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Everton star Richarlison will ‘hopefully’ be fit to face Leicester City in the Premier League this afternoon, according to Toffees manager Frank Lampard.

What’s the latest?

As quoted by the Liverpool Echo, the 43-year-old said: “Yeah, Richy’s got a bit of a sore ankle from the one he twisted at Liverpool. That’s sort of been around since then, but hopefully will be fine.”

The Brazilian scored the winning goal against Chelsea last weekend and has been a kingpin in preserving the Merseyside outfit’s survival push of late.

With five matches left and Everton still in the relegation zone, having the 24-year-old available for the remainder of the campaign is absolutely vital.

Lampard will be buzzing

Two points adrift of safety, the Toffees need as many players available as possible as they face a busy run-in to try and secure their top-flight status, thus avoiding a first Premier League relegation.

That particularly includes Richarlison, who has netted eight goals and registered four assists in the league this season, making the winger the Toffees’ top scorer in the current campaign.

To emphasise the 24-year-old’s importance to the cause, half of those goals have come in the last five matches for Everton.

With the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the most part this season, the Brazilian has stepped up during what has been a dismal campaign for the Merseyside outfit, and he will be a major catalyst if Everton secure survival.

Richarlison’s availability would also be a major boost given the Toffees’ wretched away form in 2021/22, as their chances of securing a result at the King Power Stadium would be seriously hindered without the winger, with Everton picking up just six points away from Goodison Park since August.

The Foxes will look to secure a top half finish after crashing out of Europe on Thursday night, which could provide a tough task for Lampard’s men.

However, the prospective availability of Richarlsion will undoubtedly have the Everton boss buzzing.

AND in other news: Lampard set for first big mistake as Everton boss, supporters would be fuming

Everton have had a disappointing season with their Premier League status hanging in the balance as they currently sit 18th in the league table.

As a result, Frank Lampard will need to identify and improve the key areas that have led to the side’s downfall this summer.

Whether the Toffees are relegated or not, there need to be major changes made at Goodison Park this summer and a great place to start is in the defensive line, which has caused nothing but problems throughout.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher recently ripped into the Everton back four following a humiliating 5-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in March (via Metro):

‘This back four is a Championship back four, absolutely no doubt whatsoever.”

The former Liverpool defender and Merseyside native does have a point when you consider how poor statistically the defensive play has been at Everton this season.

Lampard’s side has conceded 20 more goals than they have scored in the Premier League this season, conceding a staggering 1.67 goals on average per game, with nine errors leading to goals and three put into the back of their own net. Mason Holgate has scored one own goal whilst Michael Keane has scored two.

With that being said, there clearly needs to be a shake-up in the system and the Toffees boss must take the opportunity to promote a young player to replace the likes of Holgate in the centre-back position next season, with Reece Welch waiting in the wings to secure that spot.

The 18-year-old gem was hailed as “composed” by journalist Patrick Boyland who was full of praise for the youngster back in February:

“U23 centre back Reece Welch once again in Everton training photos. Plenty of potential and, crucially, composed playing out from the defence.”

Welch has made 23 appearances in Premier League Two, scoring one goal and contributing one assist so far, and was given a short one-minute run-out in the senior team against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup this season as well as training with the first team on many occasions this season, so clearly Lampard already has his eye on the defender.

Ultimately, the Everton boss must be ruthless this summer when setting out to improve and rebuild the squad whether they succeed in staying up or get knocked down into the Championship, and promoting young talent is a great way to move the team forward without spending millions.

AND in other news: Lifeline: Everton handed “incredible” boost in relegation battle, Frank surely buzzing

Manchester City are back in action tonight with an away clash against Wolves for their latest attempt to close in on the Premier League title.

Their previous game saw the Citizens pick up a comfortable 5-0 win over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Goals from Raheem Sterling, Aymeric Laporte, Rodri and Phil Foden sealed the three points for the home side and boosted their goal difference for the season.

That win will have put Pep Guardiola’s side in a good frame of mind and full of confidence to secure a positive result against Bruno Lage’s men at Molineux.

