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Steve Bruce must recall Federico Fernandez for the game away to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday after the Newcastle United defender returned to full first-team training.

That’s according to The Shields Gazette, who note that the Argentine took a full part in all sessions carried out on Wednesday as the Magpies prepare to visit their relegation-rivals.

Fernandez has not featured for a single minute since sustaining a calf injury in defeat to Sheffield United on January 12, in what was his sixth Premier League outing since recovering from coronavirus.

Fernandez’s potential return away to West Brom will come as a huge boost for Bruce, who has lost star forwards Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin until April due to injuries sustained in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The pair join top-scorer Callum Wilson in the treatment room, although Elliot Anderson is expected to be fit to travel to the Hawthorns after an ankle injury as one of a handful of potential options to replace Almiron.

Javier Manquillo is also back in light training as he looks to continue his recover from an ankle injury sustained against Southampton, while Emil Krafth is due to return to training and contend for a place against the Baggies after developing a shin issue last Saturday.

Fernandez had returned to training ahead of last month’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United but was deemed unfit to feature at Old Trafford or against Wolves, to see that the 32-year-old has missed Newcastle’s last 10 games across all competitions.

The £4m-rated titan, who is a free agent in the summer, has been one of Bruce’s more favoured options this season, with Fernandez starting all 16 available Premier League games and captaining the side on four occasions.

Bruce must recall Fernandez to the starting line-up at West Brom should the £47,000-per-week defender go through training unscathed ahead of Sunday’s relegation six-pointer, with the 32-cap international a key presence when on the field.

Fernandez has averaged the highest number of tackles per game by a United player who has been fielded at centre-back more than four times in the Premier League this season, with 1.5 successful challenges from 1.8 attempts, per WhoScored.

Ciaran Clark (1.1/1.4) and Jamaal Lascelles (0.9/1) have been Bruce’s most utilised options in recent weeks after losing Fabian Schar to knee ligament surgery, with both offering fewer average clearances that Fernandez (5.6) with 4.1 and 4.5, respectively.

Only West Brom’s Kyle Bartley (5.9) records a greater number of clearances per game than Fernandez, among all Premier League players who have featured at centre-half five or more times this term.

United will need Fernandez’s leadership and no-nonsense approach at the Hawthorns as they strive to secure a first win in four top-flight games, having conceded six goals in their past three and 10 since last they last kept a clean sheet.

AND in other news, an “absolutely awesome” titan has been tipped to quit Newcastle this summer…

Lots of Arsenal fans have been talking about the latest tweet from journalist Charles Watts that recently emerged on social media.

Watts recently tweeted about Arsenal’s draw against Burnley, talking about the performance of Pablo Mari for the Gunners. The journalist said that the defender’s display went unnoticed because the VAR controversy in the game but Mari put in another ‘excellent’ performance against Sean Dyche’s Clarets. Watts believes that the Spaniard looks ‘impressive’ for Mikel Arteta’s men.

The 27-year-old had arrived at Arsenal in January of 2020 on an initial loan deal from Brazilian club Flamengo. The deal was made permanent in the summer of 2020, when Mari arrived for a fee of only £4.50 million (as per Transfermarkt).

This season, the defender has made nine appearances in all competitions for the first-team, also scoring once in the UEFA Europa League. He had sustained a long-term ankle injury last season, injuring his calf this season.

In the Premier League, Mari has picked up an average rating of 6.73 for the Gunners, with his rating at 7.39 in the Europa League (as per Whoscored).

Watts’ tweet about the Spaniard drew the attention of many Arsenal supporters, who rushed to it and made their views clear about Mari and his performances.

What did Arsenal fans make of Watts’ tweet about Mari?

“Another hyping from people like this after 5 games in the season. This is part of the problem at Arsenal.”

Credit: @ElKyasiima

“Think he looks very very good. A couple of mistakes I’ve seen but people forget how little football he’s played since he’s joined. A real shame he and Gabriel are both left footed, as I think they would compliment each other very well.”

Credit: @JackHam22922642

“Excellent acquisition. Very calm under pressure and reads game very well.”

Credit: @UdayDes77051913

“He’s ridiculously cool on the pitch man. Hell of a defender.”

Credit: @Bryce_Huddini

“He played the biggest role in the worst attempt at defending I’ve ever seen.”

Credit: @gunnersauruas

“Looked like an absolute joker in the second half.”

