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Providing an update on West Ham United and their transfer plans for January, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has now shared news involving Liverpool striker Divock Origi.

The Lowdown: West Ham looking to January…

As recently confirmed by manager David Moyes, speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of tonight’s Europa League clash with Dinamo Zagreb, his Hammers side could be active in the winter window (Sky Sports).

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The Scotsman says that, as well as scouring for a new centre-half as emergency cover to the injured Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma, his side have been searching for a striker (Sky Sports).

There have been no shortage of links to new forwards already, including the likes of Andrea Belotti and Adam Hlozek most recently, with Ex now sharing what he knows on the West Ham Way Website.

The Latest: Insider makes Origi claim…

As per his information, West Ham could now ‘make a move’ to sign Origi in the upcoming transfer window – explaining it would ‘not be a surprise at all’ if the Irons swoop for his signature.

The 26-year-old, struggling for consistent game time at Liverpool, has also apparently been ‘very close’ to joining previously as Ex claims he may well be one to keep an eye on.

The Verdict: Good option?

Despite his lack of chances under Klopp, Origi has actually managed to turn it on this season when given the chance.

The Belgium international even scored a brilliant individual goal against West Ham at the London Stadium with Liverpool’s boss holding no shortage of praise for some of his exploits this season.

Klopp lauded the striker as a ‘really quick’ player and ‘monster’ in the air recently (The Mirror), and with Origi’s contract expiring in 2022, the Reds may feasibly be forced to sell for a cheaper rate in January.

Racking up a career tally of 63 senior goals, the 31-cap ace could actually come as an ideal back up striking option for Moyes and someone who can finally end West Ham’s year-long search for a Michail Antonio-alternative.

In other news: Moyes dealt worrying news as ‘another big injury blow’ comes out of West Ham, find out more here.

Jesse Lingard is still on the radar of West Ham United as he seems ‘certain to leave’ Manchester United in the near future…

What’s the word?

90min journalist Toby Cudworth delivered a fresh update on the 28-year-old’s situation earlier this week, although he may not be as big a priority as before.

“#WHUFC & Jesse Lingard as I understand it: Certain to leave Man Utd. West Ham interest remains. He’s not necessarily the priority,” he tweeted.

Cudworth added: “Hlozek interest v[ery] real and a better long-term option” and “Barca, Atleti & Milan options abroad for Lingz”.

It comes after The Times revealed that the England international had no intention of restarting negotiations with Manchester United because of his frustrations at the club’s behaviour during discussions earlier this season.

Get it done, Newman!

Whilst Lingard may no longer be a priority for David Moyes and co, it would be a wise decision to bring the Old Trafford outcast back to the London Stadium this January.

Nearly a year ago, the English playmaker joined the club on loan and provided a vital contribution in the Irons sealing Europa League qualification, having delivered nine goals and five assists across 16 appearances. Only Tomas Soucek and Michail Antonio scored more goals for West Ham in 2020/21.

Summer signing Nikola Vlasic has flattered to deceive since replacing Lingard at the club, and given his versatility, he can not only be a no.10 but also play out wide and provide backup to Michail Antonio at centre-forward.

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Furthermore, Said Benrahma is expected to miss several games at the start of next year due to his likely contribution at the Africa Cup of Nations for Algeria. His absence on the left-flank will be sorely missed but the return of Lingard could certainly aid that.

Moyes and his assistant manager Stuart Pearce have never kept their interest a secret.

After the final game of last season, the Scotsman seemingly urged the £19.8m-rated star to remain at the Hammers. “I hope Jesse’s here, we’d like to keep him, he’s done an exceptional job for us but there’s no guarantees, he’s not our player,” he said (via the Evening Standard).

Pearce told talkSPORT back in August: “We would like him to come and join us. That has been an open secret. He was wonderful last year.”

A large majority of the London Stadium faithful also want his return, having reacted to similar reports earlier this month. As relayed by Hammers.News, many would be super excited and keen to see him back.

Similarly, in a previous poll conducted recently by Football FanCast, around 89% of more than 400 supporters claimed that they would be delighted if he re-signed for the club.

Therefore, this latest development should have a lot of the fanbase ecstatic. Lingard must return in January, especially as he has unfinished business here in east London.

