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Steven Gerrard has provided an update on Rangers centre-forward Alfredo Morelos’ injury situation.

What’s the latest?

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has confirmed that Alfredo Morelos was rested from the start against Motherwell to protect him from aggravating his hamstring injury.

The Gers head coach has revealed that he had a tight hamstring after the defeat to Lyon and that he did not want to risk him on Sunday.

He told Rangers TV, via the Glasgow Times:

“Alfredo Morelos has had a bit of a tight hamstring I don’t think it would have been sensible to throw him into this game.

“We have important games to come so I wanted to protect him from himself today.”

Fans will be delighted

Rangers fans will surely be delighted to hear this update from Gerrard as it confirms that Morelos’ issue will not prevent him from starting in the next few matches. He played the final 15 minutes off the bench and fans could be forgiven for thinking that was a sign that he may not be 100% fit for a couple of games as he was not able to play a significant portion of the match after his injury.

However, Gerrard has made it clear that he was simply being protected ahead of other important matches. This means that Morelos could find himself back in the starting XI against Dundee at the weekend, assuming he is also rested for the League Cup match against Livingston on Wednesday to get him fully up to speed.

Morelos has one goal and one assist in five league appearances for Rangers this season, but his previous record in the division suggests that he will hit the goal trail sooner rather than later.

Last term, he scored 12 goals in 26 starts, which came after 12 goals in 18 starts the year before – showing that he has the quality to score goals regularly at this level.

This indicates that the goals will flow for Morelos eventually, which is why getting him back fully fit as soon as possible will be a boost for the Gers. Fans will be delighted to see him back in the starting XI next weekend if he is deemed fit enough, as he has the pedigree in the Scottish Premiership to win matches on his own.

AND in other news, 67% duels lost: Rangers lightweight let Gerrard down badly vs Motherwell…

According to Calciomercato.it, Tottenham Hotspur managing director Fabio Paratici is already set for a 2022 swoop as he eyes Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.

The Lowdown: Spurs in summer chase…

As per numerous reports, Tottenham were heavily linked with a move for Vlahovic during the summer with suggestions that talks were held and a bid was made.

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The Serbian, however, elected to remain in Serie A and there are rumours of him potentially putting pen to paper on a new deal with La Viola.

Regardless, Calciomercato.it believe Spurs certainly are not done with the 21-year-old just yet.

The Latest: Paratici certain for 2022 Vlahovic move…

As per their sources, Paratici and Spurs ‘will certainly return’ with a swoop for the striker alongside La Liga giants Atletico Madrid – with Juventus also eyeing a move.

However, if the Lilywhites wish to land him, they may have to pay big money as Fiorentina are believed to value him at ‘no less’ than €70-€80 million (£60m-£70m).

Indeed, the Italian news website list Vlahovic as one of the Serie A big names who could leave at the end of this season.

The Verdict: A must…

The 6 foot 3 forward would undoubtedly provide Tottenham and Nuno with some much-needed steel in the forward areas and a back up or alternative to Harry Kane.

Lauded as a ‘really exciting’ player by Serie A expert Conor Clancy, speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Vlahovic also racked up an incredible 21 goals and two assists in 37 top flight outings last term (Transfermarkt).

Financially, this move is a tough ask, but it would certainly be a statement of intent by Paratici.

In other news: Medical was done: Source reveals player’s summer move from Spurs fell apart at the very last second, find out more here.

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing as transfer news emerged on Franck Kessie.

As per a report this week by 90min, which has since been shared by Toffee TV on their Twitter page, the Goodison Park club – as well as Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, and Leicester City – are monitoring his situation at AC Milan, where he has yet to agree to sign a new deal with his contract expiring next summer.

Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint Germain have all enquired about Kessie, but a move to the Premier League is high on the wish list for the Ivory Coast international, who struck 14 goals last season for the Rossoneri despite playing as a defensively-orientated midfielder.

Given the calibre of competition for his signature, and the fact that he is currently playing in the UEFA Champions League, it would be quite the coup for the Merseyside club if they were able to snap him up.

