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Crystal Palace posted footage of Eberechi Eze joining in with first team training on Saturday.

As to be expected, it didn’t take long until a number of Eagles fans went wild at the official club update on social media.

The attacking midfielder has been sidelined since May following a freak Achilles injury in training but he appears to be edging closer to a Palace return.

Reports back in August suggested that Eze was well ahead of schedule with his recovery, and it appears as if he could return before the year is out.

He is yet to feature under Patrick Vieira, but after posting an individual drill on his personal Twitter profile last week, he has now joined in with group training.

The 23-year-old was all smiles and participated in a passing drill, which was shared on Palace’s official Twitter channel.

Palace fans react

Here is what these Eagles supporters had to say in reply, with many sharing their excitement over the footage.

“Best day of my life icl”

Credit: @CPFCMax9

“Tears in my eyes”

Credit: @BludOnTheLeaves

“oh my days”

Credit: @MATTT046

“Oh myyyyy”

Credit: @Phillyconcarne

“Can’t even begin to describe how happy this makes me.”

Credit: @pnm1979

“Oh man I can’t wait for this young man to be back balling.”

Credit: @Scrivum

In other news: Palace keen on midfield prodigy with 35 goals and 24 assists at youth level. 

كشف حسام حسن المدير الفني لنادي المصري أنه سيتواصل مع رئيس الوزراء بعد مباراة فريقه أمام الأهلي التي أقيمت أمس الأربعاء بالدوري الممتاز.

الأهلي انتصر على المصري بهدفين دون رد، في إطار منافسات الجولة 30 من عمر الدوري المصري الممتاز، على ملعب برج العرب بالإسكندرية.

وقال حسن خلال تصريحات في المؤتمر الصحفي عقب المباراة: “أريد حقي، هناك شخص (غلط فيا) خلال المباراة، أنا خدمت هذا البلد وأريد حقي”.

وأضاف: “الحكم المساعد، قالي لي لن أتركك وسأقوم بنهايتك في الكرة، فهل يستطيع الحكم أن يهدد أي شخص آخر؟! ولكن يهدد حسام حسن فقط”.

وتابع: “الخسارة من الأهلي هي مباراة ولا تفرق معي، مبروك للأهلي، وهو ليس طرفًا”.

وواصل: “يوجد أشخاص تريد أن تعكر شغلي، أنا لا أرى منتخب مصر ولا أي شئ، ولكن أنا (اتهددت على الخط)، وهذا يستدعي محضرًا، لكن في الملعب من يرد لي حقي؟”.

طالع | رضا البلتاجي يوضح مدى صحة ركلة جزاء الأهلي وهدف المصري الملغي

وأكمل: “خدمت الكرة المصرية ولم أخذ حقي في أي شيء، وسأتحدث مع رئيس الوزراء لأن اتحاد الكرة أو الوزير الرياضة لم يجلبا لي حقي، الحكم فعل كل الذي يريده في المباراة، واحتسب ضربة جزاء وألغى هدفنا”.

وأستطرد: “قدمنا مباراة تكتيكية كبيرة ومجهود كبير، زكجهاز هدفنا هو البقاء في الدوري وسنحاول ونجتهد، وفي النهاية، (ابقوا قابلوني لو اخدت حقي من الحكم المساعد)”.

وتابع: “جهزنا أنفسنا تكتيكيًا لمواجهة الأهلي واخترنا اللاعبين المناسبين، ولكن هناك مباريات معينة قبل أن نخوضها – مثلما حدث اليوم – بنسبة 99% سنخسر، ولكن كنت أجهز اللاعبين أننا سنحقق نتيجة إيجابية، لكن بسبب ما أمتلكه من خبرات كنت أعلم ما سيحدث، والمباراة المقبلة سيتكرر نفس الأمر لأن هناك أندية (مالهاش دية)”.

وأتم: “هناك ضربة جزاء لصالح أموتو في الشوط الأول (لو الناحية التانية هتتحسب)، و(كنت عامل حسابي بنسبة كبيرة أننا هنخسر)، لا يوجد لدي مشكلة وصلنا لمرحلة جيدة والفريق مستمر في الدوري، نحتاج إلى أمور بسيطة في المباريات المتبقية”.

Fabio Paratici has seemingly been given a green light to secure one of Tottenham Hotspur’s mooted transfer targets.