On the chalkboard

One man who was not in the starting XI on Sunday but still ended up playing a big part in the game was Foden, who should be in from the beginning to take on Wolves tonight.

Having replaced Gabriel Jesus in the 63rd minute at the weekend, the Englishman added City’s fourth goal of the game and played a big part in their fifth.

With 16 touches of the ball in total, the 21-year-old completed all 13 passes he attempted and ultimately earned himself an overall match rating of 7.3/10 from SofaScore.

Throughout the current campaign, the youngster has scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions.

This not only highlights how important he is for Guardiola in terms of how often he plays, but also how much of an attacking and creative threat he is for the team.

The City manager previously lauded the England international for the “special quality” that he has, which has undoubtedly been a key factor for the team this season.

To further highlight what a deadly player the £81m-rated star is, only Gabriel Jesus (17) and Joao Cancelo (15) have racked up more goal-creating actions for City than him this season (13). This shows just how terrifying a prospect he could be for the Wolves defence.

Taking into account how the Old Gold have only conceded 34 goals in 35 league games throughout the campaign, the best record of any team outside the top three, having a player like Foden in from the beginning could be the best way for City to pick up another win and take a step closer to retaining the league title.

Also, with the Midlands club snatching a late point at Chelsea after being 2-0 down by the 58th minute last weekend, City will need to be at the top of their game once again to make sure they don’t fall into the same trap as Thomas Tuchel’s men.

In other news: David Ornstein drops big Man City transfer development, supporters will be gutted

West Ham United defender Craig Dawson could depart the London Stadium this summer after two seasons at the Premier League outfit.

What’s the story?

That’s according to ExWHUEmployee, who stated on Twitter: “I was told by a decent source he wanted to return north.”

However, he also added: “As I said on the podcast, I haven’t checked it out or confirmed. I would be surprised if we let him go and that he would want to when he has done so well.”

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-more” title= “Read the latest West Ham news!”]

The defender has been a regular for David Moyes’ side this season with the Hammers juggling four competitions, making 49 appearances this term.

Although, a move could be on the cards with his current contract at West Ham set to expire next summer.

Hammers supporters will be gutted

Despite there being little excitement from the fanbase when Dawson was signed, the 32-year-old has been excellent since joining from Watford.

The centre-back had a poor campaign in 2019/20 for Watford as the Hornets were relegated but was allowed to stay in the Premier League by signing for West Ham in the summer of 2020, initially on loan.

However, expectations have certainly been exceeded with the Englishman contributing to the Irons’ recent successes in both the top-flight and the Europa League.

Rochdale-born, Dawson hasn’t played for a northern side since a half-season loan at Bolton Wanderers in 2013 having been at West Brom as well as Watford and West Ham since.

Therefore, the 32-year-old’s desire to play closer to home is understandable, particularly with the final seasons of his playing career approaching.

It would still be a major disappointment for West Ham fans though if the Englishman was to depart this summer, having quickly become a fan favourite to the extent of being the inspiration for a parody Twitter account with over 17,000 followers.

With just one year left on his contract, it’s expected that the defender will depart the London Stadium in the near future, however a departure this term would undoubtedly leave supporters gutted.

AND in other news: WHU plot bid to sign “superb” £30m gem with the most nutmegs in the PL, he’s Bowen 2.0

Finger spinner set to play under a new captain and coach after Darren Lehmann and Chris Lynn stood down during the off-season

