Kieran McKenna has delivered his verdict on Celtic following recent reports that the Scottish giants could look to land the Ipswich Town manager to replace Brendan Rodgers.

It’s been quite the week at Celtic Park. Chaos unfolded on Monday when Brendan Rodgers made the decision to resign and since then, the Hoops have travelled back in time – appointing Martin O’Neill on an interim basis.

The veteran manager has instantly got the Scottish champions back to winning ways, overseeing a 4-0 victory over Falkirk on Wednesday evening before telling reporters: “I’m really pleased to win in the manner we did, and we played some delightful stuff. Could have scored a couple more, too.

“My anxiety has calmed somewhat. When you get a few goals in front you can perhaps enjoy the last 10 or 15 minutes, and it kind of brought me back. I’ve not seen Celtic often, not live, to make criticism of this side. A restoration of confidence was great.”

Leaving O’Neill to turn things around on the pitch, Parkhead chiefs have commenced their search for a new manager and already faced their first blow thanks to Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian has reportedly chosen to take a break from football after getting the sack at Nottingham Forest just 39 days into the job. This shuts down any rumours that he could be making a sensational return to Scotland in the coming weeks.

Forced to search elsewhere, Celtic could yet turn towards Wales boss Craig Bellamy or Club Brugge’s Nicky Hayen, who has refused to rule a move out.

Meanwhile, another option is McKenna. The Ipswich Town boss has quite the reputation and has reportedly made Celtic’s shortlist as a result. Whether he decides to call it quits at Portman Road is another question, however.

Kieran McKenna delivers fresh Celtic verdict

Asked about the vacant job in his latest press conference, McKenna revealed where he ranks Celtic as a club whilst also speaking about his verdict on the position in Scotland.

Despite holding them in high regard, it looks as though Celtic will have a tough task on their hands if they want to lure McKenna away from Ipswich.

The former Manchester United coach has done an excellent job in Suffolk, taking Ipswich to as high as the Premier League following back-to-back promotions before suffering relegation last season.

Former Irish League star Thomas Stewart is one of many ex-players and pundits to have praised McKenna, previously telling reporters: “He’s well-educated, an intelligent man and I always felt that when we had conversations when we were younger.

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“I think we were the only two from the U16 Victory Shield team that got left out and went on to play for the U21 team. I’ve full respect for him and he’s doing an amazing job.”

For now, though, Celtic may be forced to miss out on their managerial target.

Celtic to contact Craig Bellamy

A new era is on the horizon at Rangers and one that the 49ers will hope to see last longer than 123 days with the potential appointment of their next manager.

Rangers confirm staff for Dundee United clash

In an ideal world for the Gers, they would have their manager ready to go as soon as this weekend. But that’s not the case. The 49ers have been working on appointing a replacement for Russell Martin since the start of the international break, but are yet to confirm their decision following rejection from Steven Gerrard.

The former Rangers manager opted out of returning to Ibrox amid belief that the timing simply isn’t right. Forcing the Gers back to the drawing board, a number of names have emerged ever since as the wait goes on.

It became clear since Gerrard’s decision that the 49ers would have to make a decision about the Tangerines’ visit to Ibrox this weekend and it has now been confirmed that Steven Smith, Brian Gilmour, Rhys Owen and Sal Bibbo will lead the side on Saturday.

Away from the drama of their managerial search, Rangers will hope to at least get back to winning ways after drawing Martin’s final game against Falkirk. If results go their way then they could cut the gap on shock leaders Hearts to eight points and the gap on Old Firm rivals Celtic to five points – handing their next manager something to at least build on.

Meanwhile, the speculation will only continue about the next manager in the hotseat, especially after the latest update on Kevin Muscat’s potential arrival from Shanghai Port.

Reporter drops latest Muscat update as Rangers close in on deal

As reported by The Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan, Kevin Muscat’s move to Rangers is now “almost done” with the 49ers now closing in on ending their managerial search by hiring the Shanghai Port manager.

It looks as though Rangers have gone full steam ahead with Muscat even if it remains to be seen when he will officially step into the Ibrox dugout. As things stand, the 52-year-old has four games left of his side’s Chinese Super League campaign and, with Shanghai top by two points, he may yet delay his Scotland move.

