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Everton will travel to the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon to take on West Ham as they return to action after the international break, and Frank Lampard will be hoping that his side can come back from the break ready to tackle their relegation battle, especially after the news of an important boost to the squad.

What’s the word?

The Toffees manager took to his pre-match press conference to give a new update on the recovery of Fabian Delph, who was notably missing from Finch Farm this week after returning to full training with his team-mates at the beginning of the international break.

Lampard told the press: “Fabian Delph, we are hoping is another week or so. But it has been a slightly complicated injury. But again, it will be a big plus to have him back in the squad because in that area, it is an area we do have some issues. That’s where we are at.”

Lampard will be buzzing

It’s no secret that the former Chelsea boss has a huge task on his hands in the remaining weeks of the season, with just ten games to go and his team only three points clear of the relegation zone, and Everton still face tough fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Every point counts for the Toffees at this stage, and having an experienced player like Fabian Delph back in the squad will surely leave Lampard buzzing, who mentioned the availability issues in midfield with Allan out for the next three games following a red card in the win over Newcastle United before the break.

The 32-year-old Englishman has only made six appearances in the current Premier League campaign due to numerous injury issues, with a shoulder injury sidelining him at the beginning of this season for eight games, and then a thigh injury sustained in training further setting him back in January.

Despite Delph’s lack of game-time, Lampard will be buzzing to have such an experienced player back in the side and available for selection if he is needed over the remaining fixtures. Even if he is just there to be used as an impact substitute, his presence will give the Everton boss another useful option to deploy in his midfield.

In other news: Everton handed massive boost ahead of West Ham clash; Lampard will be ecstatic

Everton took a huge win from their clash against Manchester United at Goodison Park yesterday, with the side embroiled in a difficult relegation battle this season the three points couldn’t have been more crucial for Frank Lampard.

With reports that sources from Everton had claimed the Toffees boss would be sacked if he didn’t take points from Ralf Rangnick’s side on Saturday, Lampard definitely put up a fight to prove the doubters wrong in his pursuit to lead Everton to safety this season.

Although the manager can’t take all the credit, the team performance from Everton was outstanding in a rarely-seen impressive defensive display from the whole team who put in a shift to hold onto a clean sheet following Anthony Gordon’s 27th-minute goal.

Despite having less possession than the visitors, the Toffees made more tackles (18) and over twice as many clearances (35) throughout the game, with Jordan Pickford a clear contender for man of the match after making four saves and two clearances in a fantastic performance.

There was one player who did make an important return and huge impact on the team following his selection in the starting line-up alongside Alex Iwobi and Allan, with Fabian Delph proving that the side desperately missed his experience in the centre of the pitch.

According to SofaScore, the 32-year-old midfielder won 100% of his duels, made six clearances, three tackles and two interceptions, as well as offering up a pass completion rate of 80% (24/30) before he was taken off in the 84th minute to be replaced by Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Delph who was hailed a “leader” by Gerard Houllier, recently returned to full fitness following a number of injury issues this season including a hamstring injury that has seen him unavailable for selection for the entirety of 2022 so far, and he surely made up for it in his seventh appearance this season against Man United.

Lampard was full of praise for the £92k-per-week midfielder following the victory, claiming that they “missed him” in his post-match interview;

“Yeah we’ve missed him.

“Delph gave us a sense of calm, his positional behaviours — like when a centre-back is out of position he falls into the backline.”

Everton may have found the key to unlocking survival in the Premier League this season by unleashing Delph in midfield and Lampard will be hoping the former Man City star can continue to lead and dominate in midfield ahead of the remaining fixtures this season to give the side their best chance of staying up.

In other news: Fewer touches than Pickford: Everton’s 9-pass flop was “wasteful” once again vs United

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According to Sky Sports, Arsenal attacker Emile Smith-Rowe is reportedly set to join Bundesliga side RB Leipzig on loan until the end of the season, and that deal could boost Southampton’s chances of bringing Jean-Kevin Augustin, whom they are keen on according to a report in The Sun earlier this month, to St Mary’s before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Sky Sports report that the 18-year-old flew out to Germany on Wednesday night and is expected to undergo a medical with the top-flight outfit on Thursday morning, with a move expected to go through.

The exit of Smith-Rowe, who has made six senior appearances for the north London outfit this term according to Transfermarkt, has been sanctioned amid Denis Suarez’s likely arrival at the Emirates, as per Sky Sports, and he will join Gunners teammate Reiss Nelson in the Bundesliga.

Meanwhile, The Sun reported earlier this month that Saints were keen to bring Augustin to the Premier League, although the £38m price tag on his head suggest a deal would not be possible.