Alex Malcolm31-Aug-2021Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman will make his fourth trip back to the BBL later this year after re-signing with Brisbane Heat.Mujeeb has been an outstanding contributor to Heat over the course of his 26 matches in the BBL claiming 29 wickets at an economy rate of just 6.13. He claimed his career-best T20 figures for Heat last season taking 5 for 15 against Hobart Hurricanes at the Gabba.”I’m very pleased to have re-signed for Brisbane Heat for my fourth season with them,” Mujeeb said. “I’m very happy there, they’re great guys. The fans always support me and the team so I hope we can win the Big Bash for them.”Mujeeb will play under a different hierarchy this season with Wade Seccombe taking over as coach from Darren Lehmann, although the former coach will remain on as an assistant.Lehmann coached Mujeeb at Northern Superchargers in the Hundred this year and had no hesitation in convincing the new coach that he should be re-signed.”Darren has reported back to us that he keeps getting better each time he sees him,'” Seccombe said. “It’s exciting for us to have him in the line-up again. It makes a big difference to how we match-up with other teams, and his skills and controls enables other players in our squad to come to the fore as well.”It was notable how Mitch Swepson and Matt Kuhnemann enjoyed working with him last season so we’re looking forward to him arriving closer to the tournament and getting ready to go.”Heat will also have a new captain this season after Chris Lynn stood down but they have yet to name his replacement.Brisbane Heat squad: Chris Lynn, Tom Banton (England), Xavier Bartlett, Sam Heazlett, Jimmy Peirson, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Matt Willans, Tom Cooper, Michael Neser, Marnus Labuschagne, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan)

The franchise will be one of three, along with Colombo and Dambulla, to have new owners for the tournament’s second edition

Andrew Fidel Fernando03-Oct-2021The owners of last year’s Lankan Premier League (LPL) winning side – Jaffna Stallions – are incensed, after tournament organisers announced last week that the Jaffna franchise would have a new owner for the tournament’s second edition.Related

• LPL 2021: SLC to allow double vaccinated spectators up to 50% stadium capacity

• Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews miss out on LPL drafts

• Lanka Premier League postponed to November-December due to packed cricket calendar

• Colombo Kings, Dambulla Viiking have contracts terminated, withdraw from LPL 2021

The Stallions’ termination means that three of the league’s five teams will have new owners for the second edition of the LPL, with the Colombo and Dambulla franchises previously having been terminated. Jaffna’s new owner is Allirajah Subaskaran, founder and chairman of the Lyca Group of companies in the UK, and it seems now that the team will no longer be called Stallions. The league is now scheduled to to take place in December, having been postponed from August.Tournament organisers Innovative Production Group (IPG) have hit back at the Stallions’ narrative, and we will get to their comments. But first, the Stallions owners’ complaints are these:

• Despite having been one of only three franchises to have fulfilled their financial commitments for 2020 (this was confirmed by tournament organisers), they have been “unfairly treated” by the LPL.
• The LPL’s first edition was conducted without a serious commitment to transparency, particularly as at least two franchises were being underwritten by the organisers themselves.
• Their refusal to pay the franchise fees for the second edition of the tournament this far out was because of the uncertainty surrounding the tournament. They claim they had been required to make payments sometime in the middle of this year, despite their suspicion that the league would be postponed, which it ultimately was.
• That their prize money for winning the inaugural edition had been delayed for months.

Rahul Sood, a former Microsoft executive who was co-owner of the Stallions, described their removal as a franchise as “disgusting” on Twitter. “Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine something like this would happen. We were blindsided.”IPG, meanwhile, has called the Stallions’ claims “baseless rumours being spread with malicious intent” in a strongly worded release. The group’s counter-claims, which are many, include:

• Stallions had not appropriately paid their fees in the first edition either (which Stallions’ ownership vehemently deny).
• That the Stallions have not paid their fee for the second edition, when two other teams (Galle Gladiators and the new Dambulla franchise) already have.
• That the Know Your Customer (KYC) details that the Stallions submitted to both tournament organisers and the ICC were convoluted, because they included as many as 14 owners.

IPG CEO Anil Mohan told ESPNcricinfo that he had submitted the Stallions’ KYC application to the ICC’s anti-corruption unit, which he said was of the view that 14 owners were too many. The ICC has not officially verified this, however, nor has it publicly taken issue with the Stallions’ involvement in the inaugural LPL, although the team did seem to have fewer owners then. The Stallions themselves claim they had been described as a “model franchise” by an ICC official during the first edition.The first-edition of the LPL was largely seen as a success, with the tournament having gained substantial local support, and supposedly having commanded a significant television audience. That the league has now terminated the popular champions of that edition, to follow a tournament postponement, does raise questions about its viability.