If that does happen, then the Gers will have to wait until November 22 to get their man. In the meantime, it could be Smith and others who are left with the task of turning things around before the manager’s arrival, at which time the Aussie has reportedly demanded “belief” in his attacking 4-3-3 system from the higher ups at Ibrox.

49ers now convincing coach to drop his wages and join Rangers, they're confident

The Gers are closing in…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 16, 2025

It would be the most chaotic start to a reign at a time when there has been uncertainty all around Ibrox. Alas, after Gerrard’s rejection and Danny Rohl’s latest snub, it at least seems as though Rangers are set to get their manager.

Leicestershire eliminated after reaching 321 for 9 in spirited chase at New Road

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 24-Aug-2025

Brett D’Oliveira picks one up over the leg side•Michael Steele/Getty Images

Brett D’Oliveira’s 107 gave Worcestershire Rapids the platform for a 16-run victory over Leicestershire Foxes, clinching a top-three finish while eliminating the home side, who finished 312 for nine in reply to the Rapids’ 328.D’Oliveira’s second hundred of this year’s 50-over competition came off 105 balls and contained 15 fours and two sixes. He had shared a stand of 119 for the first wicket with 19-year-old Daniel Lategan (34 off 59). Rob Jones (67 off 59) made the next biggest impression on the Foxes attack.After Leicestershire had sunk to 23 for four in reply, Shan Masood (88 off 87) hit 14 fours and Ben Cox (76 off 80) a dozen as the pair put on 163 for the fifth wicket in a determined fightback.Ben Mike, batting with a runner after sustaining a hamstring injury while bowling, defied the pain to hit five sixes in a brave unbeaten 72 off 45 balls but it proved in vain, with seamer Ben Allison taking three for 87 to keep the Rapids in with a chance of topping Group A with one match to come.Occasional spinner Rishi Patel’s five for 65 for the Foxes was his maiden five-wicket haul in senior cricket.Rapids won the toss, after which D’Oliveira and Lategan dominated the first 80 minutes of the contest.Patel eventually had Lategan lbw sweeping, the breakthrough in the 20th over quickly followed by Kashif Ali and Libby falling cheaply. The former was beaten by a Patel leg break and stumped, Libby tamely caught and bowled by Trevaskis.D’Oliveira, who had swatted both his sixes in one over off the expensive Mike before the all-rounder limped off the field, was 100 from 99 balls out of 176 for three in the 29th.He was caught at mid-off soon afterwards, after which Ethan Brookes was leg before to Trevaskis reverse sweeping. But Jones holed out to long-on as Worcestershire lost wickets in each of the last four overs.Holland bowled Cullen (32 from 27) off a bottom edge, Patel saw Allison caught at long-on and bowled Ben Gibbon to complete his five. Matthew Waite hit Tom Scriven straight to cover.Nonetheless, the Rapids had thrown down a challenge which looked enormous as the Foxes found themselves four down for 23 inside six overs, despite the visitors resting two senior bowlers.Gibbon, who missed the 2024 competition through injury, struck with his third delivery as Patel dragged on, the Foxes opener brought down to earth with a duck.Lewis Hill was caught at point as Gibbon struck again, while Allison removed Sol Budinger, caught at cover, and skipper Peter Handscomb, who edged to second slip.Yet Worcestershire’s new-ball pair then surrendered runs rather easily, Masood and Cox reeling off six consecutive fours – three apiece of each of the bowlers – and putting on 50 in just 26 balls in a confident counter-attack.Waite and Brookes slowed their progress yet, as the silky Masood (50 from 41) and the busy Cox (50 from 53) stretched their partnership into three figures, a difficult caught-and-bowled chance offered to Brookes by Cox on 48 had been their only moment of jeopardy.But when Brookes returned for a new spell, Cox tickled one on the leg side to be caught behind with Cullen standing up. Four balls later Cullen, now standing back to Allison, dived to his left to snare Masood off a thickish edge, leaving 141 needed, four wickets left, and less than 18 overs remaining.Holland, top-edging to fine leg, and Trevaskis, slicing to third man, gave 19-year-old Jack Home two wickets. Mike was in obvious discomfort but after Scriven had picked out the fielder at deep midwicket he kept clearing the rope to keep the home crowd interested but 29 off the final Allison over was too many.

