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A concerning update has emerged regarding the possibility of a permanent move to Wolves for Hwang Hee-chan, with an attacking player needing to be sold for it to happen.

The Lowdown: Hwang impressing for Wolves

The 25-year-old joined Wanderers on loan from RB Leipzig during the summer transfer window in order to add depth to Bruno Lage’s squad. Hwang has made an instant impression at Molineux, scoring four Premier League goals and thriving in both a left-sided and central attacking role.

The South Korean has been linked with joining Wolves permanently but a fresh rumour has now emerged which could present an obstacle to such a move.

The Latest: Permanent move thrown into doubt

According to Football Insider, Wolves may need to sell one of their prized assets for ‘big money’ in order for the move to happen.

That could potentially apply to Adama Traore, who has been tipped to leave Molineux and linked with an exit, but either way, the club may not be able to fund it without outgoing business happening.

Wolves have the option to sign Hwang for £13m next summer as part of the loan arrangement but another club could swoop for him in January.

The Verdict: Tie him down, Wolves

Hwang has shown what a huge asset he can be for Wolves in the space of a few short months, so it makes complete sense to sign him permanently.

Furthermore, with Traore seemingly out of favour under Lage – his last start came against Leeds United on October 23 – his exit could help fund a permanent deal for the South Korea ace.

Hwang has already looked in sync with fellow Wolves forward Raul Jimenez, with Rio Ferdinand describing their combination as ‘beautiful’, and it would be good to see them continuing to flourish together beyond next summer. If selling someone like Traore is what it takes to get the Korean in permanently, so be it.

In other news, one rumoured Wolves target has hinted at a move to the Premier League. Find out who it is here.

Pakistan Under-19 clinched the three-match warm-up series against New Zealand Under-19 2-1 with a tight three-wicket win in the decider in Blenheim

Cricinfo staff08-Jan-2010
ScorecardAhmed Shehzad’s run-a-ball 76 was laced with 11 fours and a six•Getty ImagesPakistan Under-19 clinched the three-match warm-up series against New Zealand Under-19 2-1 with a tight three-wicket win in the decider in Blenheim. Opener Ahmed Shehzad starred with a run-a-ball 76, striking 11 fours and a six, and was supported by the middle and lower orders as Pakistan chased down their target of 233 with seven balls to spare. They were dented early in their reply, as two wickets fell for 36, but important contributions from captain Azeem Ghumman (31), Mohammad Naeem (46), Hammad Azam (27) and Usman Qadir (22 not out) took them over the line.Three-wicket hauls from Kaleem Sana and Raza Hasan had helped Pakistan limit New Zealand to a chaseable score. What the hosts managed at the end of their innings was significantly more than what they would have expected when an early burst had left them reeling at 11 for 3. Corey Anderson (46) and captain Craig Cachopa (70) revived the innings and the lower order stepped up at the death to take their team to a respectable score, which, in the end, proved inadequate.New Zealand team manager Kevin Pulley said while the series loss wasdisappointing, it had been a valuable build-up for the side. “Unlike some other teams we have not played together before so this has been excellent preparation,” he said. “All 15 in our squad have now had a run and we’re starting to come together as a team.”New Zealand now go on to face Bangladesh and England in the official U-19 World Cup warm-up games in Christchurch next week. Pakistan will meet Zimbabwe and South Africa in their warm-ups.

Ajax may be able to sign Steven Bergwijn from Tottenham Hotspur in a cut-price deal, according to Dutch journalist Henk Spaan (via Voetbal Primeur).

The lowdown

The Netherlands winger had scored or set up 15 goals in 16 league outings for Ajax’s rivals PSV Eindhoven when Spurs snapped him up for £27m in January 2020.

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However, since the start of last season, the 24-year-old has been limited to 16 Premier League starts; and with his Spurs career failing to ignite, his Transfermarkt value has slipped to £19.8m. His 60 appearances for the club have yielded a paltry return of four goals, one of which came on his debut.

Ajax will hope that the possibility of playing Champions League football can lure Bergwijn back to his homeland. They are one of only three teams, along with Liverpool and Bayern Munich, who boast a perfect record after five matchdays, and their place in the Round of 16 is secured.

The latest

Spaan explained (via Voetbal Primeur) that Antonio Conte’s ego could have cost Spurs a healthy fee for Bergwijn. He is confident that Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars can strike a deal to take the winger on loan with a cheap option to buy.

“The ego of a trainer like Conte is far too big to take into account the market value of a player,” the journalist said.