The Super Kings captain has indicated his playing days might come to an end soon

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Oct-2021MS Dhoni is set to remain with Chennai Super Kings next season, but perhaps not as a player.Speaking at the toss during his team’s last IPL 2021 league match against Punjab Kings on Thursday, Dhoni indicated that his association with Super Kings – whom he has captained since the inaugural IPL season in 2008 – would continue into the 2022 season.Related

• N Srinivasan: 'There is no CSK without Dhoni and no Dhoni without CSK'

• 'We have to decide what is good for CSK' – Dhoni on his future with the franchise

• 'Watch the ball, hit the ball': Vintage Dhoni rolls back the years to turn CSK's hero again

• How Chennai Super Kings kept the whistle alive

• IPL to become 10-team tournament from 2022

“You’ll see me in yellow next season but whether I’ll be playing for CSK you never know,” Dhoni said, when asked about his future by the toss presenter Danny Morrison. “There are a lot of uncertainties coming up, two new teams are coming, we don’t know what the retention rules are and so on.”The IPL will expand to a ten-team tournament next season, before which there is set to be a mega auction, which will mean teams are allowed to retain only a handful of their players. While Super Kings may find it difficult to let go of Dhoni for sentimental reasons – he has led them to three IPL titles, and has become inextricably linked to the franchise and the city it represents – his returns with the bat have diminished greatly over the last two seasons.Since the start of the 2020 season, he has averaged 19.73 and struck at 108.42, a steep fall from his corresponding IPL numbers until the end of 2019: 42.20 and 137.85. In Thursday’s match against Punjab Kings, Dhoni was out for 12 off 15 balls, bowled by a wrong’un from Ravi Bishnoi.The IPL is the only serious cricket Dhoni has played over the last two years. He announced his retirement from international cricket in August 2020, more than a year after playing his last match for India, the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.In case Dhoni decides to end his playing career at the end of the ongoing season, there is a chance that Super Kings might move him to a role in the coaching set-up. He is already set to play a backroom role with India during the upcoming T20 World Cup, as a mentor.Super Kings have already sealed a top-two finish in the league table, so Dhoni fans can expect to see him play at least two more matches – the first Qualifier against Delhi Capitals on Sunday, and either the second Qualifier on October 13 or the final on October 15, or both.

Earlier this year the fast bowler had been planning for the Ashes but lockdown and injuries changed it all

Andrew McGlashan04-Nov-2021James Pattinson has revealed that Pat Cummins tried to talk him out of international retirement but he knew the point had been reached where he couldn’t push his body any further to play Test cricket again.Pattinson caught the game by surprise last month when he called time on his Australia career just weeks before he was expected to be part of the Ashes squad. That was his plan, too, earlier this year until another Covid-19 lockdown and pre-season injuries took their toll. He said it got to the point some days that when he tried to go flat out at training he would barely be able to move or pick up his kit the next day.”The amount of work I have to put into my body to get ready to bowl at 100% for 40 overs is a lot of hard work and it started to wear thin a little bit,” he said. “I’d had a really clear plan to get as fit as I possibly could and do a lot of things to give the Ashes a crack and wasn’t able to that.”I didn’t really want to go into something as big as that with doubts, so made the decision and in a little way it’s a relief because I’ve only ever known trying to play cricket for Australia since I was 20. There were times when I was getting pretty emotional with how sore I was but since I’ve backed it off my body is feeling pretty good. I will relax be a bit, not bust myself to play cricket.”While Pattinson said he did not rush into the retirement call and had been considering it for “some time” an indication of how things changed over a few months was evident when he said he had been part of discussions with the Australia set-up about how the fast bowlers could be managed through the Ashes. His fellow fast bowlers were certainly hoping to have him around.Related

• Pattinson retires: 'He's been through so much…played through pain a lot of the time'