Credit: @DouzisApology

In other news, Arsenal have been linked with a move for a Ligue 1 left-back – read more here.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has confirmed a major injury boost about Matty Cash ahead of his side’s Premier League game against Newcastle on Friday night.

The full-back has been out of action for the Midlands club after suffering a hamstring injury against Brighton last month, but is set to return to the side for the trip to St James’ Park.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game tonight, the Villa boss revealed: “Matt Cash is back to full training. He’s travelling with us to Newcastle. He’s available for selection.”

In his absence, veteran defender Ahmed Elmohamady has had to step into his shoes, with mixed effect.

His performance against Leicester saw him singled out by Smith for his part in one of the Foxes goals, but then delivered a huge statement to his manager with an impressive defensive display against Wolves last time out, shackling Adama Traore superbly.

Cash’s return is a massive relief for Smith, who knows his side have missed the right-back’s pace and energy down the flank, and he has arguably been Villa’s unsung hero this season.

As per Whoscored, the 23-year-old ranks top among all Villa players for tackles and interceptions made this season in the Premier League, averaging 2.6 and 2.3 respectively.

He isn’t just a reliable defender either, also contributing further forward too. He’s picked up two assists and sits in the top seven for key passes per game, and top five for crosses.

It’s no surprise that former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips has dubbed him “sensational”, while adding: “Cash has come in and he has been flawless. He has taken to the club like a duck to water. You have to give credit to the player and the recruitment department. They have obviously done their homework. He has been one of their shining lights this season.”

When Villa take on Newcastle tonight, the £65k-a-week earning Cash simply has to be one of the first-names on the team-sheet, and he could well be a game-changer for the Midlands side as they look to pick up some much-needed momentum after their recent stutters.

Meanwhile, Villa could land a new Tyrone Mings in this ace…

Sheffield Wednesday’s shocking run of form continued on Sunday afternoon as they succumbed to a seventh successive league defeat at Hillsborough Stadium.

It leaves the Owls seven points adrift of safety with only 11 games left to play, so Darren Moore has a monumental task on his hands to keep the Yorkshire giants in the Championship.

Several of his players weren’t at the races as Norwich City came from behind to pick up a victory – despite recording more shots on target, the visitors dominated possession (60%) and caused plenty of problems to Wednesday’s backline.

Young, versatile defender Osaze Urhoghide, in particular, struggled to combat the threat of Teemu Pukki, Todd Cantwell and Emi Buendia as all three would have a say in the Canaries’ second-half double.

SofaScore handed the 20-year-old colossus the lowest rating (6.1) of any starter at Hillsborough as he faltered on the left-hand side of a back three. He had been playing right-back in most matches under Moore’s stewardship.

YorkshireLive reporter Dom Howson was similarly scathing in his verdict, handing Urhoghide a joint-low rating of 6/10. He claimed: ‘Like his counterparts, Urhoghide stuck to his task on the left to frustrate the visitors. Looked uncomfortable at times in possession but he was not overawed by the occasion.’

Cantwell’s match-winner came from his area on the pitch, whilst Buendia (7.6 rating) was a constant nuisance on that flank too.

Evidently, Urhoghide is still young and raw, and that was displayed in his inability to win his battles. The Owls starlet won just one of nine duels, both on the ground and in the air, meaning he failed to come out on top against the opposition 89% of the time, and that’s only going to invite pressure onto the defence.

This was by far the weakest return of any Owls player on the day.

Indeed it did invite that pressure. He had to put in two clearances and two interceptions but he was also dribbled past on two occasions, as per SofaScore. That only emphasises his struggles against players who were competing in the Premier League last term.

No other Owls player was dribbled past more than Urhoghide, whilst seven other players managed more tackles (zero), including forward Josh Windass (three), via SofaScore.

In the absence of the suspended Julien Borner and the seemingly injured Chey Dunkley, the young Wednesday prodigy really needed to step up and make a statement, even more so given the interest in his services ahead of the summer.

He badly let Moore down with a frustratingly lightweight display.

AND in other news, Sheffield Wednesday star with 71 touches has given Moore a major problem…

Frank McAvennie has claimed that Celtic will axe Ryan Christie for the Old Firm derby on Sunday lunchtime and replace him with James Forrest.

Speaking to Football Insider, the former Parkhead striker thinks that the more natural width that Forrest offers will be needed if the Hoops are to end the unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership that Rangers are currently on:

“Forrest has to start and I think he will.