Western Australia quick only bowled for the first time on Tuesday since his shoulder surgery in January

Alex Malcolm14-Aug-2025Jhye Richardson’s hopes of playing any part in the Ashes appear slim after he only bowled for the first time since his most recent shoulder surgery on Tuesday, but he remains optimistic with the start of the Sheffield Shield season just seven weeks away.Richardson, 28, underwent a third surgery on his right bowling shoulder in January in a bid to end the repeated dislocations he was suffering and also put himself in the frame to be fully fit for the Ashes series which starts on November 21.He has not played Test cricket since the last Ashes series in Australia when he took his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests to seal victory in Adelaide. He has had a torrid run with injury since then, including having hamstring surgery in 2024, and has also dealt with mental health issues. He has played just four first-class matches since his last Test, with his his most recent coming in November last year when he dislocated his shoulder while high-fiving a team-mate.Related

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Speaking in Perth on Wednesday at an event to mark 100 days to go before the Perth Ashes Test, Richardson revealed he bowled for the first time the day before but conceded the Ashes were a long way off.”Some were good, some were bad and some hit the side net and things like that. I was a little bit rusty but it’s good signs,” Richardson said. “We’re hitting the milestones that we planned out at the start and while it has been really slow, things are looking good.”As nice as it would be [to play in the Ashes], there is a lot of water to go under the bridge before then. We’re not counting out Ashes cricket, but there’s a long process that has started and has been ongoing and there is a lot to go through before then. Things are looking good for the summer and I should be up and ready to go.”However, Richardson could not definitely say when he would be able to return to play for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield but he hoped he could feature in some domestic cricket before the start of the Ashes. WA’s first One-Day Cup match is on September 21 before a tantalising opening Shield match against New South Wales at the WACA ground that will feature Sam Konstas and possibly Cameron Green if he is rested from Australia’s T20I series in New Zealand in order to bowl for the first-time in red-ball cricket after a long layoff following his back injury.Jhye Richardson speaks to the media in Perth to mark 100 days until the Ashes•Getty Images”These are still ongoing conversations,” Richardson said. “Things that you don’t necessarily plan for can pop up, you can plateau a little bit in terms of progress.”Shield cricket is definitely on the radar, whether it’s game one, two, three, four, five, six, whichever it is, I’m hoping there will be some Shield cricket at some stage and hopefully some cricket for Fremantle and some second XI cricket amongst that as well.””I think white-ball cricket is always good to build the loads for red-ball cricket. We know that bowling 10 overs at high intensity really helps. And match time is something that you can’t necessarily get in the nets. We know that that intensity is going to be important, so I’d say there’d be some white-ball cricket.”Even if Richardson were fit, he would remain behind Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in the pecking order. But the lure of his red-ball skills are so strong that Australia’s selectors added him to the squad for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests against India last summer when Hazlewood was injured, despite clear issues with his shoulder following his only first-class game that summer.Jhye Richardson dislocated his shoulder in his last first-class game last November•Getty ImagesThe age profile of Australia’s current quartet and the next best red-ball options beyond them is partly why Richardson is so alluring. Recent Test squad members Sean Abbott, 33, and Brendan Doggett, 31, would be seen as more short-term prospects for Australia’s Test side if and when any of the incumbent quartet finish up. Michael Neser remains a ready-made replacement for the upcoming summer but is 35 and injured his hamstring badly last summer.Lance Morris, 27, has long been earmarked as a possible long-term replacement for Starc as a Test strike weapon but he has just been ruled out of the ODI series against South Africa with back soreness which will also put his Australia A tour of India in jeopardy. Xavier Bartlett (26) and Fergus O’Neill (24) will tour India with Australia A but neither have the speed and x-factor that Richardson offers in full flight.The other major issue for Richardson is that he has been unable to fully contribute in the field for six years since his initial shoulder dislocation in the UAE in 2019. He was once a speedy live-wire in the outfield with a very strong arm but he has barely been able to throw since the injury and has often had to hide in the field because of his inability to dive with freedom and the fact that he mainly underarms or bowls the ball in. The latest surgery was in part a last ditch effort to get his shoulder back to a place where could throw normally again but he said that process would take much longer to come to fruition than his bowling.”The way that it’s presenting at the moment is that it is presenting stable, which is obviously a nice feeling after all the issues that I’ve dealt with over the last few years,” Richardson said. “Throwing is going to be unknown. We know that. It’s obviously a long process to get back, sort of 12-18 months plus to know where it’s really going to be at. But at this stage seven months post surgery, things are looking good.”

