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Former Premier League manager Alex McLeish has hailed Leeds United’s late swoop for young forward Wilfried Gnonto, as per Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Summer business

The Whites spent and received close to £100m this summer in what was a busy few months for Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta.

Leeds brought in six players over the age of 20, while also signing teenagers Darko Gyabi, Sonny Perkins and Gnonto. The Italy international was the final addition of the summer late on deadline day after the Yorkshire club failed with moves for Cody Gakpo and Bamba Dieng earlier in the day.

The Latest: McLeish’s comments

McLeish, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider about Leeds’ late move for Gnonto. He hailed the club for spending big this summer and said that a late striker signing was ‘brilliant’.

The former Aston Villa manager stated:

“Leeds have had this issue for a while now.

“I think a striker was always going to arrive, it was just a matter of who. Bamford is an injury concern but Rodrigo has been scoring the goals now he has been moved higher up the pitch.

“Gelhardt is a talent but maybe not ready to carry the burden of leading the line. Leeds have done remarkably well this summer.

“They have gone out and spent which is something they didn’t do last season. A striker signing was needed so it’s brilliant they got that done.”

The Verdict: Still short?

Leeds were on course for a solid transfer window at the end of July with the majority of their business already done, but you could say that they left it too late to bring in a new senior forward and had to accelerate their interest in Gnonto as a result.

A new left-back could also have been of use due to a lack of options and Junior Firpo’s injury problems, so it will be interesting to see how the next few months play out before the Whites can strengthen their squad again in January.

Newcastle United are reportedly considering a January move for Rangers wonderkid Cole McKinnon, and the 19-year-old could form a superb long-term partnership with Elliot Anderson at St James’ Park.

What’s the word?

According to The Sun, the Magpies have been tracking the teenage midfielder for some time and sent scouts to watch him play for Partick Thistle this season, where is currently on loan.

They suggest that the Toon are weighing up a bid for McKinnon, who has started the campaign in fine form, contributing two goals and one assist in 10 appearances for the Jags.

However, it may prove difficult to prise him away from Ibrox as he recently committed to a new deal with Rangers until 2025, so Dan Ashworth will do well to bring him to St James’ Park in January.

Imagine him and Anderson

Anderson looks as if he could have a big part to play in Eddie Howe’s side this season, having featured in three Premier League games already, as well as impressing in the League Cup win against Tranmere Rovers.

The 19-year-old academy graduate starred for Bristol Rovers in League Two last season, helping Joey Barton’s side to promotion as he contributed seven goals and six assists in just 21 appearances, averaging a superb 7.64 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Former Bristol Rovers team-mate Sam Finley said of Anderson: “He is unbelievable, a top, top player. I think he realises and everyone else realises, he is too good for the level he is playing at.”

He must have impressed Howe in pre-season as the 44-year-old kept him at St James’ Park this summer, and it seems clear that the teenager has a very bright future with the club.

The prospect of two talented teenage midfielders in Howe’s squad from January, should McKinnon join the Toon, is surely an exciting one for Newcastle fans, especially if the Scottish youngster can live up to his obvious potential.

When McKinnon signed a new contract at Rangers, academy coach Craig Mulholland said: “He has an outstanding desire to win, is a supporter who cares about the club and we are all very excited to see him maximise the potential he has in the coming years here at Rangers.”

Should he arrive at St James’ Park in the next transfer window, and Anderson continues to impress, then the two could easily form a top partnership in Howe’s Newcastle side for many years to come.

Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder will have to cope without striker Chuba Akpom for tonight’s Championship clash against Rotherham.

The Lowdown: Boro off to slow start…

The Teesiders have won just two out of their first nine second tier matches so far and only Hull City have conceded more goals than Wilder’s side (BBC).

Boro will be looking to go on a consistent run after their shaky start to the 2022/2023 campaign, especially if they wish to keep any play-off hopes alive before the mid-season break.

Wilder is boosted by the return of loanee goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who is set to return to action against Rotherham this evening,

However, as per the latest news, it appears Akpom will be absent again alongside Darragh Lenihan.

The Latest: Akpom missing…

The former Arsenal starlet and Lenihan are apparently still out with knee and ankle problems respectively, forcing them to both miss tonight’s bout.

As relayed by Teeside Live, it is believed that Akpom could be ready and raring to go again after the next international break – which lies just beyond the Rotherham game tonight.

The Verdict: Big absentee?

Over his three appearances before injury, the 26-year-old impressed and stood out as one of Boro’s most threatening players.

So far this season, Akpom ranks in Wilder’s top four best-performing players per 90 – having scored two goals in 198 league minutes whilst attempting more shots per 90 (3) than any of his teammates (WhoScored).

