Insider has "no doubt" Everton are "looking" at £55k-a-week defensive midfielder

Everton are “looking” to complete the signing of a “brilliant” Premier League defensive midfielder before the end of the summer transfer window.

Moyes delighted after historic Everton victory

The Blues’ first-ever competitive game at their new stadium couldn’t have gone much better, following a 2-0 win against Brighton in the league on Sunday afternoon.

It was a proud day for Everton manager David Moyes, in terms of being in charge of the opening match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and he loved what he saw from his players and the fans.

“It was everything we wished for. We wanted a positive result today. We had a great atmosphere, a terrific new stadium. What I’m trying to do is hopefully give everybody a team which we can enjoy watching and be proud of. Today came close with their effort, their commitment.

“Some of the quality was very good, but there were other bits of it not so good. But, overall, really pleased with the result. [The atmosphere] was really good. I’ve got to say, we want to build on it. We have to build on it. We have to make sure that we’ve a stadium where, even when the game’s a bit lulled, the supporters keep with us all the way.”

Everton showed enough quality to suggest that they can enjoy a much-improved season in 2025/26, but that doesn’t mean that further signings aren’t needed this summer.

Everton "looking" to sign Yves Bissouma

Speaking to Football Insider, former scout turned transfer insider Mick Brown reports Everton still have Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma on their “radar” before the window closes next Monday.

“He’s a player Moyesy likes so I have no doubt he’s on their radar, especially if Tottenham are planning to listen to offers for him. I saw him play for Brighton against Wolves a couple of years ago and he didn’t put a foot wrong, he was brilliant and it was a really impressive performance. I don’t think he’s shown that since he’s been at Tottenham to be honest.

“Maybe the set-up there doesn’t work for him, I don’t know what it is. But a move somewhere like Everton might be what gets the best out of him, playing under David Moyes in more of a structured system. I think Tottenham have been open to letting him go, so if Everton are interested then there will be a deal to be done.

“They’re not the only side interested in him, but he’s also not the only player they’ve been looking at. If they decide he’s the one they want, it’s a deal that could work out for everybody.”

The £55,000-a-week Bissouma is now a hugely experienced player with 191 Premier League appearances to his name, so he could be a shrewd addition for Everton, with 35-year-old Idrissa Gueye not able to play every week now.

At 28, the Spurs midfielder is at a good age to come straight in as a key man for the Blues, and the fact that he is struggling to be a prominent figure in north London means a move away could appeal.

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Bissouma would be a slight risk, considering he has arguably tailed off at Spurs, as Brown alludes to, but if Moyes believes he can get the best out of the Mali international, The Freidkin Group should make a move for him.

Zoeiras com Róger Guedes e discurso inflamado de Luxemburgo: os bastidores da vitória do Corinthians

MatériaMais Notícias

Os bastidores da primeira vitória de Vanderlei Luxemburgo no comando do Corinthians tiveram um discurso inflamado do treinador corintiano antes do duelo contra o Fluminense e brincadeiras do elenco com Róger Guedes depois da partida.

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+ Cássio se destaca, e Róger Guedes comanda primeira vitória de Luxemburgo no Corinthians; veja notas

Antes de subir ao gramado para o início do jogo, Luxa reuniu o elenco no vestiário e falou com bastante paixão sobre a necessidade de competir e se superar dentro de campo.

– O segredo hoje, que está faltando, é pegar a qualidade que temos e competir com um adversário de qualidade. Eles não podem ganhar da gente na competição. Nós estamos com vontade e trabalhando? Sim, mas no futebol isso é normal, todo mundo faz isso. Se você não faz algo a mais, você é igual a todo mundo. Precisamos fazer algo a mais. Competir contra o Fluminense vai ser o segredo para ganhar – disse o treinador.

continua após a publicidade

+ Todos os jogos doBrasileirãovocê encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe os jogos do Timão

O técnico terminou o discurso “incendiando” o vestiário e falando sobre o peso de vestir o manto alvinegro.

