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انتهت منذل قليل فعاليات المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بتقديم والإعلان عن تعاقد اتحاد الكرة مع روجيرو ميكالي لتولى منصب المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر الأولمبي.

وكان اتحاد الكرة أعلن التعاقد مع ميكالي لتولي المهمة الفنية لمنتخب مصر الأولمبي، بعقد يمتد لمدة عامين حتى أولمبياد باريس 2024.

وسبق أن حصل ميكالي على الميدالية الفضية مع منتخب البرازيل للشباب محتلا وصافة بطولة كأس العالم للشباب 2015.

ويضم الجهاز الفني للمنتخب الأولمبي إلى جانب ميكالي كل من تياجو كونيا مدربًا مساعدًا، ليوناردو فاجونيديس مخطط أحمال وجواو بيدرو محلل الأداء.

تجهيزات المؤتمر الصحفي 

🔴📸 | تجهيزات المؤتمر الصحفي لتقديم البرازيلي روجيريو ميكالي المدير الفني للمنتخب الأوليمبي وجهازه المعاون #شجع_مصر pic.twitter.com/ct93Ukmyfd — EFA.eg (@EFA) August 10, 2022

 انطلاق فعاليات المؤتمر لتقديم المدرب البرازيلي الجديد روجير ميكالي.

تفاصيل مؤتمر تقديم ميكالي لتدريب منتخب مصر الأولمبي

كلمة خالد مرتجي نائب رئيس اتحاد الكرة المصري: “أرحب بالسيد ميكالي وهو اسم كبير في عالم كرة القدم، واتحاد الكرة يضع خطة لتطوير كرة القدم المصري، وذلك على كافة اللجان والمنتخبات ونرغب أن نطور الكرة المصرية وخاصة في ظل تواجد العضوين محمد بركات وحازم إمام”.

وأكمل: “حازم إمام وبركات توليا ملف التعاقد مع مدرب منتخب مصر الأول وكذلك الأولمبي لأنه لا يقل عن الأول، والتعاقد مع ميكالي تم بموافقة كامل أعضاء مجلس الإدارة”.

وتابع: “سيكون هناك تعاون بين مجلس الإدارة والأجهزة الفنية الجديدة للمنتخبات لأن هناك 110 مليون مصري مهتمون بكرة القدم، هدفنا تطوير الكرة المصرية، ولدينا قاعدة كبيرة في الشباب والناشئين، هدفنا أيضًا خروج لاعبين من الاحتراف ليسيروا على خطى محمد صلاح”.

كلمة محمد بركات عضو اتحاد الكرة: “أرحب بأعضاء مجلس الإدارة والسيد ميكالي المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر الأولمبي، وتم تكليفي بالبحث عن مدرب لتولي قيادة منتخب مصر الأولمبي وبحثت عن سير ذاتية تليق بالفراعنة”.

وأردف: “توصلت لسير ذاتية لـ5 أو 6 مدربين وفي النهاية تم الاستقرار على التعاقد مع ميكالي لأنه يمتلك خبر كبيرة في المنتخبات الأولمبية والحقيقة إنه كان أفضل اختيار بعد ذهبية الأولمبياد وفضية بطولة أمريكا مع منتخب البرازيل للشباب وسبق أن عمل في الإمارات والسعودية”.

وأضاف: “المفاوضات كانت جيدة وكان هناك تعاون شديد بين السيد ميكالي ووكيله وهو لديه رغبة في تحقيق عمل جيد، وأحيي محمد وهبة مدرب منتخب الناشئين مواليد 2006، وكذلك منتخب الشباب 2003 وما تم تقديمه في الفترة الماضية خاصة بعد التأهل لكأس العرب والخسارة في النهائي أمام السعودية بضربات الجزاء”.

كلمة ميكالي خلال المؤتمر الصحفي: “أرحب بكافة الحضور وأعضاء اتحاد الكرة وفعاليات المؤتمر تذكربي بما يحدث في البرازيل، وذلك يشعرني أني في بلادي”.

وواصل: “سأسعى لتحقيق إنجاز جديد والفوز بميدالية في أولمبياد باريس المقبلة، وسأعمل كثيرًا مع اللاعبين والإعلام ومن المهم أن نكون أقوياء ذهنيا وأعيد وأكرر أن التركيز مهم جدًا من أجل تحقيق شيء كبير ولدي ثفة في تحقيق ذلك”.

