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After seeing him go down with an injury against Leicester, Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa was understandably concerned about summer signing Rodrigo.

Speaking after the game, the Argentine said: “Rodrigo fell and his legs separated and caused an elongation more than usual and this caused the injury.

“I saw a picture of the position both of his feet ended up in and the difference between them was different to what we would expect.”

Now, The Athletic’s Phil Hay has delivered an update on Rodrigo’s injury status, saying that he is “out for longer yet” on his official Twitter account.

The news surely comes as a major blow to Bielsa, who has deployed the Spaniard in that attacking role of trying to support Patrick Bamford, with nobody else in this current Leeds squad able to offer what he does in terms of his pace and movement.

Pablo Hernandez may be seen as someone who could potentially come in and offer that extra bit of creativity, but Hay relayed some news from Bielsa’s press conference that Leeds’ little magician is out once again.

Whilst the £22.5m-rated Rodrigo hasn’t exactly set Elland Road alight with his performances – he’s scored just three goals all season – he has shown flashes of his ability, not least against Arsenal earlier in the campaign.

Speaking after his impressive performance against the Gunners, former Leeds man Noel Whelan said: “He’s always looking for it, he’s never ever standing still, he’s always on the move and that’s what I like about him. He can’t be marked, he’s always looking for a space – very much the next Pablo Hernandez.

“He’s always brave and wants the ball in tight situations. We saw how dangerous he was when he came on. He is a player that looks like he can make things happen. He’s very intelligent, he brings other people into play and makes space for them.”

Rodrigo’s absence over the past couple of games has seen Mateusz Klich’s return to the starting line-up, but it still doesn’t make up for the fact that Leeds will continue to miss a player who ranks third for shots per game, fifth for key passes and sixth for dribbles per match among the entire squad.

His influence is there for all to see even without him catching the eye with either goals or assists.

Bielsa will be concerned that Rodrigo doesn’t look like he’ll be returning anytime soon.

Meanwhile, Leeds could sign Kalvin Phillips’ perfect midfield partner in this starlet…

West Brom face an almighty task as they welcome Manchester City to the Hawthorns this evening.

Sam Allardyce’s men are in desperate need of results as they sit six points adrift of safety at the half-way stage of the season, though there are no easy games in the Premier League these days.

Usually, this sort of fixture would be a bit of a free hit but the Baggies really do need to start picking up points before it’s too late.

And the 66-year-old’s chances of pulling off a shock in the Midlands tonight have been boosted by the return of their only senior striker, Karlan Grant.

On the Chalkboard

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Big Sam revealed that the 23-year-old forward is available for selection, he told reporters, via wba.co.uk:

“I’m glad to say we have Matt Phillips and Karlan Grant back. That boosts our squad,” said Allardyce. “Granty, before he got here, scored plenty of goals at Huddersfield so we would like him to be back in the team and finding positions to score goals.”

The £9m-rated marksman may have only scored one top-flight goal in 867 minutes of action, but evidently, his manager is a fan and has hinted towards his involvement this evening.

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Grant has missed their last three Premier League outings as well as their FA Cup exit and in his absence, winger-by-trade Callum Robinson has been deployed upfront – a desperate experiment that has failed to work out.

Indeed, the Irishman has failed to score in that run of matches, even during their 3-2 win over arch-rivals Wolves. That day, two spot-kicks from Matheus Pereira and centre-back Semi Ajayi’s header from a set-piece sealed a rare victory.

Only two other players (Pereira and Conor Gallager) in this Albion squad are averaging more shots per game than Grant (1.3), while Robinson is further behind, averaging 0.8 attempts per match, via WhoScored, which shows he’s not really threatening enough to have the chance to score.

Grant’s expected goals per 90 minutes (0.17) is also above Robinson (0.10), so the summer arrival is certainly a better option in attack.