– Alguém vai fazer o gol, mas nós vamos ganhar. Isso aqui é Corinthians, isso aqui tem uma força que só quem trabalhou aqui, quem viveu isso aqui com grandes conquistas sabe que isso é Corinthians, é diferente pra cara… – encerrou Luxa.

RÓGER GUEDES FOMINHA?

Outra cena inusitada dos bastidores divulgado pelo clube aconteceu após o apito no final. No vestiário, Yuri Alberto, Renato Augusto e Barletta brincaram com o fato de Róger Guedes ter marcado de cabeça o segundo gol e não ter conseguido dar a assistência para o camisa 9.

continua após a publicidade

+ Timão avança na Copa do Brasil? Veja horários e todos os confrontos das oitavas de final

– Ele não sabe tocar – ironizou Yuri Alberto, em tom de brincadeira.

– Ele quer tocar, mas não consegue – disse Renato Augusto.

– Passezinho chateado que ele deu – terminou Barletta.

Com a vitória, o Corinthians chega embalado para tentar reverter a desvantagem de dois gols contra o Atlético-MG, pelas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil. Antes da partida, as torcidas organizadas irão recepcionar o ônibus corintiano na entrada da Neo Química Arena. A bola rola às 21h30 desta quarta-feira (31).

Tudo sobre

Corinthians

Celtic hold "fresh talks" to sign "really impressive" and versatile £5m ace

Celtic are now “ramping up their pursuit” of a “really impressive” player this summer, Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph has claimed.

Celtic "lack ambition" in transfer market

Time is running out for the Hoops to make more signings, and while they are again primed to win the Scottish Premiership title this season, new additions are still needed in the new week or so.

Brendan Rodgers hasn’t been overly happy with this summer at Parkhead, and now Celtic podcaster Paul John Dyke has echoed the thoughts of the manager in an interview with Sky Sports News.

“Brendan Rodgers is the only spokesperson at Celtic at the moment, I think he’s becoming frustrated answering the same questions every day when it comes to recruitment. Why can’t we get the deals over the line? This is a big issue. As fans, I think we’re balanced.

“I think they look at it and say, well, some players will be hedging their bets to see if Celtic get into the Champions League proper and I totally understand that, but Celtic need to be decisive in the transfer market. I think that we lack ambition. I don’t think that the boardroom has the same ambition as Brendan Rodgers and certainly the same ambition as a lot of the fans.”

It would be a surprise if Celtic failed to conduct any more incoming transfer business before the end of August, with a new transfer claim now emerging.

Celtic increase efforts to sign young attacker

According to an update from Joseph on X, Celtic have now held “fresh talks” over the signing of £5m-rated Go Ahead Eagles attacking midfielder Jakob Breum.

Breum could be just what the Hoops are looking for this summer, with the 21-year-old seen as not only a key figure from the off, but also a young player who is capable of reaching further heights in the coming years.

He has been capped for Denmark across four different youth levels, making a total of 21 caps for his country, while content creator Antonio Mango has described him as “really impressive”, also mentioning his versatility.

Jakob Breum’s international stats

Caps

Goals

Denmark Under-21s

6

0

Denmark Under-19s

9

7

Denmark Under-18s

2

2

Denmark Under-17s

4

0

While £5m is far from cheap for Celtic, Breum has the long-term potential to make that look like a bargain over time, and Rodgers’ mood will likely improve if the club strike a deal for the youngster.

