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Aston Villa have plenty of incentive heading into this evening's clash against Liverpool as a win will guarantee them a place in the Champions League next season.

Along with the riches that come with qualification, Unai Emery will also be able to lure higher quality players to his side during the summer transfer window.

The Spaniard will be hoping for a much-improved display than what was on offer against Olympiacos last week as the club slumped to a 2-0 defeat.

A couple of players underperformed, most notably Moussa Diaby and his place in the starting XI could be at risk.

Moussa Diaby’s game in numbers vs Olympiacos

The Frenchman started on the left of a four-man midfield, yet really struggled to get going in a match which required a fast start from the visitors.

Not only did the winger fail to register a single shot during the match, but he also created zero big chances and made no key passes while succeeding with just 25% of his dribble attempts.

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

29

Total shots

0

Possession lost

11

Via Sofascore

This lack of attacking enthusiasm was combined with a lacklustre approach defensively. Despite being on the pitch for just 58 minutes, Diaby managed to lose possession 11 times while winning just one of his five contested ground duels, showing how easily bullied off the ball he was.

The player to replace Moussa Diaby vs Liverpool

The 24-year-old was replaced by Jhon Duran and perhaps the Colombian deserves a chance in the starting XI against Jürgen Klopp’s men?

The prodigious talent has not exactly enjoyed the most fruitful of seasons, but this has been down to the incredible 27-goal haul from Ollie Watkins.

Emery tends to use the Englishman as a lone striker, resulting in Duran having to settle for a place on the bench.

Against Liverpool however, the Spaniard should opt for a 4-4-2, a formation he has used a few times this term. This could see Diaby dropped to the bench while Duran partners Watkins up top.

The 6 foot 1 “handful” – as so dubbed by Gary Neville in 2023 – has scored six goals in 35 appearances this season, which isn’t exactly prolific.

Factoring in how many starts he has had – nine in all competitions – it doesn’t look as bad, relying on opportunities off the bench, especially in the Premier League.

Despite averaging just 19 minutes per game in the top flight, Duran has netted three goals, succeeded with 40% of his dribble attempts and averaged 0.7 shots per game. Not outstanding stats by any stretch of the imagination, but if he could secure a place in the starting XI more often, they would no doubt increase.

He could certainly be a wildcard option for Emery to use against the Anfield side this evening. With Champions League qualification there for the taking, the Villa players will surely need no further incentive than to go out and win the match.

The Reds have won just two of their previous six Premier League games and this should give Emery plenty of hope heading into the clash.

Ben Stokes has moved to ease injury concerns after he pulled up in discomfort while bowling late in England’s second-Test victory, in which he played a starring role.Stokes stopped bowling after four deliveries of his 15th over in West Indies’ second innings, having claimed the wickets of key batsman Jermaine Blackwood and tailender Alzarri Joseph, the latter putting England within one wicket of victory.”I’m fine,” Stokes told Sky Sports after England had won the match by 113 runs to level the series 1-1. “Just the body started to get quite stiff. I said to Broady, ‘the body’s starting to stiffen up, what do you reckon?’ and he said, ‘just stop’.ALSO READ: England surge to victory as Stokes turns on style again“Three or four years ago against Pakistan I had the same thing and I ended up blowing my calf so I didn’t want to take that risk.”Despite bowling an 11-over spell in West Indies’ second innings, on the final day of a Test in which he had also scored a patient century and bludgeoned a fifty, Stokes rejected suggestions too much had been asked of him with the ball.”Absolutely not,” Stokes said. “Obviously, I’ll give everything to the team, whatever is asked of me. We sort of found a method within our attack to change things up when things are looking a bit dry to go to that type of bowling or being aggressive in setting the field.”Not only does it give us a wicket-taking option. It also dries it up because we feel the batsmen don’t have really anywhere to go. So, you know, once you get past that five-, six-over mark you sort of feel like you’re fresh as anything you keep going in. But I’ll always do whatever’s asked of me.”Having scored 176 from 356 balls in England’s first innings, then 78 from 57 in the second, Stokes also broke up key partnerships with the wicket of Kraigg Brathwaite in the fist innings and then Blackwood’s in the second.Ben Stokes walks off with a stump after his Man of the Match performance•Getty Images

