Lionesses star Grace Clinton will not make her Man City debut against Brighton on Friday – but there is good news on Alex Greenwood's injury situation.

• Clinton joined Man City from Man Utd on deadline day
• But will not debut for new club this weekend
• More positive news on fellow Lioness Greenwood

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Clinton signed for City from Man Utd last week in a blockbuster deadline day deal which saw Jess Park move in the other direction. However, she had been nursing a niggle prior to the switch, one which ruled her out of the Red Devils' two Champions League qualifiers last month, and is still "progressing" on that front, forcing City boss Andree Jeglertz to rule her out of this weekend's fixture.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Clinton won't be the only absentee as City look to bounce back from defeat to champions Chelsea on the opening day of the Women's Super League season. Lily Murphy, the talented young winger, left the pitch on a stretcher that night with a painful arm injury and the club is still waiting for the final word from consultants when it comes to her situation.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  There is positive news, though. Club captain Greenwood has been back in training after limping off late in that defeat in London, so appears in line to lead her team out again. She may not be the only one to offer a boost, either, as Jeglertz said all of Aoba Fujino, Kerolin and Rebecca Knaak were "progressing quickly" after missing the season opener. The coach said Fujino and Kerolin in particular were "not that far away" from returning.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Brighton proved a tricky opponent for City last season, only losing 1-0 in Manchester and 2-1 on the south coast in a season that saw the Seagulls finished fifth in the WSL. They'll hope to improve even further after a strong summer window, headlined by the return of Lionesses hero Michelle Agyemang on loan from Arsenal, with City needing to be at their best in order to get a positive result this weekend as they look to mount a serious title charge in the coming months.

English players held crisis talks with the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) on Monday in response to the ECB’s new policy on No-Objection Certificates (NOCs), which the board’s chief executive Richard Gould says will prevent domestic competitions being “undermined” by overseas leagues.Players are said to have expressed “robust views” to their representatives at the PCA, and believe there was insufficient consultation from the ECB before the introduction of a new policy. They are also looking for further clarity on specific scenarios that could arise both during the upcoming English summer and the ongoing offseason.An ECB spokesperson confirmed to ESPNcricinfo on Monday that, under the terms of their policy, any players who have any provision to play red-ball cricket in their county contracts will not be considered white-ball specialists. That could have significant repercussions for the PSL in April-May, ruling a number of English players out.Several recent England internationals, including Saqib Mahmood, Luke Wood and George Garton, are on county contracts which primarily cover white-ball cricket but also contain ‘pay-as-you-play’ options for the Championship. As a result, they will not be granted NOCs to play overseas during the English season – but would be if they retired from red-ball cricket.Related

• Disaffected county players discuss Hundred boycott as 'nuclear option' in NOCs row

• Players threaten legal action over new ECB stance on NOCs

• 'A broken sport': Franchise free-for-all compromises players' incentives

• PCA chief: Counties will be 'discerning' about players' franchise availability

A senior county source said that the new restrictions will ensure that the best cricketers in the country are available to play in the County Championship, and remind players that their county clubs are their primary employers. But others fear that a stringent interpretation could risk prompting a series of players to retire from red-ball cricket in order to play in the PSL, or in other leagues that clash with the English summer.Players are also frustrated at the fact NOCs will be granted to all-format county cricketers for the IPL but not the PSL, which they perceive to be a major inconsistency. There is no explicit mention of either league in the published policy, but the ECB has given clear indications that it will continue to issue NOCs for the IPL as it has done in previous years.For example, Jamie Overton – who is contracted to Surrey rather than England – will be granted an NOC to play in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings after he was signed at last weekend’s mega-auction, missing the first two months of the Championship season as a result. But if Overton had gone unsold in the IPL and then signed a PSL deal instead, he would not have been granted an NOC.”There’s anger and resentment around it,” one agent told ESPNcricinfo on Monday. “This new policy just seems to show that the power lies with India, and it seems to be about the ECB not wanting to upset India… Players feel as though they’re not being listened to: has the PCA put the players’ feelings across to the ECB robustly enough? Or has the PCA been sidelined on this?”Players are also seeking clarity on the likely impact of the new policy on their movements in the ongoing off-season. The ECB has told players that they will not grant NOCs for two tournaments that overlap to avoid a situation where players could earn more from being eliminated early. But some have already signed deals in clashing leagues on the understanding that they would leave one midway through.Further meetings have been scheduled for later this week, including one between the PCA and UK-based player agents on Wednesday morning. Daryl Mitchell, the PCA’s interim chief executive, told ESPNcricinfo on Friday that the union’s legal team were “completing a thorough check” of the new policy, raising the prospect of a restraint-of-trade lawsuit.