Called ‘outstanding’ by Wilder, the Boro boss will be hoping to have him back as an option after the internationals.

Former BBC pundit Noel Whelan has warned Everton against starting Dominic Calvert-Lewin in their game against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.

The Lowdown: Team news

Speaking to the media in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match, Frank Lampard revealed that Calvert-Lewin is ‘close’ to returning from injury, and is even contemplating whether to start him against the Hammers in the Premier League.

The striker was spotted back in training ahead of the fixture, but has not played at Goodison Park since May.

The Latest: Whelan warns against start

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan has claimed that it would be ‘absolutely ridiculous’ and ‘unbelievable’ if the Merseyside club were to throw Calvert-Lewin straight back into the starting line-up after such a lengthy lay-off:

“I think when you’ve got such a lengthy layoff, you need to have that cotton wool around him.

“The last thing Everton and Frank Lampard want is another setback. The intensity of a Premier League game is so much different to training.

“I think because they’ve gone out and got Maupay, that gives them the opportunity to be cautious with him and perhaps use him from the bench.

“It’d be absolutely ridiculous, unbelievable, to throw him back into the line-up in a relentless Premier League fixture.

“He needs bedding in, he needs time. You need to take care of players like Calvert-Lewin.”

The Verdict: Leave on the bench?

It would be risky to throw Calvert-Lewin straight into the starting eleven after another injury setback, given the troubles that he had last season.

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However, he remains a key player for them, with double figures for goals in the Premier League in each of the last two seasons before his last injury-hit campaign (Transfermarkt).

Thus, a good compromise from Lampard may be to leave him on the bench against West Ham on Sunday, and bring him on only if really necessary, before aiming to get him back to full fitness during the international break.

Roberto Firmino could feature in Liverpool’s must-win Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Tuesday night, according to journalist James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Another huge game for Liverpool

The Reds played out a dispiriting 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham on Saturday, going top of the table but ultimately seeing their title hopes hampered.

Next up for Jurgen Klopp’s men is a trip to Villa on Tuesday, a game they now simply must win in order to have any realistic chance of securing a 20th league crown.

Firmino has been absent since the middle of April but it seems that he could make a return at Villa Park in midweek.

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The Latest: Firmino could feature against Villa

That is what Pearce has suggested, as he took to a Q&A for The Athletic to claim that the Brazilian might play a part against Steven Gerrard’s side.

When asked about players who could potentially come into the Liverpool line-up in midweek, the journalist replied:

“I can see Firmino being involved on Tuesday.”

The Verdict: Better option than Jota?

While Firmino may be undercooked in terms of playing time, it could be that Klopp sees him as a better option than Diogo Jota for the clash against Villa.

The Portuguese forward has not offered enough of late, failing to score in his last eight appearances and doing little else of note, whereas the Brazilian is famed for his all-round selflessness and quality.

Changes are needed against Villa in order to retain a freshness ahead of the FA Cup final next Saturday, so giving Firmino the chance to lead the line could make sense, albeit with an element of risk thrown in if he is not fully fit by Tuesday.

In other news, Liverpool have been backed to sign one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Liverpool will unleash Jordan Henderson in the holding midfield role in place of the injured Fabinho, according to journalist James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Reds hit with Fabinho blow

The Reds have been relatively fortunate in the injury department of late but that changed during their 2-1 win away to Aston Villa in the Premier League in midweek.

Fabinho limped off early in proceedings with a hamstring injury and the Brazilian will now miss both the FA Cup final and Liverpool’s two remaining league games this season.

His involvement in the Champions League final is also up in the air, as Jurgen Klopp’s men look to win a seventh European Cup in Paris, although reports late this week suggest he will be fit for the season finale.

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The Latest: Pearce drops early team news

Taking to Twitter, The Athletic‘s Pearce says that Henderson is now ‘set to play’ the No.6 role – the skipper has played just 13 of his 53 appearances this season in that position.

“Jordan Henderson set to play the holding role in Saturday’s FA Cup final.”

The Verdict: Silver lining

Fabinho is one of Liverpool’s most important players, mastering the defensive midfield role and being hailed as a ‘lighthouse’ by Pep Lijnders, so him being out is an enormous blow. The 28-year-old has averaged 1.6 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game in the league this season, not to mention scoring an impressive eight goals in all competitions.

However, while Henderson’s usual role is further forward on the right of a midfield three, his record in the defensive spot this season is somewhat remarkable – of the 13 games he’s played there (12 starts), the Reds have won 12 and drawn just once, a win rate of 92 per cent.

The captain manages less tackles and interceptions per game than the Brazilian, but provides nearly twice as many key passes, so could make the side more creative against Chelsea’s stern back five set-up.

In other news, a ‘major’ Liverpool transfer update has emerged. Read more here.