Man City finalising exciting double youngster deal, announcement imminent

Manchester City are on the verge of announcing a double deal at the Etihad Stadium involving two exciting youngsters.

What's the latest news involving Manchester City?

The Cityzens take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium; however, they will be without the services of Bernardo Silva, who was substituted off against Crvena zvezda with an unspecified injury, as per BBC Sport. Manchester City are yet to lose a single home match in 2023 and have registered 63 goals in the process, now looking to keep their perfect domestic start to the campaign alive too, conceding just three goals.

Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson has spoken to Sky Sports regarding several aspects of life at Manchester City and has taken delight in the Sky Blues success of last campaign, stating: "Honestly, last season is difficult to describe. To be able to win so many titles, only one team in England had ever done that before and that was Manchester United many years ago.

He then added: "So, for us to do it again and be able to repeat that feat was sensational. It was a fantastic year for all of us, but it's really hard to pick out specific moments that stand out. "For sure, what does stand out is being with our families, with my children. For all of us, they are moments that really stick in the memory."

In other news, The Athletic report that Crystal Palace are set to open contract talks with playmaker Eberechi Eze, who Manchester City considered in the summer as a target following Kevin De Bruyne's lengthy injury lay-off.

Who are Manchester City signing?

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has issued an update on social media platform X regarding Manchester City's impending double deal to sign two young talents outside of the transfer window, stating: "Manchester City will formally complete both Divine Mukasa and Harrison Parker deals today — documents being signed, then time to announce. Parker joins from Man United, exclusive news confirmed — Mukasa joins from West Ham. Two more for their ambitious Academy."

Of course, this follows the trend of Manchester City recruiting top talent not just at first-team level but at the academy stage to develop youngsters in the hope they will one day represent the senior side.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

The Sun add that Harrison Parker was offered a contract by Manchester United; nevertheless, the Red Devils were unwilling to break their wage structure and meet his demands for a higher pay packet. Parker joined Manchester United from Arsenal in 2021 and will be joined by Divine Mukasa – the pair will link up with the Cityzens Elite Development Squad, who have secured three consecutive Premier League 2 titles.

Despite this, they have actually started this campaign in an inconsistent patch of form, recording one win, one draw and two losses in their opening four matches. Both players would meet homegrown requirements, which in turn could aid Manchester City's Financial Fair Play obligations as they could sell them on for pure profit in the future.

Diego Carlos Injury Update After Aston Villa Defender Limped Off Against Liverpool

Since making the move from Sevilla to Aston Villa last summer, Diego Carlos hasn't exactly had the best of luck, with his long-term injury at the start of last season against Everton summing things up.

Back from injury with a new season underway, and Unai Emery in the technical area, Carlos has finally been ready to take his chance at Villa Park as of late, however, featuring in all four Premier League games.

The last thing the defender will want now is another spell on the sidelines, but he may be in for exactly that after he was forced off against Liverpool.

The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell spotted a worrying sign that the defender may have suffered another injury blow.

What did Carlos do after his injury?

After Carlos was forced off in Aston Villa's frustrating 3-0 defeat at Anfield against Liverpool, Tanswell took to Twitter to reveal what he spotted on the visiting bench, saying: "Diego Carlos has just taken a seat on the bench. Still in his full kit and limping."

Of course, another injury to a defender is the last thing that Emery needs, too, given that Tyrone Mings is already set for an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a significant knee injury. The fact the Brazilian returned to the bench rather than staying in the dressing room for treatment could be a good sign, but his obvious limp certainly isn't.

Solving that problem, the Midlands club signed Clement Lenglet on loan late in the summer transfer window, but the Barcelona man cannot cover for two absences.

It does seem as though Villa fans can hope for the best, with Emery commenting on Carlos' injury after the game, saying, via Tanswell: "The injury of Diego Carlos (frustrated him most) It's not a big injury but it changed our gameplan."

The hope will be that the forthcoming international break gives the former Sevilla centre-back the chance to recover in time for Villa's next Premier League clash, which sees them square off against Crystal Palace.