Manchester United and USWNT goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce has suffered a fractured eye socket, with medical assessments confirming she is facing a spell on the sidelines. The 28-year-old missed United’s historic Women's Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain and was seen wearing sunglasses alongside teammates, with the club insisting player safety remains the priority as she recovers.

Tullis-Joyce suffers fractured eye socket

Tullis-Joyce picked up the injury during Manchester United’s Women’s Super League clash with Aston Villa on November 11, in an accidental impact that required immediate attention after the match. Although she did not suffer a concussion, further medical checks confirmed a fractured eye socket, an injury known to require several weeks of careful protection and rest to prevent further damage, as per The Athletic.

When the Red Devils returned to Champions League action against Paris Saint-Germain last Wednesday, head coach Marc Skinner confirmed she was unavailable after experiencing irritation around the affected area. She was spotted on the pitch before kick-off wearing sunglasses and talking with teammates, reinforcing that while the injury is not career-threatening, sensitivity to light and physical contact must be managed closely.

Safia Middleton-Patel stepped in for just her second senior appearance and impressed in United’s victory, though the coaching staff emphasised that the absence of their first-choice goalkeeper is a major blow. The Red Devils remain hopeful that Tullis-Joyce may return before the winter break, but only if doctors clear her to resume full-contact work without risking further damage to the orbital bone.

AdvertisementGettyInjury halts Tullis-Joyce's upward trend

Tullis-Joyce’s injury arrives at a pivotal moment for Manchester United, who are trying to build momentum in both domestic and European competition. The American star has become a vital figure since Mary Earps’ departure in 2024, providing leadership and reliability at the back while helping United establish a more composed playing style from the defensive third.

Her setback forces United to rely on a less-experienced Middleton-Patel as their fixture list intensifies, particularly with a Manchester derby defeat already fresh in the memory and a tough Champions League group still unfolding. The fracture disrupts continuity in a defensive unit that has only recently settled into a strong rhythm, placing added pressure on an already stretched squad.

Internationally, the injury also halts Tullis-Joyce’s upward trajectory with the USWNT. She earned her first senior cap earlier in the year and had positioned herself as a genuine contender heading into future major tournaments. 

Tullis-Joyce's rise at Man Utd

Tullis-Joyce joined Manchester United from OL Reign in September 2023 and quickly proved she was ready for the top European stage. Her strong first season showcased elite reflexes, commanding presence in the box, and excellent distribution, attributes that aligned perfectly with United’s evolving tactical identity and helped accelerate her rise to the No.1 position.

The 2025/26 campaign had already seen Tullis-Joyce reach arguably the best form of her career before injury struck. Her anticipation, decision-making and authority under pressure had greatly improved, making her one of the most reliable keepers in the league. That progress now pauses, but with no long-term damage expected, United still believe she will remain essential to their success this season.

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Getty Images SportTullis-Joyce will only be cleared once injury is tested

Recovery timelines for a fractured eye socket typically extend several weeks, with rest and protection crucial to ensuring safe healing before a return to competition. United’s medical staff will monitor swelling, bone stability and ocular response before allowing her back into full training, while non-contact conditioning may begin sooner to maintain match fitness.

Skinner has stressed that caution will dictate all decisions, as even a minor secondary impact could aggravate the injury and delay her comeback. The club will continue giving Middleton-Patel further opportunities while aiming to remain competitive on multiple fronts without their undisputed first-choice keeper.

يستعد منتخب الأرجنتين، بقيادة النجم ليونيل ميسي، لخوض مباراة ودية مميزة مساء اليوم الجمعة، وذلك في إطار فترة التوقف الدولي لشهر نوفمبر لعام 2025.

ويلتقي منتخب الأرجنتين مع خصمه منتخب أنجولا، مساء اليوم، على ملعب “11 نوفمبر” في العاصمة لواندا، في إطار الاحتفال بالذكرى الخمسين لاستقلال البلاد.

وتحظى مباراة الأرجنتين وأنجولا باهتمام بالغ من الدولة الإفريقية، خاصة مع تواجد النجم ليونيل ميسي ضمن بعثة بطل العالم التي تم استدعاؤها لخوض تلك المباراة يوم الجمعة.