Everton fans on Kessie transfer news

These Toffees fans buzzed as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, with one claiming that they were ‘excited’ and another describing it as ‘awesome’:

“PLEASE”

Credit: @29tooffeeezz

“I heard this the other day before their match last night in which he got sent off. Once Everton has touched you ……. (P.S would be an awesome signing to be fair)”

Credit: @joshhodge81

“Absolute masterstroke if we pull that off”

Credit: @_EvertonTheGear

“JUST INJECT HIM IN TO MY VEINS!! He’s great on the counter which is what this team needs. There are critics to his tackling ability but we have that bulldog Allan to help with that. Please @Everton get this man!!!!!!”

Credit: @GeezyEFC

“I wish mate, imagine Allan, Doucoure and Kessie in midfield”

Credit: @JoeyOconnor22

“Don’t even get me excited like that!!”

Credit: @EFCDayne

In other news, find out what contract news has had these Everton fans buzzing

Some Liverpool supporters have been bemoaning an injury update on Curtis Jones, with the youngster left out of England Under-21s’ side on Thursday.

The Reds drew 2-2 at home to Manchester City last Sunday, in what was a breathtaking Premier League contest.

Unfortunately, the domestic action has been halted for two weeks while another international break takes place, with various Liverpool players heading off to represent their countries.

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Jones is a part of the England U21 squad and he was expected to play against Slovenia on Thursday evening.

The 20-year-old was left out, however, with journalist Nick Mashiter [via Anfield Watch on Twitter] confirming that he was absent after suffering a knock.

It is the latest injury setback for a Liverpool midfielder, with Thiago and Harvey Elliott already out, and the hope is that it is nothing serious.

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Liverpool fans bemoan Jones setback

These Reds fans took to Twitter to rue Jones’ injury.

“Last season was defenders this season is midfielders”

Credit: @irsyadreus

“Oh no”

Credit: @LwazmeroDlams

“It’s happening again”

Credit: @Zarrriff

“OMG”

Credit: @ARH1892

“We’re finished”

Credit: @tems2310

“We’ve tons of midfield options thanks to FSG. Massive”

Credit: @ElReyNino

In other news, Klopp is reportedly keen on signing one exciting player. Find out who it is here.

Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi has provided a positive injury update while away with Japan, The Scottish Sun report.

The Lowdown: Furuhashi injury

The 26-year-old, who cost £4.86m in the summer, returned from the previous international break last month with a knee injury.

He missed five games as a result but returned for two games under Ange Postecoglou before jetting off for Japan duty once again.

Furuhashi wasn’t initially selected for Japan, however, his Hoops return meant his country made a U-turn and selected him for two World Cup qualifiers.

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The Latest: Injury comments

The Hoops forward was talking to the media, relayed by The Scottish Sun, prior to Japan’s game against Saudi Arabia.

He revealed ‘there is no problem at all now with my knee’ – a positive 10-word update that should delight Postecoglou and Celtic supporters.

Furuhashi came on as a substitute on the hour mark in a 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia and appeared to come through without any problems.

The Verdict: Good news

The last thing Celtic would want is for Furuhashi to be playing for Japan not fully fit, but he’s admitted that the knee issue is no longer a problem, hailing the Hoops’ medical staff in the process.

He’ll hopefully return to Parkhead following the game against Australia in good health, which will then allow him to kick on and add to his eight Celtic goals in 11 games.

In other news: Devlin claims McKay clash with Hoops chiefs stopped boyhood Celtic fan moving to Parkhead. 

It’s ‘not contractually simple’ for Newcastle’s new owners to make a swift change of manager, according to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie. 

The lowdown

Downie reported on Monday that Bruce is ‘expected to be relieved of his duties’ before Sunday’s game against Tottenham Hotspur.

Bruce met Amanda Staveley and part of the consortium face-to-face for the first time at the training ground.

But the 60-year-old remains in his post for now and took charge of training as normal on Tuesday morning.

In a recent survey carried out by The Athletic, 97% of Newcastle supporters said Bruce should go following the completion of the takeover.