How has Diego Carlos performed this season?

Returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Carlos has slotted in next to the likes of Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa in a mixed start to the season for those at Aston Villa.

The Villans got off to a nightmare start, suffering a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Newcastle United on an opening day to forget, before they bounced back in style, smashing Everton 4-0.

A 3-1 win over Burnley, followed by a 3-0 loss against Liverpool since those first two games represents an inconsistent start for Emery's side, who are still adapting to the former Arsenal manager's set-up, in an attempt to cause plenty of shocks in the Premier League this season.

The international break should hand Emery and co the crucial opportunity to solve any glaring problems with their system at Villa Park, in an attempt to stop the leak of goals against the best sides in England's top flight.

Whether Carlos will be fit enough to play a part in that tactical adjustment when domestic action returns remains to be seen, but Emery's verdict certainly seemed a positive one, given that there was plenty of cause for concern after the defender limped off.

Mahmood stars as Lions spoil Perth opening

Any news is good for England – and the Lions provided it by becoming the first team to win at the Perth Stadium

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Dec-2017England Lions team held their nerve to beat a strong Perth Scorchers line-up and become the first ever winners at the new multi-sports stadium.The Lions were given the honour of playing the first match at the 55,000-capacity Perth Stadium which is due to stage England’s ODI against Australia in the New Year.After a difficult few days for England cricket, there was finally cause for some satisfaction as the Lions beat a Scorchers team who are preparing to launch their defence of a Big Bash title they have won three times in the last four years.The Scorchers included England’s ODI regular David Willey, as well as Australian internationals Hilton Cartwright, Andrew Tye, Ashton Agar and Adam Voges.Lions captain Keaton Jennings said: “It’s been an intense few days for all of us but winning a game always puts some smiles back on faces. It was an awesome experience for all of us playing in the Coliseum they’ve created here, and I thought the boys did really well to beat a very strong and experienced Scorchers side.”The Lions managed 160 for 6 in this Twenty20 affair on a pitch that Jennings assessed as “not easy to bat on” and ran out winners by 12 runs as Scorchers ended on 148 for 9, their challenge cut short by Lancashire’s promising young quick bowler Saqib Mahmood who finished with 4 for 14.The Lions return for a Day-Nighter on Wednesday.A consistent Lions batting display helped see off Willey, who ended with 3 for 32 from his four overs, with Liam Livingstone top-scoring with 36 from 30 balls.Mahmood then gave the Lions’ defence the perfect start when he trapped the dangerous Josh Philippe lbw with the first ball of the Scorchers’ reply. He later returned to skittle the lower order as Agar was bowled for a duck, and Willey holed out at deep midwicket.

ضياء السيد: الترجي فاجأني هذا الموسم.. والأهلي يريد تأكيد زعامته

علق ضياء السيد مدرب منتخب مصر الأسبق على مباراة الأهلي والترجي التونسي المقبلة، والتي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وتقام مباراة الأهلي والترجي اليوم على أرضية استاد رادس في ذهاب المباراة النهائية من البطولة القارية.

وقال ضياء السيد في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر “المحور”: “أثق في تحضيرات مارسيل كولر مدرب الأهلي لكل المباريات، وأثق في قراءته للمباراة، لقاء مختلف بالنسبة للترجي، لأنه لم يكن في أفضل مستوى له في السنوات الأخيرة”.

وأكمل: “الترجي مختلف حاليًا وضم لاعبين جيدين وأصبح لديه استقرار، وحقق نتائج ممتازة في دوري الأبطال، فريق يدافع بشكل جيد ولم يدخل مرماه أي هدف”.

وتابع: “في آخر مواجهة بين الفريقين، الأهلي فاز ذهابًا وإيابًا، لكن الترجي فاجأني هذا الموسم خاصة بعد الفوز على صن داونز ذهابًا وإيابًا، هذه المرة الأمر مختلف، الدوافع مختلفة والجماهير ستملأ المدرجات”.