Everton loanee Jack Grealish celebrated his 30th birthday with a festival-themed party named "Grealfields".

Grealish celebrates 30th birthdayEnjoys "Grealfields" with nearest & dearestWinger loving life at EvertonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Grealish, who is on loan at Everton from Manchester City, celebrated his 30th birthday on Wednesday. The ex-Aston Villa man shared a series of photos, while also reflecting on how he is feeling "the best I've felt in ages".

AdvertisementWHAT GREALISH SAID

He wrote on Instagram: "30!! Jeeez this one feels old! But really am feeling the best I’ve felt in ages! Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes and a big thank you to all my incredible family & friends for making my 30th one to remember last week! Grealfields."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Grealish's career appeared to be wasting away as he was limited to game time at City. But now the England international appears to have a new lease of life at Everton, where he has made a strong start to the season. At this rate, he could be in with a shout of making the Three Lions' 2026 World Cup squad.

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Grealish will hope he will start for Everton against his old club Villa, when the Premier League returns this weekend. The experienced winger has bagged four assists in just four games for David Moyes' side.

MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico Fernando Diniz pode contar com um retorno significativo para o confronto do Fluminense com o River Plate, pela terceira rodada da Copa Libertadores. O lateral-esquerdo Marcelo foi a campo no treino desta segunda-feira (1) no CT Carlos Castilho e acenou que está em boas condições para estar entre os relacionados do Tricolor das Laranjeiras na partida que será disputada nesta terça-feira (2), às 21h, no Maracanã.

+ Veja a classificação e os próximos jogos do seu time na Libertadores!

Em imagens divulgadas pelo clube, o camisa 12 aparece fazendo uma jogada de calcanhar em atividade de campo reduzido.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasLance! BizO que aproxima e o que afasta Libra e LFF na criação da liga única? Entenda pontos-chaveLance! Biz01/05/2023FluminenseClássicos, jogos decisivos na Copa do Brasil e luta na Libertadores: veja como será o mês de maio do FluminenseFluminense30/04/2023

😳 pic.twitter.com/CNe71ZWHfn

— Fluminense F.C. (@FluminenseFC) May 1, 2023

Marcelo não defende o Fluminense desde 18 de abril, na vitória por 1 a 0 sobre o The Strongest. O jogador de 34 anos havia saído ainda na etapa inicial da partida, se queixando de dores na panturrilha.

Os tricolores tentam emplacar sua terceira vitória consecutiva no Grupo D. A equipe obteve vitórias sobre o Sporting Cristal e o The Strongest nas rodadas anteriores.

يلتقي الفريق الأول لكرة اليد بنادي الزمالك، اليوم الثلاثاء، مع نظيره الشارقة الإماراتي، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس العالم للأندية لكرة اليد.

وتقام المباراة، ضمن منافسات تحديد المراكزمن الخامس إلى التاسع في البطولة المقامة على صالة نادي النادي في العاصمة الإدارية الجديدة.

طالع.. الزمالك يتلقى خسارة ثقيلة أمام برشلونة في كأس العالم لكرة اليد وكان الزمالك قد تلقى خسارة قاسية أمام برشلونة بنتيجة 47-25، في البطولة ليفشل في التأهل إلى نصف النهائي.

وجاءت هذه الهزيمة بعد فوز الفريق في المباراة الافتتاحية على توباتي البرازيلي 26-24.

شهد الجهاز الفني للزمالك تغييرات بعد إعلان رحيل المدير الفني الفرنسي فرانك موريس بسبب سوء نتائج الفريق، حيث سيتولى محمد عبد السلام ريشة، المدرب المساعد، قيادة الفريق في مواجهة الشارقة. موعد مباراة الزمالك والشارقة في بطولة كأس العالم لليد

وتنطلق المباراة بين الزمالك والشارقة اليوم الثلاثاء في تمام الثالثة عصرًا بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة الزمالك والشارقة في بطولة كأس العالم لليد

ومن المقرر أن يتم نقل المباراة على الهواء مباشرة عبر شاشة قناة أون سبورت.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا

Leeds United supporters will have noticed that a familiar name has been reintroduced to the team in the current set of pre-season matches, as Jack Harrison has returned from his two-year loan spell with Everton.