Have their chances been boosted late on?

Potentially, as long as Leipzig aren’t demanding a permanent deal now.

The addition of an attack-minded player who can play through the middle or out wide may well impact Augustin’s first-team chances at Leipzig, where he has only played 355 minutes of Bundesliga football this season following the departure of Ralph Hasenhuttl at the end of the 2017/18 campaign, as per Transfermarkt.

The 21-year-old netted 12 goals and provided a further six assists in 37 appearances in all competitions under the Austrian manager last term, once again according to Transfermarkt, and would fit the high-pressing style the 51-year-old wants to implement at St Mary’s.

While his reported value in The Sun is clearly an issue given Southampton’s record signing will be Danny Ings when they pay £20m for him in the summer, as per The Telegraph, it could potentially be possible that similarly to the Liverpool man, they agree a loan deal with a view to a permanent move at the end of the season.

Let’s see what develops across the next few hours…

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

An injury expert has now dropped a ‘hopeful’ Wolves claim involving Ruben Neves.

The Lowdown: Not as serious

Speaking to the media, Bruno Lage revealed that Neves’ injury setback was ‘not as serious’ as they initially expected.

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The Portugal international has been missing since March, but will now be hoping to make a swift recovery in time to play the final few games of the season.

The Latest: Dinnery reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in both medicine and data analysis, has claimed that he is still ‘hopeful’ that Neves will return in ‘early to mid-May’, despite this ‘new info’ from Lage:

“My understanding initially hasn’t changed a great deal even with this new info.

“We’re talking about an MCL here. The indication that it was a grade two.

“I was working on the premise that we could maybe see a return around early to mid-May. I am still fairly hopeful that is the case.

“It happened against Leeds. He tried to continue but he couldn’t. He then went out to Portugal for some rehab and recovery.

“The target was always going to be around game week 35. I think there is a strong possibility that he’ll play again this season somewhere around there.”

The Verdict: Big boost

The fact that Neves’ injury is not as serious as previously expected, and that he could return for the last few matches of the campaign, is certainly a big boost for the Midlands club.

He currently ranks as their fourth-best performer in the Premier League so far, scoring four goals and making two assists, while also picking up two man-of-the-match awards (WhoScored).

The 25-year-old also ranks highly among his teammates in terms of average tackles, interceptions, shots, passes, long and through balls per game (WhoScored), and will clearly be an important player for them if they are to finish the season strongly, and potentially challenge for a European place.

In other news, find out which ‘electric’ star the Wanderers now ‘want’ to sign here!

The Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has now revealed the ‘latest’ on Newcastle United’s ‘interest’ in signing Darwin Nunez in the summer.

The Lowdown: On the list

Nunez is just one of a number of high-profile strikers that are reportedly on the St. James’ Park faithful’s shortlist for the summer.

It is no surprise given the kind of season that he is having, as his goal in the UEFA Champions League for Benfica against Liverpool in midweek was his 28th in total over all competitions so far.

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Even some Reds fans were left blown away by his performance, as Anfield Index podcaster Hari Sethi went as far as to claim that he is an ‘absolute beast’ who is ‘rapid quick’ and ‘really strong’.

Indeed, the North East club are sure to face some stiff competition for his signature.

The Latest: Nunez update

Taking to Twitter, Taylor has revealed that both Arsenal and Manchester United have consulted Benfica over terms for a potential deal, while West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion have seen bids rejected for Nunez, and even Championship Sheffield United have courted him in the past:

“Latest on Darwin Nunez as Arsenal & Man United consult Benfica over terms of deal. Courted by Sheffield United, Brighton & West Ham saw bids rejected. Asking price now £67m with agent Edgardo Lasalvia determined to beat Jorge Mendes to any sale.”

Continuing, Taylor also revealed that Nunez could potentially be out of reach for the Tynesiders, unless they pay a huge, club-record fee:

“There is still firm interest from West Ham & Newcastle, too. However, beginning to sense that Nunez could now be out of reach for both – particularly without UCL football – unless they’re prepared to pay huge, club-record £. Atletico leading race.”

The Verdict: Pay the money

As much as Nunez is going to cost, the Magpies simply have to pay the money if they want to move to the next level.

His scoring record speaks for itself, and at just 22 years of age, the Uruguay international has the potential to become one of the best in the world – in fact his former manager Jorge Jesus has even tipped him to become just that.

With the calibre of clubs also in for him, it will be difficult already to attract Nunez without European football to offer, and so the Toon must get him to believe in the long-term project, and make him the face of it.

