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According to Portuguese outlet Record (via Sport Witness), Porto and Glasgow Rangers are not in negotiations over a transfer for Alfredo Morelos.

The Lowdown: Morelos linked with Porto

The Colombian has been heavily linked with a move to Porto, with the 25-year-old even reported to have agreed personal terms with the club (Antena 1).

There had been reports of a €17m (£14.6m) agreement (A Bola), but there has now been another update on the 25-year-old which very much appears to contradict that stance.

The Latest: No deal agreed

As per this latest update from Record (via Sport Witness), the two clubs have not come to an agreement at all in regards to the Colombia international – as of yet, there have not even been any negotiations.

While Morelos is said to have opened the door to a move, Porto have not made a concrete approach to sign the forward.

The Verdict: Who knows what to believe?

Every day there appears to be an update on Morelos’ situation. Many supporters may well have been resigned to losing him this summer after it had been suggested that he was close to a move, but they will now have been given hope that he could remain at Ibrox.

One thing is for sure – this is a saga which is likely to go on throughout the summer, just like it did last year when he was said to be on the way to Lille (Sky Sports). That comes with the territory of being one of his club’s most dangerous players, and all Steven Gerrard and the Ibrox hierarchy can do is make sure that the speculation does not damage the Gers’ plans for the new season.

In other news, Steven Gerrard has provided an update on this 24-year-old.

MELBOURNE, Dec 14 AAP – Injury has given a chance to many of England’s touring team

Adam Cooper14-Dec-2002MELBOURNE, Dec 14 AAP – Injury has given a chance to many of England’s touring team. Death has given Adam Hollioake a new outlook on cricket and life.Hollioake is the latest addition to England’s tri-series squad after fellow allrounder Andrew Flintoff failed to recover from a hernia and became the latest player sent home because of injury.Tomorrow’s day-night clash against Australia at the MCG represents Hollioake’s first match for England in more than three years.But it was the death of his brother Ben – in a car accident in Perth in March – that ultimately gave Adam the spur to take a new approach on his game and attitude.Adam Hollioake, having played 35 limited overs matches for England, including 14 as captain from 1996-99, today described his recall as round two in his career.The 31-year-old said after years of fretting about his position in the team, he was now completely at ease and had nothing to fear.”I have absolutely no fear of failure whatsoever,” Hollioake said.”To me it’s just a game.”Before I used to worry about what the down side of not playing well was … but now I don’t worry about it at all because I realise the sun will still come up tomorrow morning and whatever will be, will be.”So I just go out there and play and if I get nought for 100 and a duck well so be it, that’s life. I’m not going to lose one minute’s sleep.”It doesn’t mean I won’t be trying my best and if I have success it still doesn’t change anything either, I just get on and play the game and try and enjoy it.”Hollioake last played for England in the 1999 World Cup, against India in Edgbaston.After sitting out the first stages of this year’s county season in England, the Australian-born allrounder spearheaded Surrey to the championship.His batting and bowling skills haven’t gone unnoticed, given England’s current plight.Hollioake said he had resorted to his natural attacking game since Ben’s death.He said this change in attitude differed from when he first arrived on the international scene and “swung from my arse”, but gradually evolved into a continued defensive mode.”As time goes on you don’t want to lose what you’ve already got I suppose,” Hollioake said of the worries of keeping his place.”But as I sit here now I’ve got nothing, so I’ve got nothing to lose and there’s nothing more dangerous than a man with nothing to lose.”Hollioake, who plans to complete a four-leg walk, row and bicycle expedition from the Scottish border to Tangiers next October to raise money for ill children, said he had adapted his new approach with cricket to life as well.”I just try and enjoy each moment as it comes along and see what happens – try and enjoy every minute as I go along because who knows what’s going to happen?” he said.England played a light game of soccer today and is likely to announce its team tomorrow.

Carlton Palmer reckons that Leeds need to cash-in on players like Helder Costa to raise funds to Marcelo Bielsa to strengthen his squad in other areas.

Costa only joined permanently from Wolves last summer but judging by his lack of game-time last season, wouldn’t appear to be in Bielsa’s long-term plans at Elland Road.

According to Football Insider, Leeds are willing to listen to offers for the wide man, who featured in just over half of their Premier League games last term, contributing to three goals and three assists.