طالع | رغم التفوق التاريخي.. محمد جودة يحذر الأهلي من “فخ” الترجي

وأوضح: “الأهلي يريد أن يؤكد زعامته للكرة الإفريقية ويوسع الفارق بينه وبين المنافسين، الأهلي حقق 11 لقبًا إفريقيًا، وأقرب منافسيه الزمالك بخمسة ألقاب، وتوسيع الفارق في البطولات يعد إنجازًا”.

وأتم: “المباراة سيكون بها تكتيك عالي من الترجي، والأهلي سيقابل ذلك بتكتيك عالي أيضًا، إن شاء الله مباراة تكون جيدة وتسير وفق الاتجاه الذي نريده”.

No World Cup assurances for Morne Morkel

Ottis Gibson, South Africa’s new coach, has not given Morne Morkel any assurances about the 2019 World Cup even though the fast bowler has indicated he could consider a Kolpak-deal if he is not part of South Africa’s plans. Gibson has only had brief interactions with Morkel, who left the team camp after being injured in the first Test against Bangladesh in Potchefstoom, but said his 50-over future was not discussed in detail.”I absolutely didn’t tell him anything about the World Cup because it’s still so far away,” Gibson said after the second Test in Bloemfontein. “I’d encourage him to keep enjoying his cricket, which he’s been doing before he got injured.”Gibson said that it was “not my understanding” that Morkel could look at other options if he is not part of the World Cup plans, though Morkel has publicly indicated as much.During the opening round of the season’s first-class matches, at which Gibson was present, last month, Morkel said “as a cricketer you need to look at options because you have a life span.” He was specifically speaking about one-day cricket.”I am 32 and it is one of the conversations I am going to have with Ottis to find out where I fit in with white-ball cricket‚ and if there are any plans for me in 2019‚” Morkel said. “Are they going to look to rebuild for the World Cup? I need to see what is going to happen. Am I going to miss out? I don’t know when they are going to make the shift of bringing in younger players‚ those are all the things that must be communicated.”While Morkel did not mention Kolpak in that conversation, he has been previously linked to a move to the UK. South Africa may be able to hang on to him if Gibson is able to clarify where Morkel stands.”I can’t afford to sit on the sidelines for the next two years and not play cricket. It is all about timing and communication,” Morkel said. “At the end of the day as a cricketer you need to look at the options because we have a life span. But if there is communication and you know where you stand‚ then it is easier for everyone.”Morkel was part of South Africa’s most recent 50-over campaign, the Champions Trophy in England, where he played in all three group matches. Prior to that tournament, Morkel had not played an ODI for over a year while he recovered from a potentially career-threatening back problem. He made his comeback in Test cricket first and opted out of this year’s IPL in a bid to stay fit for international cricket, but is now injured again.Morne Morkel is weighing up his options for the next two years•Getty Images

Morkel suffered a grade two tear in his side and will spend between four and six weeks on the sidelines. While that has ruled him out of the ongoing Bangladesh series, Morkel expected to come back for the inaugural Global T20 and the rest of the South Africa’s home summer, including Tests against India and Australia.South Africa also have six ODIs against India, which will be an important part of their World Cup plan, but it remains to be seen if Morkel is part of that series. Gibson has indicated they will use ODIs this year to give exposure to as many players as possible before choosing candidates for the World Cup.”We’re looking at 34 or 35 games between now and 2019 and the idea between Faf, the selectors and I is to have a look at players who might be on the fringes. We have to give players opportunities so that in a year’s time we narrow that pool down,” Gibson said. “At the moment we need a wide pool of players to look at. We also need to determine the type of players – bearing in mind the conditions in England – that we’re going to need. They need opportunities for the next year so that we can make better judgements going forward. Then we finally need to narrow down to 15 or 16 players we feel can play at the World Cup. It’s still a long way but that’s the plan.”Similarly, Gibson has yet to engage with former captain AB de Villiers, who will make himself available for all formats from Sunday. De Villiers will play in a practice match against Bangladesh on Thursday, then be part of the ODIs, and is aiming for a Test comeback by early 2018. But Gibson has not yet worked out how much cricket de Villiers will play or how he will slot back into the team, especially the Test side, which he has not played for since January last year.”We’re all looking forward to seeing AB. I’ve had a few conversations with him,” Gibson said. “We haven’t really had a face-to-face yet but that will happen.”

