An "important" Tottenham Hotspur player is open to leaving the club in January, as he makes a decision between two big-name clubs chasing a deal.

Spurs players tipped to leave in 2024

Ange Postecoglou's squad has looked wafer-thin at times, especially after injuries to the likes of Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Bentancur.

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Suspensions aren't helping either, with Yves Bissouma and Destiny Udogie forced to sit out yet again following their previous disciplinary troubles. The duo are set to miss Spurs' clash against Everton on Saturday, giving Postecoglou a real selection headache ahead of tomorrow.

Much has been made of Tottenham's squad depth, or lack thereof. However, despite their shortage of back-up options, certain squad members have still been tipped to leave next month.

Eric Dier is surplus to requirements and Spurs and could be sold in January, with Bayern Munich rumoured to be surprise suitors (Football Insider).

Postecoglou preferred a makeshift centre-back pairing of Emerson Royal and Ben Davies over the 29-year-old when both Romero and Van de Ven were unavailable, highlighting the Spurs boss' serious lack of faith in Dier.

Midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is another player who could depart north London when the transfer window reopens.

The Dane has been repeatedly linked with a move away, which may come as surprising given Postecoglou is facing a real midfield shortage soon. Both Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr are off to the Africa Cup of Nations in early January, while Bentancur isn't expected to return from injury until February.

Spurs open to Hojbjerg sale as Juventus and Ajax battle

Regardless, it is believed Tottenham are open to selling Hojbjerg in January, and the player himself is eyeing up a move away amid his lack of starting opportunities.

That is according to The Athletic and reliable journalist Charlie Eccleshare, who also claims Serie A heavyweights Juventus and Dutch giants Ajax are both keen on signing the former Southampton star. Hojbjerg is believed to be much more keen on joining the former.

The 28-year-old has made 16 Premier League appearances this season, but only three of them have been starts. He could get much more joy with a mid-season exit, and Hojbjerg isn't exactly short of prestigious suitors.

It would be a questionable decision by Spurs to let someone of his experience leave in January, though, given Postecoglou will soon be bereft of midfield options.

The Australian has also called Hojbjerg a "very important" member of the squad.

"It is obvious someone that has played regularly would have wanted to play more but ultimately our performances have been strong and he has had to bide his time," said Postecoglou on Hojbjerg.

"He has also been very important in a lot of the games that we’ve won late or had to shore up late. He has been one of the people who has helped us and it is not like he hasn’t contributed at all. He’s been a really important part for us. We wouldn’t be in this position if we were just reliant on our starting XI."

The arrival of new boss Mauricio Pochettino and the outlandish spending of Todd Boehly and Co over the summer meant that some Chelsea fans came into the season with a small amount of hope that they might just be able to rebuild after the disaster that was 2022/23.

However, at the halfway point of their Premier League campaign, the Blues find themselves in tenth place, miles off the Champions League places and heading into their League Cup semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough 1-0 down.

Aside from Cole Palmer, it would be hard to call any of their summer transfers successes, and one in particular, Nicolas Jackson, could be set to lose his place as Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez has been touted for a move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea transfer news – Lautaro Martinez

According to a report from Sports Lens earlier this week, Chelsea are interested in signing Inter's talismanic frontman, Martinez, in 2024.

The report has revealed that Arsenal are another party that have been monitoring the Argentine, and that while the Italian club are looking to tie their star down to a new deal as soon as possible, an offer in the region of £80m-£100m would be enough to turn some heads at the San Siro.

While it would undoubtedly represent another significant investment into the playing squad from Chelsea's ownership group, it would be worth it to sign a striker capable of finishing the impressive number of chances the Blues create – boasting the fourth-highest xG in the division.

How Lautaro Martinez compares to Nicolas Jackson

Martinez has long been looked at as a player who could go on to do great things, and over the last couple of years, he has well and truly established himself as one of Inter's most important players.

This impressive rise is not something that would have surprised talent scout Jacek Kulig, as he once described the 26-year-old as a "mix of Agüero & Falcao".

As a forward, there are few more flattering comparisons than that, as Agüero finished his career with 426 senior goals for club and country, while Falcao – who's still playing – has 307 club goals and 36 international goals to his name.

Jackson might be four years Martinez's junior, but with 168 senior goals to his name already, it is much easier to imagine the former Racing star reaching those levels than it is the Senegalese international.

That said, while comparisons to previous greats can be helpful, how do the pair's underlying numbers stack up to one another?