Costa is one of Leeds’ highest earners at the club, and his departure could therefore give Bielsa the opportunity to sign new players and try to build on their impressive ninth-place finish in their first season back in the topflight.

And Palmer exclusively told Football FanCast that he reckons Costa, who didn’t even make the squad for any of Leeds’ final five Premier League matches, should be moved on this summer:

“You look at things and say, if you’re looking to spend the type of money that Leeds are looking to spend, if you’ve got someone there on decent money and they aren’t playing regular football, then those are the type to move on enable you to use his salary to bring in the players that you want, who are going to make your squad a better squad.”

West Indies women are set to embark on a 12-match tour of Europe from June 21 to July 14 which includes tours to Ireland, The Netherlands and England

Cricinfo staff19-May-2008West Indies women are set to embark on a 12-match tour of Europe from June 21 to July 14 which includes tours to Ireland, the Netherlands and England. The matches in Ireland and the Netherlands include a series of one-dayers and Twenty20 internationals while the England leg consists of two one-dayers only.The squad will undergo a training camp in Barbados from June 18-20 before departing for Ireland. The Ireland trip, which commences on June 24, includes three one-dayers and a Twenty20. The Netherlands tour, starting July 1, consists of an additional one-dayer and a Twenty20. They finally proceed to England before departing on July 14.Commenting on the tour, Tony Howard, the chief cricket operations officer of the West Indies Cricket Board, said it was an opportunity for the team to show their ability at the international stage.”We have what we believe is a very good team,” Howard said. “This tour is not just about winning but trying to give our players some much needed exposure. It is also another avenue for young women in the Caribbean to excel and prove their worth on the global stage.”The forthcoming tour will be valuable to their preparations for the Women’s World Cup in Australia early next year. They incidentally haven’t played an official one-dayer since 2005, when they beat South Africa 2-1 in a three-match series. They were placed fifth at the 2005 World Cup in South Africa.

Many Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have been delighted on Twitter, following footage released by the club showing new signing Trincao scoring his first goal in training.

Enduring a mixed 2020/21 season, the Portuguese winger recorded five goal contributions in 42 fixtures for parent club FC Barcelona [Transfermarkt].

Excitingly moving to the West Midlands to join Wolves earlier this month, the 21-year-old seems to have wasted no time at all settling into his new surroundings.

Picking up the ball in the session on the half-turn, he turned his man twice before slotting a clinical strike low into the net.

Seeing their first glimpses of his quality in the video, the Molineux faithful will be praying that he can produce these exploits on a competitive platform come the start of the Premier League campaign.

In light of the footage, it is perhaps no wonder loads of Wolves diehards took to Twitter to rejoice about the talented attacker.

Wolves fans react:

Replying to the Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Official Twitter account, here is what some supporters had to say about the footage:

“He’s breaking ankles this season. Exciting signing”

Credit: @BC1877″Trincao up front with Jimenez? That’s just not fair….”Credit: @AshJonB”Trincao and Neto on the wings with jimenez in the middle”Credit: @Mowiiiiiii”Gonna terrorise defences with Pedro, Raul and Adama”Credit: @MitchPhillips28″Cannot *wait* to see this boy play”Credit: @andyroden”NEXT SEASON IS GOING TO BE GREAT AND I AM GLAD I LIVE NEXT DOOR TO WOLVES”Credit: @kingkevg1In other news, Wolves fans have been reacting to a training update.

One of Durham’s South African all-rounders, Albie Morkel, came up gold for them in their match against Lancashire, hammering a magnificent unbeaten 45 off 25 balls, with two fours and five sixes