'Bionic Man' Ben Stokes embarks on rehabilitation after hamstring surgery

England captain prepares for three months out, with target of Zimbabwe Test in May

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jan-2025

Ben Stokes re-injured his left hamstring in Hamilton•Getty Images

Ben Stokes, England’s Test captain, has described himself as “the Bionic Man” after undergoing scheduled surgery on his torn left hamstring.Stokes, 33, suffered a recurrence of the injury while bowling during England’s third Test against New Zealand in December, having first torn his hamstring while batting for Northern Superchargers against Manchester Originals in the men’s Hundred in August.That initial injury kept him out of action for two months, meaning that he missed England’s home Test series against Sri Lanka. He later admitted that his race to get fit in time for the team’s winter assignments in Pakistan and New Zealand had led him to “physically drain and ruin himself”.However, with England not set to play a Test until the visit of Zimbabwe in May, Stokes has committed to three months on the sidelines, including his omission from next month’s ICC Champions Trophy.At the time of his diagnosis, he vowed that he still has “blood, sweat and tears” left to give to the team, ahead of a defining 12 months that will feature five-Test series against India at home and Australia away.Now, he has posted a picture on Instagram, showing him lying on the back seat of a car in the aftermath of his surgery, wearing a large leg brace and supported by pillows.”Bionic Man for a while”, he added in the caption, alongside a laughing emoji, plus the sign-off: “In a bit…”.

Stokes had bowled 36.2 overs prior to his injury in Hamilton, the most he has bowled in a Test since 40 at Trent Bridge in 2022 (also against New Zealand). On the first day of the Test, his 23 overs were the most he had managed in a single day, split between spells of eight, eight and seven.Having arrived into England’s home summer following successful knee surgery in October 2023, he bowled 49 overs across three Tests against West Indies, with five wickets that took him past 200 career dismissals.”I have to work so much harder on the physical side of the job to allow me to go out and do my job,” he had said ahead of the Hamilton Test, “but I got a good amount of overs in during the last two games and I am more confident about getting through a lot of spells in a day.”That is where I got to before I pulled my hamstring. I bowled nice in the summer, had a setback but now feel out of that and not worrying about anything else happening again. As you get older you think about your body a bit more but I work harder because I have to.”In addition to the Champions Trophy, Stokes has been forced to forego a lucrative £800,000 deal with MI Cape Town in the SA20, which begins on Thursday.

رسميًا | جوردي ألبا يعلن اعتزال كرة القدم

أعلن جوردي ألبا لاعب إنتر ميامي الأمريكي الحالي، وبرشلونة السابق، اعتزاله كرة القدم عبر مقطع فيديو نشره عبر حساباته على مواقع التواصل الإجتماعي.

ويأتي اعتزال جوردي ألبا بعمر 36 عامًا، بعد اعتزال سيرجيو بوسكيتس، زميله في إنتر ميامي أيضًا، الذي أعلن قبل أيام قليلة اعتزاله بنهاية الموسم.

وقال ألبا: “أهلاً بالجميع، حان الوقت لإغلاق مرحلة فارقة في حياتي، لقد اتخذت قرارًا بإنهاء مسيرتي كلاعب كرة قدم محترف بنهاية هذا الموسم، أفعل ذلك بقناعة تامة، ورضا، وسعادة”.

وأضاف: “لأنني أشعر أنني سلكت هذا الطريق بكل شغف، والآن هو الوقت الأمثل لبدء فصل جديد وإغلاق الفصل السابق بأفضل المشاعر، لقد منحتني كرة القدم كل شيء”.

وواصل: “شكراً جزيلاً لجميع زملائي في الفريق، ومدربيّ، وجهازيّ الفنيّ، وموظفي النادي، والمنافسين الذين شجعوني على بذل قصارى جهدي، وأودّ أن أتوجه بالشكر الجزيل للأندية التي ساهمت في تشكيل حياتي، وخاصةً نادي أتلتيكو سنترو هوسبيتالينسي، حيث بدأ كل شيء”.

وأستمر ألبا: “إلى كورنيلا، الذي منحني الثقة للنمو، إلى ناستيك دي تاراجونا، حيث تعلمتُ العيش في غرفة ملابس احترافية ونضجتُ مع زملاء رائعين، إلى نادي فالنسيا لكرة القدم، النادي الذي سمح لي بتحقيق حلمي بالظهور لأول مرة في دوري الدرجة الأولى”.