“That is why it is an economical option for Overmars to rent Bergwijn first and then buy him for relatively next to nothing.”

The verdict

Bergwijn thrived in the Eredivisie, and with Ajax recently ranked as the ninth-best team in Europe, he may not view it as too much of a backwards step from Tottenham.

Some will likely be sad to see him go, including former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson, who described him as a ‘top player’ with unique ‘power, pace and tenacity’.

If Spurs do agree to a loan, perhaps they should rule out a permanent option. If the 24-year-old hits his stride in Amsterdam, his value could increase considerably, or Conte could be persuaded to give him another chance to prove that the north Londoners were right to sign him nearly two years ago.

In other news, this Spurs defender may also be headed for the exit door

Middlesex have confirmed that they are in talks to sign Yuvraj Singh as their second overseas player for this year’s Twenty20 Cup, after their original target, Sachin Tendulkar, turned down an offer in a bid to prolong his international career

Cricinfo staff02-Feb-2010Middlesex have confirmed that they are in talks to sign Yuvraj Singh as their second overseas player for this year’s Twenty20 Cup, after their original target, Sachin Tendulkar, turned down an offer in a bid to prolong his international career.Yuvraj, who famously hit Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over in the inaugural World Twenty20 in September 2007, has been earmarked as an explosive sidekick to the former Australian wicketkeeper, Adam Gilchrist, who confirmed back in November that he would be joining the county.”We have been in talks with Yuvraj about the possibility of him playing Twenty20 cricket this summer,” Angus Fraser, Middlesex’s director of cricket, told Cricinfo. “The contract is not in place at this moment in time, but we’re in communication, and it seems to be going quite positively.”With the deal being part-financed by the MCC, the major stumbling block to negotiations will be India’s as-yet-unconfirmed international schedule. The Twenty20 Cup group stages are scheduled to run from June 1 to July 18, with the finals to follow in August, although India are expected to announce a tri-series involving Sri Lanka, and possibly New Zealand, commencing on July 9.Middlesex were the winners of the 2008 Twenty20 Cup, and took part in the ill-fated Stanford Super Series in October and November that year, but they failed to qualify from the group stage of last year’s competition.

Many Sheffield Wednesday fans were critical of Florian Kamberi’s performance in their 0-0 draw at Portsmouth in League One on Tuesday night.

The Owls perhaps would have settled for a point in the end as Massimo Luongo was given a straight red card for violent conduct in the 69th minute, meaning that they had to hold out for more than 20 minutes with 10 men on the field.

However, when a team goes down a player, they really need the help of the forwards to hold the ball up and bring others into play whenever they can attack.

Alas, Kamberi struggled while Wednesday had 11 men, let alone 10, as he lost out on all seven of his duels and also failed to record a single shot on goal or dribble. In addition, he was guilty of losing possession of the ball seven times in total during the game (SofaScore).

Sheff Wed fans on Kamberi display

These Owls fans slammed his performance on Twitter, with one supporter even going as far as to claim that he is a ‘poor man’s Stevie May’, referring to the Scottish striker who only managed seven goals in his 42-match Wednesday career:

“Kamberi not offering much at all!”

Credit: @ABKTowl

“Kamberi, poor man’s Stevie May”

Credit: @Elliott51084

“Kamberi & Gregory just can’t play together. Running the same lines, banging into each other. It’s embarrassing.”

Credit: @bensaavage

“Kamberi totally oblivious. Hook him.”

Credit: @mrpaulhank

“Kamberi ain’t good enough”

Credit: @LockStar9

“Just like to say, I don’t think I have ever seen anyone slip over on a football pitch as much as Kamberi. Reckon he might need bigger studs or something.”

Credit: @ReeceDaviesSWFC

In other news, one man’s display against Hartlepool was slammed by these Sheff Wed fans

A round-up of the third day of matches from the seventh round of the Regional Four Day Competition