John Ward at Old Trafford17-Jun-2008
Scorecard
Stuart Law hit a rapid half-century but finished on the losing side at Old Trafford © Getty Images
One of Durham’s South African all-rounders, Albie Morkel, came up gold for them in their match against Lancashire, hammering a magnificent unbeaten 45 off 25 balls, with two fours and five sixes. His team had never been in a hopeless position, because when this man is at the crease such a situation scarcely exists, but it took a thrilling burst that included five sixes off ten balls to see the side home by six wickets with six balls in hand.Lancashire, batting on winning the toss, faced up first to the South African pair of Morkel and Shaun Pollock, who struck quickly dismissing Lou Vincent. Most credit, though, must go to that superb all-round county cricketer, Gareth Breese, who took a brilliant low diving catch far to his right at slip.Then came an intriguing, all too brief battle between two veterans still scarcely past their prime: Stuart Law took on Pollock. Twice he lashed straight shortish balls through the covers for four and was clearly determined to dominate. He was beaten a couple of times, but on the whole came off the better of the two, with Pollock’s three-over spell costing him 27 runs.Law ran to his 50 off 34 balls in fine style before Breese had him beaten down the pitch and stumped for 53. He had taken most of the bowling, as was clear when later opener Mal Loye also reached 50 – off 33 ballsl Loye emulated Kevin Pietersen’s famous (or infamous) stroke by switching to left-hand mode and pulling a six over point, off Breese. He attempted the same stroke again several times, but without the same success; in fact, he twice came close to being dismissed. Eventually he was bowled for 53, taking a big swing.The bowler in question was Scott Borthwick, a leg-spinner making his debut for Durham. He showed real promise, taking a return catch to dismiss Steven Croft for 29and, entrusted with the last over of the innings, had Kyle Hogg caught by the ubiquitous Breese on the square-leg boundary. His figures of 4-0-23-3 have a dreamlike quality for a debutant in Twenty20. The other bowlers had little to rejoice about, although Liam Plunkett’s first two overs were very impressive without reward.Durham faced a daunting task, needing 181 to win. Michael Di Venuto (21) and Phil Mustard, added a brisk 42 for the first wicket, with Mustard hitting Dominic Cork for a straight six in the third over. But the chase really heated up when, in the poorest light of the match, Dale Benkenstein (31) joined Mustard and the two added 50 in just over five overs.However, Benkenstein fell to a catch on the long-on boundary, and despite the efforts of Mustard, including two leg-side sixes off Gary Keedy’s first two balls, the required scoring rate reached double figures. When Mustard fell for 61 off 40 balls there was always hope as long as that spectacular hitter, Morkel, was still there, with Pollock also in the mix.Morkel began cautiously, but then casually swung Hogg for six over midwicket, followed by another one straight down the ground. It was down to 38 needed off three overs, still possible for Morkel. Fellow South African Faf du Plessis was the unlucky bowler – 19 off the over and the target halved. Pollock helped out by hitting Cork for six, taking a single, and allowing Morkel to put another into the stands. A misfield by Sajid Mahmood gave away a four, then a single brought the scores level at the end of the nineteenth over. Mahmood, to his disgust, then send a short ball down the leg side for a wide, and the game was over.

Leeds United are contemplating a summer move for Wolves star Adama Traore as they look to strengthen Marcelo Bielsa’s squad ahead of the new Prmeier League campaign.

What’s the story?

It was suggested late last year that the Whites were keen on luring the Spain winger away from Molineux, but a deal failed to materialise by the end of the January transfer window deadline.

90min have now revealed that Bielsa’s side are considering making a move for the 25-year-old this time around, with Wolves now ready to listen to offers for the pacey winger.

The report added: “Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have all kept close tabs on Traore, but Leeds are very much at the head of the queue as it stands.

“Traore’s relationship with Orta, who plucked him from a miserable time at Villa to take him to Boro, and his desire to work with Marcelo Bielsa could very well sway the deal in their favour.”

The £100,000-a-week Spaniard’s sheer pace could give Leeds a different dimension to the tricks and skills offered by someone like Raphinha. As a player either off the bench or from the start, Traore could be a unique kind of game-changer for the Whites – his average of 4.1 dribbles per game in the Premier League last season was the highest in the entire division.

Former Leeds player David Norris has given his stamp of approval on a potential move for the winger, exclusively telling Football FanCast: “He (Bielsa) likes them attacking, exciting players that can create. They still must work hard, but the way he’s been in the last couple of seasons, and how much of a danger he is and how much he an create, I think that would be a great signing. Leeds are looking for top players and I think he’s a top player.”

90min also claimed that “Bielsa is a huge fan of the Spanish international winger, and has been for some time, believing he could blossom in his system at Elland Road.”

If a deal can be agreed between the two clubs, then the Leeds manager will no doubt be buzzing at landing a player he has followed for “some time.”