AND in other news, Daniel Kretinsky could be key to West Ham landing January target…

Australia require victory at both Headingley and The Oval to retain their No. 1 Test ranking from South Africa

Alex Brown in Leeds04-Aug-2009Australia stand to lose substantially more than their aura over the next month. An Ashes series defeat would precipitate a stunning fall from grace by relegating Ricky Ponting’s men to fourth place on the ICC Test ladder behind South Africa, Sri Lanka and India. A drawn series will place them second after Graeme Smith’s men.Either rain or England could seal Australia’s demise in the coming weeks. The tourists require victory at both Headingley and The Oval to retain their No. 1 Test ranking, but a bleak weather forecast for Yorkshire could greatly reduce their chances of forcing a result in the fourth Test.Not since 2003, when South Africa held the ICC Test mace for a four-month period, have Australia occupied a place anywhere other than the pinnacle of Test cricket. South Africa made clear their intentions to recapture the No. 1 ranking when they defeated Australia in a Test series for the first time in 16 years last summer, but Australia’s stirring riposte on South African soil provided them with a degree of breathing room.Australia have won just five of their past 14 Tests, three of which were against the South Africans, and their inability to register a victory in the first three Tests of the Ashes series has drawn Smith’s side to within two points of the top ranking. Mickey Arthur, who so very nearly engineered Australia’s overthrow earlier this year, was adamant his side was worthy of recognition as the world’s premier Test side, even if rain proves the deciding factor.”I have been following the rankings a little bit, and I don’t think we would be out of place at all (with the No. 1 ranking) if that was to happen,” Arthur told Cricinfo. “We have played some very solid cricket over the past 18 months. We defeated England, Australia and Pakistan away, and we are certainly proud of that. But whatever happens, I think what is clear is that there is very little now between us, Australia, India and even England. That’s healthy for the game.”Arthur has been underwhelmed by Australia’s performances over the course of the Ashes, having previously predicted them to comfortably account for England. The South African coach queried the move to overlook the dependable Stuart Clark for the first three Tests of the series, and expressed surprise at Australia’s general inability to combat pressurised situations.Like Andrew Strauss, Arthur feels the Australians have lost their aura, but warned England against underestimating them in the final two Tests of the Ashes series.”I do agree with Andrew in that the Australians have looked susceptible when placed under pressure,” Arthur said. “With Australian sides of old, you could try and place all the pressure in the world on them and they would come through it unscathed more often than not. This younger side has shown the odd crack in those situations, and we saw that when we won many of the big moments when we played them in Australia. The aura has gone a little bit.”Their bowling attack has disappointed me. I’m not surprised that they have tried to stick with the fast bowlers who did the job in South Africa, but I was at the move not to play Clark, especially with (Mitchell) Johnson and (Peter) Siddle leaking runs. They have needed someone to do that holding job, and Watson looks a little undercooked to me to be doing that. It wouldn’t surprise me if they had a big think about it going into the last few Tests.”In other ranking developments, Michael Clarke has risen two places to third spot among Test batsmen following consecutive Ashes centuries, while Ricky Ponting has slid to ninth.The only change in the Test bowling top-ten was Stuart Clark’s slip to No. 5, with Makahya Ntini taking the fourth spot. Mitchell Johnson, despite his struggles in England, remains the third ranked Test bowler, and second in the all-rounder category.

Junior Firpo is unlikely to start for Leeds United in their Premier League clash with Leicester City, according to journalist Beren Cross.

The Lowdown: Leeds host Leicester

The Whites are back in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon, welcoming Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes side to Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side picked up a much-needed three points away to Norwich City last weekend but this is likely to be a sterner test.

That being said, Leicester are yet to get going this season and their limp defeat at home to Arsenal last time around means all is far from perfect for Rodgers and co – they currently sit 11th with a negative goal difference.

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The Latest: Firpo unlikely to start

Firpo could return to the matchday squad for Leeds after injury, but speaking in a Q&A for Leeds Live on Wednesday, Cross claimed the left-back is unlikely to start, with Bielsa being careful with him:

“Based on Bielsa’s argument for leaving [Kalvin] Phillips out of the Wolves game, Firpo will surely have had too little time on the pitch in order to start against Leicester on Sunday.”

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The Verdict: Big test of Whites’ form

It makes sense for Firpo to be eased back in, with Stuart Dallas continuing at left-back in what is an intriguing league encounter – the latter man was solid against Norwich, earning a 7.4 match rating from Sofascore, the second-best on the pitch behind Raphinha.

The Northern Ireland international also ranks 6th in average match rating for the entire season at Elland Road, while Firpo is all the way down in 17th, so this feels like a pretty smart prediction from Cross.

This is likely to tell us a lot more about where Leeds are at currently, with Norwich the worst team in the division, with all due respect.

Victory over Leicester would suggest that the Whites truly have turned a corner but defeat would mean those same doubts start creeping in again.

In other news, a Leeds transfer target has turned down a new contract. Read more here.