Well, in almost every meaningful metric, the "complete" Inter star, as described by Jacek Kulig, has his potential new teammate beaten. He scores more goals, takes more shots on target, produces more shot and goal-creating actions and even wins more aerial duels per 90.

Lautaro Martinez vs Nicolas Jackson

Stats per 90

Martinez

Jackson

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.56

0.66

Non-Penalty Goals

0.94

0.43

Shots on Target

1.51

1.24

Goals per Shot on Target

0.63

0.35

Shot-Creating Actions

3.15

2.98

Goal Creating Actions

0.57

0.37

Successful Take-Ons

0.75

1.55

Aerial Duels Won

1.01

0.93

All Stats via FBref for the 2023/24 Domestic Season

Jackson only emerges victorious when it comes to successful dribbles, and he has a higher non-penalty expected goal and assists figure, which, while usually a good sign, only proves how profligate he is in front of goal for the Blues.

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Ultimately, if Chelsea want to salvage anything from this season, they'll need an elite striker, and there aren't many better than Martinez, so Pochettino should be doing all he can to force a move for his fellow countryman this month.

Newcastle United's talks with an "exceptional" with £150,000-a-week player are now believed to be advancing, according to a fresh transfer update.

Newcastle want Tonali replacement

The Magpies have had to battle through adversity for much of this season, with endless injuries making it hard for them to replicate last year's form. The addition of Champions League football has arguably taken its toll on the squad, with many players being sidelined with fitness issues amid the uptick in matches.

Newcastle have also suffered the major setback of Sandro Tonali being banned for 10 months for betting offences, meaning he won't be back until early next season. That has heightened the need for a new midfielder to arrive during the January transfer window, with the Toon arguably looking a little short in that area currently.

Kalvin Phillips has arguably emerged as the frontrunner to head to St James' Park, having fallen completely out of favour at Manchester City. He knows that he needs regular minutes to feature prominently for England at Euro 2024, and he could be a regular for the Magpies.

Newcastle in advanced talks with Kalvin Phillips

According to a new update from TEAMtalk, Newcastle's talks with Phillips are now believed to be advancing as they look to get a deal over the line.

The report said: "Manchester City are in talks with both Newcastle United and Juventus regarding sending Kalvin Phillips out on loan, TEAMtalk can reveal. Eddie Howe is keen to add players to his Newcastle United squad in the January transfer window as his side battle for a place in Europe again to prevent their season fading into disappointment.

"One major source of frustration has been record signing Sandro Tonali receiving a lengthy ban. The Italian international is out for 10 months due to breaches of gambling rules whilst he was still at AC Milan.

"Newcastle are in advanced talks with Manchester City over the potential signing of the midfielder, with talks between the clubs moving in a positive direction. However, Juventus are also in the mix."

This is an exciting Newcastle transfer update, with the Magpies and Phillips feeling like a match made in heaven in terms of how they could suit each other's needs.

As mentioned, the £150,000-a-week 28-year-old will be desperate for a fresh challenge instead of warming the substitutes' bench every week, and he could provide Eddie Howe with the energy and quality that he so craves without Tonali around.

While Pep Guardiola appears happy to see Phillips leave City next month, the legendary Spaniard has still spoken highly of him in the past, saying:

"Kalvin is exceptional in many things. Why he doesn't play? Rodri is key for us. Never, ever makes one action against mates that play or trains bad. I'd love to give him as much minutes as possible."

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At this point, it would be a surprise if Phillips didn't end up joining Newcastle, and he could make such a positive difference in their top-four push in the Premier League.

Bayern Munich are all set to sign Vincent Kompany as head coach this summer and Julian Nagelsmann thinks that the signing will be good thing.

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Bayern part ways with Thomas TuchelBayern set to sign Kompany from BurnleyNagelsmann thinks signing will be positiveWHAT HAPPENED?

Nagelsmann was one among many potential options for Bayern coming into the summer after they parted ways with Thomas Tuchel. However, after going through many options, the Bavarians have finally landed on the Burnley boss to take over at Allianz Arena, and Nagelsmann thinks the Belgian is a perfect choice for Bayern.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NAGELSMANN SAID

Speaking to the media, Nagelsmann said [via Sky Germany]: "I've heard that he's a very good coach with outstanding prospects, and he has had many good coaches who trained him, so he'll do well.