Ashwin's county cricket stint confirmed

This will be the India offspinner’s first stint in county cricket, and he could be available as early as Worcestershire’s match against Gloucestershire starting on August 28

Sidharth Monga14-Aug-20172:08

Dasgupta: India will want Ashwin primed for overseas tours

India offspinner R Ashwin, who had been left out of the limited-overs leg of the tour of Sri Lanka, will play county cricket this season. He could be available as early as Worcestershire’s match against Gloucestershire starting on August 28. ESPNcricinfo had earlier reported that Worcestershire had shown interest in availing Ashwin’s services towards the end of their season.Ashwin’s India team-mate left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja is also in talks with the counties, but it as yet unclear whom he will play for.Worcestershire are currently placed second in division two of the county championships. Ashwin could come up against another India team-mate, Cheteshwar Pujara, in his second match as Worcestershire take on the table-leaders Nottinghamshire starting on September 5. Pujara is all set to continue playing for Nottinghamshire, whom he signed up for at the start of the season, following the conclusion of the Tests against Sri Lanka. Pujara scored 223 runs for them in five innings over four matches, including a match-winning hundred against Gloucestershire.This will be Ashwin’s first stint in county cricket. The last time India toured England for a Test series, he was played in only two of the five Tests, losing out to Jadeja in the first three. India have another five-Test series coming up in England next year.India’s next assignment after the Sri Lanka tour is the five ODIs against Australia starting on September 17. If Ashwin is selected for those matches, he might play only two matches in England. If he is not, he could go on till the end of the season as Worcestershire make a push for promotion.

Liverpool "Favourites” To Complete Midfielder Signing

Liverpool are moving quickly to secure the signing of Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been targeted by a number of top Premier League sides this summer.

What is the latest news regarding Romeo Lavia?

The Belgian looks set to make his move away from St Mary's soon

That's according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who took to Twitter to reveal that Liverpool's second bid for the midfielder had been submitted this morning, with the focus on sorting out the payment structure and ensuring the bonuses are achievable. The player is prepared to leave and undergo his medical ahead of his move, with the Reds ideally wanting the midfielder to join up with them in Singapore. Tavolieri stated that it is simply a "matter of time" before the deal is completed.

The Merseyside outfit submitted an opening offer for the Belgian on Tuesday according to David Ornstein, with the offer reportedly worth £37m, which the Saints rejected, however, the club have come back in with a second improved offer to try and complete a deal.

The Reds are the first team to submit an official bid for the Belgian, despite the youngster attracting interest from Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City following a bright first season in the Premier League, where the youngster made 29 appearances for Southampton last season, scoring one goal vs Chelsea in August and earning plenty of praise, with The Athletic journalist Jacob Tanswell naming the midfielder as his Southampton Player of the Year.

Premier League Hall of Fame member Rio Ferdinand was also full of praise for the midfielder, stating after the Saints defeat to Manchester United:

"The way he has started and immediately performed here kind of justifies the conviction that Southampton have had in going and getting him. He is a young player who can do both sides of the game, equally good defensively but also once he is on the ball he has tremendous feet and can pass it."

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that Liverpool are trying to complete the deal quickly due to the fact that Chelsea are also interested in the midfielder:

"It will be a £45m package; £42.5m guaranteed and £2.5m in add-ons so £45m total package with add-ons included. Southampton always wanted £50m so let’s see how this bid will go but Liverpool are strongly working on the Romeo Lavia deal because they know Chelsea have always been keeping an eye on Lavia, Chelsea have always been interested but no bid at this moment, so Liverpool are favourites to make the deal, but they are moving fast because they know Chelsea are keeping an eye on the situation."