Cricinfo staff01-Mar-2010Jamaica duly completed a dominant innings and 72 runs hammering of Trinidad & Tobago in St. Andrew to claim their third consecutive four day championship title. Resuming at 66 for 4, T&T were in strife as early as the first over on the third day when Sherwin Ganga flashed at Andrew Richardson’s away-swinger. Amit Jaggernauth and Daron Cruickshank resisted for a while, before a terrible mix-up led to the former’s demise. After that, the spinning duo of Bevon Brown and Odean Brown got into the act, sharing the last four wickets, to hasten the end. The win took Jamaica to 60 points, three clear of Barbados who finished their engagements last week after handing Jamaica their only loss of the season.Tamar Lambert, the victorious captain was pleased with his side’s achievement. “A third straight title says a lot for Jamaica and our cricket. We played consistently over the past three years and that is the reason why we have won. We have worked hard work in practice sessions and tried to execute on match day,” Lambert said. T&T finished their roller-coaster campaign with an equal number of wins, draws and defeats in their six games that put them on the fourth spot.Lionel Baker eased to his second five-wicket haul to finish with 13 wickets for the match, as Leewards Islands marched to an easy 10-wicket victory against Combined Campuses and Colleges in St Lucia. Resuming play at 192 for 6, CCC could manage only eight more runs as Baker ran through the lower order to set up the early finish. In addition to getting tail-enders Ryan Austin and Kavesh Kantasingh to edge behind, he also breached the defences of Romel Currency whose 80 stood out in a sorry batting card. Chasing 39 runs for the win, Kieran Powell brought up the finish quickly with a chirpy, unbeaten 32. With the win, Leewards moved to the season third on the points table with 34 points, while CCC finished with 24.It was shaping into a scrap for the first-innings lead in St George’s, as a captain’s knock of 193 from Devon Smith took Windward Islands to 371 for 7 at stumps on day three, still 81 runs short of Guyana’s effort. After the early loss of night-watchman Nelson Pascal, Windwards prospered through two substantial associations initiated by Smith – with Liam Sebastien for the fourth wicket and with Rawl Lewis for the sixth. Sebastien had contributed 45 to the partnership worth 96 when Veerasammy Permaul got him to prod at one and offer a chance to silly mid-off. Craig Emanuel fell early in the second session, run out while attempting an impossible single before Lewis joined Smith in an exciting stand. Runs came at a fast clip, as Lewis raised 56 with seven fours and a six, before he was snared by Assad Fudadin. Smith remained a symbol of calmness at the other end, mixing caution with aggression to bring up the highest score of the season. He struck 25 fours in 306 balls, displaying a wide range of strokes, before succumbing to the last ball of the day, nicking a rising delivery from Fudadin, to take a bit of the shine off from a very good day’s effort.

Jamaica 6 5 1 0 0 0 60 Barbados 6 4 0 0 2 0 57 Leeward Islands 6 2 3 0 1 0 34 Trinidad & Tobago 6 2 2 0 2 0 33 Combined Campuses and Colleges 6 2 4 0 0 0 24 Guyana 5 1 3 0 1 0 19 Windward Islands 5 1 4 0 0 0 16

Cricinfo previews the 21st match of the IPL between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at Brabourne Stadium