• James Pattinson: A tale of pain and glory

• Pucovski set to miss start of Ashes as return delayed

“I’m pretty close with Pat Cummins, probably one of my closest mates in the team, and I rang him before I did it and he said ‘is there any way I can convince you to stay?’,” Pattinson said. “I said, ‘to be honest I’ve made the decision and I’m relieved’, then he was just supportive of it and everyone else was as well. It’s nice people want you around, but it’s a decision I made with my family. It’s nice to feel like you’ll be missed.”Pattinson finishes with 21 Tests to his name. He would dearly have liked to have had more, but leaves the top level content with his performances.”You can say I should probably have played more Tests but I’m thankful to just have the opportunity to represent my country and I’d like to think every time I went out that I gave everything,” he said. “I’ve broken my back about seven times to try and play for Australia so that’s the toll it takes and there comes a point where you try and push and you can’t push anymore. I probably wouldn’t change a thing, it’s been an amazing journey and now I can move on to the next stage and enjoy that as well.”James Pattinson returned to Test cricket in 2019•Getty Images

While he has few regrets, Pattinson conceded the amount of Test bowling he did as a youngster – making his debut after nine first-class matches – probably compounded his injuries and he believes lessons have been learnt particularly with how Cummins has been handled. He twice bowled more than 50 overs in a match during his career and both came in Tests – against South Africa at Brisbane in 2012 and England at Trent Bridge in 2013 – subsequently breaking down shortly. In 2017 he underwent major back surgery and was able to return for the 2019 Ashes.”I was put in the position where I was probably a little ahead of my body, being thrown into the Test arena and doing well. Went from not playing to being the lead bowler in four or five Tests. That was the hardest thing, obviously my body wasn’t ready that. It has probably contributed to my back being the way it is.”Cummins made his Test debut at the age of 18 a couple of weeks before Pattinson but did not play the format again for six years. “They’ve changed the way they manage players a bit now,” Pattinson said. “The way they’ve handled Pat Cummins is probably the blueprint for how you handle your bowlers. What they did for him is fantastic.”If Pattinson’s body can withstand the workloads in domestic cricket at the lesser intensity than the international game, he won’t be short of playing opportunities. He returns to the field on Friday against New South Wales and then hopes to play a full BBL season for Melbourne Renegades. He will then join Nottinghamshire as an overseas player – although he has a British passport – before returning to Australia for the 2022-23 season.There is, however, one thing he is adamant won’t be happening. “I won’t be playing for England, that’s for sure.”

An MRI scan revealed a low-grade tear, which he sustained while fielding in the opening match on Saturday

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Mar-2025Pakistan batter Usman Khan has been ruled out of the second ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday because of a hamstring injury. He sustained the injury while fielding in the opening match of the series on March 29. An MRI scan revealed that he sustained a low-grade tear, ruling him out of the Hamilton ODI.Usman made his ODI debut in the first match of the series and scored 39 off 33 balls while opening the batting. He added an 83-run partnership for the first wicket with Abdullah Shafique in Pakistan’s unsuccessful chase of 345. He has played 19 T20Is for Pakistan, having made his debut in 2024, and has batted at Nos. 3 and 4.Related

• Chapman, Abbas and Smith see off Pakistan challenge

In Usman’s absence, Pakistan have Imam-ul-Haq as the other option to open the batting with Shafique. Imam returned to the ODI squad during the Champions Trophy 2025 after Fakhar Zaman was ruled out due to an oblique injury. They also have the option of pushing Babar Azam up to open – like he did at the Champions Trophy – and play an allrounder in Khushdil Shah or Faheem Ashraf. Babar scored 78 off 83 balls in the first ODI batting at No. 3.Pakistan went down by 73 runs in the opening encounter McLean Park. It was their fifth defeat in six completed ODIs in 2025.