اقرأ أيضًا | تحديد ملعب مباراة برشلونة وجيرونا في الدوري الإسباني

وأردف: “إلى نادي برشلونة، نادي حياتي، الذي شهد طفولتي وسمح لي ببلوغ قمة مسيرتي، وعيش أكثر من عقد لا يُنسى، والفوز بكل لقب ممكن، إلى المنتخب الإسباني، فخور بارتداء هذا القميص وممتن لكوني جزءًا من تاريخكم، وأخيرًا، إلى إنتر ميامي، شكرًا لكم على فتح أبوابكم لي، وترحيبكم بي بكل حب، ومنحي فرصة إكمال هذه الرحلة والاستمتاع بها بكل لحظة”.

وأكمل: “شكراً لجميع المشجعين على حبكم، لقد علمتوني أن القميص ليس مجرد زي، بل هو شعور، شكراً لوالديّ وأخي، على وقوفهم بجانبي في كل خطوة منذ صغري، لكل الجهود التي بذلتموها لمساعدتي في تحقيق حلمي، هذا حلمكم أيضًا، أحبكم كثيرًا”.

وأشار: “إلى زوجتي وأولادي، شكرًا لكم على رسم البسمة على وجهي حتى في آخر أيامي، وعلى تذكيري دائمًا بما هو مهم حقًا، حبي، شكرًا لكم على وقوفكم الدائم بجانبي، لولا دعمكم ونصائحكم، لما كان كل شيء على ما هو عليه، كل ما حققته، فعلته وأنا أضعكم في اعتباري، هذا لكم أيضًا، أحبكم”.

وأتم: “اليوم أختتم هذا الفصل وأنا أعلم أنني بذلت قصارى جهدي، كرة القدم كانت، ولا تزال، وستظل دائمًا جزءًا أساسيًا من حياتي، شكرًا لكِ يا كرة القدم، شكرًا جزيلًا لكِ”.

ويعد ألبا من أبرز لاعبي كرة القدم في إسبانيا وقد تألق بقميص برشلونة الذي خاض معه 459 مباراة وتوج بلقب الدوري الإسباني 6 مرات ولقب دوري أبطال أوروبا.

Agora capitão, lateral Da Rocha lidera Juventude no Gauchão Sub-20

MatériaMais Notícias

O Juventude entrará em campo pelo Gauchão Sub-20 na manhã deste sábado para enfrentar o Caxias objetivando permanecer na liderança do Grupo A do torneio. Capitão da equipe na partida, o lateral-esquerdo Da Rocha fala sobre a confiança que o treinador deposita no seu futebol.

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– Fiquei muito feliz com a escolha do professor em me dar a faixa de capitão. Isso demonstra claramente que ele confia em mim, não apenas no que produzo jogando, mas também na minha postura como atleta – disse.

Um dos bons valores do time sub-20 do Juventude, Da Rocha pode em breve disputar outra competição relevante pelo clube. O Brasileiro Sub-23 está em vias de ser confirmado pela CBF. Da Rocha comenta a possibilidade.

– Seria ótimo ter a oportunidade de disputar esse campeonato. Um torneio nacional e de uma categoria acima da que jogo atualmente. Espero realmente que aconteça – concluiu.

وجهة محتملة غير متوقعة لـ ليفاندوفسكي حال رحيله عن برشلونة

كشف تقارير صحفية، عن تطورات مستقبل المهاجم الدولي البولندي روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة، حال رحيله عن الفريق.

وشارك ليفاندوفسكي في مباراة بولندا، أمس، ضد ليتوانيا في تصفيات قارة أوروبا المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم نسخة 2026، حيث فاز منتخب بلاده بهدفين وسجل هدفًا.

وتزداد التكهنات حول مستقبل ليفاندوفسكي، خلال الفترة المقبلة، حيث من المقرر أن ينتهي عقده الصيف المقبل.