Earlier in the summer transfer window, the north London outfit were linked with a move for Lille midfielder Renato Sanches, with French publication le10sport reporting their ‘strong interest’ in his signature.

At the time, he was thought to be available for around €30m (£26m) due to the Ligue 1 club’s financial problems.

His form at Lille last season carried into Euro 2020, where he delivered a number of eye-catching performances, so it’s no wonder Spurs were one of several clubs who were keen on him.

And now, comments from Les Dogues president Olivier Letang have opened up the door for a team like Tottenham to strike.

“I have already discussed this with him. If an offer from a big club arrives, Renato will be able to leave. We will see what will happen,” he told BFM Lille ahead of the January transfer window (via FourFourTwo).

One of Nuno’s bigger problems since arriving in N17 has been finding the right balance in midfield. They are amongst the Premier League’s least creative teams, having averaged the fourth-lowest number of shots per game (10.9) and fifth-lowest expected goals (8.80 xG).

Furthermore, who knows if Tanguy Ndombele will kick up a fuss again, whilst the form of Dele Alli has been concerning and it’s widely believed that Harry Winks will seek a temporary exit in January, so there could certainly be a place up for grabs.

In fact, a swoop for Sanches could be one of the club’s very best moves in recent times, perhaps since the arrival of Heung-min Son.

The 24-year-old, valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, has been likened to Clarence Seedorf due to his box-to-box qualities, whilst he is said to have the ‘strength of a WWE heavyweight and the nimble feet of a ballet dancer,’ as per Bundesliga.com.

Sanches won the Golden Boy award in 2016 and has also been lauded as a “machine” by the press and as a “complete athlete” by the aforementioned Lille chief.

A two-time winner of the Bundesliga and last season’s Ligue 1 champion, the young Portugal international would have to be considered quite the coup given his trophy-laden record, praise and touted potential alone.

AND in other news, Forget Son: “Phenomenal” £36m-rated Spurs dynamo has been Nuno’s big saving grace…

Derby County have reached an agreement with the EFL regarding their punishment for breaching financial regulations.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a claim made by Mike Keegan, with the Daily Mail journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that Derby have agreed to a 12 point penalty, nine of which will be deducted from their current points tally this season, with the other three suspended until next term.

However, a further report by the Daily Mail revealed that, as yet, there has been no agreement reached regarding an EFL imposed business plan, while a resolution regarding the club’s accounting is also required before the Rams’ can conclude their 18-month battle with the league’s governing body.

In his tweet, Keegan said: “I’m told agreement in principle has been reached between Derby County and the EFL. Would see club docked nine points now, with three (12 in total) suspended. No deal yet over business plan. Talks ongoing but this is being viewed as key breakthrough.”

Fans will be livid

While it is undoubtedly good news that Derby have finally made progress towards settling their ongoing argument with the EFL, something that has now been hanging over the club for a year and a half, the fact that Wayne Rooney’s side look to have agreed a nine-point deduction to their current total is sure to have left fans livid.

Indeed, with the club having maintained their innocence throughout their fight with the EFL, agreeing to a penalty which will see the club sent to the bottom of the Championship table – if applied before their fixture against Stoke City on Saturday – certainly seems to be something of an admission of guilt.

Furthermore, while Rooney’s side surprised many with their decent level of performances so far this season, picking up seven points over their opening seven fixtures of the 2021/22 Championship campaign, the impact of suddenly finding themselves seven points away from safety is sure to be negative on the 35-year-old manager, his players and fans of the club.

In other news: Derby County confirm exciting transfer news which is sure to have Rams fans buzzing

Bruno Lage has had an incredibly difficult start to life as manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He had to turn away bids and interest for his star players and after three matches in the Premier League, Wolves have failed to score or register a point.

That being said, the Old Gold have looked pleasing on the eye and there are certainly plenty of positives from his tenure so far.

In offensive areas, Wolves have a swagger to their play, something backed up by their 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup.

That proves that once one goes in, the goals will start flowing for Lage’s team.

He will, however, need Adama Traore to step up. In possession of the ball, the human roadrunner has been nothing short of exceptional this season. The winger has amassed ten dribbles per match according to WhoScored, a tally that no one in Europe’s top five leagues can eclipse.

Yet, after the Wolves boss challenged him to improve his finishing, a new forward has arrived.