Asked about his contrasting performances with the bat, he couldn’t pick a favourite, but he took pride in batting long for his century while clearly enjoying captain Joe Root’s intent in sending him to open for the first time in a Test alongside fellow big-hitter Jos Buttler as England chased quick second-innings runs, a decision he said came after “a few conversations”.”Obviously Joe has the final call and that’s what he decided to go with, so it was a real positive move, I thought,” Stokes said. “It’s no good for us walk away with this game with a draw and so Joe made a real positive effort to get me get me and Jos up the order.”Looking at the scoreboard seeing 300 balls bowled feels a bit weird,” he added of his first innings, “but it had to be done.”Root, also speaking to Sky Sports, said Stokes’ starring role in the match was not the least bit surprising.”It doesn’t surprise me, you watch how he goes about his business, whether it be in practice his fitness, everything,” Root said. “He leads the way in many, many respects and he seems to want to keep getting better and better.”And we’re seeing those results out in the field as well, which is great for a lot of the younger guys coming through to see that you’ve got to put the hard yards in. He certainly does that and, you know, we’re starting to see that feed into the rest of the team, which is a great place to be.”

Aston Villa are chasing a Premier League talent who ranks similarly to midfielder Boubacar Kamara ahead of a potential summer move, it has been reported.

Villa struggle without Kamara

Though Unai Emery's side are having an excellent Premier League season, it could have been even better had their midfield lynchpin not picked up a serious knee injury.

Signed on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, Boubacar Kamara has gone on to become one of the first names on the Aston Villa teamsheet when fit, so much so that captain John McGinn has been forced to play out wide in order to accommodate him.

However, Villa have had to play the last 15 games without the Frenchman after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a game against Manchester United.

His absence has coincided with a drop-off in Villa's form. With Kamara not in the side, they are conceding more, winning less and picking up fewer points on average.

Boubacar Kamara's importance to Aston Villa
2023/24 Premier League	With Kamara	Without Kamara
Games	20	15
Wins	13	7
Win%	65%	46%
Goals conceded per game	1.05	1.87
Points per game	2.05	1.73

All of Douglas Luiz, Youri Tielemans and McGinn himself have been trialled in his position during his absence, but the lack of a true replacement for the Frenchman has undoubtedly had a damaging effect on Villa's season.

It will likely be trivial come the end of the campaign, with Villa seemingly set for Champions League football next season, but they will need to find a way to replace Kamara in the first part of next season, with the midfielder not expected back until September at the earliest, and likely not fully up to speed until later.

Latest Aston Villa injury news, return dates and suspensions

FFC keeps you up to date with all the latest Aston Villa news involving injuries.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Apr 26, 2024

Now, they may have found a man to help share the role.

Villa chase youngster

That comes in the form of young Sheffield United midfielder Ollie Arblaster, who has shone for the relegated side since making his debut against Arsenal in March – a game that his side lost 6-0.

The 19-year-old only signed a new contract earlier this year, but is believed to earn just £760 a week at Bramall Lane.

Now, he is wanted by Villa, with The Telegraph reporting that the Midlands outfit are among those "circling" for the England youth international amid hopes that he could be a cheap addition following the Blades dropping into the second tier.

They add that "Sheffield United are determined to keep him", with the club captaincy not beyond him already, but a bid for his services against the backdrop of relegation may test that resolve.

£150k-p/w Aston Villa figure Emery dubbed "amazing" now set to leave

His departure this summer is looking increasingly likely.

By
Ben Browning

Apr 30, 2024

He has already come in for plenty of praise from his manager, with Chris Wilder recently dubbing him "the best on the park" against Chelsea, who fielded their two record signings against him.

“His performances have been incredibly consistent at the highest level – against Liverpool the way they press,” Wilder said.

“He was the best on the park against £200m of talent against Chelsea. He was good at Brentford and that was a different challenge.

“He was [the best] against Burnley and [against United], pound for pound against [Christian] Eriksen, and Man United have got a special kid in there as well [in Kobbie Mainoo], he was going to the end and making really good decisions with and without the ball.”

It is easy to see why Villa are keen, with data site FBref statistically ranking him as similar to Kamara, with Arblaster particularly excelling in defensive work. Should he be available, he could be a very savvy signing to provide cover and competition where Villa need it most.