وبسؤاله عن أسباب قبوله تدريب منتخب مصر الأولمبي، أوضح: “كان هناك تواصل مع محمد بركات وتحدثنا في كافة التفاصيل وبشكل سريع تم الاتفاق لأن كل الأمور بسيطة وسهلة من كلانا ودخلنا في مرحلة جديدة من التفاوض واندمجنا بشكل سريع”.

وأضاف: “سؤالي عن ضم محمد صلاح لمنتخب مصر الأولمبي ذكرني بما حدث مع في البرازيل والسؤال عن ضم نيمار، وبالتأكيد أي مدرب في العالم يرغب في تواجد صلاح ولكن هناك أمور أخرى ترتبط بناديه ولكن رغبتي هي أنني أريده من الآن”.

وأكد محمد بركات عضو اتحاد الكرة على تواجد مدرب حراس مصري في الجهاز وأخر مدرب مساعد مصري.

وعاود ميكالي، قائلاً: “أقابل أناس محترفين في اتحاد الكرة وأحتاج ذلك في عملي، والأندية التي تمتلك لاعبين تحت 23 عاما سنعمل بشكل جاد معهم وأعرف جيدًا أن هناك لاعبين متميزين في هذه المرحلة السنية ولدي قائمة كبيرة بأسماء اللاعبين وسنحاول تجميع أكبر قدر ممكن وسنحاول انتقاء أفضل عناصر من اللاعبين في جميع المفاهيم سواء لياقة أو الذهن ونرغب في التفكير بشدة بهذا الأمر”.

وحول كيفية تركيزه على ارتقاء ذهن اللاعبين، أوضح: “القوة الذهنية أمر هام جدًا بالنسبة لي، والقوة الذهنية نقطة هامة جدًا بالنسبة لي، وليس هذا أمر هام في الكرة فقط، بل في أي عمل، الذهن أول شيء هام لتحقيق أهدافك، لكي تكون بطل لابد أن تتمتع بقوة ذهنية”.

واستطرد: “سنجمع أكبر عدد ممكن من المعلومات عن اللاعبين المتاحين وسنتابع أكبر عدد ممكن من المباريات، وبالتأكيد خبراتي في المنطقة العربية أعطت لي رؤية عن طريقة لعب العرب وخصوصية كل بلد في لعب كرة القدم، وتأقلمي في مصر سيكون أسرع بسبب عملي في المنطقة العربية”.

بينما قال خالد الدرندلي: “هدفنا وجود تنسيق بين المنتخب الأول والأولمبي والشباب، وسيكون هناك مدير فني للاتحاد ليُكمل هذا التنسيق، روي فيتوريا رحب باختيار ميكالي لإن الكرة البرتغالية والبرازيلية متشابهين، ولكن القرار النهائي كان لاتحاد الكرة”.

وتابع مدرب منتخب مصر الأولمبي: “المباريات الأخيرة في مصر شاهد عدد كبير من اللاعبين الشباب المميزين وهناك لاعبين شباب جيدين في مصر، سنحاول نسبق بخطوة ونضع جدول مناسب للمرحلة المقبلة، ونعم الوقت ضيق ولكن جاهزين للتنفيذ”.

وبسؤال محمد بركات عن إمكانية تواجد مدير للمنتخب الأولمبي: “المدير الفني هو من سيحدد هل سيتواجد مدير للمنتخب أم لا، ولكن لو هو لا يريد وجود مدير إداري سنحقق ذلك، ولديه مساعدين”.

واختتم ميكالي: “أريد أن أحقق تاريخًا في مصر مثلما حققت في البرازيل”.

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie as new manager Nuno Espirito Santo looks to add further reinforcements to his first-team squad.

According to The Sun, Spurs are one of three Premier League sides interested in securing the 23-year-old’s signature, with West Ham United and Aston Villa also listed as potential suitors.

It goes on to claim that Juve have placed a £25m price tag on McKennie, although they would be open to the prospect of an initial loan deal in January as long as there is an obligation to buy the player in the summer.

Imagine him and Hojbjerg

Nuno Santo has made a slow start to life in the Tottenham dugout, with comprehensive defeats at the hands of London rivals Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Arsenal marking the beginning of his reign.

However, help could be on the way over the winter window in the shape of McKennie, a versatile engine room operator who is capable of playing in a wide variety of positions.