ولا يخوض منتخب الأرجنتين أي مباريات ودية أخرى ذلك الشهر، حيث تُعد مواجهة أنجولا الوحيدة لكتيبة ليونيل سكالوني والأخيرة لذلك العام. موعد مباراة الأرجنتين وأنجولا الودية اليوم

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة 6 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 7 بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة الأرجنتين وأنجولا الودية اليوم 

لم تعلن أي قناة عربية عن إذاعتها المباراة، وسيتم التحديث حال ورود أي جديد، مع العلم أنها ستُنقل عبر قناة TyC Sports الأرجنتينية.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــا.

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has revealed that Hannah Hampton could miss the rest of 2025 with a quad injury, potentially ruling her out of the Lionesses upcoming friendlies against China and Ghana later this month. The renowned shot stopper missed Chelsea's 6-0 win over St. Polten in the Women's Champions League, after picking up the injury during the Blues 1-1 draw with Arsenal last Saturday.

• Hampton to miss big games for both Chelsea and England

  Bompastor confirmed that Hampton will miss the next few weeks of action at the very least, ruling her out of key fixtures for both club and country. The 24-year-old completed her side's draw with rivals Arsenal despite the ailment, but was ruled out of their midweek demolition of the Austrian champions. 

  Chelsea travel to Liverpool tomorrow in the Women's Super League, before hosting Barcelona in the Women's Champions League on November 20. The inaugural winner of the Women's Yashin Trophy would have been a nailed on starter for Sarina Weigman's side in the upcoming international window as the European champions work towards the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. 

  Hampton was also absent from England duty last month with an elbow injury. She was replaced by Manchester City keeper Khiara Keating, who conceded twice in the first 20 minutes of her debut against Brazil. The Lionesses eventually fell to a 2-1 defeat to the Selecao. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Bompastor: Hampton will be out for a "few weeks"

  In her pre-match press conference ahead of the Liverpool clash, Bompastor said: "Hannah won't be here. She picked up a quad injury.

  "She will be out for a few weeks. We'll see if we see her before the end of the year but I'm not sure."

  When the French manager was asked if that would rule the 24-year-old out of international duty, she simply replied: "It could be the case, yes."

• Hampton injury presents an opportunity for Peng and Keating

  Hampton's extended absence opens the door for Livia Peng to show her potential in the Chelsea goal. The Swiss stopper joined the Blues in the summer following an impressive two year spell with Werder Bremen. She was named to 's team of the season in 2024-25, as she kept seven clean sheets in 21 league games. The 23-year-old has cemented her spot as Switzerland's no. 1, starting all four of her country's during this summer's European Championship as the host nation was knocked out at the quarter final stage by eventual finalists Spain. She made her club debut in Chelsea's dominant win over St. Polten earlier this week. 

  City's Keating will also have the opportunity to stake her claim to be Hampton's clear backup at the very least. The 21-year-old has gone from strength-to-strength since supplanting Ellie Roebuck as the City No.1 during the 2023-24 season. She would go on to win the WSL Golden Globe at the end of that campaign, making her the youngest player to pick up the award. Keating has been in impressive form again this term, keeping nine clean sheets in all competitions. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Injury comes at challenging time for Hampton

  After last season's resounding successes: winning the Euros, picking up the award for the best female goalkeeper in the game and winning the WSL for the second time, the start of the 2025/26 season has been a tough ride for Hampton. 

  The protracted fallout from Mary Earps autobiography, in which the former Sports Personality of the Year accused her understudy of being "disruptive and unreliable" has been an unwelcome distraction. Hampton presumably would have hoped to move on from that saga by letting her play do the talking, especially with the Three Lions on her chest. While she has been in impressive form for her club, conceding just four goals in eight league appearances this term, missing her second international window in succession with injury, is a cruel blow. Hopefully, she can recover before the end of 2025. The league phase of Chelsea's Women's Champions League campaign concludes with ties against Roma and Wolfsburg in December. 

Chelsea have already reached out for discussions with the representatives of Juventus sensation Kenan Yildiz, with Enzo Maresca hatching a new tactical plan involving Cole Palmer.

The west Londoners have lost three out of their last five Premier League games and narrowly escaped with a thrilling 4-3 win away to bottom side Wolves in the Carabao Cup earlier this week.

Despite spending nearly £300 million in the summer transfer window, there is clearly still work to be done from Chelsea’s perspective, and reports suggest that Juventus are even taking an interest in Maresca ahead of next summer.