In other news, find out who NUFC have now ‘moved’ to sign here!

Since Bruno Lage was appointed as Wolves manager back in June and the Midlands club have brought in players such as Jose Sa, Francisco Trincao, Yerson Mosquera and Hwang Hee-chan as well as January signings Hayao Kawabe and Chiquinho, showing that club are not shy in backing their manager and giving him players to build his squad with.

One player that has been linked with a move to Molineux in recent times is Lille midfielder Renato Sanches, who it seems could still eventually join Wolves at some point soon.

What’s the latest?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Alex Crook had this to say on Wolves’ reported interest in Sanches and the possibility of the club making a future attempt to sign him again.

He said: “He’s definitely someone who’s on their radar. But I think this is where, if they can sell someone like Adama Traore, then it gives them some funds for Bruno Lage to be able to bring in his own players because he hasn’t really done that.”

Lage’s biggest swoop?

Since joining Lille back in 2019 from German club Bayern Munich, the 24-year-old has made 77 appearances for the French side across all competitions, scoring six goals and providing seven assists along the way, showing the attacking and creative skills he has on the pitch.

Looking at the players that Wolves have signed under Lage so far and taking into account Crook’s claim that the Old Gold boss hasn’t been able to bring his own targets to the club yet, a permanent move for Sanches could not only arguably be seen to be a massive coup for Wolves as a whole but as Lage’s biggest transfer deal yet.

After all, the midfielder has tremendous pedigree of playing for a trio of big clubs in three of Europe’s top leagues as well as being a fully-fledged Portugal international with 32 senior caps under his belt.

When you consider his tender age too, there is not only a high degree of potential in his bones but also a significant amount of re-sale value in him, particularly if he thrives in the Premier League.

As a result, this move makes sense for plenty of reasons and should be wrapped up swiftly if Jeff Shi has any sense.

With Crook also mentioning a potential sale of current Wolves winger Adama Traore, if the Midlands club sold the winger either this month or most likely in the next summer transfer window, they should definitely use the money to launch a move for the £27m-rated Sanches if Lille would be willing to shift the midfielder on a permanent basis.

They may not play in the same position but signing somebody as good as the Portugal international in return would be an impressive piece of business.

In other news: Forget Trincao: Wolves plotting swoop for “the new Iniesta,” he’d be a big upgrade – opinion

Tottenham Hotspur colossus Cristian Romero was the only shining light as the north London outfit were held by Brentford on Saturday evening.

Antonio Conte’s side were struck an almighty blow in the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League as they couldn’t find a way past Christian Eriksen and co, failing to even register a shot on target all game.

It now puts the Lilywhites two points behind their arch-rivals, Arsenal, with only five matches left to play – including the derby on May 12th – meaning it is now out of Spurs’ hands completely.

Despite dominating possession (56%), Tottenham failed to create anything of note, whilst their former playmaking Dane effectively ran the show for the Bees.

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Harry Kane and Heung-min Son were starved of service from the Italian’s wing-backs, the former even putting in a last-ditch goal-line clearance to save the clean sheet, at the very least.

Although it was the Argentine defender, who has been lauded as an “animal” in the past by his teammate Pierluigi Gollini, who ensured that Spurs walked away with a point rather than nothing whatsoever.

The £36m-rated warrior was an absolute rock defensively, often mopping up behind the error-prone Emerson on the right side of the defence.

As per SofaScore, the 23-year-old centre-back earned a ‘Man of the Match’ 8.1 rating, having made a game-high five interceptions, on top of three blocks, two clearances and one tackle.

Not only was he solid at the back, having won 75% of his ground and aerial battles but he was also influential with the ball at his feet, registering 74 touches, which included one key chance created – as many as Kane and Dejan Kulusevski combined – from 51 successful passes (93% total accuracy).

Romero’s performance earned quite the praise indeed, justifiably so.

Alasdair Gold of football.london graded him an 8/10 in his post-match ratings column and claimed that he ‘was by far Spurs’ best player on the day.’

There weren’t many players that could come away from such a display with their head held high but on the above evidence, the Argentina international was a cut above his teammates and without him, they may well have returned to N17 with an even worse result.

Romero was certainly Conte’s one and only positive from such a drab display.

AND in other news, Forget Emerson: “Really poor” Spurs lightweight who lost possession 19x failed Conte…

Tottenham have made a move to sign Lewes FC winger Ollie Tanner, according to The Athletic.  

The Lowdown: Tanner profiled

The 19-year-old has been labelled ‘special’ by his manager Tony Russell labelled as. The 6 foot 1 left winger is under contract until the end of the 2022/23 campaign, with his impressive form attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

Brighton have had an offer rejected for the former Arsenal schoolboy, and it seems as if it will be Spurs who secure the teenager’s services.