The Preview by Nitin Sundar24-Mar-2010Match factsMumbai v Chennai, in Mumbai
Thursday, March 25
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)Suresh Raina is anxious for a turnaround in Chennai’s fortunes•Indian Premier LeagueBig pictureThe importance of momentum in the shortest format of the game cannot be over-emphasised, and the two teams that line up for match 21 of the IPL illustrate this in contrasting styles.After finding a way past Yusuf Pathan in their opening game, Mumbai Indians have epitomised efficiency, be it in their in-form batting line-up, led by Sachin Tendulkar, or their star-studded bowling attack, which has achieved success by keeping things simple. Despite the slip-up against Royal Challengers Bangalore, the one team that has managed to look more complete than them in this tournament, Mumbai came back strongly to brush aside Kolkata Knight Riders with a concerted strategy to bowl in the block-hole, a script that was followed faithfully by everyone from Lasith Malinga to Harbhajan Singh. Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo have not made an impact with bat or ball, and that’s not even been a cause for concern, showing how well the team has worked as a unit.Contrast that with Chennai Super Kings, whose IPL campaign thus far has been a study in the art of flattering to deceive. MS Dhoni singlehandedly batted them to victory against Kolkata, but after turning in a clinical performance to out-punch Delhi Daredevils, Chennai have veered from the basics, failed to seize the crucial moments and lost their way.If hare-brained batting in the end overs cost them the game against Kings XI Punjab, their bowlers’ inability to maintain control in the death overs did them in against Bangalore. Nothing captures their current woes better than the way their most impressive suit – their catching – has fallen apart. While Chennai were spectacular in the field against Delhi, R Ashwin and Murali Vijay put down decisive sitters from Robin Uthappa on Tuesday. Add to the mix some questionable team decisions that have backfired – the inclusion of George Bailey, and the decision to use Ashwin in the slog overs – and you have a side that desperately needs its most influential player back.Form guide (most recent first)Mumbai WLWW
Chennai LLWWLTeam talkIf Dhoni makes it, he could not have timed his comeback better. Chennai’s coach Stephen Fleming said that the team management was happy with his progress, and he seemed at ease during practice on Wednesday evening, but the final call will be taken on match day. If he’s available, Parthiv Patel will relinquish the big gloves, and Murali Vijay could move up to open the innings. Bailey looked all at sea during his scratchy innings against Bangalore, and in Justin Kemp’s continued absence, Thissara Perera could take his spot.
For the hosts, Sanath Jayasuriya could continue to sit out after an indifferent start to the tournament. “We want him to play explosive cricket. If he is not going to fulfill that role i don’t think he is doing his job. We need to give him time and he has only played two games,” Robin Singh, the Mumbai coach, assessed Jayasuriya’s prospects.
Shikhar Dhawan looked impressive against Kolkata, in the absence of the injured Ambati Rayudu who is likely to miss out once again. Aditya Tare’s dodgy showing behind the stumps is a minor source for worry, given that Mumbai don’t have a replacement wicketkeeper in the squad.
Previously…Chennai 2 Mumbai 2In 2008, Chennai drew first blood in this rivalry with Hayden’s pyrotechnics just about outlasting Mumbai in the first encounter in Chennai. Mumbai had their revenge in the return match, winning by nine wickets, thanks to a Jayasuriya special. Mumbai prevailed again in the opening match of the 2009 edition, at Newlands, but Hayden returned the favour with a measured innings in Port Elizabeth, which all but knocked Mumbai out of the tournament.In the spotlightMuttiah Muralitharan has gone out of the way to emphasise that he has only looked to contain batsmen, but the purple cap on his head suggests he’s also been attacking. Murali has always been a handful for left-handers, and of late, he has perfected the art of preying on right-hand batsmen with a nagging round-the-wicket line, making both the offspinner and the doosra potent weapons. Ask Mahela Jayawardene and Virat Kohli respectively. He has got the topspinner working well too, as Rahul Dravid found out on Tuesday. Murali’s battle against Sachin Tendulkar could well emerge as the most important sub-plot in this match.
Barring one stupendous innings against Delhi, Matthew Hayden is yet to really impose himself on the opposition this year. He will be up against Harbhajan Singh tomorrow, another duel to watch out for, especially when he’s batting with the Mongoose.Prime numbersMumbai don’t have a single bowler in the top 10 wicket-takers so far in the IPL. Harbhajan with four wickets is 14th on the list, while Zaheer Khan and Lasith Malinga have picked up three each.With 28 fours, Sachin Tendulkar is second in the list of boundary-hitters, eight behind Jacques Kallis. Hayden, along with Uthappa, has hit the most sixes in the tournament – 11. Tendulkar has hit none.With two fifties each in four innings, Tendulkar and Saurabh Tiwary are tied in second spot in the list of players with most 50-plus scores. Chennai’s batsmen have between them managed only three 50-plus scores in five matches.The chatter”We wanted to use him as a batsman. In this format you hardly get on an average 25% of the balls through to the keeper. For the role we have given him we are happy with his performance.”

“We dropped two catches and also didn’t bat well. I think, we have to relook at our batting line-up.”

Leeds United would be making a major howler by signing Chelsea outcast Ross Barkley in the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are eyeing up a swoop for the English midfielder, and now, journalist Pete O’Rourke has delivered an update on the situation.

He said: “They do like him (Barkley), but I don’t think it’s a major priority for Marcelo Bielsa to bring in another attacking midfielder.”

Massive howler from Leeds

While Leeds undeniably could do with some reinforcements in the January transfer window – injuries have more than taken their toll on Bielsa’s side – a swoop for an injury-prone ace who has played just 51 Premier League games in the last three years doesn’t seem like the best fit.

Earning a reported £100k-per-week, Barkley endured a woeful campaign while on loan at Aston Villa last season, managing only three goals and one assist in the top-flight – in fact, following the end of January, the midfielder netted no goals whatsoever.

And, speaking on The Athletic’s 1874 podcast, Aston Villa correspondent Gregg Evans slammed: “He doesn’t do enough for me now. I’ve seen enough of Ross Barkley now to realise that he’s becoming a bit of a liability for Villa. He’s not helping out enough as he should, really.”

