Leeds have a "wrecking ball" out on loan who can put DCL on borrowed time

All the optimism that had been in the air surrounding Leeds United going into this Premier League season is gradually being sapped more and more as the campaign goes on.

Last time out away at Brighton and Hove Albion, Daniel Farke’s men arguably hit rock bottom, as they were resoundingly beaten 3-0 away at Fabian Hurzeler’s relentless Seagulls, in a contest where they barely laid a glove on the rampant hosts.

If they put in more empty performances like the one they served up on the South Coast, relegation will be a definite, as Leeds now languish just five points off 18th-placed Nottingham Forest, who they face next in a huge tie.

Farke will surely be feeling the intense pressures of the Whites hot seat right now, as he potentially prepares to drop Dominic Calvert-Lewin for matches to come, after his slow start out of the blocks in West Yorkshire.

Calvert-Lewin's struggles at Leeds

It was always going to be a transfer deal that would be fraught with risk, but Leeds gambled on Calvert-Lewin this summer on a free transfer, anyway, following the expiry of his long-term Everton contract.

Indeed, last season in the Premier League, the Sheffield-born striker would only fire home a weak three goals, with a high 15 games missed through injury also a concerning statistic to take in.

Thankfully, despite all these worries, Calvert-Lewin is off the mark for Farke and Co., as this header above helped Leeds to a convincing 3-1 away success at Wolverhampton Wanderers in September.

But, Leeds fans have still been left wanting more from their new recruit, with the 28-year-old now deep in a five-game stretch of no goals in league action, which has often resulted in the injury-prone number nine cutting an isolated figure.

That was very much the case on the South Coast last time out, with Calvert-Lewin only managing to test Bart Verbruggen in the home side’s goal with one effort all afternoon, having amassed just 17 touches of the ball in total.

Farke’s options off the bench aren’t plentiful either, with both Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe not the most inspired selection of understudies.

Leeds are now reportedly looking at free-scoring Coventry City striker Haji Wright as a January addition up top, subsequently. But, they could be better placed to just gift one of their own a chance, instead, with this star – who is out on loan competing with Wright’s Sky Blues – potentially putting Calvert-Lewin on borrowed time as a first team starter down the line.

Leeds loanee could put Calvert-Lewin on borrowed time

Farke’s patience regarding Calvert-Lewin’s no-shows must surely be thin already.

But, with Mateo Joseph out on loan, and Joel Piroe potentially on the move in January, he has his hands tied with what he has at his disposal up top, with forgotten striker Joe Gelhardt also currently on the books of another club temporarily.

It feels like a lifetime ago since Gelhardt was dubbed the next best thing at Leeds, with Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp even lauding the Elland Road prodigy as a “wrecking ball” style figure, after he bagged two goals and assisted a further four strikes from 20 Premier League games during the 2021/22 season.

Since then, his opportunities have been sparse, but he could be in for some more game time in the near future in West Yorkshire if he can keep the goals flowing right now in the Championship with Leeds’ near neighbours Hull City.

Gelhardt has rolled back the years for the Tigers, with the striker who was once also deemed as “special” by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher, coming back to the forefront in Hull’s distinctive orange and black, as seen in him collecting four goals from his last four second-tier outings.

With 11 goals now next to his name across two spells at the MKM Stadium, the time might be right for Gelhardt to gain chances in the Leeds first team fold once more, as persisting with Calvert-Lewin could well be the wrong move here, knowing full well his recent sketchy record with injuries and his long barren patches of form.

Gelhardt’s Championship numbers (25/26)

Stat – per 90 mins*

Gelhardt

Games played

13

Goals scored

6

Assists

1

Scoring frequency

157 mins

Ball recoveries*

4.2

Total duels won

4.9

Stats by Sofascore

On the contrary, Gelhardt could be the breath of fresh air needed to reenergise an often lethargic Leeds forward line, with a powerful 4.9 duels won per second-tier contest this season sticking out from the table above.

Of course, Leeds will also be hesitant to chuck Gelhardt back into senior action, with the 23-year-old also prone to a lack of confidence in front of goal.