The Baggies are also among the lowest scorers in the division having bagged 15 goals in 19 outings – only Burnley and Sheffield United have scored fewer (ten).

Former Terriers boss Danny Cowley once dubbed the 6-foot striker “ruthless in front of goal” to The Athletic while another one of his ex-managers, Lee Bowyer, believes Grant is a player who “causes problems” for the opposition.

It’s on Big Sam to get those type of performances back out of him and his presence leading the line tonight could come as a major boost towards West Brom’s chances.

After all, he’s their only real striker and as such, he ought to be in the starting XI right now. They need goals if they’re to defeat – or even draw with – Pep Guardiola’s side so Grant must be selected from the start.

It’s time to unleash the 23-year-old dynamo.

AND in other news, 3 new signings, no Sawyers: How West Brom’s XI may look after deadline day…

Aston Villa remain interested in signing Galatasaray defender Christian Luyindama.

What’s the story?

Reports over the summer transfer window suggested that the DR Congo international was a player Dean Smith’s side were looking at, but a deal failed to materialise before the end of the deadline.

Now, Turkish publication Sampiy (via Sport Witness) claim that both Villa and fellow Premier League side Everton are closely interested in signing him, with the centre-back having just been put up for transfer for a fee of around €10m (£9m).

The report adds that Galatasaray are just waiting for an official offer to come in so that they can let him go and reinvest the money in their own side.

Lange’s second chance

Having missed out on his signing in the summer, Johan Lange has got the perfect chance to ensure Villa don’t miss out again by landing Luyindama this time around.

The 6 foot 3 titan has got plenty of experience of playing real top-level football over the years with Galatasaray, competing in both the Champions League and Europa League with the Turkish giants.

No categories

And with reports in recent weeks claiming that Bjorn Engels could be set for a return back to his native Belgium after really falling out of favour under Smith this season – he’s made no appearances for Villa whatsoever – a move for Luyindama would offset the loss of the 26-year-old.

If Lange is intent on strengthening Villa’s defence and ensuring Smith has got enough options at centre-back particularly after Engels’ potential departure, then Luyindama’s affordable price and experience makes him a shrewd signing.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa played an absolute blinder by selling this flop…

For Wolves, it hasn’t been an overly happy Christmas.

They were forced to head towards the festive period in a rather bizarre run of form, something that culminated with a defeat to Burnley.

Nuno Santo’s men were bullied against the Clarets and came out second best courtesy of goals from Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes.

To sum up how bad the Old Gold were, it was Barnes’ first goal for over a year. Thus, they will need to improve desperately against Spurs.

Fortunately, their record against the better sides in the division is pretty impressive. They have beaten both Arsenal and Chelsea in the last month for example.

Though, how will Wolves line-up when they welcome Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham to Molineux on Sunday evening?

Well, for starters, we’re tipping Nuno to make as many as four changes to the XI that started against Burnley.

We’re keeping the formation the same but there are a number of players we’ve removed from the XI. That begins with youngster Owen Otasowie.

The American did little wrong on his first Premier League start last Monday but with Fabio Silva finally breaking his goal drought, he starts in attack next to Pedro Neto. Raul Jimenez is still recovering from a fractured skull so misses out again.

Daniel Podence drops into a number 10 position and behind him, Ruben Neves sits out. The Portuguese was reduced to a number of shots from long range against Burnley that didn’t really trouble Nick Pope and he has been in and out of the squad anyway.

Starting ahead of him is Belgian midfielder Leander Dendoncker. The remaining two changes come at the back.

Rayan Ait-Nouri is replaced by the more experienced head in Marcal while Willy Boly comes back into the starting line-up ahead of Max Kilman.

The 23-year-old was demolished when Wolves played Burnley, losing a mammoth 83.4% of his duels. As a result, Nuno should have no other option but to remove him from the XI, especially against a rampant Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.

