice also didn’t try to force any move away and swiftly returned to action with West Ham upon finishing England duty and his personal break.

A silver lining at the end of what was some concerning news then, it appears West Ham may now be dealt another potential Rice blow as a new report emerges.

The Latest: West Ham dealt another potential Rice blow…

As per 90min, the Hammers and Moyes could indeed face a fresh challenge in tying down their star man.

Rice, who started 32 Premier League games for West Ham last season, expects the 2021/2022 campaign to be his last in east London.

While the 22-year-old would be open to signing fresh terms on the condition of a release clause, West Ham’s own rule of not including them in contracts for any of their players means a new deal is ‘unlikely’.

Rice is currently focused on this season with the Irons but has no shortage of suitors, with Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool all making their interest known according to this report.

The Verdict: Key player, big money…

Making the joint-most interceptions per 90 on average last season (1.8), the England international is well and truly a key player and West Ham’s unlikelihood of tying him down could come as a blow.

It will certainly be interesting to see if he does in fact move on at the end of this season, but if he keeps performing at such a high level, potential suitors will need to fork out big money.

A £100 million price tag on Rice has been mooted while manager Moyes believes he is worth even more than that, so while fans will of course want to keep their talisman, an offer at or over that price tag would surely be taken under consideration.

In other news: ‘Yayyy’, ‘Ooooo’, ‘Actually mental’…West Ham fans rave over ‘fantastic news’, find out more here.