Who will Lavia line up with?

Lavia is set to be the third addition to Liverpool's midfield this summer as they rebuild following a disappointing season last year.

The Reds have brought in two midfielders already, with Alexis Mac Allister arriving from Brighton and Hove Albion for a fee in the region of £35m and Dominik Szoboszlai from German outfit RB Leipzig for a fee in the region of £60m, with the pair impressing in the club's pre-season so far.

Manager Jurgen Klopp seems to be employing the same system that was used in the final games of last season, suggesting that should Lavia arrive, he would play as the left-sided defensive midfielder, partnering Trent Alexander-Arnold at the base of the midfield.

Former Leipzig wizard Dominik Szoboszlai.

Lavia will not be playing with Jordan Henderson, who announced that he is leaving Liverpool, with his switch to Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq set to be announced soon. Fabinho is another player who could be departing Anfield, with his proposed switch to Al Ittihad back on after the deal had stalled and was under threat of collapsing. The Brazilian is reportedly not going to travel with the squad to Singapore with all parties committed to completing the deal.

Lavia could also be joined by another addition, with The Athletic's James Pearce reporting that the club are still interested in a number of midfielders, including Crystal Palace's Cheick Doucoure, Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips, Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch and Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat, with the club potentially bringing in another to replace the outgoing pair of Henderson and Fabinho.

Man Utd v Wolves: predictions, preview & more

The final game of the opening weekend of the 2023/24 Premier League season will see Manchester United host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in a Monday night game under the lights.

It’s set to be a busy summer transfer window for Erik Ten Haag, and Old Trafford will be expecting a new-look United side to line up to get the season underway.

Here is Football FanCast's preview ahead of the return to action…

When is the match and is it on TV?

Man Utd take on Wolves on the 14th of August and is slated for an 8pm kick-off in Manchester.

Although television contracts and deals have yet to be confirmed ahead of the new season, especially with the arrival of TNT Sports (replacing BT Sports), it is likely Sky Sports will have the rights to broadcast this fixture as their first Monday Night Football (MNF) billing of the season.

Who is Manchester United’s key player?

Erik ten Hag and Marcus Rashford

There are certainly a number of players to choose from.

Bruno Fernandes enjoyed a superb season in Erik Ten Haag’s debut campaign. 2022 summer signing Lisandro Martinez is also a crucial part of the team and is arguably the most important piece of the back four.

United’s key man, however, is Marcus Rashford. The forward enjoyed his best season for United in 22/23, netting 17 times and providing five assists. He will be crucial heading into the new season.

Who is Wolves’ key player?

Wolves look set to lose a number of key players in this summer transfer window. The club are shackled by Financial Fair Play rules, and thus have to sell before they can buy. They recently lost star player Ruben Neves to the Saudi Pro League, for example.

Jose Sa in goal looks set to be one of, if not their most important player. The Portuguese international made over 100 saves for Wolves last season, keeping 11 clean sheets.

How will Man Utd line up?

Erik ten Hag

It’s early in the summer window, so it’s hard to pick the exact starting XI for Ten Haag’s United, but with the takeover saga dragging on it has proved a distraction to this transfer window’s recruitment. Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana has been linked with a move to Old Trafford along with Chelsea star Mason Mount. Here’s our prediction:

Onana; Dalot, Martinez, Varane, Shaw; Casemiro, Mount; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial

How will Wolves line up?

Wolves boss Juluen Lopetegui

It’s more about who Wolves can hold onto in this window rather than who they are going to sign, so don’t expect too many changes from the regular team of last season.

Wolves have been linked with moves for Liverpool youngster Fabio Carvalho and free-kick specialist James Ward-Prowse from Southampton. If they completed these signings, expect them to start straight away on the opening weekend at Old Trafford. :

Sa; Semedo, Kilman, Collins, Dawson, Jonny; Cravalho, Lemina, Ward-Prowse, Neto; Sarabia

What were the last 5 league meetings between the two teams?