The English forward has been involved in Daniel Farke’s plans this summer and it remains to be seen if that will still be the case when the Premier League campaign gets underway.

Farke told BBC Sport: “Jack has many Premier League appearances and we would be stupid if we didn’t want to use that. It is a bit tricky if you have a couple of years away but that was a decision before my time.

“Right now he is back with us. He is a great guy, a hard worker and very reliable. It is up to him to win the confidence and trust back. I had this situation when I arrived with Junior Firpo, and people saying he was the worst signing ever and he couldn’t defend. Now he has left as a hero.”

The statistics in the table above show that Harrison did not make much of a positive impression upon the Leeds supporters in his first outing in pre-season against Manchester United last weekend.

Why Jack Harrison should not be a starter for Leeds

Harrison’s lack of impact at the top end of the pitch against the Red Devils sums up how the last couple of years have gone for him in the Premier League, as he has consistently struggled to deliver on a regular basis.

The 28-year-old flop, who was met by a few boos last weekend, spent the last two seasons on loan with Everton in the top-flight, but did not do enough for them to want to sign him on a permanent basis this summer.

A return of five goals and three assists in 74 matches in all competitions for the Toffees may explain why David Moyes was not eager to bring him back for another year.

As you can see in the table above, the English winger offered very little in front of goal for Everton in comparison to his positional peers in the Premier League, with one goal and zero assists before his return to West Yorkshire this summer.

This is why Farke should not be considering Harrison as a potential starter in the top-flight for Leeds next season, and he may not have to amid interest from the club in a new winger.

Leeds have explored deal for Ligue 1 star

According to The Athletic, Leeds United have an interest in RC Strasbourg’s left-sided attacker Dilane Bakwa, as they eye up new additions to their frontline.

The report claims that the Whites have explored the possibility of a swoop to sign the 22-year-old forward during the current summer transfer window.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

However, it adds that they are not actively pursuing a deal for him at this moment in time. Instead, he remains one of a number of options they have looked at before they decide who to seriously target.

Just before the start of the summer transfer window, it was reported that Chelsea were showing an interest in the French whiz, who is valued at £26m by the Ligue 1 side.

It now remains to be seen whether the Championship champions will actualise their interest with an official approach for the winger before the end of the summer, but Farke would have an upgrade on Harrison on his hands if they do.

Why Leeds should sign Dilane Bakwa

The Whites should swoop to sign the Strasbourg star in the coming weeks because he has the potential to be a terrific addition to the squad as a big upgrade on Harrison on the flanks.

As aforementioned, the English dud has only scored five goals and provided three assists in 74 appearances in the last two seasons combined. Meanwhile, Bakwa scored 11 goals and provided 16 assists in 66 matches across all competitions for Strasbourg, which immediately suggests that he will offer far more in the final third.

The French whiz, who is also a left-footed winger like Harrison, has performed well in one of Europe’s major leagues in France, which suggests that the potential is there for him to be a strong signing for Leeds.

Of course, there are no guarantees in football, and it remains to be seen if he can translate his form over to English football, but if Bakwa’s form from the 2024/25 campaign is anything to go off, the £26m-rated star would be a huge upgrade for the Whites.

As you can see in the table above, the Ligue 1 starlet significantly outperformed Harrison as a scorer, a creator, and a dribbler, whilst playing four fewer matches.

Bakwa, who was described as “underrated” by U23 talent scout Antonio Mango, could provide a greater goal threat and create more high-quality chances for his teammates than the ex-Manchester City winger could do for Farke in the Premier League next term.

This is why Leeds should be pushing to sign the Strasbourg magician this summer, after already exploring a possible deal, because he could arrive as a big upgrade for the club in the right-wing position ahead of next season.

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It is now down to the club to pursue a move for the 22-year-old winger to ensure that Farke has enough high-quality options to call upon at the top end of the pitch in the Premier League.

أحرز النجم الدولي محمد صلاح، جناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول، هدف منتخب مصر الثاني في مرمى جيبوتي، في المباراة التي تجمعهما ضمن منافسات تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.

وتقام المباراة بين مصر وجيبوتي، على ملعب استاد العربي الزاولي، في إطار منافسات الجولة التاسعة من تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.