“He’s an outstanding talent,” claimed former Schalke boss David Wagner a few years ago. “In the No.6 or No.8 position, he has the mentality, a real working mentality that you need. And he’s brave on the ball as well. He can be one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga.”

As a result, McKennie could solve Nuno’s current midfield conundrum, providing a solid spine to his underperforming Spurs side.

During their match with Arsenal, the central areas of the team were completely vacated in a bizarre tactical plan from the manager. This transfer, however, could make sure that system never sees the light of day again.

So far in his career, the USA international has averaged 1.8 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game which illustrates his importance in defensive situations.

Offensively, meanwhile, he has performed 1.5 dribbles, 1.3 shots and one key pass on average each match since the 2016/17 season, suggesting he has a vibrant impact in the opposition’s penalty box.

Based on that, the box-to-box dynamo would arguably be the ideal partner for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the Tottenham engine room.

Hojbjerg has played every minute of the capital club’s Premier League campaign so far this season, but has been partnered by the likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso and Harry Winks with varying degrees of success.

Having a stable and proven partner such as McKennie could elevate the Dane and consequently Spurs to new levels, meaning the club’s hierarchy must swoop for the Juve gem over the coming months.

And, in other news…Levy could repeat his Soldado nightmare at Spurs by signing “fragile” £40.5m-rated dud 

Former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie has admitted his concern for Leeds United star Diego Llorente after the development of yet another injury issue.

The Lowdown: Llorente suffers fresh blow

Marcelo Bielsa’s side were beaten 3-0 at home to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, meaning they are still without a win in the Premier League this season.

Not only did Leeds lose, but they also saw Llorente suffer another injury setback, as he limped off in the first half.

The Spaniard has struggled to rid himself of constant fitness issues since arriving at Elland Road and he is now set for another spell on the sidelines.

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The Latest: Pundit concerned by ongoing issues

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie admits he is surprised Leeds even signed Llorente and didn’t pick up on something during his medical:

“I don’t understand that. Is this not something the medical team will have picked up on? How did he pass a medical?

“It can’t be something so simple as just warming up before games, surely?

“The same thing has happened to Llorente three times since he’s been at Leeds. That has to be a huge concern.

“That will always be a doubt now won’t it? Any time he plays people will be wondering if he can finish the game.

“You would think they would be able to sort it with all the technology they have, it’s a strange one. They don’t have a big squad either Leeds, it’s a worry.”

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The Verdict: Developing into a big problem

While Llorente is an excellent defender, his injuries are now becoming a genuinely major cause for concern, with the 28-year-old unable to string together a prolonged spell in the team.

He has now failed to finish a game three times in his last 17 Premier League appearances, which speaks volumes about how unreliable he is.

It may be that Bielsa has to start forging a centre-back pairing out of other squad members such as Pascal Struijk, Liam Cooper and Robin Koch, rather than relying on Llorente to stay fit.

In other news, one Leeds player has been tipped to leave the club. Find out who it is here.

Coming off the back of a resounding 5-1 win over FC Porto in the Champions League, Liverpool are back at Anfield in Premier League action as they face off against Manchester City on Sunday.

Goals from Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino secured Liverpool’s latest Champions League victory, following on from their 3-2 win over AC Milan in their first European game of the season.

This latest midweek victory will have undoubtedly provided a big boost around the club as the Reds prepare to take on the current Premier League champions at the weekend.

After starting Liverpool’s previous Premier League match against Brentford on the substitutes’ bench, coming on for Curtis Jones after the interval, the Brazilian striker showed just how much of an attacking threat he can be for the Reds, having scored their final two goals against Porto after replacing Salah in the second half.

This duly led to Firmino being labelled as “exceptional” by his manager Jurgen Klopp.

On The Chalkboard

Unlike Salah, who recently scored his 100th Premier League goal in just 162 matches, Firmino has not been a consistent goalscorer for Liverpool since he arrived on Merseyside back in 2015 from German club Hoffenheim for a fee of £36.9m.

Last season, former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher shared his concern for the 29-year-old, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £180k-per-week according to Spotrac, and his inconsistency when it came to scoring goals.

Despite only managing to score nine goals in 36 Premier League appearances for Liverpool last season, Firmino still managed to pop up when it mattered and score against the likes of Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur (on two occasions), as well as hitting a brace in their 4-2 win at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Those contributions illustrate that he still posses a match-winning quality.