Hwang Hee-chan was introduced as a Wolves player during their defeat to Manchester United and following the international break, he will earn his first taste of English football.

The Molineux outfit have been hot on the collar of Hwang for a number of years now but they finally have their man, albeit on a temporary basis at first.

Fortunately, he looks like a man in form. The £53k-per-week earner was in vibrant touch as his South Korean side defeated Lebanon 1-0 on Tuesday.

Hwang was at the heart of everything good his country did with the attacking dynamo proving to be the supply line for the only goal of the game.

His creativity was first class as he provided three key passes during the course of the match.

Playing on the left-hand side, it gave the South Korean winger freedom to get at the defender and he duly undertook that task in excellent fashion.

Hwang attempted a colossal 11 dribbles of which he succeeded in five. That might not be the extraordinary levels we see from Traore but it proves that their talents can align in certain areas.

Furthermore, the new Wolves signing won ten of his defensive duels, suggesting he doesn’t shy away from a physical battle.

When it comes to facing mean-mannered Premier League defenders, that attribute will be vital if Wolves are to start scoring again.

If Hwang starts scoring on a regular basis for his new club, Traore better watch out.

AND in other news, Wolves must revisit swoop for “remarkable” £104k-p/w beast, he’s a big upgrade…

A senior Pakistan board official has said Sri Lanka have confirmed they will tour Pakistan next month in place of India, who called off their scheduled tour to the country on Thursday.Saleem Altaf, the PCB’s chief operating officer, said Sri Lanka are expected to play three Tests, three ODIs and a Twenty20 game against Pakistan following their tour of Bangladesh, which ends on January 14.”We thank Sri Lankan Cricket for confirming a tour in place of India,” Altaf told . “We have sent a full itinerary to Sri Lanka and as soon as it is finalised we will announce it.”Earlier this week, Arjuna Ranatunga, the SLC chairman, said the board was confident of the security measures in place in Pakistan and would not hesitate to send a team there.The BCCI’s decision, which was prompted following advice from the Indian government, has led to huge disappointment in Pakistan and some concern over the future of the game there. “Pakistan will suffer both financially and cricket-wise,” Ramiz Raja, a former captain and administrator, said. “But India in a way is also dependent on Pakistan, and when the two countries play each other, they improve and the following of the game increases.”The Indian government’s directive said it was not feasible “in the prevailing circumstances”, a reference to the fallout of the Mumbai attacks which India alleges had links to elements in Pakistan. Ramiz, though, felt cricket would have helped improve the current volatile situation between the two countries.Wasim Akram, another former captain, said the cancellation would lessen the charm of Test cricket which was already under pressure from the Twenty20 format. “Deep inside we feel for the victims of Mumbai and hope such incidents do not take place again,” Wasim said. “We toured India in 1999 despite tensions and death threats. Now I hope the temperature will go down and cricket will resume because it is very important that India and Pakistan play each other.”

Sourav Ganguly has said his most significant contribution was to raise the image of Indian cricket by building a team that was competitive overseas.