“We have tried Christie out on the right-hand side and it just does not work.

“I think Jonjoe Kenny and Forrest will work well together. Forrest can hit can go past people on the outside but he will pull in if Kenny goes by him. Ryan doesn’t do that because he is not a winger.

“I think it will be very congested in the midfield on Sunday and we need width. They have tried matching them in the middle and it has not worked.

“The only player that will stay wide is Forrest. We need him to stretch them.

“Kennedy has got a big decision to make because you cannot just play the usual suspects. They have not done it.  If he wants to be a manager he needs to be strong.

“Why not get an hour off James Forrest and then bring him off? I would definitely start him. There is joy to be had on the right-hand side.”  

Celtic should axe Christie and start Forrest

If the Hoops are to get anything out of the game against Steven Gerrard’s men, then they could indeed look to exploit their Glasgow rivals down the wings, and Forrest would do a better job at that than Christie given his added pace and being more comfortable out wide.

Although Christie has brought up relatively decent stats so far in the 2020/21 term, with five goals and 14 assists in total in 38 games over all competitions (Transfermarkt), playing Forrest out wide would allow him to play in his more natural position in centre attacking midfield.

John Kennedy could well decide to start both players, but if he had to pick one to go out wide, Forrest is likely his best bet.

Nonetheless, it will no doubt be a big decision for the manager as McAvennie points out, which could lead to Christie being dropped to the bench.

In other news, find out which club have opened talks with one Bhoys man over a transfer here!

The 2016/17 season is unlikely to be one that lives fondly in the memory of Sunderland supporters.

It marks the last campaign they were in the Premier League and since then, they have been falling down the Football League as years go by.

They suffered an immediate relegation from the Championship in 2017/18 and they have been in League One ever since.

Times are changing, however, and under the stewardship of Lee Johnson, they look well placed to go up.

Several players have come to the party under Johnson. Aiden McGeady has 12 assists, Charlie Wyke has 26 goals and Dion Sanderson has kept seven clean sheets in his last ten outings.

The latter has been linked with a £2m permanent switch this summer, but why is this all relevant? Well, a defender in the mould of Sanderson’s that Sunderland had during that torrid relegation campaign has become one of the most imperious in Europe.

That happens to be Jason Denayer. The centre-back was on loan from Manchester City in 2016/17 and ended up playing 27 times for the Mackems.

Denayer’s arrival under David Moyes was a solid one for the Black Cats. He won Celtic’s Young Player of the Year award in the 2014/15 campaign, whilst he was also named the best young player in the entire Scottish Premiership.

However, he couldn’t replicate that sort of form in the north-east. Denayer left having been unable to stop Sunderland from falling into the second tier.

Since then, however, he’s become a real force. He was valued at just £3.6m by Transfermarkt when he left Sunderland and now he’s valued at £18m; an increase in value by a considerable £14.4m.

It’s easy to say this is one of that got away, but the club’s own plight played a big role in failing to secure his services permanently.

After departing, Denayer has come on leaps and bounds. The £57k-per-week defender left Man City for Lyon and played a key hand in the French side reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League last term.

The 25-year-old was involved in Lyon’s 3-1 win over Manchester City while he also kept a clean sheet against Paulo Dybala and Cristiano Ronaldo in their 1-0 victory against Juventus.

Speaking about the defender after he initially signed for the French side, recruitment chief of OL, Florian Maurice, said: “He has all the characteristics we sought: he can play in every role across the defence, he’s got game intelligence, a good positional sense, he’s quick and he’s powerful in duels.”

Denayer is quite clearly not the type of player we saw at the Stadium of Light. Instead, he is now fighting for championships at the elite level. How times change.

AND in other news, KLD could make a big SAFC statement with seven-figure swoop for 21 y/o “shining light”…

Carlo Ancelotti can save Everton a potential £25.5m by unleashing Jean-Philippe Gbamin and seeing the best of what the 25-year-old has in store, amid transfer links with Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

The Toffees manager confirmed on Friday that the Ivorian is available for Monday night’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace after a 20-month layoff due to hamstring and Achilles injuries.

Gbamin moved to Merseyside from Bundesliga outfit Mainz in the summer of 2019 for £25m but has only ever featured twice for the Blues, with his last outing coming in the August of his arrival.