The Old Lady appointed Luciano Spalletti on an interim basis until the end of the season, but if that doesn’t work out and Maresca fails to turn the tide at Stamford Bridge, a move to Juve could be on the cards in 2026.

In the meantime, Chelsea’s manager is surely tasked with finishing in the top four at the very least, and preferably adding more silverware to the club’s trophy cabinet after their Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs earlier this year.

According to some reports, Maresca is still quite unhappy with the options he has at Chelsea right now, so January could be a key month despite heavy summer backing in the market.

The most obvious area Chelsea are short in is centre-back, with ex-midfielder John Obi-Mikel claiming that the Blues will get nowhere near a Premier League title boasting that backline.

Ahead of the winter window’s opening, reports suggest that Chelsea are prioritising a new centre-back, with Levi Colwill expected to be out until spring 2026 after rupturing his ACL in pre-season.

However, they could also land a new forward, and have been linked with Yildiz as a serious option.

Chelsea make "very exciting" Yildiz offer amid Cole Palmer plan

Fabrizio Romano says that Chelsea “really like” the Turkey international who’s dazzled as Juve’s star attacker since the beginning of last season.

Yildiz racked up 12 goals and nine assists in all competitions across 2024/2025, finishing the campaign as their best-performing regular with over 10 starts, going by average match rating per 90 minutes (WhoScored).

The 20-year-old also made more key passes per 90 and completed more take-ons in the final third than any of his teammates, with Yildiz starting 25/26 in equally imperious fashion.

Juventus 2-0 Parma Calcio

8.88

Juventus 4-3 Inter Milan

8.51

Juventus 3-1 Udinese

7.55

Atalanta 1-1 Juventus

7.10

Genoa 0-1 Juventus

7.04

via WhoScored

He has seven goal contributions in 12 appearances already this term, attracting serious interest from Stamford Bridge.

According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea have “discreetly” reached out to Yildiz’s camp with a “very exciting” offer to join them, and Italian insiders are adamant that Maresca’s side are in pole position to land him.

This comes as Maresca hatches a plan to partner the young Turk with Palmer up front, as Chelsea see him as the “ideal” player to link up with their England superstar.

However, there are major obstacles to overcome in this would-be transfer — mainly Juve’s minimum demand of around £79 million — with Real Madrid also in the race.

Los Blancos are described as a “major threat” to Chelsea in pursuit of Yildiz, and the player is apparently very enticed by Xabi Alonso’s side as a possible destination.

There is also the matter of Juve apparently stepping up new contract talks to keep him out of rival clutches, so Chelsea could have to launch the kitchen sink if this move has any chance of happening.

Chelsea have been offered another Juventus star too

Afghanistan will get plenty of practice, and scope to gather information on their Asia Cup opponents, when they play Pakistan and UAE in a T20I tournament starting in Sharjah on Friday. They’ve named virtually the same squad for both competitions, with only Naveen-ul-Haq missing from the tri-series.Abdollah Ahmadzai takes his place in the 17-member squad. The 22-year-old fast bowler, with 14 wickets from 10 T20s, is still waiting for his first international cap and has been named among the reserves for the Asia Cup. These games will be Afghanistan’s first white-ball matches since the Champions Trophy ended in February 2025.Mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar is in line to make his T20I debut in the UAE tri-series, as he joins a strong spin unit comprising captain Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad.Related

• Pakistan, Afghanistan, UAE gear up for Asia Cup rehearsal

• No Babar, Rizwan in Pakistan squad for Asia Cup

• Afghanistan bring in Ghazanfar to strengthen spin department for Asia Cup

• Junaid Siddique comes back as UAE ring in the changes for T20 tri-series

• Afghanistan bring back former Ireland allrounder John Mooney as fielding coach

The tri-series will also mark the return of Ibrahim Zadran, with the opener not a part of Afghanistan’s last T20I assignment in Zimbabwe in December 2024. From that squad, left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote has also been left out, although he is part of the reserves for the Asia Cup. Zadran returns having last played T20Is during the 2024 World Cup.The tri-series, which Afghanistan and Pakistan will kick off, has the three teams playing each other twice in round-robin format before the top two meet in the final on September 7. Should Afghanistan reach the final, they will only get a day’s rest before their first Asia Cup game, against Hong Kong, on September 9. UAE’s first game of the Asia Cup is on September 10 and Pakistan’s is on September 12.