Cricinfo staff10-Nov-2008
Sourav Ganguly: “I was disappointed with the 85 I got. I was so close to getting a hundred. That was more disappointing than the first-ball duck” © AFP
Speaking after his final day of international cricket, Sourav Ganguly has said his most significant contribution was to raise the image of Indian cricket by building a team that was competitive overseas.”During the phase from 2000 to 2005 [when he was captain], and it’s still going on now, Indian cricket’s image has gone up immensely, especially while touring,” Ganguly said. “We were always termed as soft when we travelled. I think that has changed considerably. At the present moment India are a formidable side home and away.”I was lucky to have Sachin [Tendulkar], Rahul [Dravid], VVS Laxman, Anil[Kumble], [Virender] Sehwag and Harbhajan [Singh] probably playing theirbest cricket at that stage. We’ve always been a strong team at home. Theoverseas results I’ll always cherish.”Under Ganguly’s captaincy, which began in November 2000, India won 11 Tests overseas including matches in Sri Lanka, West Indies, England, Australia and Pakistan. India’s success abroad has continued even after Ganguly’s tenure ended but he felt that the challenge for Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team now would be to continue winning after the retirements of keyplayers. However, he felt Dhoni would be up to the task.”Captaincy is a spark, it’s not just preparation or the homework, it’s about the spark on the field, which MS [Dhoni] has,” Ganguly said. “He’s got that extra bit of luck which you require in captaincy. I have never believed too much in the drawing board. I see a lot of that in MS Dhoni. He doesn’t believe much in team meetings and all. He just does what he sees on the field. He will be tested when India goes overseas and I’m sure he will live up to it.”There was a lovely moment during the final passage of the Nagpur Test whenDhoni handed over the captaincy to Ganguly for some time. It was a magnificent gesture and fittingly, it was exactly eight years to the day since Ganguly had begun his tenure as captain in 2000.”I didn’t expect MS to ask me to captain the side for five overs,” Ganguly said. “I was already switched off, so he woke me up. I didn’t know what was happening the first six-seven balls. Luckily they were nine down so I managed to do it for three and then said it’s his job, not mine any more.”What next?Sourav Ganguly had left international cricket and several people wanted to know what he was going to do in the future. Will youbecome a commentator? Will you write an autobiography? Ganguly answeredeach of those questions by saying he wanted some time off.”Commentary means travelling all the time,” he said. “I don’t think I’mready yet. I’ve got other things to do at home. I’ve been on the road for13 years.”It [an autobiography] takes a lot of time and patience. I don’t knowwhether I have the patience. I’ll take some time off and then take it fromthere.”Ganguly had been under tremendous scrutiny before the start of this seriesand his place in the squad was uncertain after he was left out of the Restof India squad for the Irani Trophy. However, he was named in the 15-man squad and he announced his retirement before the series began. Ganguly made valuable contributions during his final series, steering India to safety in Bangalore, scoring a century in Mohali, and 85 in the first innings of the Nagpur Test. He finished the series with 324 runs at an average of 54 and India regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.”We’ve beaten the best team in the world 2-0,” he said. “I’ve played well,the team’s played well. There were lot of doubts after we came back from Sri Lanka. The way this Test match finished … it’s probably one of the best finishes I’ve seen in terms of a team performance. I want to cherish this for a long period. I could easily sacrifice ten to 12 Tests forthis.”When asked which of the numerous series that he’s been involved in was the most memorable, Ganguly thought for a moment before picking out two of India’s best moments in this century: the 2000-01 home victory against Australia and the drawn series in Australia in 2003-04.Was he disappointed with his first-ball duck his final innings? “I was disappointed with the 85 I got,” Ganguly said. “I was so close to getting a hundred. That was more disappointing than the first-ball duck.”Ganguly left a Test venue as an Indian cricketer for the final time on the shoulders of Harbhajan Singh and VVS Laxman but the dramatic scenes that played out after Kumble’s announcement in Delhi were absent. “This is my time to leave,” he said, and he went quietly.

Crystal Palace are weighing up a move for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard, according to The Telegraph.

However, Ed Aarons of The Guardian claimed on Tuesday evening that the Hoops are yet to receive a “serious offer” for the forward, which has led to a number of Palace fans reacting to the update on social media.

Edouard, who was described as ‘magnificent’ by Neil Lennon last season, is still working on a Celtic Park exit this summer.

He is into the final 12 months of his Hoops contract and Palace are thought to be interested in the 23-year-old’s services.

They, or any other club, are yet to make a bid that has tested Celtic’s resolve, though, according to Aarons.

Palace want to sign a midfielder and two forwards for Patrick Vieira before the window slams shut at the end of the month.

Palace fans react

Aarons’ Twitter post regarding Edouard had these Eagles supporters talking, with a few now urging Palace to make their move.

“Make it happen. Only needed a new striker for 3 years”Credit: @GuehiSzn”GET ON IT!”Credit: @Andy_F2020_”Should be all over this”Credit: @MDJones82″Throw in Jach for free and call it a day.”Credit: @RomfordRoger”Dougie Lowball to see if it can be dropped any lower. Don’t think we need to worry.”Credit: @DrizzyCPFC”I doubt Palace will.”Credit: @cpfcjude

In other news: ‘Get him on deadline day’, ‘Will be fuming’ – Lots of CPFC fans react as transfer news emerges. 