"In the end, it's good for the club that they didn't win the championship this time. I don't think it's a bad situation for a young coach who can leave his mark. Who, I think, can change more than if they had won the championship again or been extremely successful."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Bayern Munich lost out on the Bundesliga title for the first time in 11 years this season as Bayer Leverkusen won the league title. Bayern also suffered a trophyless season for the first time since 2009 which caused the Bavarians to part ways with Tuchel and look to undergo a switch in management.

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WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN?

The Bavarians will now prepare for a summer of change and preparations as they look to take on the challenge and take on Bayer Leverkusen next season for the Bundesliga.

The new-look logo for the newly-named ZC© Getty Images

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union has rebranded itself after months of planning, and will now be known simply as Zimbabwe Cricket. Peter Chingoka, the chairman, announced the strategic change at the Harare Sports Club, where he also unveiled the winning design for the board’s new logo.In a speech at the launch, Chingoka spoke of the challenges posed for the future of cricket in Zimbabwe. He said one of the broad aims would be “to continue with our development programme to spread cricket to all corners of the country and to all sectors of the community”.As part of this programme, he pledged that ZC would spend Zim$635million (around £60,000) to fund the development of 130 schoolboys who study in such places as Harare, Kadoma, Bulawayo, Masvingo and Marondera. One player to have already benefited from such funding is Tatenda Taibu, Zimbabwe’s current captain. Taibu, 21, was appointed after Heath Streak quit in April when the board refused to give him guarantees over selection.

The result ended Mumbai’s three-match winning streak while Royals notched just their second win of the season

The Report by Peter Della Penna13-Apr-20191:11

Jos is a special player, he changed the momentum of the game – Kulkarni

Just two matches after recording the best figures in IPL history, Alzarri Joseph found himself on the receiving end of a brutal assault from Jos Buttler, whose 89 off 43 balls spearheaded a successful chase in a four-wicket win for Rajasthan Royals over Mumbai Indians. The result ended Mumbai’s three-match winning streak while Royals notched just their second win of the season.Set a target of 188 on a batting road, Royals coasted to 100 for 1 in 10 overs as Buttler brought up a 30-ball half-century at the halfway point of the innings. The Englishman had already starred in the field taking three sharp catches on the boundary having given up the gloves to Sanju Samson and seemingly had far more energy as a result.Having brought up his third fifty of IPL 2019, Buttler unleashed himself on Joseph in the 13th. With 70 needed off 48 balls, Buttler brought the required rate down to a run a ball by the end of the over. He began lofting a full toss over long-on for six before driving wide of mid-off and cutting behind point for a pair of fours. Joseph tried to counter with a pair of yorkers on the next two balls, but each was stabbed out between the wicketkeeper and short third man for two more fours. Buttler then heaved the final ball over midwicket for six to end a demoralising sequence for Joseph and the hosts.Buttler fell on his next ball in the following over to legspinner Rahul Chahar, but the damage was done by that stage. Despite several hiccups in the final stages of the chase that saw four wickets fall in the space of nine balls, Royals were still far enough in front thanks to Buttler. Shreyas Gopal eventually sealed it with three balls to spare with a four driven off Hardik Pandya just wide of mid-off.Jos Buttler lines up another big hit•BCCI

Ro’s hits The Mumbai XI was boosted by the return of captain Rohit Sharma, who had sat out the last match due to injury. He found his groove in the fourth over against Dhawal Kulkarni with three boundaries, including an exquisite square drive through point. He eventually made 47 off 32 before falling to Jofra Archer in the 11th miscuing a drive to Buttler at long-on.Inconclusive Poll DataKieron Pollard did his best Superman impression in Mumbai’s last-ball win in their previous match against Kings XI Punjab when he smashed 83 off 31 balls including 10 sixes. He was decidedly human against the Royals bowling unit though, struggling to make a 12-ball 6 after entering in the 14th over before skying a short ball from Archer over the circle. Shreyas took a sensational over-the-shoulder catch running back from midwicket in the ring.It was a crucial blow as Mumbai stuttered to the finish without Pollard’s firepower. Despite 16 struck off the final over with some lusty blows from Hardik, who finished with an unbeaten 28 off 11 balls, Mumbai’s 187 appeared well-below par after the start they had. Quinton de Kock top-scored with 81 off 52 balls, but ran out of steam towards the end of his knock. The physio came out to attend to him at one point as he struggled in the afternoon heat and he eventually fell in the 19th over to give Archer his third wicket off a third phenomenal diving catch by Buttler at long-off.7:36