With Pep Guardiola’s side currently boasting the best defensive record in the Premier League so far having only conceded one goal, and Liverpool boasting the best attacking record of the season with 15 goals in six games, it’s certainly set up to be an intriguing affair at the top of the table at the weekend.

Taking this into account, along with Firmino’s two goals in midweek, we feel that he should definitely be in the starting XI to face City on Sunday rather than being another option from the bench once again to see if he can help break down the champions’ stubborn defence.

However, with Diogo Jota starting the season in fine goalscoring form with three goals in the Premier League so far, Klopp should consider trying to fit both him and Firmino into the team on Sunday, as he did during the clash at the Etihad Stadium last season, when the Reds drew 1-1.

In other news… Report reveals exciting Liverpool transfer update, fans will be absolutely buzzing 

Hayden slips to change of tactics
Neil McKenzie was standing in for Graeme Smith as captain in South Africa’s second innings and his judgment early on the fourth morning was astute. Morne Morkel had started at the Randwick End but soon switched to the Paddington End where he could aim for the big cracking running down the pitch, which was particularly difficult for left-handers. Matthew Hayden tried to loft Morkel’s fifth ball over midwicket but could get only an inside edge, which rebounded on to the stumps.Should he go or should he stay?
Apart from the country’s losses, Hayden’s future has been the major Australian issue over the New Year. Selectors, team-mates and diehard fans seem to be the only ones on Hayden’s side and he did little to secure an extended run during this match with scores of 31 and 39. With his wife Kellie standing to clap in the stands, Hayden left the field with a wipe of his eyes, a look around the ground and a brief bat raise. It was definitely his last Test innings in Australia, but the way Ricky Ponting waited by the fence until Hayden jogged off the ground, it could have beenhis final bat with the squad.And the new Graeme Smith is …
Morne Morkel. With Smith carrying a broken hand, South Africa needed another opener and Morkel was called to partner McKenzie. Morkel lasted two balls before becoming Doug Bollinger’s first Test wicket, with the “batsman” chipping to Mitchell Johnson at mid-on.Clarke sprints and limps
The pace of Australia’s batting increased dramatically after tea and Michael Clarke’s left hamstring struggled to keep up with the pace. After sprinting for a run he pulled up and Alex Kountouris, Australia’s physio, ran out for a quick consultation. Clarke resisted calling a runner and stayed until sweeping to Hashim Amla on 41. The short session after tea was good practice for the one-day component of the summer, with Michael Hussey swiping a fierce six to long-on from Makhaya Ntini.Closing time
Declarations are something Ponting hasn’t got the hang of in his five years as captain. He tends to bat on too long, but there have been memorable successes, such as the defeat of India here last year. He left his men expanding the target for 30 minutes after tea, posting 4 for 257for a lead of 375. Australia will have to wait another day to see if it was a good decision.Hare and tortoise
The batting was two paced in the first session, with Hayden and Ricky Ponting finding boundaries and Simon Katich struggling. At one stage Katich spent 39 balls on 17 before getting a single off an inside-edge. It came during a period when Jacques Kallis delivered six overs for one run. All five maidens were to Katich.And the new Graeme Smith is …
Morne Morkel. With Smith carrying a broken hand, South Africa needed another opener and Morkel was called to partner McKenzie. Morkel lasted two balls before becoming Doug Bollinger’s first Test wicket, with the “batsman” chipping to Mitchell Johnson at mid-on. “It was a risk worth taking,” the coach Mickey Arthur said. “He’s always likening himself to Matthew Hayden so we thought we’d take a look. It didn’t work, but I was very happy to get through with only his casualty.”