Barkley has faced numerous injury problems that have really plagued his career since really making his breakthrough at Everton, and given his big wages too, he doesn’t scream a player who could really take Leeds to the next level.

The last thing the Whites need in January is another player to sit on the treatment table and barely make it onto the pitch, in what could be a crucial second-half of the campaign given the kind of season they’ve had thus far.

Barkley hasn’t proven himself to be a reliable performer who Bielsa could count on week-in and week-out, and that’s not even to mention the lack of end product when he does actually get himself on the pitch either – he’s scored just seven goals in the Premier League in the past three seasons.

Victor Orta would be heading for a significant Leeds nightmare with a swoop for Barkley and fans would surely be fuming.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing this Uruguayan star…

Brett Lee will be back in Australian colours at the World Twenty20 after being chosen for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery last year

Peter English30-Mar-2010Brett Lee will be back in Australian colours at the World Twenty20 after being chosen for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery last year. Lee, 33, retired from Tests to prolong his limited-overs career and his reputation has won him a spot alongside Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes and Mitchell Johnson for the tournament starting in the Caribbean next month.Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, would have liked Lee to have played more this summer but hopes he will regain match fitness with Kings XI Punjab in the IPL. “At his best he is one of the best Twenty20 cricketers in the world,” Hilditch said. “He also has the opportunity of continuing to play in the IPL as preparation for this tournament.”Ryan Harris, who made his Test debut in New Zealand, was “extremely unlucky” to miss the 15-man squad while Travis Birt was overlooked after playing three matches during Australia’s summer. The allrounder Daniel Christian holds his spot and Michael Hussey’s experience and strong recent form earned him a trip. It is a strange selection because Hussey hasn’t appeared in a T20 international since the 2009 global event in England.”Dan Christian had limited opportunities in the lead-up to this selection but we see him as an exciting Twenty20 cricketer with his all-round skills with bat and ball,” Hilditch said. “We’ve also added Tim Paine to give us cover in case of injury to Brad Haddin and, of course, Tim’s ability with the bat more than warrants his selection.”Australia must finish in the top two of a group also including Pakistan and Bangladesh to avoid going out in the first round for the second tournament in a row. Their opening game is against Pakistan on May 2 in St Lucia before facing Bangladesh on May 5 in Barbados.Australia men’s squad David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (capt), Cameron White, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Tim Paine, Steven Smith, Daniel Christian, Brad Haddin (wk), Brett Lee, Dirk Nannes, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Shaun Tait.Australia women’s squad Jodie Fields (capt, wk), Alex Blackwell, Jessica Cameron, Sarah Elliott, Rene Farrell, Rachael Haynes, Julie Hunter, Shelley Nitschke, Erin Osborne, Ellyse Perry, Leah Poulton, Lisa Sthalekar, Clea Smith, Elyse Villani.

West Ham United are currently suffering an injury crisis amongst their backline, with six defenders currently sidelined, four of which are full-backs.

David Moyes will surely be looking to add reinforcements in January, and a move for Everton left-back Lucas Digne could prove a clever move.

What’s the story?

According to the Telegraph, French full-back Lucas Digne faces an uncertain future at Goodison Park with the suggestion that the 28-year-old and manager Rafa Benitez have fallen out.

The Mirror reported this week that there was a further breakdown in Benitez’s relationship with the left-back after the 28-year-old pulled out of the squad for Thursday’s game against Chelsea with sickness.

If the reports of a fall out are true and that Digne could therefore be forced out of the Merseyside club in January, certain Premier League clubs should be keeping tabs on the situation and West Ham are one of them.

West Ham should make a move for Digne

With West Ham still competing in four competitions, Moyes is going to need to add depth to his squad if they are to juggle all four successfully, particularly the Premier League and Europa League.

Full-back is an area that has particularly suffered of late with Aaron Cresswell, Ben Johnson and Ryan Fredericks all injured whilst Vladimir Coufal faces suspension after being sent off against Arsenal.

In particular, left-back Cresswell has been at West Ham for six-and-a-half years and is now 32 years of age with no obvious long-term suitor to replace the Englishman.

Digne is 28 and possesses plenty of Premier League experience having been with the Toffees since 2018 when he joined from Barcelona, making him a suitable candidate to replace Cresswell for the long term, particularly if the Hammers are serious about making a push for European qualification every season.

Rated £31.5m by Transfermarkt, the left-back won’t come cheap but the West Ham hierarchy could take advantage of a difficult situation at Everton and swoop for the French defender.