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has dropped an exciting Leeds United update…

Scotland were delighted to record a convincing five-wicket victory over their great rivals Ireland at Mannofield Park with Gavin Hamilton hitting his maiden ODI century

John Ward in Aberdeen02-Jul-2008
Scorecard
Joy for Scotland’s Dewald Nel as he has Ireland’s Reinhardt Strydom caught at the wicket © Cricket Europe
Scotland were delighted to record a convincing five-wicket victory over their great rivals Ireland at Mannofield Park today. A solid bowling display was followed by Gavin Hamilton’s 115, his maiden one-day century, as he formed an excellent partnership of 122 for the third wicket with Colin Smith (59), the latter already having taken five catches behind the stumps. It was just disappointing that fewer than 200 spectators were present to celebrate the triumph.Scotland’s chase was dominated by the Yorkshire and England former bowling all-rounder, Hamilton, who is a specialist batsman these days. He began the innings in unusual style, driving the first ball through extra cover and taking an all-run four. He soon lost Ryan Watson, uncharacteristically lobbing an easy catch to mid-off without scoring, but did not let this cramp his style. He found useful support from the debutant Qasim Sheikh (23) and Smith, and reached his 50 off 52 balls.Thereafter he slowed down somewhat, but by now Scotland were well on course for victory, and there was some very desperate Irish appealing as Smith settled in with him. Smith passed fifty just before the century partnership was reached and then, with another powerful blow past mid-on, Hamilton reached his hundred off 136 balls.Both batsmen, and Fraser Watts, fell in quick succession before victory was achieved, but these were minor blips and the result was never now in doubt. Andrew White, with two late wickets, returned the best figures, though Kyle McCallan (1 for 34) did a good job in keeping the scoring rate in check during the middle overs. Ireland also maintained a good over rate.Following their rather frenzied, and unsuccessful, approach against New Zealand yesterday, Ireland decided on steadier measures after they batted on winning the toss. But they were up against some fine seam bowling, and when Gary Wilson, playing the anchor role, was out for 39, with the score 66 for 4 in the 20th over, Ireland were in some trouble. The South African Dewald Nel bowled particularly well in an opening spell of 8-4-16-3.The pressure eased when he was rested, and a steady partnership between White (34) and Ryan Haire (54) developed, worth 65 in 16 overs as the 100 came up in the 29th over. Haire, who made his debut yesterday, reached his 50 with two successive boundaries, but then unfortunately gave his wicket away with a gentle catch to backward point. At 153 for 7 in the 40th over, Ireland were subsiding slowly in a swamp of mediocrity.The buck stops with the captain, and McCallan was prepared to accept it. He played himself in carefully and, helped by Thinus Fourie (19 not out), then attacked with the kind of discrimination his team had hitherto been lacking in this tri-series. He hit four fours to score 39 off 38 balls before being out to the final ball of the innings, caught by the keeper flicking down the leg side, making the total 210 for 8.Nel, with 4 for 25, was the pick of the bowlers, and he was well supported by fellow seamers Blain and Gordon Goudie, who took two wickets each. They also deserve credit for completing their 50 overs with 15 minutes to spare, showing teams such as England that it can and should be done, and it meant a target well within reach of their batsmen especially once Hamilton got going.After the match, a delighted Hamilton said that “any century is special,” and it was particularly good to put one over Ireland. He praised a good pitch, which gave assistance to bowlers who put the ball in the right places, but also enabled batsmen to take advantage of anything loose. McCallan felt that his team had played better than they did against New Zealand, and was glad to see Haire reproduce his club form for the national side.

Canada, after dismissing Netherlands cheaply, batted rather painfully before finally achieving victory by four wickets, with three balls to spare