Bangladesh Under-19 captain Mahmudul Hasan has set his sights on a last four finish at the World Cup, beginning in New Zealand from January 15

Cricinfo staff06-Jan-2010Bangladesh Under-19 captain Mahmudul Hasan has set his sights on a last four finish at the World Cup, beginning in New Zealand from January 15. “You can’t go into a mission without setting a target,” he said. “Our target is to make it to the last four in the World Cup, which we are capable of.”Mahmudul said the main difference between the previous U-19 squad and the present one was that there wasn’t a visible age gap between players, with the current team comprising players all around the same age. “We have been given the opportunity to grow as a team and therefore the team spirit is excellent,” he said. “We know each other really well and there is great camaraderie.”We have a strong fielding side. The batting has come together nicely. If I have to comment on the weaknesses, I guess we have a lot of room for improvement in the pace bowling area.”The Bangladesh U-19 managed impressive performances in 2009, winning home series against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and England and clinching the ODI series against England in July. Coach Minhajul Abedin believed even though they were unfamiliar with conditions in New Zealand, the trip to England should hold them in good stead.”For the last one month or so the conditions at home have been similar,” Abedin said. “It has been chilly and the teams have struggled with dew in the ongoing tri-nation tournament. In the last tournament we played in Sri Lanka, the wickets had grass although the weather was really humid and sultry.”Our goal is to reach the last four. We have not managed to do that in past events and therefore it is not a bad target to set and something we can achieve. I say this because from what I have seen so far we are probably at the standard of the top four teams in terms of strength. There is not a big difference.”He picked out Mahmudul, opener Anamul Haque and legspinner Shabbir Rahman as the key performers, who could help them book a semi-final berth. “The three will do well at any level. I am also excited with the fact that we are taking two specialist legspinners to New Zealand (Shabbir and Nur Hossain). As a part of the strategy, we may even open the bowling in New Zealand a la Dipak Patel in 1992. I have a lot of faith in this team.”The core group has remained together and we have had some very impressive performances along the way. If I have to be critical then I would say that we are 90% there.”Bangladesh will look to improve on their U-19 World Cup record, having finished Plate winners in 1997-98 and 2003-04. They have been paired alongside Papua New Guinea (PNG), Pakistan and West indies in Group D, and begin their campaign against PNG on January 16 in Palmerston North.

The Zimbabwe board has offered to arrange five matches during next month’s tour by the Kenyans

Cricinfo staff19-Sep-2009Cricket Kenya’s bid to play more ODI cricket against Full Members has been boosted with the news that the Zimbabwe board has offered to arrange five matches during next month’s tour by the Kenyans.The original itinerary had included the four-day Intercontinental Cup match and three ODIs but Ozias Bvute, Zimbabwe Cricket’s chief executive, told Cricinfo that his board had agreed to a request from CK to extend the series.Kenya last played a one-day series in Zimbabwe in February-March 2006 when they drew 2-2 with the deciding match washed out. However, Zimbabwe completed a 5-0 whitewash when the two sides most recently met in Kenya at the start of the year.

Andrew Flintoff’s decision to refuse an incremental one-day contract offered to him by the ECB and become a freelance cricketer has been supported by the Professional Cricketers’ Association chief

Cricinfo staff16-Sep-2009Andrew Flintoff’s decision to refuse an incremental one-day contract offered to him by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and become a freelance cricketer has been supported by the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) chief executive, Sean Morris, who said the allrounder had to “take advantage” of the “small window left in his career”.”In Andrew’s case, it’s a slightly unique example because over the last 10 years he’sgiven his all to English cricket,” Morris told . “Now he’s reached a point in his career where he needs to make personal decisions that are best for him and his family.”He is probably in a unique position because he’s built his international value through performing well for England. As a result he can gain rewards for playing in Sydney or Mumbai that most other players can’t.”Morris, however, believed Kevin Pietersen, England’s other star cricketer likely to have international demand, wasn’t likely to take a similar decision. “KP would be very much focusing on playing for England,” he said. “If you speak to the current crop of England players, they still believe representing their country is the number one priority.”However Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, said Flintoff’s picking and choosing his one-day assignments could have an adverse impact on England’s preparations for series and tournaments. “If Fred starts picking and choosing, that’s when it becomes a problem leading into a major event,” Vaughan told . “If Fred suddenly starts saying ‘I won’t go to Bangladesh and I won’t play in the Pakistan series but I will go to Australia and go to the World Cup’ – that’s when it becomes dicey.”From next summer, as a coach and a captain, you will want your best players available for the last 15 games leading into a World Cup to get your formation and your strategies all working towards winning it. If Andrew Flintoff is available for all of them, there is absolutely no problem with what he is doing.”Flintoff’s IPL team, Chennai Super Kings, are thrilled the allrounder is likely to be available for the entire season. “Having someone like Freddie gives us tremendous options,” VB Chandrasekhar, Chennai’s cricket manager, told the . “Twenty20 is an allrounder’s game, and when someone like that is fresh and can give you his full commitment, it’s obviously a huge boost.”Flintoff had announced his retirement from Test cricket on the eve of the Lord’s Test against Australia and had routine arthroscopy and micro-fracture to two small areas in his right knee a day after England reclaimed the Ashes at The Oval. He said he wanted to continue playing ODI and Twenty20 cricket for England and was targeting a comeback against Bangladesh in February 2010.