Afghanistan squad for UAE tri-series

Rashid Khan (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Abdollah Ahmadzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Despite spending over £100m on new additions during the summer transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur failed to address the issue at the top end of the pitch.

The likes of Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons arrived in North London, bolstering the ranks, but neither are natural centre forwards, which has left Thomas Frank short in such an area.

Richarlison has operated in such a role for the majority of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, but he’s often failed to deliver – as seen by his run of eight games without a goal.

Dominic Solanke is another option the Dane will have been hoping to rely upon, but the club-record addition, who cost £65m last summer, has been sidelined since August after undergoing ankle surgery.

Randal Kolo Muani was added to the Lilywhites squad in the summer, only joining on loan from PSG, but he’s only started one game across all competitions to date.

However, the board could be about to back the new manager during the upcoming January transfer window, with numerous names already appearing on the club’s shortlist.

Latest on Spurs' striker search

Over the last couple of days, Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović has been mentioned as a possible target for Spurs in January, with returning Sporting Director Fabio Paratici likely playing a key role in the deal.

The Lilywhites have been named as one of the sides pursuing a move for the 25-year-old, who’s already found the net three times in Serie A throughout 2025/26.

Any deal for the Serbian international could prove to be a cut-price one, with the talisman’s current contract with the Serie A outfit set to expire at the end of June next year.

However, he’s not the only attacker currently in their sights, with Porto talent Samu Aghehowa another option currently being considered by Frank and Paratici.

According to TEAMtalk’s latest report, the Lilywhites have been closely monitoring the Spaniard over the last couple of months and are considering a potential approach in January.

The article also states that the 21-year-old could be an expensive addition for the Lilywhites this winter, especially considering the talisman has a £87m release clause in his current deal in Portugal.

As previously mentioned, it’s clear the board are targeting a new number nine in the near future, but any addition will have a near-impossible task of filling the void in North London.

Why Spurs’ latest target could be Frank’s own Harry Kane

The likes of Richarlison and Solanke have often been given a hard time by the Spurs supporters over recent seasons – no doubt due to the levels produced by Harry Kane before them.

The England international was so often the key man for the first-team during his decade-long spell in North London, with the figures he produced nothing short of breathtaking.

He netted a total of 280 goals in his 435 competitive outings for the Lilywhites, a tally that sees him sit at the top of the club’s all-time goalscoring charts.

Breaking down his numbers further adds yet another dimension to his quality, with the England international scoring over 30 goals in 50% of his seasons in England’s top-flight.

However, he was sold to Bayern Munich for a reported £82m in the summer of 2023, leaving the Spurs squad without that clinical centre-forward they so often turned to in moments of struggle.

As a result, Frank has been unable to work with the 32-year-old, but he could be handed his own version of the talisman, should the club complete a deal for Aghehowa.

The Spaniard has become known for his goalscoring ability in Portugal over the last 12 months – as seen by his incredible tally of 36 strikes in his 56 appearances.

He’s already managed to register 11 goals in his first 14 appearances, which has led to talent scout Jacek Kulig labelling him as “one of Europe’s most prolific players”.

Aghehowa’s underlying stats further highlight the all-round talent he possesses in attacking areas, subsequently making him the perfect player to fill the void Kane left a couple of years ago.

Games played

8

8

Goals scored

6

12

Shot on target accuracy

60%

57%

Short pass accuracy

86%

85%

Take-on success

50%

46%

Progressive carries

2.3

1.1

Carres into 18-yard box

0.9

0.6

Aerials won

1.2

1.1

He’s achieved a total of 2.4 shots on target per 90, a total which ranks him within the top 5% of all players in the Liga Portugal for the ongoing campaign.

The youngster has also completed 81% of the passes he’s attempted, whilst winning 58% of the aerial battles he’s entered – arguably making him the perfect focal point for Frank’s men.

Despite being a target man, the Spaniard has also demonstrated tidy footwork over recent months, as seen by his total of 1.3 successful dribbles per 90 in 2025/26.

It’s unclear if Porto would be willing to negotiate a deal lower than his release clause, but Paratici should be working tirelessly to complete a deal for his signature.

Should he make the move to North London during the winter months, it certainly will hand Frank the talisman he’s craved – potentially allowing the Dane to have his own version of fan-favourite, Kane.

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