AND in other news, Forget Adama: Wolves must UNLEASH “outstanding” teen who has “a bit of everything”…

It’s almost time for a new era at Sunderland. They have a new manager in Lee Johnson and could soon have new ownership too…

Takeover latest

Last month, the Guardian reported that Stuart Donald had agreed to sell the north-east giants to a consortium involving the 22-year-old son of former Marseille owner Robert Dreyfus, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, and current minority shareholder Juan Sartori.

Whilst according to the Sunderland Echo, the prospective Black Cats owner had a major part to play in appointing Johnson as their new manager last weekend.

The deal still remains with the EFL as many at the Stadium of Light await a positive outcome.

And in with a fresh look soon to emerge at the League One outfit, it may be time to move on from certain ghosts from years gone by – namely Danny Graham.

Graham future

Ex-Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson brought the 35-year-old back to the club for a second time back in September and as of right now, he’s yet to pay dividends having failed to score in 11 league outings.

In fact, he was snubbed entirely by Johnson in both of his first two games in charge, which is a damning sign over his future. Indeed, he may no longer be needed.

Will Grigg and Charlie Wyke appear to be the first-choice options at the disposal of the 39-year-old whilst Aiden O’Brien is also able to feature in the role.

Even in his first spell at the Stadium of Light, Graham was nothing special and then he cost £5m in fees and £30k-per-week in wages – in three years at the club he went out on loan four times and scored the one goal in 42 appearances, per Transfermarkt.

It is now twice that the veteran has proven he hasn’t got the ability to play for Sunderland in League One, let alone in the Premier League during that first stint.

New technical director Kristjaan Speakman must do all in his power to get rid of the £428k-rated Graham as and when the takeover goes through, there is a perfect opportunity to do so in less than three weeks time.

As Kevin Phillips put perfectly to Football Insider, the ex-Blackburn man is a “hustler” and a “bustler” but we’re thinking that should’ve been directed towards his ability to still con a wage right now.

The two-time Black Cats flop does not belong at the club anymore and must be offloaded before he robs Dreyfus blind.

AND in other news, Speakman can deliver another Sunderland masterstroke with “exceptional” appointment

Marseille winger Florian Thauvin is being tipped to leave by one of the club’s former managers, and Aston Villa should be all over it.

What’s the story?

Reports earlier in the summer suggested that Villa had entered the race to sign him along with fellow Premier League side Leicester, but a deal failed to materialise before the end of the deadline.

Now, former Marseille boss, Franck Passi, has added further fuel to the fire, suggesting that the world’s current climate could force the Ligue 1 side’s hand. He said: “To recover five or six million euros at Christmas and lose a player who can bring (the club) to the Champions League, this is not understandable.

“So OM cannot recover €40m or €30m which would solve their financial problems. And I do not even know if they will be able to reinvest this sum in another player of the quality of Thauvin.”

Better than Bertrand Traore

Having signed Bertrand Traore from Lyon in the summer transfer window, there may be some raised eyebrows as to why Villa would want to go after another right-sided winger from the French league.

After all, the Burkina Faso international has hardly lit up Villa Park since his arrival, scoring just once in seven games, and not even starting a single Premier League game all season – in fact, the most he has played in the top-flight, was 29 minutes against Southampton.

Thauvin on the other hand, continues to be one of Marseille’s most dangerous players. Described by European football expert, Andy Brassell, as being a “left-footer with fine acceleration and jaw-dropping close control”, the Frenchman has smashed in 81 goals and provided 56 assists in 249 total games for the club.

This season has seen him score three times and set up five others in just 12 games, including netting the match-winner away at Paris Saint-Germain. Thauvin is a consistent performer who does it in the big games, and he quite frankly puts Bertrand to shame. Villa could get themselves an absolute bargain by going back in for Thauvin.

Southampton face Manchester United at St Mary’s on Sunday afternoon hoping to continue their impressive start to the 2020/21 Premier League season.

Ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, the Saints currently sit fifth in the top-flight, whilst Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are 11th.

If Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are to pick up all three points against the Red Devils, they may have to keep Bruno Fernandes quiet, with the Portuguese midfielder having enjoyed a superb start to the season.

The former Sporting Lisbon man has contributed six goals and three assists in eight top-flight appearances so far this season, resulting in a superb average rating of 7.75 (per WhoScored).

This comfortably ranks him as United’s best performer in the top-flight, so Southampton will surely consider him the danger man for the away side and will give themselves a good chance of winning if they can keep the attacking-midfielder quiet.

Fortunately for the South Coast club, they have, on current form, one of the best defensive-minded midfielders in the Premier League in Oriol Romeu.

The Spaniard, who committed to a new contract with the Saints earlier this month, has enjoyed an excellent start to the season under Hasenhuttl and has been a big reason why Southampton currently sit just outside the top four spots.

In nine Premier League appearances, the 29-year-old has averaged a very sold 7.09 rating, which ranks him as Southampton’s fifth-best performer so far this season (per WhoScored).

During the game against United, Romeu may be tasked with man-marking Fernandes, in an attempt to limit his influence on the game, and if he can get the better of Solskjaer’s star man, there seems no reason why the Saints can’t pick up all three points.

WhoScored suggests that the former Chelsea man likes to tackle and block the ball, whilst he also commits fouls often, so he seems the ideal man to frustrate Fernandes and potentially mark him out of the game.

Earlier this year, Hasenhuttl was full of praise for the way Romeu had responded when he was kept out of the team by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, saying:

“It is fantastic from my side that Ori comes to me and says, ‘Coach I didn’t play so much in the last time I need a game’ – it’s fantastic.

“It shows what an unbelievable professional he is. To be honest I’ve never seen anyone like him – professional wise. It’s fantastic.” (per Daily Echo)

Romeu has certainly done an astute job replacing Hojbjerg after he joined Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, and Hasenhuttl will need him to be at his very best once again on Sunday if the Saints are to pick up three points against Manchester United.

And, in other news… Southampton should consider loaning out 21 y/o who is “the perfect example of the Southampton way”

Glasgow Rangers will be well aware they can’t afford to repeat the mistake they made with Billy Gilmour by letting Kai Kennedy leave his boyhood club.

Kennedy’s current contract will run out in 2021 and it’s been suggested that his time at the club could be coming to an end in the not too distant future.

However, reports in recent times have revealed that Rangers seem to have reneged on their stance as they have reopened discussions with the player’s representatives, with further talks to be held in the coming weeks and months.

What’s the story?

According to Glasgow Live, the Rangers academy product could commit his future to the club after his agent held talks with the Gers.

It’s claimed that negotiations are still ongoing after initial talks stalled earlier this year following a public spat with Steven Gerrard over his playing time. However, it remains to be seen if the two sides will be able to reach an agreement.

The 18-year-old has attracted attention from European giants AS Roma, Bayern Munich and Manchester City in recent months after breaking through into the first team as a second half substitute in the 2-0 win over Stranraer in the Scottish Cup last season. So, Gers chief Ross Wilson must act now before it’s too late, as it’s unlikely he will be short of suitors in the months ahead.

Wake up Wilson!

Without trying to rub salt in the wound, it’s safe to say that the Light Blues have been in this position before, as Pedro Caixinha tried in vain to convince Gilmour to stay at the club back in 2017. They aren’t the first club and they certainly won’t be the last to lose one of their top prospects, but losing another would paint an all-too familiar pattern.

Once hailed as a “fabulous little player” by Gerrard after some “outstanding” performances, Kennedy has made five appearances for John Robertson’s side so far this season, registering his first assist against Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup, which is surely a sign of things to come. At one stage it looked like the left winger was destined for the exit after an apparent disagreement with the Ibrox boss over his lack of game time.