ويتواجد منتخب مصر في المجموعة الأولى من تصفيات كأس العالم، رفقة بوركينا فاسو وإثيوبيا وجيبوتي وسيراليون وغينيا بيساو.

اقرأ أيضًا | بعد غياب طويل.. زيدان يعود إلى كرة القدم بمشروع جديد

وأحرز إبراهيم عادل الهدف الأول لصالح الفراعنة في الدقيقة 8، بعد عرضية رائعة من زيزو وضعها إبراهيم برأسه على يسار الحارس.

وسجل الملك المصري الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 15 من عمر الشوط الأول بعد تمريرة رائعة من تريزيجيه وضعها محمد صلاح في الزاوية القريبة للحارس. هدف محمد صلاح أمام جيبوتي في تصفيات كأس العالم

West Ham United manager Graham Potter has now approved the sale of three first-team players after the very disappointing opening day defeat against Sunderland, according to a report.

Potter left frustrated by opening day defeat at Sunderland

West Ham suffered a 3-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light in their opening Premier League game of the season, and Potter subsequently admitted his side’s performance wasn’t up to par.

The Hammers boss said: “The second half was not good from us in terms of the basics. First half was quite good, we controlled the crowd and were unfortunate not to score. The first goal was always going to be important. Basics of football we have to really improve.

“It is the first day, we know these things can happen as much as we don’t like it to happen. We have a big game on Friday, we have to react and do a lot better.”

Even though we are only one game into the new campaign, pressure is arguably already mounting on Potter, given that the 50-year-old was unable to oversee a major improvement last season either, having averaged just 1.0 points per match during his time at the London Stadium.

As such, the Englishman is now looking to reshuffle his squad before the transfer deadline, and there may be some drastic action, with the West Ham manager now willing to sanction the departure of three first-team players.

That is according to a report from the Sunday Mirror (via West Ham Zone), which states Potter has approved the sales of Edson Alvarez, Guido Rodriguez and Andy Irving, who will all now be allowed to leave for the right fee.

The midfield trio, who rake in a combined £180k-a-week, clearly haven’t done enough to impress the Solihull-born manager, and a number of new central midfielders have been identified as potential replacements.

Target

Current club

League G/A in 24/25

Aleix Garcia

Bayer Leverkusen

7

Eljif Elmas

RB Leipzig

4

Andrey Santos

Chelsea

14

Mateus Fernandes

Southampton

6

Potter needs to make major changes before transfer deadline

It is a good sign that Potter is willing to take radical action to improve his squad, given that there have been very few promising signs ever since the former Chelsea manager’s arrival at the London Stadium, amassing just 43 points last season.

Rodriguez failed to have any impact on the match against Sunderland, with the defensive midfielder not making a single defensive action, while he was also dribbled past on one occasion.

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Irving, on the other hand, came on as a late substitute, having failed to establish himself as a regular starter ever since his arrival, while Alvarez didn’t even make it off the bench, amid well-documented interest from Ajax and Monaco.

As such, West Ham fans are unlikely to be too disappointed to see any of the trio leave the club this summer, and some exciting potential replacements have been identified, with Chelsea’s Santos scoring ten league goals on loan at Strasbourg last term.

Aston Villa are yet to show off their best in the Premier League this season.

It has been a disorienting summer for Unai Emery’s men after all, with the likes of Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins being consistently looked at by their fellow top-flight rivals, away from the disappointing departure of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United for £43m.

Still, with the transfer window wrapping up very shortly, the Spaniard will hope he can keep a firm grip on his top assets – away from the sad exit of Ramsey – with a bounce back from his side’s two winless opening matches also on the cards.

On top of that, he will further be eager to welcome in a few new additions before August is out, with a whole host of fresh signings reportedly on the Villans’ radar.

Aston Villa show late interest in £40m star

Minus splurging out £30m on Evan Guessand, Villa have been quiet in terms of flashy incoming signings.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

That could soon change if Emery and Co are finally successful in their advances to land Chelsea outcast Nicolas Jackson, with Villa having reportedly made him their top target for the remainder of the window.

A deal makes sense, particularly considering he’s already worked with Emery. However, he isn’t the only costly addition rumoured to be making the switch to Villa Park.

The Daily Mail Online have revealed that Villa are in the hunt to sign wantaway West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta.

It won’t be straightforward for Villa to win the Brazilian, who has a hefty £40m price tag above his head, with the report further clarifying that Tottenham Hotspur are also keen to pick up another asset from their near-London rivals, having sounded out Paqueta as a target to now pursue after losing out on Eberechi Eze.