John Ward in Belfast02-Aug-2008
Scorecard
Harvir Baidwan and Ashish Bagai celebrate © Getty Images
Canada, after dismissing Netherlands cheaply, batted rather painfully before finally achieving a victory by four wickets, with three balls to spare, to open their ICC World Twenty20 qualifying campaign successfully. The bowling of both sides was good, but there was little batting to savour.It was a significant come-down for Netherlands after their impressive victory over Kenya in the first game of the day, but shows how quickly Twenty20 fortunes can change and how open this tournament will be.Netherlands decided to bat on winning the toss. They quickly lost their opening batsman, Darron Reekers, third ball without a run scored, caught and bowled by Henry Osinde, the ball bouncing up off glove and helmet.Eric Szwarcynski and Daan van Bunge repaired the damage by good batting and running before the former sliced a catch to third man, departing for 19; 34 for 1 in the seventh over. This was to be the high point of Netherlands’ innings. Osinde finished his four overs with an impressive 2 for 21.The middle order trembled, with Tim de Grooth holing out on the leg boundary for 9 of six balls and van Bunge caught in the covers for a solid 12; at 53 for 4, taken to 58 at the ten-over mark, the innings was at the crossroads. It took a wrong turn, with the star role played by medium-pacer Harvir Baidwan. Ryan ten Doeschate, the hero of Netherlands’ first match, sliced a catch to backward point to depart for 4 and Henk Mol was stumped first ball. After a run-out removed Mudassar Bakhari, Edgar Schiferli was lbw, and the score was a disastrous 65 for 8.Soon after, Baidwan finished his spell of devastation with 4 for 19. At the other end, the offspinner John Davison took no wickets, but kept the pressure right on by conceding a mere 11 runs off his four overs, the most economical bowler of a long three-match day.One batsman stood firm amid the ruins, Peter Borren, who batted so sensibly yet firmly that it was hard to realize he was scoring at better than a run a ball. Jeroen Smits gave him good support for a while with a noble 5 runs, their stand adding 29, before the innings closed for 97 in the nineteenth over.When Canada, chasing an even less challenging target than Ireland had in the previous match, Davison was soon up to his usual tricks. Mudassar Bukhari had the misfortune to be bowling the second over of the innings, and he found successive deliveries planted for six over midwicket and long leg.He was fortunate to limit the damage to 17 runs off the over. But Davison had more trouble with the bowling of Edgar Schiferli: after a couple of swings and misses, he tried to turn a ball to leg and edged a catch to slip; gone for 19, off 10 balls, out of 21.Geoff Barnett and Abdool Samad took it easy – no-frills batting – as they added 34 at five an over before Samad (19) holed out on the leg boundary at 57 for 2, after 10 overs. Next man Ashish Bagai was run out quickly for 1, and Canada had to beware falling into the trap from which Ireland only just wriggled free in the previous match, getting into trouble through chasing a low target too slowly.Barnett was next to go, caught in the deep for 21 attempting to increase the run rate, and the batsmen found it harder than ever to score off the tight Netherlands bowling. Schiferli took one for only 10 runs off his four overs, but then at last Sunil Dhaniram looked to take charge, though he was lucky to avoid being run out. He lost Zubin Surkari for a rather painful 6; eight were still needed off the last two overs.Dhaniram ran himself out for 26, leaving three off the last over with four wickets in hand, which was finally achieved.

Derby County have been handed a potential boost in their bid to bring Ronan Curtis to Pride Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The News, who claimed that neither Blackburn Rovers nor Cardiff City are looking to step up their interest in the Portsmouth winger in the summer transfer window.

The report added that Pompey have placed a £2m asking price on the 25-year-old, with the Republic of Ireland international viewed as one of Danny Cowley’s prized assets at Fratton Park.

Finally, the report touches on Derby’s interest in the forward, with the player believed to be extremely keen to make the step up to a Championship club this summer.

Rooney must move

A deal for Curtis may be a difficult one to pull off for Wayne Rooney ahead of the upcoming Championship campaign, particularly with the Rams still operating under a transfer embargo. However, if a move for the winger does become feasible this summer, it would seem highly advisable that the Derby manager does all he can to seal the signing of the 25-year-old.

Indeed, over his 42 League One appearances for Cowley’s side last season, the £3,700-per-week man bagged 10 goals, registered seven assists and created seven big chances for his teammates, as well as taking 2.2 shots and making 1.5 key passes per game.

These returns saw the man Mick McCarthy dubbed a “special” player earn an average SofaScore match rating of 7.11, ranking him as Portsmouth’s best performer in the third tier of English football.

Curtis continued his excellent form in the domestic cup competitions, scoring four goals and registering three assists over six cup fixtures, bringing his total haul to 14 goals and 10 assists across all competitions last season.

As such, with Derby having scored a Championship-low 36 goals as a team last time out, the addition of a player as clinical and creative as Curtis should very much appear to be a priority for Rooney this summer, with the prospect of the Rams fielding Tom Lawrence (13 goals and seven assists over the last two seasons) on one wing and the 25-year-old on the other being something of a mouthwatering prospect for fans of the club.

However, it is undeniable that a move for the Portsmouth ace seems unlikely for Derby at present, with the club still prevented from signing players from other clubs permanently.

In other news: Rooney drops transfer hint on “incredible” £450k-rated gem, Derby fans surely buzzing