Uganda opener Roger Mukasa’s maiden century gave the visitors their second successive win over Bermuda in Hamilton

Cricinfo staff25-Aug-2009
Scorecard
Uganda opener Roger Mukasa’s maiden century gave the visitors their second successive win over Bermuda in Hamilton.A hurricane threat over the weekend forced the home board to cancel the two scheduled 50-over games and convert the Twenty20 to be played on Monday into a 50-over affair – the last national fixture for coach Gus Logie, whose contract with Bermuda will run out shortly.Mukasa lost his opening partner for a duck soon after the team won the toss and chose to bat. Left-arm fast bowler Jordan DeSilva bowled Lawrence Sematimba and Davis Arinaitwe in quick succession to reduce Bermuda to 13 for 2. However Mukasa took the charge of the innings thereafter, scoring 82 of the 99 runs he added with captain Akbar Baig for the third wicket. No other batsman scored more than 19; extras added 26 to the total.Mukasa took just 105 balls to score 117 at a strike-rate of 111.42. Uganda were in a dominant position of 166 for 5 in the 34th over but lost their last five wickets for 40 runs. DeSliva and offspinner Rodney Trott picked up four wickets each.However Uganda’s batting collapse did not affect the outcome of the match. Bermuda lost their top four to single figures and apart from a 47-run eighth-wicket stand between Chris Foggo (54) and Malachi Jones (38), were never in the chase. Uganda used eight bowlers to dismiss Bermuda in 48 overs. Offspinner Arinaitwe was the most successful with 2 for 22 in his ten overs.

Crystal Palace shared a picture of Will Hughes in action ahead of the trip to Manchester United this weekend.

And a number of Palace fans have been giving their thoughts to the official club post regarding the £60,000-a-week midfielder

Hughes was brought in over the summer from Watford in a deal worth £6m, however, he’s had to remain extremely patient for a chance under Patrick Vieira.

The 26-year-old has been on the bench for eight Premier League games but finally made his Eagles debut against Leeds United in the week.

The central midfielder replaced Jeffrey Schlupp for the final 10 minutes at Elland Road as Palace conceded in stoppage time to suffer back-to-back defeats under Vieira for the first time.

Palace fans react

Palace posted a picture of Hughes in action on Twitter on Thursday evening, with some fans wanting to see the midfielder feature at Old Trafford this weekend. Here are what some fans had to say in reply…

“Santa came just in time for Christmas”

Credit: @cpfctristan

“For £5mil hopefully bargain if the season”

Credit: @keithwhitfieldk

“Hughes was a big positive for us in that last match. Hopefully starts Sunday”

Credit: @R41n4llTh3T1m3

“Looked promising & a great option with Macca out. Ran hard, worked hard & made a difference. In short time on pitch put in best corner that have seen in ages.”

Credit: @HC15OnTour

“Needs more game time I think. Could be a key part of the team while McArthur’s out”

Credit: @kade_bladeSE25

“Beautiful man”

Credit: @CPFCMax9

In other news: Many Palace fans slammed this ‘droppable’ ace vs Leeds. 