The latest

Downie took to Twitter to tell supporters that the new owners are ‘respectful’ people who ‘want to do things properly’.

‘They were keen to hear Steve Bruce’s views’ during Monday’s meeting.

‘Changing things quick’ isn’t straightforward, he says, and so ‘patience [is] required’.

The verdict

It would surely have made sense to inform Bruce of the decision on Monday if indeed they intend to sack him.

Yes, they’re ‘nice people’, but there’ll now be uncertainty hovering around the training ground.

And let’s not forget, Newcastle need results quickly. They’re yet to win this season and the later they make the change, the harder the new boss’ task would be.

In other news, Newcastle may bid for this Manchester United star in January. 

With Valerien Ismael’s West Bromwich Albion side heading into this afternoon’s Championship clash on the back of suffering their second defeat of the season last time out, the Frenchman will undoubtedly be hoping for a much-improved performance at The Hawthorns this weekend.

With today’s visitors Bristol City, having picked up just four points from a possible 15 over their last five fixtures, Ismael will know that the game against the Robins presents his side with a perfect opportunity to get their automatic promotion hopes back on track.

Will the 46-year-old make any changes to the team which started the 2-1 loss against Swansea City on Wednesday? Here’s how we think West Brom could line up against Bristol City, along with the latest team and injury news…

With Ismael recently confirming that Grady Diangana is back in contention for today after missing Albion’s last two fixtures due to a hamstring injury, as well as revealing that Alex Mowatt is a doubt due to a recurrence of a toe injury, we predict that the Frenchman will make two changes to his starting XI.

The back six of Sam Johnstone, Matt Clarke, Kyle Bartley, Semi Ajayi, Conor Townsend and Darnell Furlong remains unchanged, meaning that Kean Bryan is still yet to be handed a start for West Brom after joining on a free transfer in September.

In the middle of the park, Brighton loanee Jayson Molumby retains his place after impressing despite the defeat in south Wales on Wednesday, while the £23k-per-week Adam Reach is brought back into the team in place of the suspended Jake Livermore, with Mowatt missing out as a result of his injury.

In attack, Karlan Grant starts on the left wing, while Callum Robinson retains his place up top, as Jordan Hugill once again turned in an abject performance from the bench against Swansea.

On the right, the £19k-per-week Matt Phillips drops out of the side – with the 30-year-old having scored just one goal in his last five appearances – and is replaced by the fit-again Diangana.

In other news: West Brom’s “fantastic” £10k-p/w dynamo could have played his last game for the club

An update has emerged regarding transfer interest from abroad in Newcastle defender Jamal Lewis.

What’s the talk?

According to Turkish outlet Fotosport, Trabzonspor are keen on a deal to sign the Northern Ireland international in the January transfer window.

The report claims that it could take some convincing from the European club to convince Lewis to make the move, whilst Newcastle’s stance remains to be seen.

Fans would be livid

PIF must avoid making their first blunder on Tyneside following this report of interest in the defender. They must not allow him to leave in the January transfer window, as he still has the potential to be a key part of the club’s future and fans would likely be livid with his departure.

He has only played six minutes of Premier League football after being cast aside by Steve Bruce, but he could get a new lease of life following the 60-year-old’s exit earlier this month. If the Saudi Arabian consortium can find a head coach with attacking intent and a willingness to allow his full-backs to bomb forward, Lewis could become a useful asset for the club.

Commenting on Newcastle’s deal for the defender last season, Darren Bent hailed him as underrated and backed him to become one of the best left-backs in the division.

He told Football Insider: “Jamal Lewis, when you think about it, defensively I think he’s a little bit better than Max Aarons. I think going forward and defensively he’s very good, and underrated as well.

“I’m telling you, if he keeps progressing at Newcastle, he might be a dark horse. He could turn out to be one of the best left-backs in the country this season.”

He was unable to fulfil his potential in the short-term as he averaged a dismal WhoScored rating of 6.34 across 24 appearances in the top flight in his first season on Tyneside. However, the talented full-back was used to playing in an attack-minded Norwich side prior to his switch to St James’ Park and Bruce failed to make the most of his ability to progress the ball from left-back.