وقدم ليفاندوفسكي مستويات متميزة مع برشلونة خلال السنوات الماضية، ولعب صاحب الـ37 عامًا دورًا كبيرًا في حصول الفريق الكتالوني الموسم الماضي على ثلاثية الدوري الإسباني وكأس السوبر الإسباني وكأس ملك إسبانيا.

اقرأ أيضًا | سبورت توضح حقيقة رحيل ليفاندوفسكي عن برشلونة

وقالت مصادر لموقع Football Insider إن روبرت ليفاندوفسكي سيكون أمام قائمة طويلة من الفرق التي ترغب في التعاقد معهم، في حال رحيله عن برشلونة.

وينتهي عقد المهاجم البولندي البالغ من العمر 37 عامًا مع النادي الكتالوني في صيف 2026 المقبل.

وفقًا للموقع فإنه في أغسطس المقبل، سيبلغ ليفاندوفسكي 38 عامًا لكنه أظهر في الآونة الأخيرة أنه لا يزال يمتلك الجودة المطلوبة ليكون مهاجمًا على أعلى مستوى.

لم يلعب ليفاندوفسكي، طوال مشواره في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “بريميرليج” ورغم بلوغه سن الـ37 إلا أن هناك أندية إنجليزية ترغب في التعاقد معه.

ولم تكشف الشبكة عن ماهية تلك الأندية ولكنها أكدت أن ليفاندوفسكي سيكون هدفًا لعدد من أندية الدوري الإنجليزي وكذلك السعودي والأمريكي.

كانت صحيفة “سبورت” قد نشرت في وقت سابق أن الاتجاه الأقرب لإدارة برشلونة هو عدم تجديد عقد ليفانكوفسكي وترك مهاجم بايرن ميونخ السابق يغادر في صفقة انتقال حر.

 

Alisson fala da dificuldade em vitória do São Paulo e analisa lesões do elenco: 'Equipe está de parabéns pela forma que se comportou'

MatériaMais Notícias

Alisson analisou a vitória do São Paulo contra o Athletico-PR, por 2 a 1 pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, e considerou uma partida ‘difícil’ para a equipe.

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Diferente do que estava acostumando a acontecer sob o comando de Dorival Júnior, no jogo desta quarta-feira (21) Alisson começou o confronto no banco de reservas, com Wellington Rato em seu lugar e entrou em campo somente no segundo tempo.

De acordo com o camisa 7, ‘a equipe sabia da dificuldade do adversário, mas está de parabéns pela forma que se comportou’. Com o resultado, o Tricolor chegou ao G6 na tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro.

ATUAÇÕES: Gabriel Neves vai do inferno ao céu e Luciano comanda virada do São Paulo contra o Athletico-PR

Para os tricolores apaixonados: produtos a partir de R$39,90 na FutFanatics!

– Sabíamos da dificuldade que seria o jogo, equipe muito qualificada, mas feliz. Feliz por estar ajudando, a equipe está de parabéns pela forma que se comportou – disse.

O jogador também comentou sobre o problema com as lesões que o elenco tricolor está enfrentando. Embora tenha uma boa quantidade de atletas em fase de transição física, o Tricolor, agora, tem mais uma preocupação: a situação de Diego Costa.

Ainda no primeiro tempo, o zagueiro deixou o gramado chorando bastante após sentir a coxa, e Alan Franco entrou em seu lugar. Alisson destacou que, em grande parte, as lesões que o elenco sofreu recentemente são aquelas que ‘não dá para fazer nada’, mas afirmou que ainda não sabe a verdadeira situação do companheiro. A expectativa é que Diego Costa seja avaliado logo na reapresentação do elenco, nesta quinta-feira (22).

+ Clique aqui e veja como apostar no Brasileirão

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+ Confira os jogos e classificação resultados do Brasileirão-23 na tabela do LANCE!