A big first-innings effort will set the tone, with spinners coming into the game later

Shashank Kishore in Rajkot08-Mar-2020

Bengal reached their first Ranji Trophy final since the 2006-07 season•PTI

Big pictureNot even the most passionate Bengal supporter could have seen this coming: a team almost always on the fringes, with a history of differences and infighting, getting together as a unit to pitch for their first Ranji Trophy title in three decades. They last made the final in 2006-07, and only one member of this squad – Manoj Tiwary – knows what it is like to play in one, even if that may not hold much significance.Saurashtra have now made their fourth final since 2012-13. They are a growing force, a team that has emerged from the shadows of the now-retired Shitanshu Kotak, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja. Players have carved out individual identities because they have been given a long rope.ALSO READ: Stats – Bengal’s 14 Ranji finals, only two titlesThe core of the squad that made that first final in 2012-13, where they were blown away by Mumbai inside three days, is still the same. And youngsters who started to flourish around 2015-16, when they were beaten in their second final, again by Mumbai, are starting to step up and become senior players. Like Prerak Mankad, Chirag Jani.An association run almost by a family – the Shahs – with Jaydev, the most capped captain in Ranji Trophy history as president, has carried forward Saurashtra’s small-setup-big-thinking philosophy to the next level. They have a small talent pool, only one big centre in Rajkot, and players who come from outside the city are made to feel welcome, just like their inspirational captain Jaydev Unadkat was, straight out of a trial in Porbandar in 2009.ALSO READ: Chetan Sakariya, the boy who made a ‘rich man’s sport’ his ownThis is a contest between Bengal: a side that blew away the tournament favourites thanks to their incredibly talented bowling attack, and one, Saurashtra, that overcame self-doubts at various stages and found an extra kick in the dying moments to eke out a dramatic win, one that left them emotionally drained. They first recovered from 15 for 5 in the second innings, then found a double-century stand hard to dislodge as defeat loomed, only for Unadkat to deliver the knockout blow.One captain, Abhimanyu Easwaran, is desperate to turn around a horror season that started with a magnificent Duleep Trophy century that briefly attracted thoughts of a Test call-up. But a barren run since, and his nature of dismissals, have left him far behind in the pecking order. Unadkat, meanwhile, is on the cusp of a Ranji Trophy all-time record, having picked up 65 wickets. Another big performance here and an India recall can’t be an impossible dream.Form guideBengal WDWWD
Saurashtra WDDWD Jaydev Unadkat will have Cheteshwar Pujara for the final•Ekana Cricket Media/ Randhir Dev

In the spotlightCheteshwar Pujara has failed to hit a half-century in four innings in Ranji Trophy finals. In 2015-16 against Mumbai, he managed 27 and 4. Last year, he was out for 1 and 0 to left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate. He’s coming into the match on the back of a disappointing New Zealand tour from India’s point of view. Can he channel all that into a match-winning effort for Saurashtra?Manoj Tiwary clicked photos with Utpal Chatterjee and Arun Lal, members of the 1989-90 Ranji Trophy-winning team and current members of the support staff, after winding up training. He will be playing his 100th Ranji Trophy game for Bengal. Having recovered from a finger injury that hampered his batting in the semi-final, he’ll want to leave his mark in possibly the biggest game he’s played in recent times. As for form, he has a triple century this season.Team newsPujara walks back into Saurashtra’s XI, which will mean at least one forced change. Kishan Parmar, who made 37 and 0 in the semi-finals, could make way. Saurashtra (possible): 1 Harvik Desai, 2 Avi Barot (wk), 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Sheldon Jackson, 5 Arpit Vasavada, 6 Vishwaraj Jadeja, 7 Chirag Jani, 8 Prerak Mankad, 9 Dharmendra Jadeja, 10 Jaydev Unadkat (capt), 11 Chetan SakariyaBengal will welcome back Wriddhiman Saha, who joined the team on Saturday evening after taking an extra day off to be with his newborn. That means one of Sudip Chatterjee and Shreevats Goswami may have to miss out. Bengal may also consider playing an extra spinner here, which could mean another game for Arnab Nandi, who looked off colour in the semi-final. Bengal (possible): 1 Abhishek Raman, 2 Abhimanyu Easwaran, 3 Sudip Chatterjee, 4 Manoj Tiwary, 5 Anustup Majumdar, 6 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Arnab Nandi, 8 Shahbaz Ahmed, 9 Akash Deep, 10 Mukesh Kumar, Ishan PorelPitch and conditionsIt’s a typical Rajkot pitch with a biscuit brown flavour. Day-time temperatures have touched 33 degrees and the surface was covered by a rugsack-like carpet to prevent it from further baking. Both sides reckon a big first-innings batting effort will set the tone for the contest, with spinners coming into the game a little later.Stats and trivia This will be Tiwary’s 100th Ranji Trophy match. At Rajkot, he has struck two centuries and a half-century in the past. He is the only member from the current squad of 15 to have featured in a Ranji final earlier. Saurashtra captain Unadkat has 65 wickets so far this season. He needs four more to go past Ashutosh Aman’s tally for most wickets ever in a season. He has seven five-wicket hauls. Only two others: Aman (eight) and Bishan Singh Bedi (nine) have more in a season. This is Saurashtra’s fourth final in the last eight seasons. They lost in 2012-13 and 2015-16 against Mumbai and in 2018-19 against Vidarbha.Quotes”I’ve forgotten that we won in 1989-90. That was a long time ago. This bunch has the fitness, the fighting belief and spirit. We’re clear of our roles, strengths and are confident. We don’t focus on results. One bad game can’t undo the gains of the season. The pride and passion with which we’ve played has been incredible.”
“I was restless on the flight back from Auckland. I kept texting my wife because Jaydev (Unadkat) was on the field. I wanted constant score updates on the final day (through in-flight WiFi). I felt relieved when we finally won. Winning a Ranji final will mean a lot for the region.”