There is some rain expected on Tuesday evening, but the game, even if truncated, is likely to go ahead

Vishal Dikshit05-May-20251:42

Martin: Rabada’s return will take pressure off Ishant

Big picture: A race for top two finish

It wasn’t too long ago that Gujarat Titans (GT) were on a winning spree, Mumbai Indians (MI) were figuring out how to put a ‘W’ next to their name, especially after being outclassed by GT in Ahmedabad. The tables have somewhat turned now. It’s MI who are riding high on their six-match winning streak and GT have lost two of their last five games, which has brought these two teams – level on 14 points – face to face for a delicious clash that will not only give the winner the top spot on Tuesday night, but also bode well for them to finish in the top two at the end of the league stage.Just like MI were buoyed by Jasprit Bumrah joining them last month, GT will hope the return of Kagiso Rabada adds more teeth to their already potent bowling attack to take on the mighty MI batting line-up at a high-scoring ground. GT already have Prasidh Krishna leading the Purple Cap race and Mohammed Siraj running hot in the powerplays, and if Rabada and the off-colour Rashid Khan rally around the two strike fast bowlers, GT could spoil MI’s party at home.Related

• Rock-solid GT top three vs red-hot MI quicks – who will blink first?

• Solanki confirms Rabada available for Mumbai game: 'He has served his time and expressed regret'

• Kagiso Rabada cleared to play again after serving doping suspension

• Does Sai Sudharsan know who's scored the most runs in the IPL?

• Arshdeep moves into top three on IPL 2025 Purple Cap table after PBKS vs LSG

One of GT’s biggest strengths this season has been their top three, and if there is a bowling attack breathing fire right now, it’s MI’s, having recently skittled Rajasthan Royals for 117. If MI can send back GT’s top order cheaply, which has not been done this IPL yet, it will give a peak into what kind of contingency plans GT have in order, especially with the playoffs approaching.These are two of the best-looking sides of this IPL and unless rain (more on that later) makes winning the toss an advantage, this has the makings of being the biggest clash of the week.

Form guide

Mumbai Indians WWWWW

Gujarat Titans WLWWL

The big question

In the spotlight

Kagiso Rabada is coming into the tournament fresh after a one-month drug suspension, and even though his team is well placed to finish in the top four, there will be a lot of spotlight on Rabada on Tuesday evening. He had gone back home in slightly mysterious circumstances last month for what was being called “personal reasons” at the time, and it will be expected of him to perform a key role against an in-form MI batting line-up so that their playoffs chances don’t dwindle.Trent Boult has settled into his new-ball role nicely ever since Bumrah has returned to the squad, allowing the left-arm quick to focus more on the powerplay than in the death overs. He has, however, excelled in both phases of the game, splitting his 16 wickets into eight each for the powerplay and the death. With 10 strikes from the last three games, MI will hope Boult gives them multiple breakthroughs again, especially to break GT’s top three quickly.

Team news

Mitchell Santner’s fitness is the only question mark in MI’s camp, as he is nursing a finger injury since playing in Hyderabad last month. He is close to regaining 100% fitness; bowled on Sunday and Monday in the nets, and the team will take a call on his inclusion on game day.Mumbai Indians (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Ryan Rickelton (wk), 3 Suryakumar Yadav, 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Will Jacks, 6 Hardik Pandya (capt), 7 Naman Dhir, 8 Corbin Bosch/Mitchell Santner, 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Jasprit Bumrah, 12 Karn Sharma.Rabada didn’t train or bowl a lot in the nets on Monday evening, although he is available for selection. GT have been playing with three overseas players for a while now, and Rabada could slot straight into the XI, perhaps in place of Ishant Sharma, who has leaked 11.18 runs an over this IPL.Gujarat Titans (probable): 1 B Sai Sudharsan, 2 Shubman Gill (capt), 3 Jos Buttler (wk), 4 Washington Sundar, 5 Shahrukh Khan, 6 Rahul Tewatia, 7 Rashid Khan, 8 Gerald Coetzee, 9 R Sai Kishore, 10 Prasidh Krishna, 11 Mohammed Siraj, 12 Ishant Sharma/Kagiso Rabada1:56

Martin: ‘Relaxed’ Hardik brings the best out of players

Pitch and conditions

There is some rain expected on Tuesday evening, but we should have a game, even if truncated, because of brief interruptions caused by some rain and thunderstorm. The pitch for this game will be the same as the one used for the RCB and CSK matches, so another run-fest awaits. The pitch was covered on Monday night towards the end of the training sessions for any unseasonal drizzle and the dampness underneath, unless the sun beats down on an uncovered pitch on Tuesday, could provide some help for the quicks.

Stats that matter