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The Latest: Spurs’ bid set to be accepted

According to The Athletic, Spurs are looking to pip Brighton to Tanner’s services, having submitted an offer on Saturday.

Russell confirmed it was a ‘really good’ offer, with The Athletic believing that Lewes are set to accept Tottenham’s bid for the teenager.

Tanner has been training with Spurs over the last two weeks and it could now be just a matter of time until he is officially a Tottenham player.

The Verdict: Good news

Tanner is clearly a player in demand, so Spurs winning the race for his services can only be viewed as good news in the long run.

Even though Tottenham are in need of senior reinforcements in the final days of the transfer window, it’s good to see that the club are still working on bolstering their youth ranks.

The likes of Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga are recent examples of players establishing themselves in the first team after coming through the academy, and maybe in the next few years, Tanner could be the next in line for that big breakthrough.

In other news: Check out this morning transfer development from Fabrizio Romano with Spurs now ‘confident to complete’ key signing.

Pundit Frank McAvennie has been reacting to an injury update on Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford, Football Insider report. 

The Lowdown: Six weeks out

Bamford has missed the majority of the campaign but seemed to be nearing full fitness after making all four of Jesse Marsch’s matchday squads in March.

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He failed to get on from the bench against Leicester, played half an hour against Aston Villa and started in the 2-1 win over Norwich.

The 28-year-old once again got the nod from the off against Wolves but was forced off with a reoccurrence of a foot problem. It has since been confirmed that the striker will miss six weeks of action after rupturing his plantar fascia.

The Latest: McAvennie reacts

Talking to FI, former top flight forward McAvennie had this to say on Bamford’s latest setback, admitting he is ‘gutted’ for the forward.

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“I’m gutted for the boy [Bamford], I have been all season, he’s not been there.

“I was hoping this injury isn’t too bad. As a striker, I know what it’s like to have those injuries and it’s awful.

“A few weeks ago, I said he might need a full pre-season to get back fit.

“Maybe that is what was needed. Leeds have just had an awful time with injuries.

“Phillips has barely been there as well and he’s been a big miss. It’s ruined their season.

“It’s meant they can’t play the football they want to. I just hope they are all back as soon as possible.”

The Verdict: Nightmare

The best thing Bamford can do now is to look to the future and forget all about the 2021/22 campaign.

You could argue that Marsch has rolled the dice with the player’s fitness and that gamble hasn’t paid off with the forward now likely to miss the final eight games of the season.

Hopefully, Bamford will be over his foot problems by the summer and can look to replicate his 2020/21 form, where he featured in every league game and contributed to 25 goals.

In other news: Orta now ‘open’ to signing ‘unbelievable’ Raphinha replacement who’s scored vs Leeds this season. 

A huge update has emerged on Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson, regarding a setback with his injury situation…

What’s the latest?

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has relayed an update from the Magpies boss on the attacker’s road to recovery, following the 1-0 loss to Cambridge. The ex-Bournemouth man has been missing since the 1-1 draw with Manchester United and his manager has now provided some extra clarity over when he is due to return.

He Tweeted: “Eddie Howe says Callum Wilson is expected to be out for 8 weeks following his scan yesterday.”

Gutted

Newcastle fans will surely be gutted by this news as the forward’s absence will be a major blow for the club over the next two months or so. He is the side’s top goalscorer in the Premier League and they will surely miss his lethal presence in the penalty area in the coming weeks.

Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin are the only Newcastle players who have scored more than one Premier League goal this season and this highlights their importance to the team. Howe is not blessed with quality options in the final third of the pitch and he has not lost his best one for a considerable amount of time.

With the Magpies sitting 19th in the table and scrapping for survival, losing their top finisher has come at a horrible time. They are in desperate need of points and wins to take them out of the bottom three and their main goalscoring threat picking up a severe injury has dampened their chances of doing so, which is why fans will be frustrated by this news.

Wilson has scored six goals in 14 starts this season after managing 12 in 23 starts last term. This shows that he knows how to find the back of the net at Premier League level and is able to score goals consistently and this makes his injury a major blow for the Magpies.

Of course, the January transfer window is now open and the club have the opportunity to strengthen their attack before the end of the month. However, there is no guarantee that anyone who comes in will be able to match Wilson’s efforts, which is why this injury news will leave fans gutted irrespective of what Howe does in the market.

AND in other news, “Intensifying efforts”: Ornstein drops NUFC transfer update that’ll have fans buzzing…