Lewis completed 1.2 dribbles and made 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game in the Premier League for Norwich in the 2019/20 campaign. These statistics dropped to 0.5 and two respectively in his first season at Newcastle, showing that he regressed under Bruce, having shown promise for the Canaries.

This is why the Northern Irishman must be given the chance to show what he can do under a different manager with the Magpies. PIF cashing in on him before he is given that opportunity would be a blunder as it would be a waste of his talents and they would be giving up on him far too early. Therefore, fans would likely be frustrated by his sale as, at this moment in time, he has not yet had a fair crack of the whip under an attacking manager at Newcastle.

AND in other news, PIF must ruthlessly sell shocking £75k-p/w liability, he’s holding Newcastle back…

Crystal Palace announced on Thursday evening that right-back Joel Ward has been voted the club’s Player of the Month for October.

And, as to be expected, a number of Eagles supporters have been reacting to the news shared on Palace’s official Twitter page.

On-loan midfielder Conor Gallagher had picked up the accolade for August and September, however, Ward narrowly stopped him from making it three in a row.

The 32-year-old, who has played every Premier League minute under Patrick Vieira, helped Palace remain unbeaten in October with three draws and a brilliant win at Manchester City where he made 14 defensive actions.

Ward pipped Gallagher by just 2% of the votes, with the midfielder also starring at the Etihad with a goal and an assist.

Palace fans react

This is what these Palace fans had to say in reply to the official post on Ward, with many buzzing and one labelling it as ‘brilliant news’.

“Brilliant news – well played @JoelWard2”

Credit: @gasman_g

“So so happy for him. He’s proved so many doubters wrong this season and looks back to his best form for us 8-10 years ago now.”

Credit: @Phillyconcarne

“My heart is melting”

Credit: @TalkCPFC

“Is his award a testimonial? Make it happen please! ”

Credit: @Alitheeagle1

“YYEESSSSS!!! Well done everyone”

Credit: @gazbod

“Great news. Well played Wardy!”

Credit: @julianchenery

In other news: ‘Sensational’ – Many CPFC fans react after ‘incredible’ transfer news emerges. 

Celtic reporter Kieran Devlin has had his say on rumours linking the Hoops with a move for Kawasaki Frontale’s Reo Hatate.

The Lowdown: Talks with agent…

Ange Postecoglou had success in the J1 League market over the summer by bringing Kyogo Furuhashi to Parkhead. The forward has already scored 11 times in green and white, and it seems as if Hatate could join him in Scotland.

Recent reports from Football Scotland have claimed that Celtic have begun talks with Hatate’s agent over a winter window move.

The 5 foot 6 Japan international, on €38,000-a-year (around £625-a-week), is out of contract at the end of January.

The Hoops could pay a small fee for his services at the beginning of the January window or wait until he’s a free agent, and Devlin has been giving his thoughts on the links.

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The Latest: Devlin reacts

Devlin ran a Q&A on The Athletic on Thursday ahead of Celtic’s game with Ferencvaros.

He was quizzed on Hatate, to which he said:

“Reports do look credible (and looks a good player at first glance). Been playing at left-back this season, which Celtic naturally need to strengthen, but is traditionally left-winger that can deputise at No. 10. Will do more research on him during the international break.”

The Verdict: Over to Nicholson…

With no director of football or head of recruitment in place, you’d expect a move for Hatate will be down to interim CEO Michael Nicholson.

He’ll have two options when pursuing Hatate over the coming months, one of which could be a gamble.

Nicholson may decide to pay an upfront fee to Kawasaki Frontale in order to ensure Postecoglou gets his man, however, he could also hold fire and wait for his deal to expire.

That could be a risk and may allow any other interested parties to snatch a transfer from under Celtic’s nose, so it’ll be one to keep a close eye on.

In other news: ‘Fantastic’ colossus says he’d ‘love’ to join Celtic; Pochettino rates him.