Wolves are believed to be considering a bargain move for a Premier League gem who can play in seven different positions, according to a fresh transfer rumour.

Rayan Ait-Nouri transfer latest

While Gary O'Neil will no doubt be eyeing up important incoming business in the summer, there is also a chance that he could struggle to keep hold of certain key players. One such figure is Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has arguably matured into one of Wolves' most influential players, providing so much quality down the left flank. The 22-year-old has two goals and one assist to his name in the Premier League this season, with O'Neil waxing lyrical over his form.

Ait-Nouri has been linked with a move away from Molineux this summer, however, with Liverpool seen as strong candidates to sign him, seeing the Wanderers hero as a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson at left-back.

Should he move on, it will be essential that a top replacement is found, and it looks as though a Premier League player could be seen as a possible option.

Wolves eyeing Premier League free agent

According to HITC, Wolves are keen on signing versatile West Ham ace Ben Johnson in the summer transfer window, being joined by numerous other clubs in the battle to snap him up.

Aston Villa, Everton and Tottenham are all mentioned as potential suitors to acquire the defender's signature, ahead of what looks set to be a move away from the Hammers when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The level of interest in Johnson speaks volumes about what an asset he is seen as, even though he hasn't necessarily been able to consistently hold down a place in West Ham's team this season.

The Englishman could be a brilliant squad option for Wolves, not least because his incredible versatility allows him to shine in seven different positions, including left-back, which is why he could fill the void left by Ait-Nouri, should he decide to leave the club.

Stuart Pearce knows a thing or two about what makes an excellent full-back, and back in 2021, he heaped praise on Johnson, saying: "The most important thing about Ben is whenever you pass him or meet him first thing in the morning, he's got a smile on his face. He takes in all the knowledge you can pass on to him. He's a wonderful professional to deal with and work with."

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Admittedly, Johnson may not be on Ait-Nouri's level as a player, or an out-and-out left-back for that matter, but signing him on a free transfer feels like a no-brainer for Wolves, acting as a cheap-but-clever piece of business which reinforces several positions.

Celtic could drop down to second in the Scottish Premiership table this week if their closest rivals win their game in hand on Wednesday night.

The Hoops could have gone four points clear at the top of the division with a win against Rangers on Sunday but failed to make the most of their leads during the match.

Brendan Rodgers' side were 2-0 and 3-2 up at points throughout the game and allowed the hosts to get back into the clash on both occasions at Ibrox.

The Scottish giants are still fighting to end the season with silverware to show for their efforts, having already been knocked out of Europe and the SFA Cup, and the Premiership title looks set to go down to the wire.

One player who will be particularly keen to secure a trophy or two before the summer is veteran goalkeeper Joe Hart, who has confirmed that he will be retiring from professional football when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

Celtic's interest in international goalkeeper

The Hoops will need to dip into the market to replace the former England international shot-stopper ahead of the 2024/25 season, and they are reportedly keen on a Turkey international.

According to Turkish outlet Kontraspor, Celtic are interested in a deal to sign Trabzonspor number one Ugurcan Cakir to replace Hart this summer.