Contrary to some reports, it seems that their relationship isn’t beyond repair, although the talented teenager is currently plying his trade on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle after being told he could find a new club in the summer. But Gerrard may have to swallow his pride as the club cannot afford to let another talented youngster slip through their grasp.

Now it’s up to Wilson to try and convince Kennedy to sign a new and improved contract, having so far failed to agree a new deal with the winger. Admittedly, Gerrard has a number of wide options to choose from, as Ryan Kent, Ianis Hagi, Brandon Barker, Jordan Jones and even Joe Aribo have all started in recent weeks before the international break.

However, Jones has hardly done himself any favours whatsoever after falling afoul of the coronavirus protocols. Indeed, the Northern Ireland international has been heavily linked with an exit in the winter transfer window. If he is sold as is expected, this would create space in the squad for another winger, which may allow Kennedy to stake his claim for a place in the starting line-up instead.

He just needs to be given the time to shine at a senior level, as he has already show flashes of his overall brilliance with two assists in seven games for the Gers’ reserves. Now Wilson must reward him with a new deal, or the club could live to regret their decision to let him go for little more than a development fee next summer in the years to come.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers could’ve signed Ryan Kent’s perfect replacement in Daniel Johnson…

Loads of Everton fans have praised Gylfi Sigurdsson as he scored two goals for Iceland versus Romania in their Euro 2020 play-off semi-final.

As shared in a video clip by Giorgi Javioni on Twitter, his first goal was a well-taken strike with his left foot from outside of the box into the bottom corner.

His second goal, as shared by F-2-4, was another fine left-footed finish, this time finessing the ball into the opposite corner of the net.

It is perhaps refreshing for some members of the Goodison Park faithful to see Sigurdsson playing so well for his country, given that the 31-year old only managed to score a mere three times and make just three assists in 38 games over all competitions last season, according to Transfermarkt.

With the new arrivals of James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, Sigurdsson has been limited to reportedly available for transfer in the summer transfer window.

Everton fan reaction to Sigurdsson goals

These Everton supporters hailed Sigurdsson’s goals, with one fan labelling one of them as ‘classy’:

Evertonians, can Sigurdsson turn it around at Everton? Comment below with your views!

Tottenham Hotspur are back in action once again as their quest to qualify for the Europa League ends this evening.

Jose Mourinho’s side welcome Israeli outfit Maccabi Haifa to north London knowing that a victory would see them into the group stage at long last.

Spurs have already played two matches this week, drawing to Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday before they defeated arch-rivals Chelsea in the Carabao Cup just two days ago.

With fixtures coming thick and fast, Mourinho has had to rotate his side frequently, so how will the XI look tonight? Here’s what we are predicting…

The Special One could make as many as eight changes from the side that beat the Blues on penalties just 48 hours ago.

Spurs skipper Hugo Lloris remains between the sticks as the issue of physical fitness shouldn’t be a problem for the Frenchman, although there’s a viable alternative in Joe Hart if needed.

Mourinho could revert to a four-at-the-back formation with only Eric Dier keeping his place having picked up the Man of the Match award in midweek. He’s joined by Davinson Sanchez, who replaces Toby Alderweireld.

Whilst both wing-backs are replaced by Ben Davies and Matt Doherty.

In midfield, summer arrival Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is welcomed back to partner Harry Winks whilst there’s also a place for Giovani Lo Celso in the advanced position.

It means both £40.5m-rated Tanguy Ndombele and fellow Frenchman Moussa Sissoko are dropped, and there’s still no spot for Dele Alli either, though he could feature from the bench.

The only other player to keep his place from midweek is Steven Bergwijn as he pairs with Lucas Moura on the wings whilst through the middle, Harry Kane starts after a rest against Chelsea.

Sergio Reguilon, Serge Aurier, Gedson Fernandes and Japhet Tanganga are likely to be on the bench.

AND in other news, Spurs’ £18m transfer target is shades of Kyle Walker…