Deep Dasgupta: The team that made less mistakes won

Buttler’s chargeRoyals went into the match without Ben Stokes, who sat out the encounter with an undisclosed injury. Yet Royals still had another Englishman with firepower to call on as Buttler teamed with Ajinkya Rahane in a brisk 60-run opening stand.Rahane was actually given out lbw for 4 to end the first over, but the decision was overturned on DRS after hawkeye showed the good length ball from tall left-armer Jason Behrendorff would have comfortably cleared the stumps. Buttler also survived a tight DRS moment in the fourth when he missed a reverse sweep to Chahar’s legspin. Given out on field, the replay showed the ball crashing into off stump but that impact with the pad took place on the fringe of the off stump line and the decision stayed on field with umpire’s call.Joseph’s first wave of punishment came from Rahane in the fifth when he was driven for four, flicked over midwicket for six, then ramped over the keeper for another boundary. Once Rahane got out top-edging a sweep to deep midwicket off Krunal Pandya’s second ball in the seventh, Buttler took over and put his stamp on the chase. He charged Krunal’s first ball in the ninth to bash him for six over wide long-on and by the end of the next over had brought up his fifty, setting the stage for his scintillating spree against Joseph in the 13th that put Royals firmly on course for a win.

Glasgow Rangers enjoyed a week-long mid-season training camp in the Spanish sunshine, yet it culminated in a 1-0 defeat to Hertha Berlin over the last weekend.

It was a friendly match and not too much should be read into it. However, the performance was below par and Philippe Clement will be hoping the team can improve as they face FC Copenhagen this evening at Ibrox in their final match before the domestic season returns.

The onus for Clement now is to spend the next two weeks seeking to improve his squad during the current January transfer window.

Several positions require some improvement, especially with six players out of contract come the end of the season.

With Ryan Jack and John Lundstram among those six, could the Belgian coach perhaps look to bring in another central midfielder this month?

Rangers’ search for another midfielder

Much has been made of the Light Blues’ search for a new left-back and striker, yet there have been a few midfielders linked in the last couple of weeks.

According to Football Scotland last week, the Gers have reportedly ‘checked on the conditions’ of Croatian gem Marko Bulat, who is currently playing for Dinamo Zagreb in his homeland.

The report goes on to state that Nils Koppen has sent scouts to watch Bulat in action for Zagreb recently as the Gers look to potentially make a move for the player.

There remains one stumbling block, however; the transfer fee. Zagreb value one of their prized assets at around £5m and this could prove to be too much for the Ibrox side to spend, especially in January.

Clement needs to be planning ahead due to the contract situations surrounding a couple of his midfielders, however, and this may mean he has to act sooner rather than later.

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Kemar Roofe, Jon McLaughlin, Borna Barisic, Leon Balogun, Jack and Lundstram are all free to speak to other clubs as of this month ahead of leaving for free this summer, and the majority of them will likely depart Ibrox.

The latter two are perhaps the players who deserve extensions, in particular Lundstram, who has shone under Clement this season.

Fabio Silva – Loan ends

Borna Barisic – End of contract

Leon Balogun – End of contract

Ryan Jack – End of contract

Jon McLaughlin – End of contract

Kemar Roofe – End of contract

John Lundstram – End of contract

Abdallah SIma – Loan ends

The former Sheffield United midfielder has started 17 of the 18 competitive matches under the Belgian and will remain a mainstay in the team until the end of the season at least.

If these two do leave Ibrox, Clement has the likes of Jose Cifuentes, Nico Raskin and even youngster Bailey Rice to call upon ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, but it could be Raskin who is ready to become a key player under the manager.

What the future holds for Nico Raskin at Rangers

The young midfielder made a solid impact upon arriving in Glasgow last January as he finished the season ranked third for tackles per game (1.8) and sixth for successful dribbles per game (0.9) as he demonstrated his tenacious nature and his ability to push forward often from the engine room.

This gave him a solid platform to work on ahead of the current season, yet an injury suffered against Hearts in what was Clement’s third match in charge of the club ruled the 22-year-old out for 14 matches and severely disrupted any progress he had made during the embryonic stages of the season.

Despite the setback, Raskin currently leads the way among the squad with regard to tackles per game (2.7) in the top flight, along with ranking seventh for accurate passes per game (39.4) which indicates how impressive he was prior to the injury.

What he needs now is a long-term partner in the heart of the midfield who could help elevate his game to new levels.

Signing Bulat from Zagreb could be an ideal player to partner Raskin with ahead of next season and their respective styles of play could compliment each other rather well.