The report claims that the Bhoys have requested permission from the Super Lig side to negotiate a possible transfer for the experienced titan.

It states that Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson has invited the player's agents and lawyers to Glasgow to discuss a move ahead of the upcoming transfer window, whilst Rodgers is said to have requested a meeting with Cakir via a Zoom call – seemingly to convince him to make the switch to Scotland.

Konstraspor add that Celtic are prepared to pay as much as £7.5m to sign the talented colossus this summer, but the Turkish side are currently looking for €15m (£12.8m) to allow their star to depart.

His current contract with Trabzonspor does not expire until the summer of 2027, and this means that they are not under any pressure to cash in on the 28-year-old giant, as his deal is not close to running down at this moment in time.

Therefore, it looks like the Hoops will need to negotiate with the Turkish outfit and attempt to either drive the price down or add incentives, via add-ons and clauses, to get a deal over the line for a reasonable price.

If Celtic can secure a swoop for the Turkey international, however, then Rodgers could land an upgrade on the retiring Hart ahead of next season.

Joe Hart's season in numbers

The 36-year-old ace, who turns 37 later this month, has been a solid, if unspectacular, performer between the sticks for the Scottish giants this season.

Appearances

37

Penalties saved

0/7

Save success rate

65%

Errors leading to shots

4

Ground duel success rate

50%

As you can see in the table above, Hart ended a difficult 202/23 campaign in the Premiership under Ange Postecoglou, with a whopping four errors that directly led to shots for the opposition.

This term, however, the English veteran has only made one error in 31 league appearances and has improved his save success rate to 67%, which means that he has kept a higher percentage of the efforts on his goal.

The former Manchester City star has, though, let himself down in ground duels as opposition forwards have beaten him in 60% of his contests on the deck.

Hart also struggled in the group stages of the Champions League earlier this season. He ranks within the bottom 22% of goalkeepers in the competition for percentage of crosses stopped (1.2%), and the bottom 1% for average distance of defensive actions (5.9 yards).

This shows that the experienced stopper is hesistant to come off his line to deal with crosses or balls in behind his defence to alleviate pressure off the backline.

Celtic could now land an upgrade on the Englishman by securing a deal for Cakir, whether that is by convincing Trabzonspor to lower their asking price or by Rodgers convincing the goalkeeper – in the proposed Zoom call – to push for the transfer to be completed.

Why Ugurcan Cakir would be an upgrade on Joe Hart

The impressive titan, who only turned 28 earlier this month and is almost nine years younger than Hart, has been in fine form so far this season in Turkey.

He has saved 68% of the shots on his goal across 28 Super Lig appearances for Trabzonspor, and prevented 0.23 xG. This shows that he has been a fantastic shot-stopper and has not been a liability between the sticks.

Appearrances

28

31

Save success rate

68%

67%

Errors leading to shots

0

1

Ground duel success rate

80%

40%

Ball recoveries per game

7.8

7.6

As you can see in the table above, they have performed to a similar level in terms of their shot-stopping quality but the Turkish star has been significantly better in ground duels and has not made a single error leading to a shot or goal for the opposition.

In fact, Cakir has only made two errors leading to shots since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, which shows how reliable he has been in goal for Trabzonspor in comparison to Hart – who has made five since the start of last term.

The 28-year-old titan could also be an upgrade on the current Celtic number one in terms of his ability to come off his line to deal with danger.

In the 2022/23 Europa League campaign, Cakir collected 4.3% of the crosses into his box – in comparison to Hart's 1.2% in the Champions League this season – and his average distance of 10.0 yards per defensive action was also higher than the Hoops man's 5.9 yards this year in Europe.

This suggests that the £12.8m-rated star could provide more quality when it comes to commanding his box and coming out to act as a sweeper, rather than being rooted to his line.

Overall, Cakir's quality as both a shot-stopper and a dominant figure in the box suggests that he could come in as an upgrade on Hart, which is why Celtic must push to get this move done in the summer.