– Se fomos parar para analisar, ver as lesões, são lesões que não pode fazer nada. Às vezes joelho, tornozelo, mas sobre o Diego, não sei se teve lesão. Foi uma pancada, tomara que fique nisso e que ele possa estar com a gente no próximo jogo – completou.

O São Paulo volta a campo neste sábado (24), contra o Cruzeiro. A partida será em Belo Horizonte e o elenco embarca na sexta-feira (23), durante a parte da tarde.

Finally replaces Duran: Aston Villa very keen to sign "unstoppable" £35m star

It’s been a bumpy ride for Aston Villa so far during the chaotic summer transfer window.

PSR-related issues have hindered the number of incoming signings the Premier League outfit has been able to make, with their worrying financial state resulting in the sale of homegrown prodigy Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United for £43m.

Jacob Ramsey in Premier League action for Aston Villa.

Morgan Rogers could soon be the next devastating exit as Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur wait in the wings for his £100m signature.

However, all the doom and gloom enveloping Villa Park would surely be lifted by some exciting additions to the building, before the dramatic window shuts.

Aston Villa very keen on last-minute signing

Losing a player of Rogers’ spellbinding quality would be a crushing blow to Villa’s already fragile confidence, considering the recent recipient of the PFA Young Player of the Year – who has also been looked at persistently by Chelsea – collected an astounding 30 goals and assists in all competitions last campaign.

Unai Emery and Co. won’t want to be bogged down too much by the anxiety of losing another of their star assets, though, as last-ditch incomings are also in the pipeline.

Adrien Rabiot is reportedly on their radar as he attempts to leave Marseille behind after a public falling out. On top of that development, Nicolas Jackson is also being regularly spoken about as another potential arrival, with the ex-Villarreal attacker being eyed up by Bayern Munich, alongside the Villans.

Jackson’s teammate at Stamford Bridge in Christopher Nkunku is another interesting name on the Villa shortlist, with journalist Fabrizio Romano now delivering an update as to whether a move could soon whir into motion.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Indeed, Romano – while chatting on DAZN – stated that Emery’s men remain “very keen” about striking up a last-ditch deal for the hot-and-cold Frenchman, with a speculated £35m price tag already in the air.

While the ex-RB Leipzig attacker hasn’t always been full guns blazing in West London, he could well prove to be a smart buy, particularly as Villa attempt to finally land a Jhon Duran replacement.

How Nkunku can finally replace Duran

This might well be viewed as a wild initial shout, considering Nkunku has largely struggled to get going donning Chelsea blue.

From 38 mainly unmemorable Premier League outings, the £35m-rated forward has only collected six strikes, but there is a method behind the madness here.

Nkunku vs Duran – PL record

Stat

Nkunku

Duran

Games

38

55

Starts

11

7

Goals

6

12

Assists

2

0

Stats via Premier League

Indeed, as can be seen when glancing at the table above, Nkunku has managed to collect a majority of these strikes when being utilised as an impact substitute in West London, with precisely four of those six goals coming when he’s been launched into action mid-contest.

Of course, his lightning-quick numbers do pale in comparison somewhat to Duran’s blistering output – with Emery even going out of his way to label the Colombian as “very clinical” for his 12 goals from just seven top-flight starts – but there are positive signs that he could be the Spaniard’s next iteration of the South American.

After all, if Emery can get the very best out of Nkunku daily, landing the Frenchman will surely be seen as a similarly golden steal to Duran’s £18m entry fee, with the Chelsea number 18 once branded as “unstoppable” by journalist Zach Lowy when sensationally notching up 70 goals and 56 assists on the books of Leipzig.

It will be a tough ask to get this instantly back out of an attacker bruised by his injury-strewn Chelsea experience.

But, it could be a worthwhile gamble, if he goes on to excite and tantalise Villa fans in a similar electric manner to that of Duran.