How Marko Bulat would fit into the Rangers side

Like Raskin, Bulat tends to operate slightly deeper in the midfield, yet he can still offer a reliable attacking threat when required, evidenced by the fact he has scored five goals and grabbed three assists across 23 matches for his club this season.

Indeed, the 5 foot 10 midfielder currently ranks fourth among the Zagreb squad in the top flight for goals and assists (five) along with ranking fourth for shots on target per game (one) and sixth for key passes per game (1.3), which suggests he is productive in the final third for his team.

Antonio Colak

39

18

Nikola Katic

59

6

Borna Barisic

224

9

Niko Kranjcar

26

3

Nikica Jelavic

56

36

Dado Prso

117

35

Rangers Journal founder Kai Watson profiled the young sensation amid rumours linking him with a move to Glasgow recently, even comparing him to a young Ivan Rakitic, saying:

“From watching Bulat and looking at the numbers, he reminds me of a young Ivan Rakitić. He’s a box-to-box midfielder who is a very capable defender and a goal-scoring threat. Technically gifted and intelligent in and out of possession, hence the Rakitić comparison.”

This type of skillset could work wonders alongside someone like Raskin, who would be free to do the dirty work in the heart of the pitch and clean up in front of the defence, allowing Balut to utilise his box-to-box abilities and create chances for others.

It could end up being a frightening partnership, especially as the duo are both only 22 years of age, and they could be the future of the Gers midfield, without a shadow of a doubt.

Raskin will only get better the more he plays under Clement and with Jack and Lundstram potentially moving on this summer, there is a slot available alongside the former Standard Liege starlet, which Balut would slot into with ease.

If the Gers don’t make a move for him this month, they had better hope his performances don’t improve, otherwise they could face some stiff competition from plenty of other teams looking to secure his signature.

Much will depend on what funds Clement has to spend in the summer transfer window, yet with the wage bill set to be freed up by a sizeable chunk due to some departures, signing Balut should be his main focus.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is preparing his side for their second clash against Liverpool in the space of two weeks.

This time, it is the FA Cup in which the two heavyweights clash and the Spaniard will be eyeing up a win over the Anfield side as he aims for a second triumph in the competition as manager of the Gunners.

With the January transfer window in full swing, Arteta is also focussing on bolstering his squad, and he appears to be targeting a Turkish defender with regard to a potential move.

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Arsenal transfer news – Ferdi Kadıoğlu

According to a report from Turkish outlet Sabah earlier this week, the north Londoners are preparing to travel to Turkey next week in order to sign Fenerbahçe left-back Ferdi Kadıoğlu.

Arsenal rumoured defender targets for January	Latest update
Jorrel Hato	5th January
Goncalo Inacio	18th December
Ousmane Diomande	30th November
Sacha Boey	13th November

The Turkish side currently values the defender at €30m (£24m) and, given just how light Arsenal are in this area, with Oleksandr Zinchenko the only senior left-back in the squad, it could represent decent business.

The Dutch-born Turkish international is only 24 and not only could he add much-needed competition, but he could even be an upgrade on Zinchenko.

Ferdi Kadıoğlu could be an upgrade on Oleksandr Zinchenko

Not only has Kadıoğlu registered a higher shots on target percentage domestically this season (28.6% vs 15.4%) than Zinchenko, but he has also registered more crosses (40 vs 24) and this indicates that he could be a much better-attacking option than the Ukrainian player.

The Turkish defender has also created more big chances (five vs three) and has averaged more key passes per game (1.6 vs 1.1) which is further evidence that he is a greater threat further up the field.

Kadıoğlu has kept eight clean sheets in the league this term, along with making 0.9 interceptions per game and winning 6.3 total duels per game. Over the same metrics, Zinchenko has kept just two clean sheets, made 0.7 interceptions per game and won 3.9 total duels each match, suggesting that the Fenerbahçe defender could even be an upgrade defensively.

Throughout the course of his career, the Ukrainian full-back has scored just six goals and registered 23 assists, taking 233 matches to achieve this.

On the other hand, Kadıoğlu has found the back of the net 28 times and grabbed a further 36 assists across 242 matches and if Arteta is looking for more goal contributions to come from his fullbacks, making a move for the Turkish international is a no-brainer.

Indeed, the 24-year-old was praised recently by content publisher Gooner Chris following a stunning strike for his club side, saying: “This guy is a full-back yet he moves like Messi. Ferdi Kadioglu to Arsenal. Who says no?”

Arteta needs to bolster some areas of his squad during the January transfer window and the chance to lure Kadioglu to north London is a must if he looks to achieve glory of any sort this season.