ESPNcricinfo’s best content on the iconic England fast bowler, who died on Wednesday

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Dec-2019Bob Willis, legendary England fast bowler, dies aged 70
The former England captain and fast bowler, who will be forever synonymous with England’s 1981 Ashes victory, died on December 4.Icon, survivor, grandee: Farewell Bob Willis, the man with the longest run
Andrew Miller, ESPNcricinfo’s UK editor, writes a moving tribute in memory of England’s mightiest of fast bowlers.Bob Willis, funny and acerbic on camera, kind and warm behind it
Mark Nicholas on the England legend.Tributes: ‘An English legend who inspired a generation of fast bowlers’
Willis’ passing, at the age of 70, had the cricketing world in mourning.’That was abject, Charles, absolutely pathetic’ – Bob Willis’ best quips
Willis had developed a reputation for his dry, acerbic and generally scathing verdicts during his punditry career working for Sky Sports.Podcast: The late, great Bob Willis – Warm, generous … terrifying
Mark Butcher, Andrew Miller and Alan Gardner reflect on cricket’s sad loss, and look back on England’s tour of New Zealand.WATCH – Mark Butcher delivers an emotional tribute to Bob Willis
He joins the Switch Hit team to pay tribute to Willis.The Cricket Monthly: ‘I don’t think odds of 500-1 have appeared since’
How Willis’ bowling England to an incredible Ashes win at Headingley was the culmination of a golden five-year period for him.Archive: The hero who almost didn’t play
What is less well known about Willis is that he was not even in the original squad picked for the Test.

تحدث هادي خشبة، نجم الأهلي السابق، عن مستوى المارد الأحمر في مباراة نهائي كأس السوبر المصري الماضية، قبل مواجهة العين المقبلة.

وكان الأهلي توج ببطولة كأس السوبر المصري على حساب الزمالك، بركلات الترجيح، في المباراة النهائية.

طالع..عصام الحضري: ركلة شيكابالا “قصّة” يمكن روايتها عن الشناوي.. وأتعمد استفزاز محمد عواد

وقال هادي خشبة في تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2”: “شعر كولر بتخاذل اللاعبين في السوبر الإفريقي والإدارة فرضت الالتزام والانضباط، وهذا أعاد مستوى الفريق إلى الطريق الصحيح”.

وتابع: “ظهر الأهلي في الشوط الأول أمام الزمالك في السوبر المصري بأداء قوي، لكن في الشوط الثاني تراجع بسبب اللياقة البدنية وليس لنقص العزيمة والإصرار على الفوز”.

وأضاف: “فريق العين كبير ويعرف كيف ينافس، يمتلك بطولات وتاريخ ولاعبين مميزين، لكن الأهلي هو من يُقلق الفرق المنافسة، وما ينقصه فقط الجانب البدني، الخطورة ستأتي من هذا الأمر، لكن فنيًا وتكتيكيًا وجماهيريًا سيكون الأهلي في مستوى أعلى”.

ومن المنتظر أن يلتقي الأهلي بنظيره العين الإماراتي، الثلاثاء المقبل، في ربع نهائي بطولة كأس إنتركونتينتتال، على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.

Newcastle United have endured a tough season this campaign, with the club sitting four places and 12 points off the Champions League spots after suffering ten defeats in 25 outings.

However, the campaign has allowed boss Eddie Howe to give vital first-team minutes to multiple young players – subsequently allowing them to develop their game.

Midfielder Lewis Miley has been the main beneficiary with the 17-year-old making 14 appearances for his boyhood club after injuries and suspensions to players such as Joelinton and Sandro Tonali.

The tough campaign for the Magpies has seen some more senior players fail to match their performances of last season, however, with local hero Dan Burn one of those who has received criticism for his form – albeit while still being defended by his manager.

The towering asset endured another 'tough afternoon' last time out against Bournemouth – as per the Chronicle's Lee Ryder – with it perhaps time to consider replacing the Englishman at left-back…

Alex Murphy could be a Burn replacement

After putting his trust in Miley, Magpies boss Howe should also hand talented youngster Alex Murphy a run in the first-team before the end of the current Premier League campaign, amid Burn's woes.

The 19-year-old joined the club from Irish side Galway United during the summer of 2022, with Murphy joining Newcastle's academy side upon his arrival.

Murphy, who can play left-back and centre-back, has made five appearances for Newcastle's U21 side in the Premier League 2 this season, before travelling with the first team for their warm-weather training camp in Saudi Arabia in December 2022.

The "impressive" defender, as branded by Newcastle Chronicle writer Mark Carruthers, has made nine appearances for Ireland's U18 and 19s squad, while often taking the armband – an indication of his importance to his nation.