Ricky Ponting will consider making changes to his bowling attack for Thursday’s must-win final Test in Nagpur after the visitors failed again to dismiss the hosts on the last day

Cricinfo staff02-Nov-2008
Australia could pick offspinner Jason Krejza ahead of Cameron White for the final Test in Nagpur © Getty Images
Ricky Ponting will consider making changes to his bowling attack for Thursday’s must-win final Test in Nagpur after the visitors failed again to dismiss the hosts on the last day. India declared twice in the drawn third match in Delhi, posting 208 for 5 to follow their 613-7 in the first innings, and left Australia desperate to find ways to come back from a 0-1 deficit to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.”We’ve proven in this game that our batting’s certainly up to scratch in these conditions,” Ponting said. “The challenge ahead is to take 20 wickets in Nagpur. We’ve got to look long and hard at the guys on the sidelines – Doug Bollinger, Peter Siddle, and Jason Krejza – and see if we think they can add anything to our bowling group.”Siddle took four wickets in the second Test in Mohali, which Australia lost by 320 runs, while Bollinger is an uncapped left-arm fast bowler. Ponting said the offspinner Krejza would be looked at closely after missing out to legspinner Cameron White in Delhi. White, who has played three Tests, suffered some severe treatment from the Indian batsmen in the first innings, but captured the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar on the final day to return match figures of 1-96 off 23 overs.”Jason was named in the 12 and, believe me, he came very close to playing in this Test,” Ponting said. “So with a bit more work this week he’d certainly come into consideration.”Australia started well in the first session on Sunday by removing Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid, but it was a familiar story after lunch when the Indian batsmen controlled proceedings. In the first Test in Bangalore Australia failed to dismiss India on the final day and the lack of penetration has been a regular headache.Ponting said his fast bowlers had improved since their displays in the first two games. “Our whole approach in the second innings was a whole lot better with our fast bowlers and that certainly paid dividends for us early on,” he said. “But it’s probably a little bit late to be doing it in the second innings when there’s 600 on the board. We need to be utilising what we did in the second innings early on in the first innings and unsettling their batsmen as much as we can.”Ponting was pleased with Brett Lee’s performance, despite him picking up overall figures of 3-167 from 47 overs. “Brett Lee’s intensity through this game, and his pace, was a lot better,” he said. “He hit the crease a lot harder so there are a lot of good signs for him.” Lee managed just four wickets in the opening two matches in his first Test tour of India.The fourth Test will be played at a new ground in Nagpur and Ponting expected the conditions to suit the home team. “I think they’ve probably got a curator on their side,” he said, “who’ll be probably helping them a bit more than he’ll be helping us out.”

Andrew Symonds has joined his good friend Matthew Hayden for a net session in Queensland in what is believed to be his first hit-out since being banished from Australia’s squad

Cricinfo staff13-Sep-2008
Adam Gilchrist: “Andrew Symonds is heavily affected by the last year’s incidents” © Getty Images
Andrew Symonds has joined his good friend Matthew Hayden for a net session in Queensland in what is believed to be his first hit-out since being banished from Australia’s squad. Symonds took the opportunity for some practice on Friday, the same day he was left out of Australia’s 15-man touring party to visit India.The reported that Queensland were hopeful the allrounder would be training with the state squad within a couple of weeks. He has reportedly already spoken to Phil Jauncey, the sports psychologist who will help Symonds through his rehabilitation program organised by Cricket Australia.However, Cricket Australia stood firm on Symonds’ situation and told the selectors he was not ready to be considered for the India trip. Aside from a brief statement that shed little light on his situation, Symonds has not spoken publicly since being sent home from Darwin for going fishing when he should have been at a team meeting.Symonds’ general attitude has been a concern for Australia over the past 12 months, a period during which he was subjected to monkey chants during an ODI series in India and was then at the centre of a racism controversy with India’s Harbhajan Singh. The incident resulted in Harbhajan being initially banned for three Tests but then cleared on appeal.Adam Gilchrist, Symonds’ former team-mate, believes the batsman remains upset about the racism episodes. “I think it is fair to say that Andrew Symonds is heavily affected by the last year’s incidents,” Gilchrist told .”I can’t speak for him as in what he was thinking but it is difficult to explain things. It is a common problem or issue and it is only going to be increased with pressures and intensity and the scrutiny that these players go through.”The loss of Symonds, who has averaged 77.70 in Tests in the past year, is a big blow to Australia’s middle order ahead of the four-Test tour. Harbhajan, who will play in the series, is keen to put last season’s controversy behind him.”I would prefer to look forward,” Harbhajan told the . “He is obviously a great player and there is no doubt about his ability to change a match. He has done a lot for Australian cricket. I hope he is well, and that he is getting better.”