At just £24m, the move wouldn’t break the bank and give the squad a much-needed boost in defence as they prepare for a crucial few months ahead.

West Ham transfer talks are "taking place" to sign a "really fast" forward who's interestingly been called similar to Mohammed Kudus.

Moyes in desperate need of new attacking signing

Hammers boss David Moyes is in desperate need of another attacking option following a series of injuries and absences from his starting eleven.

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West Ham are contending for a European place yet again this season, testament to the fine job Moyes has done since taking over for a second stint at the helm in 2020. However, their pursuit of the top four is threatened by a serious lack of depth, with star midfielder Lucas Paqueta expected to be out for around two months.

Lucas Paqueta

Calf injury

Jarrod Bowen

Ankle injury

Konstantinos Mavropanos

Knock

Michail Antonio

Knee injury

Nayef Aguerd

AFCON

Mohammed Kudus

AFCON

Jarrod Bowen, who has been West Ham's player of the season so far, could also be sidelined for up to three weeks after the Englishman and Paqueta hobbled off during in an FA Cup match against Bristol City last weekend. They join striker Michail Antonio on the sidelines, while summer signing Kudus is currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana.

As a result of these blows, Moyes and his West Ham recruitment team are working on signing a new forward. The Hammers have been linked with a plethora of forwards lately, including Ajax star Steven Bergwijn, Sunderland winger Jack Clarke, AZ Alkmaar striker Vangelis Pavlidis and others.

Another interesting name to have emerged is Feyenoord sensation Santiago Gimenez, who is currently enjoying the season of his life in the Eredivisie.

West Ham talks "taking place" to sign Gimenez

Now, according to Football Insider and journalist Pete O'Rourke, West Ham talks are "taking place" to sign Gimenez as Moyes actively pursues a new number nine.

It is believed they're "very interested" in the Mexico international, who Football Transfers claim is "similar" to Kudus among others, with West Ham now "stepping up" their chase for Gimenez.

The 22-year-old has scored a brilliant 18 goals in 16 league starts for Feyenoord this season, with Gimenez also attracting interest from Tottenham according to some pre-January reports. Alongside his goal-scoring abilities, former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt has revered the player's speed.

"He’s back here in the middle of the defenders and he’s really fast," said Kuyt after one of the striker's outings. "Watching the keeper before he shoots, the rest. In my opinion, he is currently the best striker in the Eredivisie."

West Indies allrounder Andre Russell is confident he will be fit for the side’s second World Cup match against Australia on June 6, despite limping heavily after his match-turning spell in the thumping seven-wicket win over Pakistan.ALSO READ: INTERVIEW – ‘Sometimes the ball goes for six even if I’ve not timed it, because of the work I’ve put in’Russell has a history of knee injuries and bowled just three overs in West Indies’ opening match but his spell was the stunning blow from which Pakistan never recovered. A barrage of short-pitched deliveries earned Russell figures of 2 for 4 and he was not required to bat as his side cruised to victory.But after the match Russell was hobbling gingerly, his left knee clearly hampering his movement. The West Indies medical team now have five days to work on his rehabilitation.”I’ve been playing for years with these knee injuries,” Russell said after the match. “And sometimes it feels worse than some days but, at the end of the day, I’m a professional. I know what to do to get back. I think I have five days before the next game so that is more than enough time to get my knee back to normal and get it settled.”Let’s just see what happens. I have a good physio team, massage team, here so they’re going to be working with me closely for the next couple of days.”This was Russell’s third ODI appearance since the 2015 World Cup. He has mostly bowled in short spells at various T20 competitions around his one-year anti-doping ban and, on the evidence of this match, he will need careful management throughout the tournament. But while he was included in the squad primarily for his batting, Russell desperately wants to contribute as a bowler.”Well that’s the plan,” Russell said. “I want to make sure that my knee is 100 percent or if it’s not 100, 80 percent. I’m still ready to bowl. I’m ready, this is the World Cup. So I don’t mind resting for a month or two months after the World Cup but I want to leave everything here for the World Cup.”There were also concerns when Chris Gayle called for the physio after appearing to injure his back pulling a short ball from Wahab Riaz. He limped initially and held his back, but went onto bring up a 33-ball half-century before falling to Mohammad Amir.”He sent the physio back off the field so that’s a positive sign for us,” captain Jason Holder said. “So again, we’ve got five days. So we’ll see how he goes the next couple of days.”