Andrew Symonds’ Test exile is officially over after Ricky Ponting confirmed the allrounder would play in Thursday’s first Test against New Zealand. Symonds was suspended following his fishing trip in Darwin before the one-day series against Bangladesh in August, but he has convinced himself, Cricket Australia and his team-mates that he is ready to resume the No. 6 spot.Australia’s only remaining choice is whether to pick another allrounder in Shane Watson or the offspinner Jason Krejza on a pitch that will seam in the damp and humid conditions. The wicket is under-prepared – Matthew Hayden called it “spicy” – but if the predicted wet weather stays away Krejza will hold his spot. The call is a difficult one for Watson, who performed reasonably well with both disciplines in India, but Symonds’ experience as a senior player meant he came in as soon as he was deemed ready.”It was important that we got him back into our team,” Ponting said. “Being a senior member of our team and a very successful member before he went out of it, it almost becomes an injury-type replacement. He’s been out for a couple of months. He’s fit and ready to go and deserves his spot back in the side.”Despite Symonds having to go away and work out what he was doing wrong by the team, Ponting said he did not want the allrounder to change his personality. With the speed of Symonds’ return – and his form – it is easy to wonder what the point of the exercise was if the squad is happy for him to be the same old Symo.”I don’t expect him to be the model citizen when he comes back into the side, I expect him to be the Andrew Symonds of old,” Ponting said. “That’s what we all love about him. We all love his personality and the way he is around the team.”Symonds has collected only 70 runs in three Sheffield Shield games for Queensland but Ponting has been impressed with his work in the nets this week and retains faith in his “big-game” qualities. Ponting hoped for more of the version of Symonds that scored 777 runs in his nine previous Tests, instead of the one that has struggled since undergoing psychological sessions as part of his rehabilitation.”He does add a lot to your team,” Ponting said. “He adds that X-factor, he adds that great presence in the field. He can bowl you some medium pace and offspin, so with that sort of cricketer in the line-up, so far as balance goes, it is excellent.”Finding the right line-up was one of Australia’s regular dilemmas in India, but that mostly surrounded trying to fit in the spin of Cameron White. Turn is not going to be much of a factor in this game, which is a shame for the New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori.They will look at using Grant Elliott as a batsman at No. 7, a move which would leave the 19-year-old Tim Southee as 12th man. “We’re trying not to bring in the fact that Grant bowls a little bit,” Vettori said. “We want the best batsman at that position. The guy who comes in will bat at No. 7 and Grant is more accustomed to that than Peter Fulton.”Ponting and Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, decided on the 12 after looking at the pitch on Wednesday morning, with the fast bowler Peter Siddle being cut from the squad. Stuart Clark will return after missing the Nagpur Test and should enjoy the green surface that has been kept moist by rain since the weekend.Krejza grabbed 12 wickets on debut in Nagpur last week while Ponting said Watson was the best fast bowler on the tour. “They’ll be desperately unlucky, whoever misses out,” Ponting said. Having four fast bowlers in the outfit is a concern for Ponting, whose side is regularly under over-rate pressure.Ponting has been criticised for his decision-making in Nagpur, where he called on part-time bowlers to lift the speed of the game, and the issue is nagging at him. “I, and our team, have been as guilty as anybody in being behind in our overs and making it not as good a spectacle as it could be,” he said. “I have stayed away all week from talking to the team about the over-rates. If they don’t understand it now as a result of what’s been in the papers and spoken about for the last week, they never will.”While Australia worry, New Zealand have no concerns. “We’ve never had a problem with over-rates,” Vettori said. “We have problems with being too fast and have to slow ourselves down. I’ll try not to bowl myself too often in this game.”

تعرض الدولي الإيطالي ماركو فيراتي، لاعب باريس سان جيرمان للسرقة في إسبانيا، وتحديدًا بمدينة إيبيزا أثناء قضاء إجازته.

يقيم الإيطالي في إيبزا، وتحديدًا في العقار الذي يمتلكه الأسطورة البرازيلية رونالدو نازاريو داليما، ورئيس نادي بلد الوليد الإسباني.

يقع المنزل في منطقة كالا جوندال وأكدت صحيفة “لو باريزيان” الفرنسية أن الحرس المدني يحقق في الجريمة، بعد الإبلاغ عنها في الساعات الأولى من صباح يوم الإثنين.

طالع أيضًا.. تقارير: والد نيمار يشترط 200 مليون يورو للرحيل عن باريس سان جيرمان

لم يتم تأكيد الأرقام من قبل اللاعب أو السلطات، لكن يُعتقد أن ما تم سرقته من نقود ومجهورات وساعات، تقدر قيمتها بـ ثلاثة ملايين يورو.

في وقت السرقة، لم يكن هناك أحد في المنزل، وتم تعطيل أجهزة الأمان، مما يشير إلى أن السطو كان مُدبرًا من قبل العصابة.

صاحب الـ29 عامًا شارك في 29 مباراة الموسم الماضي مع باريس سان جيرمان في جميع المسابقات، وسجل هدفين.

West Ham United are the latest side to enter the race to sign Maxwel Cornet before Tuesday’s transfer deadline…

What’s the word?