A round-up from the latest matches in the Twenty20 Cup

Cricinfo staff23-Jun-2009Midlands, Wales, West DivisionDavid Warner’s 50 helped Durham to an easy win over Derbyshire•Getty ImagesJames Hildreth and Craig Kieswetter’s fourth-wicket stand of 62 led Somerset to a confident seven-wicket win over Worcestershire at Taunton, chasing down a testing 177 with apparent ease to level points with both Northamptonshire and Warwickshire in a congested table. Stephen Moore smacked 40 from 26 while Moen Ali offered 36, but it was Ben Smith’s brutal 44 from just 24 balls which propelled Worcestershire’s total. On a typically flat surface, however, Marcus Trescothick got the home side off to a rollicking start with 34 from 17 balls, crashing four fours and two sixes, sharing in an opening stand of 61 with Justin Langer (44), before Hildreth (48 from 37) and Kieswetter, who scorched 31 from 17, powered them home.Kadeer Ali and Ian Saxelby held their nerve, edging Gloucestershire over the line to beat Northamptonshire by two wickets with one ball to spare Northampton. Chasing 134 Gloucestershire lost William Porterfield for a golden duck, and soon slipped to 86 for 4. Grand Hodnet held firm with 60 from 46, but Nicky Boje rattled the middle-order with two quick wickets leaving Gloucestershire tottering on 122 for 7. Ali remained calm, however, cracking a six and a four in his unbeaten 21. Ian Harvey was the mainstay of Northamptonshire’s innings with 43 from 36 at the top of the order, but the table-leaders were rolled for a disappointing 133.Jonathan Trott continued his impressive form, while Rikki Clarke cracked 24 from 21, as Warwickshire eased past Glamorgan by four wickets at Edgbaston, to create a fascinating three-way tussle at the top of the table with Northamptonshire and Somerset. Jamie Dalrymple (63) and Mike Powell (39) provided the bulk of Glamorgan’s innings, and the visitors made an early breakthrough in Warwickshire’s reply when Neil Carter fell to David Harrison for 12. Trott, however, cracked 33 from just 17 while Jim Troughton lifted three sixes in his electrifying 29 from 13 balls, leaving Clarke to do the rest with seven balls to spare.

Teams Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Northamptonshire 7 5 2 00 10 +0.490 1096/139.0 1034/139.5 Somerset 7 5 2 00 10 +0.455 1073/133.2 1063/140.0 Warwickshire 8 5 3 00 10 +0.208 1191/151.3 1222/159.4 Worcestershire 7 4 3 00 8 +0.290 1126/140.0 1057/136.2 Gloucestershire 8 2 6 00 4 -0.667 1148/159.5 1218/155.1 Glamorgan 7 1 6 00 2 -0.686 973/140.0 1013/132.4 South DivisionMiddlesex reached their highest total of their dreadful defence of the Twenty20 Cup, but nevertheless fell to their seventh successive defeat, as Chris Tremlett picked up two vital wickets to hand Hampshire a 28-run win at the Rose Bowl. For once, Middlesex made a promising start. In pursuit of a sizeable 184, Billy Godleman, stroked and clipped his way to 57 – not only his highest of the season, but the first Middlesex fifty of their campaign. He reached the landmark with a thumping smash over deep midwicket for six as he and Owais Shah approached their 100-run partnership, but his wicket – trapped in front by Imran Tahir – spelled the end for Middlesex. Tremlett was brought back into the attack and removed Eoin Morgan, who briefly threatened with 18, and the big-hitting Tyron Henderson, who did not. Bowling fast and straight, Tremlett really tightened the noose, and with Morgan’s wicket Middlesex required 45 from 19, a task too great for a struggling side. Michael Lumb set up the hosts’ impressive total with 93 from 52 while Dimitri Mascarenhas made 23 from 16. Hampshire are hitting Twenty20 form at just the right moment, and have closed the gap on Sussex to two points with a game in hand.

Teams Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Sussex 9 6 3 0 0 12+0.293 1146/159.5 1129/164.1 Hampshire 85 3 0 0 10 +1.1101331/156.1 1165/157.1 Kent 7 42 0 1 9 +0.658 843/106.2807/111.0 Essex 7 4 20 1 9 -0.194 943/118.5 962/118.2 Surrey 6 2 4 00 4 -0.111 935/120.0 922/116.4 Middlesex 7 0 7 00 0 -1.890 906/140.0 1119/133.5 North DivisionFifties from David Warner, the young Australia left-hander, and Phil Mustard helped Durham to a facile six-wicket win over Derbyshire at Derby. Stuart Law made 53 in Derbyshire’s underwhelming 153, but Warner and Mustard made light of it, flaying 96 for the opening wicket. He, Kyle Coetzer and Mustard all fell in quick succession, but Ian Blackwell’s 13 saw them across the line with two overs to spare, to keep Durham’s hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals alive.

Teams Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Lancashire 7 6 1 0 0 12+0.852 948/130.2 899/140.0 Leicestershire 74 3 0 0 8 +0.3951065/140.0 976/135.2 Yorkshire 7 43 0 0 8 -0.025 926/134.0934/134.4 Durham 7 3 40 0 6 -0.313 997/138.0 1049/139.1 Nottinghamshire 7 2 5 00 4 -0.429 1086/135.1 1168/138.0 Derbyshire 7 2 5 00 4 -0.508 1003/139.0 999/129.2