His good form for Newcastle's youth sides saw the teenager be handed his first start for Howe's side during the 2-0 Sela Cup win against Fiorentina in August 2023, with the defender keeping a clean sheet in front of over 30,000 fans.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Murphy has featured on the bench numerous times for Howe's side this season, with the defender only making one substitute appearance – coming in the 4-1 win over Chelsea at St James' Park.

Sven Botman on the impressive Alex Murphy

Newcastle centre-back Sven Botman has been crucial to the Magpies since his £32m transfer from Lille in January 2022, with the Dutch international also impressed by Murphy's ability.

Speaking after the win over Fiorentina in pre-season, the defender hailed Murphy, saying: "Alex is getting better every day and he is training well. Against Fiorentina, he proved again he is on the right track and he has to continue like this then see what happens."

After Burn's recent performances, Murphy should be given an opportunity towards the tail end of the campaign – staking his claim for a permanent first-team spot.

Although Burn ranks within the top 1% and 5% for aerials won and clearances respectively, among his peers across the Premier League, his lack of pace and energy down the left-hand side is a worry for Howe when faced with quick wingers, as demonstrated up against Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga…

With journalist Steven Railston having stated as early as last March that it was "time for a change" at left-back, Howe should put more trust in another youngster, allowing Murphy to potentially flourish in England's top flight.

Derby County will go into tonight's clash with Charlton Athletic knowing that picking up three points is a must, with Bolton Wanderers waiting in the wings eager for another Rams slip-up.

Bolton could well leapfrog Paul Warne's men to second spot in League One if Derby end up succumbing to a second league defeat on the spin at the hands of the Addicks, the visitors to Pride Park desperately need to turn around their fortunes too sitting near the bottom of the division.

There could well be various changes made to get an immediate reaction out of his stuttering troops, knowing that a win is vital to ensure they remain in the driver's seat over automatic promotion.

Kane Wilson could be one notable casualty from Warne's lineup as a result, with the Derby defender below-par throughout at Barnsley in the disappointing 2-1 defeat.

Kane Wilson's performance vs Barnsley in numbers

The Derby number two was nowhere near his best away at Oakwell, with the 23-year-old defender quiet for large portions of the game.

The former Bristol City full-back would only amass a meagre 39 touches in the tense contest, coming in with eight less touches than the Rams goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith on the day.

Only registering one accurate cross across his lacklustre 90 minutes, on top of only accurately completing 13 passes, Wilson had an afternoon to forget versus Neill Collins' promotion-seeking Barnsley.

Losing possession 14 times as well, which allowed the likes of Nicky Cadden to terrorise the Rams' defence, Wilson's cemented first-team spot could now be on shaky ground for tonight's clash against Nathan Jones' Charlton.

Wilson isn't the only member of the starting XI that started the narrow defeat at Oakwell that could now drop out, with experienced captain Conor Hourihane at risk of being axed by Warne tonight despite picking up an assist versus the Tykes.

Conor Hourihane's performance vs Barnsley in numbers

Hourihane didn't cover himself in much glory against Barnsley minus assisting Sonny Bradley's opener, with the ex-Aston Villa midfielder hauled off by Warne just after the hour mark.

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The Republic of Ireland international was equally as wayward with his passing compared to Wilson, losing possession 16 times in the centre of the park to the detriment of the automatic promotion candidates on their travels.

Winning just one of his five duels at Oakwell also, Hourihane's fixed position in midfield could be up for grabs tonight with the likes of Korey Smith sniffing around for a starting spot at the expense of the experienced 33-year-old.

Minutes played

61

Assists

1

Touches

43

Accurate passes

20/27 (74%)

Accurate crosses

2/6

Successful dribbles

0/2

Duels won

1/5

Completing zero successful dribbles up against the Tykes, with the hosts now just three points shy of the Rams off the back of this slim defeat, Hourihane was flat and could well be given a rare day off against Charlton consequently – the Irishman present in 31 of Derby's 34 League contests to date.

Given a 4.5/10 rating by DerbyshireLive journalist Leigh Curtis post-match when assessing the Barnsley loss – with Curtis stating that Hourihane 'found it hard to stamp his authority' against his former employers – the time could be right to give the veteran a breather at Pride Park for fresh blood to start.

Warne will just keep his fingers crossed that Derby aren't derailed by the defeat on the road to the Tykes whatever lineup is fielded, responding to the 2-1 loss by confidently dispatching of Charlton with ease.