The sides have met 18 times in the English Premier League, with United winning 11 of those games. There has been three draws in the fixture, with Wolves winning on four occasions.

It’s a fixture that doesn’t typically produce a lot of goals, but one that United have dominated in recent years:

May 2023: Man Utd 2-0 Wolves December 2022: Wolves 0-1 Man Utd January 2022: Wolves 1-0 Man Utd August 2021: Wolves 0-1 Man Utd May 2021: Wolves 1-2 Man Utd

Every Premier League Opening Day Fixture

Who is going to win?

Man United's Bruno Fernandes

It’s hard to pick against United on the opening weekend of the season under the lights at Old Trafford. So here, we’re not going to. United should stroll to victory in the final game of the opening gameweek of the new season.

FFC predicts: Manchester United win

Lyon leads Australia's comeback on see-saw day

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:09

Chappell: India lacked proactivity against spin

Bounce giveth, and bounce taketh away. Nathan Lyon took his opportunity to use the extra vertical lift available in Dharamsala and work his way through India’s middle order, but a pair of dropped catches from Matt Renshaw at either end of the day prevented Australia from getting full reward from their toil on the second day of the fourth Test.

Five 50s, no 100s

  • 5 Scores of 50-plus for KL Rahul in this series – the joint-most by an India batsman without scoring a century. Before this series, Rahul had converted four of his five fifties into centuries.

  • 1316 Runs for Cheteshwar Pujara in Tests in the 2016-17 season – the second-most for any batsman in a season. The highest is Ricky Ponting’s 1483 in 2005-06. Pujara’s 12 50-plus scores in the season are also the joint second-most.

  • 54 Runs for Karun Nair in four innings – with scores of 26, 0, 23 and 5 – since his unbeaten triple-century against England.

  • 63 Wickets for Nathan Lyon against India – the joint second-most for any spinner. He is equalled with Lance Gibbs and trails Muttiah Muralitharan by 42 wickets.

  • 10 India players to achieve the double of 1000-plus runs and 100-plus wickets in Tests. Ravindra Jadeja became the 10th to do so. He also completed 500 runs and 50 wickets in the 2016-17 season.

The pitch offered more bounce to the touring bowlers than at any other time in the series, while Dharamsala’s altitude helped the ball swing more or less all day. Lyon duly adjusted his approach to seek maximum overspin, and in a long spell after tea claimed four wickets to reduce India’s chances of building a substantial lead.It might have been even better for Australia, were it not for Renshaw at first slip failing to react in time to a KL Rahul edge while the ball was still new in the first hour, then making a mess of a more straightforward chance offered up by Wriddhiman Saha in Pat Cummins’ first over with the second new ball. Cummins’ anguished reaction underlined how hard he and Josh Hazlewood had toiled, in defence of a total that has left the game open to either side with three days remaining.Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara played India’s most substantial innings’, while the stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane offered an approach of polar opposites – attacking the pacemen and offering a dead bat to the spinners. Pujara had seemed capable of emulating his Ranchi effort, but fell prey to Lyon’s bounce shortly after tea as Australia’s No. 1 offspinner found lovely rhythm to pose questions to all comers.Hazlewood came exceptionally close to a wicket with his second ball of the day, when M Vijay’s checked drive fell fractionally short of David Warner at mid-off. It was not a moment representative of the rest of the morning, as the ball flew through to Matthew Wade with more venom that at any other time over these four Tests.Amid the occasional verbal barb from bowler to batsman, Vijay edged Hazlewood just short of Wade, before touching another delivery behind that carried rather more comfortably to present Australia with their first wicket. Next over, Renshaw was unable to get more than fingertips to a flying edge from Rahul.Nathan Lyon claimed four wickets after tea•Associated Press