Reports by The Athletic last year claimed that those close to the Ivory Coast anchor blamed his struggles on Marco Silva, as the Portuguese coach had rushed him into the side after just one week of pre-season training following an injury for Andre Gomes against the Eagles.

Gbamin could now make his effectively second Everton debut against Roy Hodgson’s Eagles, with Ancelotti pleased with the progress seen from the 25-year-old over the international break.

“Gbamin is in good condition,” the Italian said on Friday. “It is really good news. He trained this week and last week. He did well and he feels comfortable. I think the medical staff did a fantastic job with him. He is ready to play.

“He will put physicality and quality into the squad – and a strong desire to play. It is like we have a new player. We are really pleased to have him back.

“But we have to consider the fact he didn’t play for at least one year and a half. I don’t know if he is going to play on Monday but, for sure, he will be available.”

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Gbamin joined Everton in the summer of 2019 as the effective replacement for Idrissa Gueye after the Senegalese star’s £30m move to Paris Saint-Germain, but injuries have thwarted his efforts to establish a role at Goodison Park.

The former Mainz gem could face heightened competition for places in Ancelotti’s engine room next term as well, with the Toffees manager heavily linked with a potential reunion with Rabiot amid doubts over the Frenchman’s future at Juventus.

Rabiot is thought to be available in the off-season for €30m (£25.5m), as the Serie A outfit do not feel he has lived up to the £187,000-per-week contract awarded to him when signed as a free agent following his release by PSG.

However, Gbamin may allow Ancelotti to save those funds to strengthen other areas of his squad in the next transfer window, as The Athletic now claim that the 12-cap Ivorian could convince the club against new transfers if he is able to provide the pace and power he was brought in to offer.

Ancelotti already believes that the 25-year-old has shown “fantastic quality” in training, having been impressed by his skills ahead of a potential debut under the Italian.

“I think he’s an extremely important player for us,” the former Chelsea head coach said, via quotes shared by the Liverpool Echo. “He’s showing fantastic quality in training. His physicality, his technique is the quality of a top midfielder.”

It now remains to be seen whether Gbamin can finally step into Gueye’s shoes and establish a role beside Allan, or if the Brazilian and Abdoulaye Doucoure will have a new face lining up beside them in royal blue next season.

AND in other news, Everton face a £17m price tag to land a 26-y/o leader once considered to be “one of the strongest”…

Charlton Athletic return to League One action this afternoon, looking to build on their quest for promotion with a win over fellow challengers, Doncaster Rovers.

Nigel Adkins’ side make the trip to Yorkshire for the early kickoff and he has plenty to ponder in terms of team selection following a 2-2 draw with AFC Wimbledon last time out.

The Addicks currently sit outside the playoff zone, two points adrift in tenth place, though a victory could rocket them as high as fifth going into the 3pm kickoffs.

So, here is our predicted XI, as well as the latest team and injury news from south-east London.

Adkins could make as many as three changes from the Dons draw, one of which will be enforced.

11-goal striker Conor Washington had to be taken off just five minutes into that match with a hamstring injury, and the recently-appointed Addicks boss revealed in his pre-game press conference that he would not make the trip to the Keepmoat.

“Conor is not going to be available for selection,” Adkins said to LondonNewsOnline. “We’ll miss the Easter programme but he is responding as well as he can. It will be a big miss.”

So, top goalscorer Chuks Aneke is in line for a recall alongside Jayden Stockley in the attack.

Another change could happen in defence, and at left-back, with Ben Purrington getting an opportunity to impress his new boss.

The 24-year-old hasn’t been involved since being withdrawn at half-time against Blackpool six games ago but as he’s under contract next term – unlike Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen – Adkins will surely want to take a look at his credentials before the summer.

Washington’s replacement before the international break, Diallang Jaiyesimi made an almost instant impact – 15 minutes after coming off the bench, he scored, so he may have earned a place over Albie Morgan on the right flank.

The rest of the line-up should remain much the same, meaning it’s Ben Amos between the sticks behind skipper Jason Pearce, Akin Famewo and Chris Gunter, with Jake Forster-Caskey and Andrew Shinnie continuing in the engine room whilst Liam Millar keeps his place on the left.

AND in other news, Adkins could find his next Lambert in £810k-rated CAFC beast who “can hold up a house”…

West Brom are eyeing up a new manager should they be relegated back to the Championship, according to reports…

What’s the word?