Yet, if Villa were to find themselves at the front of the queue for the lively 27-year-old, they might be about to win a far better signing than a hit-and-miss Jackson entering Emery’s group.

Why Paqueta could be a better signing than Jackson

Rampant transfer talk surrounding Watkins deserting Villa Park has died down in recent weeks.

Therefore, forking out £60m on a striker such as Jackson, who has been prone to widespread barren patches of form at Stamford Bridge, might not be the most sensible move, with £30m already shelled out on landing Guessand to enhance the Premier League side’s forward personnel.

Worryingly, Jackson has squandered a colossal 43 big chances across his last two league seasons at Chelsea.

His goal return of 24 league strikes when he isn’t being wasteful ultimately falls flat next to Watkins’ far superior 35 efforts across the same span.

While the former Villarreal forward might not be viewed as the most sensible use of money, landing Paqueta for £40m could be deemed a masterstroke if he can let his football do the talking in the West Midlands, away from being embroiled in off-the-field controversies at the London Stadium.

AM

55

9 + 9

CM

22

3 + 0

LW

13

2 + 4

LM

13

2 + 0

DM

5

0

CF

4

1 + 1

RW

1

0

RM

1

1 + 0

Indeed, Paqueta has stood out as a vibrant, versatile presence throughout his 122-game stay in East London, with his collection of 19 goals and 14 assists from those clashes seeing him line up in a plethora of different positions, showcasing precisely why he’s been described as “one of the best 10s in the world” by one data analyst.

Having been one of a select few to exit West Ham’s recent 5-1 loss with Chelsea with his head held high, too, having smashed home the Hammers’ opener, the Brazilian will be champing at the bit to line up alongside faces such as Watkins and Rogers, hoping he can elevate his game to their lofty standards in the process.

Well, he should be up for the test, having further been hailed as “magic” by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Emery will also immediately want Paqueta’s energy from the middle of the park to rub off on his players after a lifeless opening to the season, with the Hammers’ number 10 winning a high six duels per game in league action throughout 2024/25.

Jackson could well go on to do a reasonable job up top in claret and blue, but with Paqueta once being touted for an £85m switch to Manchester City, snapping him up for just £40m is surely the better move to sign off on.

Villa already have Watkins and Guessand who can play up top, but adding another creative face to take the burden away from Rogers – particularly considering he could leave – would be a wise use of funds.

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Leeds United and the 49ers Enterprises are eyeing a move for a 60-career goal star who has been compared to former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino.

Leeds and Farke want attacking additions before deadline

The Whites have spent more than £70m this summer on seven new faces for Daniel Farke’s squad, however, no money has been spent on wingers or strikers.

Lukas Nmecha is the only final third arrival, joining on a free transfer at the beginning of the window after leaving Wolfsburg. Leeds were ready to splash the cash on Igor Paixao, however, the Brazilian decided to join Marseille from Feyenoord.

Talking after the 1-1 draw with Villarreal at Elland Road on the weekend, Farke admitted that Leeds “are not ready for Premier League level” in the final third.

Rodrigo Muniz of Fulham has been Leeds’ top centre-forward target, and now, a versatile attacking midfielder is being linked with a move to Yorkshire.

Leeds eyeing Oxlade-Chamberlain on free transfer

According to The Sun, Leeds are a possible destination for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is on course to become a free agent in the coming days.

Currently on the books at Besiktas, the former Arsenal and Liverpool star is set to have his deal terminated by the Turkish side, who will ‘pay his exit fee in full’.

The 31-year-old, capable of playing as a winger earlier in his career, has been playing as a central midfielder in recent years and is looking to return to the Premier League. He was previously a part of a Liverpool team who defeated Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds side 3-0 at Elland Road in 2021.

Leeds approached £18,000-a-week forward who has scored in Europa League

He’s got Premier League experience.

1

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 6, 2025

Despite playing in a deeper role, he has been compared to ex-Liverpol attacker Firmino by Football Transfers, boasting a versatile skill-set of pace, trickery, goals and assists from anywhere across the attack or midfield – Oxlade-Chamberlain has scored 60 senior goals for club and country over the years.

A versatile option for Farke, he could be a shrewd pick up by Leeds if his wages are right, potentially challenging Brenden Aaronson in an attacking role or Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach and Ao Tanaka in a deeper role.