There were more good deliveries to follow and scoring was slow, but Pujara and Rahul were happy to reach the break without further loss. They accelerated notably on resumption, threatening momentarily to take control of the game.Cummins was recalled to the attack to try to make something happen, and he obliged by getting at Rahul with a combination of short balls and verbal rejoinders. Eventually, Rahul was coaxed into trying a hook shot at a bouncer pitched well outside off stump, and the resulting toe-end miscue lobbed gently to an exultant David Warner.Runs became harder to come by after an initial burst from Rahane, as Lyon and Steve O’Keefe concentrated on economy. But only one chance of any sort was generated – an lbw appeal by Lyon against Rahane that was turned down by the umpire Ian Gould and not reviewed. Ball-tracking showed the delivery would have gone on to strike the top of leg stump but remained umpire’s call.Australia did not have long to wait in the evening session, however, as Lyon’s bite drew an inside edge onto pad from Pujara that was well held by Peter Handscomb diving forward from short leg. Karun Nair, never comfortable at the crease this series, fell in similar fashion albeit on the back foot rather than the front.Lyon’s attack on Rahane was fascinating, as he varied quicker, straighter deliveries threatening the outside edge with loopier stuff devised to spin and catch the inside edge. Ultimately, it was one of the former offerings that found the edge and was exceptionally taken by Smith at slip, just as Rahane and R Ashwin had been threatening to build a partnership of value.Ashwin had played his best innings of the series, but then failed to get forward far enough to avoid being given lbw by Gould. A review showed the ball had struck Ashwin marginally in line with the stumps and was going on to strike middle. Lyon’s first ball to Jadeja then turned and kicked, striking Wade in the shoulder.A pair of meaty blows from Jadeja in the thin Himalayan air were enough for Smith to call upon Cummins to take the second new ball, and an exploratory first five deliveries led to a perfectly-pitched sixth that Saha edged. It sailed at comfortable catching height to Renshaw, but bounced out of his hands. A pensive Australian viewing area were left to hope that this would not be a pivotal moment of the match and the series.

Rangers Are Still Keen On Signing "Excellent" Whiz

Glasgow Rangers look set to be in for their busiest summer transfer window in quite some time as Michael Beale aims to overhaul a playing squad which has become stagnant across the previous 12 months.

Out go the likes of Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Filip Helander as the wage budget has been trimmed, while Beale has quickly signed four players – and there will be more as the weeks go on.

Another squad player who could leave this summer is Scott Wright, as Preston North End had two bids rejected recently and it surely won't be long before he departs Ibrox after a woeful season.

The £5.6k-per-week dud played 34 times during 2022/23 and registered a paltry two assists – a dreadful return from the winger, and it’s clear he isn’t of the required quality needed going forward.

Could Beale turn to a January transfer target that is back on his radar in order to replace Wright if he does in fact move on from Rangers this summer? As Morgan Whittaker remains firmly in the 42-year-old's plans, according to The Daily Record, perhaps the Gers boss has a plan in place.

Could Rangers sign Morgan Whittaker this summer?

In all honesty, a move should have occurred back in January, as the Gers had three bids rejected by Swansea City for the pacey winger, with their final offer of £2m not enough to prise him away from Wales.

During the first half of last season, he spent time on loan at Plymouth Argyle in the English third tier and was arguably their standout performer, registering nine goals and seven assists across just 25 league games, demonstrating his abilities from the right wing.

His form on the south coast was so devastating that he ranked second out of the whole squad for overall rating (7.1/10), despite playing just half a season, while also ranking third for goals and assists, as well as key passes per game and big chances created, underlining his importance to Plymouth.

Glasgow Rangers boss Michael Beale.

His output dropped once he returned to Swansea, however, scoring just once in 15 Championship games, although he did only start two matches.

Beale is clearly a big fan of the 22-year-old winger, having previously lauded him as “excellent” – and the chase for him still appears to be very much alive.

The next few weeks could prove crucial with regard to a potential move, as the manager is aiming to get the vast majority of his business done early in order to focus on the Champions League qualifiers at the start of August.

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