According to 90min, the Irons are considering making a rival bid for the versatile Lyon star after Burnley made a club-record £15m offer for his signature recently.

Newcastle United are also mulling over the same prospect, whilst Leeds United have been linked with a move for the Ivory Coast international, who can play on the wing and at full-back.

It’s thought that there could be late competition for Cornet after he rejected the Clarets’ first offer.

Moyes masterclass

If Hammers boss David Moyes beats his Premier League rivals to the 24-year-old winger, then he deserves plenty of plaudits. He’d certainly be getting an intriguing and solid option that can play anywhere down the left flank.

Across 39 appearances in all competitions, Cornet provided Lyon with four goals and six assists, whilst he won 4.6 duels, made 1.9 tackles and registered 1.2 interceptions per game in Ligue 1, via SofaScore.

By comparison, Aaron Cresswell managed to average only 2.5 duels won, 0.9 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per Premier League outing, also notching eight assists, too.

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A season earlier, Cornet played an important role in the French outfit’s impressive Champions League run, in which they knocked out Manchester City. And his performance left Pep Guardiola wowed.

He said: “We only talk about PSG but there are many good French teams, I was very impressed by the talent of Maxwel Cornet. There are many talents in France, I like to play the Champions League because there is a very high quality everywhere, players, coaches.”

The former Metz graduate was once tipped to follow in the footsteps of Manchester United ace Anthony Martial, with journalist Robin Bairner dubbing him “a massive talent.”

Whilst The Sun’s Alan Nixon, who reported Leeds’ interest in him in June, hailed Cornet as a “top talent.”

Given his pace and natural instincts in attack, the £18m-rated beast could be a solid option under Moyes, whether that’s as a back-up to Said Benrahma up top or to Cresswell further back – he could even play in the same side as the Englishman when a back-three is deployed.

This versatility could be crucial as the Hammers embark on a campaign in the Europa League, so GSB should look to sanction this swoop, especially if they’re willing to accept around £15m for his signature.

West Ham being in Europe surely gives them a major edge over the likes of Burnley, Newcastle and Leeds, so Moyes can surely beat his rivals to this bargain buy.

AND in other news, Imagine him and Antonio: Moyes must seal West Ham swoop for “creative” £18m-rated beast…

Matthew Nicholson, the former New South Wales fast bowler, has left Surrey by mutual consent with three weeks of the season remaining. Shoaib Akhtar is due to join Surrey on Monday and be available for their final two County Championship games.Nicholson was Surrey’s overseas player for 2007 and 2008. He played a part with both bat and ball during his stint, taking 93 wickets in all competitions, as well as scoring 925 runs.”Unfortunately, Matt’s season this year has been blighted by illness which has affected his performance,” Alan Butcher, Surrey’s cricket manager, told the club’s website. “However, he has never given anything less than 100% and leaves behind many friends in the Surrey dressing room who will miss his positive attitude.”Nicholson was voted Man of the Year at the end of the 2007 season, an award decided by the first team, after moving from Northamptonshire. Nicholson, 33, retired from New South Wales shortly before the state’s Pura Cup triumph earlier in the year, and has been named as a state selector for the 2008-09 season. Nicholson represented Australia in one Test against England in 1998-99, when he was playing with Western Australia.Surrey are battling to avoid relegation and are stuck at the bottom of the table after a draw with Kent.

Shields Gazette reporter Liam Kennedy concedes a permanent move to Newcastle United would be seen as a step down for Joe Willock, amid reports of a permanent £25m deal being agreed.

The Arsenal midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan at St James’ Park, where he scored eight goals in 14 appearances.

His stunning form in front of goal also saw him become the first player to find the back of the net in seven consecutive Premier League fixtures since Alan Shearer.

Willock’s performances helped Newcastle steer well clear of the Premier League relegation zone and Magpies chief Steve Bruce had made the former England under-21 international his top target in the transfer window.

Although Newcastle initially looked to make Willock’s move permanent, they also began exploring the possibility of another temporary deal being struck, before the latest breakthrough.

Speaking prior to this update, Kennedy believed that it was a big decision for the youngster, who is clearly looking for regular first team football.

He told Football FanCast: “Does he want to stay at Arsenal and potentially be a fringe man? It wouldn’t be particularly damaging for his career if he stayed at Arsenal for another season because he is only 21.

“It would be a considerable step down to come to Newcastle United on a permanent move.”