Aston Villa send late bid to seal a better signing than Nkunku & Jackson

Aston Villa could win a better signing than both Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson joining with this last-ditch move.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 26, 2025

Cummins 'heavily unlikely' for Champions Trophy, Smith or Head to lead Australia

Coach Andrew McDonald says Josh Hazlewood is also struggling to be fit for the tournament

Alex Malcolm05-Feb-2025

Coach Andrew McDonald has said that captain Pat Cummins was likely to miss the Champions Trophy•AFP/Getty Images

Australia captain Pat Cummins is “heavily unlikely” for the Champions Trophy because of his ankle issue. Steven Smith and Travis Head are in the frame to captain, while Josh Hazlewood is also battling to make it on time, according to coach Andrew McDonald.Cummins missed the Test tour of Sri Lanka due to the birth of his second child, but he has also been nursing the ankle issue that had flared up after a heavy workload in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Australia’s ODI players, who are not on the Test tour, are due to fly out to Sri Lanka on Thursday but McDonald revealed on Wednesday morning that Cummins was unlikely to be among them.Related

Stoinis makes shock decision to retire from ODIs, out of Champions Trophy

Abbott: Didn't take ODI decision out of selectors' hands

Cummins, Hazlewood included for Champions Trophy

Mitchell Marsh out of Champions Trophy with back injury

“Pat Cummins hasn’t been able to resume any type of bowling so he’s heavily unlikely, so that would mean that we do need a captain,” McDonald told . “Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two that we’ve been having conversations with while we’ve been building out that Champions Trophy team along with Pat back home. They’ll be the two that we look at for that leadership post.”They’re the two obvious ones. Steve has done a great job here in the [first] Test match. He’s done some good work in one-day international cricket across the journey as well. So it’s between those two.”But, as I said, Patty is hugely unlikely, which is a bit of shame, and we’ve also got Josh Hazlewood, who is battling [to be fit] at the moment. So that medical information will land over the next couple of days and we’ll be able to shore that up and let everyone know the direction.”Hazlewood is understood to be dealing with a hip issue after recovering from the side and calf injuries that saw him miss three of the five Tests against India and the Test tour of Sri Lanka.Mitchell Marsh has already been ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to a back injury. He is unlikely to play the remainder of the domestic season but there is a possibility he could still play in the IPL for Lucknow Super Giants.Australia have yet to name a replacement for Marsh for the Champions Trophy. McDonald confirmed on Sunday after the Test win in Galle that Beau Webster was a chance to be called into the ODI squad despite not yet having played ODI cricket for Australia, given the desire to add another seam-bowling allrounder in the mix. Australia have Aaron Hardie and Marcus Stoinis in the squad already but both have injury concerns. Hardie has only just returned to bowling after a summer plagued by quad problems while Stoinis suffered some hamstring tightness recently while playing in the SA20 and did not bowl in his last match for Durban’s Super Giants.Beau Webster made a memorable Test debut recently, and could get into the ODI squad as well•Getty Images

The absence of Cummins and Hazlewood will open the door for Sean Abbott to return to the ODI frame after missing selection for the final Champions Trophy squad due to his recent ODI form. Spencer Johnson will also come into the mix as he was set to fly to Sri Lanka as cover for the ODI squad.Legspinner Tanveer Sangha has been flown to Sri Lanka ahead of the second Test for development purposes but McDonald confirmed he could play a part in the two ODIs in Colombo before the team flies to the Champions Trophy. Sangha appears likely to be a reserve player in Pakistan, as he was for the ODI World Cup in India in 2023, given Australia only have one specialist spinner in Adam Zampa in their 15.Australia’s selectors will have a challenge cobbling an XI together for the first ODI against Sri Lanka on February 12 given there is only one travel day scheduled between the fifth day of the second Test and the first ODI, with ODI squad members Head, Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc all set to play in the Test match. But there may be extra days to recover if the Test ends quickly on a surface that already appears much drier than the previous one.

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