West Brom News have revealed that former U23 head coach Michael Appleton is their top target to replace Sam Allardyce at the Hawthorns this summer.

The 45-year-old is currently in charge of League One promotion hopefuls Lincoln City and will be eyed up for the Baggies gig as Big Sam is likely to quit if they’re relegated.

He signed an 18-month contract in December, but that contains a break-out clause that can be activated by both parties.

Out-of-work duo Derek McInnes, who was axed by Aberdeen, and Chris Wilder, formerly of Sheffield United, are also in the running.

Forget Wilder

However, it is the Imps boss that Luke Dowling should be targeting over any other name.

Of course, there is the obvious benefit of having the former academy man and first-team coach back as he’ll have worked with many of the current names amongst Albion’s first-team set-up, including Romaine Sawyers, Jake Livermore, Kyle Bartley, Dara O’Shea, Kyle Edwards and Birmingham loanee Rekeem Harper.

He’s also kept a harmonious relationship with the sporting and technical director, something that didn’t appear to be the case with Slaven Bilic as the pair clashed over summer transfer targets, according to some reports.

Appleton has had varying success in management but the bulk of his struggles came well before 2014, some six to seven seasons ago. He has since rebuilt his coaching career, enjoying a 100% record as Leicester City caretaker boss in the Premier League before making his impact with the Hawthorns’ next crop of youngsters, and now with Lincoln.

Speaking about his potential back in the Midlands, former Birmingham Mail journalist Chris Lepkowski claims he would be “quite excited” by the prospect of the 45-year-old being appointed.

“I’ve always been really impressed by Michael Appleton. He’s a very progressive coach, he doesn’t rest and he’s not a [Tony] Pulis, he has evolved as a manager and introduced different styles, he told The Liquidator podcast. “I know he’s worked with Luke Dowling before, quite harmoniously I believe which certainly helps his credentials in that respect.”

WhoScored describe the Imps’ playing style as a quick-tempo, counter-attack based system and that has led to them having the sixth-best attack in League One – a stark contrast to Big Sam and his attacking struggles.

This is the sort of progressive and attractive appointment that could get the Hawthorns faithful back on side after an abysmal campaign.

Dowling must swoop for Appleton this summer.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Steve Bull reveals he never wanted to leave West Brom…

Southampton have been linked with moves for Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Winks recently but who would be the better addition to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side?

Harry Winks:

According to Football Insider, Southampton are keeping tabs on the England international, who has struggled to force his way into Jose Mourinho’s plans at Spurs in recent months.

The 25-year-old has made just seven starts in the top-flight this season and has struggled to impress, as he seemingly doesn’t suit Mourinho’s counter-attacking style of play, which perhaps relies on hard-tackling, box-to-box midfielders rather than a playmaker such as Winks.

Although he has now made 167 appearances for Spurs having progressed through their academy, he has just four goals and four assists to his name, so wouldn’t offer Hasenhuttl’s side much in an attacking sense.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles:

According to The Telegraph, Southampton are likely to return for Maitland-Niles in the summer after seeing a January loan move for the 23-year-old breakdown, with the Arsenal academy graduate keen to leave his boyhood club after a lack of first-team opportunities under Mikel Arteta.

Since joining West Brom on loan, the England international has made eight appearances for the Baggies and averaged a solid 6.61 rating for Sam Allardyce’s side and will have a chance to impress Hasenhuttl when Southampton travel to the Hawthorns on Monday evening.

Although he has suggested that he wants to play as a midfielder, some of his most impressive displays at Arsenal have come as a wing-back, so he could offer the Austrian manager excellent cover at full-back next season should he join.

Who would be better?

Maitland-Niles has clearly outperformed Winks this season despite playing in a poorer team, so would arguably be a better option in the summer for Southampton.

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He would offer Hasenhuttl more versatility and is younger than Winks so has more scope to improve in the future, whilst his reported interest in leaving Arsenal could see his asking price lowered.

Stuart Pearce claimed earlier in the season that he thought Maitland-Niles had been “outstanding” for Arsenal at the start of the season, so he could definitely add something to Southampton if he were to make the move to St Mary’s.

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Therefore, Martin Semmens should perhaps forget about signing Winks and instead focus on bringing the £16.2m-rated Maitland-Niles to Southampton this summer.

And, in other news… Bye-bye Bertrand: Saints could repeat KWP masterclass by signing £9m-rated gem