But, whether it comes via a recall in January or next season, adding the lively striker back into the mix could put Calvert-Lewin on borrowed time, with ex-Premier League scout Bryan King even recently stating that the hot-and-cold attacker just isn’t the “right striker” fit for the Whites, as they desperately crave goals to beat the drop.

Worse than Aaronson: Farke must drop 4/10 Leeds dud who won 33% duels

Daniel Farke has to now drop this Leeds United star after his shocking display against Brighton and Hove Albion.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 2, 2025

الزمالك يٌعلن تشخيص إصابة دونجا أمام زيسكو يونايتد

كشف الدكتور جيرارد أوسو مانزانيت رئيس الجهاز الطبي للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، عن نتيجة الفحوصات الطبية والآشعة التي خضع لها نبيل عماد دونجا لاعب الوسط بعد إصابته أمام زيسكو الزامبي في الكونفدرالية.

وأقيمت المباراة بين الزمالك وزيسكو يونايتد على أرضية استاد القاهرة، في إطار لقاءات الجولة الأولى بمرحلة المجموعات ببطولة الكونفدرالية.

وأوضح رئيس الجهاز الطبي أن الفحوصات أثبتت إصابة دونجا بجزع في الرباط الداخلي للركبة.

طالع | الزمالك يكشف تفاصيل إصابة عبد الله السعيد أمام زيسكو الزامبي

وأضاف أن اللاعب غادر المستشفى بعد الخضوع للفحص الطبي والآشعة، وسيخضع لبرنامج تأهيلي وعلاجي في الفترة المقبلة.

وفاز فريق الزمالك على زيسكو الزامبي بهدف دون رد، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما على استاد القاهرة الدولي، في الجولة الأولى لمباريات دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس الكونفدرالية ليحصد الفريق أول 3 نقاط له في المجموعة.

ويحتل نادي الزمالك، المركز الثاني في ترتيب المجموعة الرابعة من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية، خلف النادي المصري البورسعيدي المتصدر لكل منها 3 نقاط، ذلك بعد نهاية الجولة الأولي من دور المجموعات.

Malik, Webster steer stunning chase as Warwickshire turn the tables

Brace of centuries hunt down hefty 393-run target as Worcestershire are left facing relegation

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay25-Jul-2025

Zen Malik made a career-best 142•Getty Images

Warwickshire 184 (Smith 68, Webster 57, Shahzad 6-42) and 396 for 5 (Malik 142, Webster 100*, Mousley 69) beat Worcestershire 333 (Brookes 140, D’Oliveira 57) and 243 (Brookes 87, Roderick 50) by five wicketsWarwickshire pulled off the third biggest run-chase in their history to record a sensational five-wicket Rothesay County Championship victory over Worcestershire at Edgbaston.Second best for the first three days, on the fourth, Warwickshire chased down a target of 393, reaching 396 for five thanks to Zen Malik (142 from 222 balls), Beau Webster (100 not out, 166), Dan Mousley (69, 107) and Kai Smith (48 not out, 40). As the sun came out for the first time in the match and batting conditions eased, they delivered a remarkable recovery from 12 for two the previous evening.Malik unfurled a high-class career-best while Australian all-rounder Webster, in control from his first ball faced, was just as pivotal to the triumph. It was a real heartbreaker for Worcestershire as a victory which would have galvanised their survival fight turned into a defeat which shunts them to the brink of Division Two.Twenty-three days earlier at Southampton, Worcestershire needed to take seven Hampshire wickets on the last day and took only one. This time they need to take eight and found just three. That inability to close out winning positions will almost certainly cost them their First Division status.Warwickshire resumed on the final morning on 55 for two and, to their delight, the thick cloud that sat over Edgbaston for the first three days had departed. Batting was much at its easiest all game and Mousley and Malik applied themselves diligently to deny the visitors early impetus from a wicket.Mousley, recalled to the championship side due to Sam Hain’s paternity leave, reached 50 from 89 balls and a long overdue maiden championship century beckoned when he reverse-swept Bertie Foreman to short third man.Malik chugged on with immaculate concentration while Webster restrained his attacking instincts to launch another productive partnership. When Malik struck Foreman for ten in two balls to take the total halfway to the target, the home crowd’s thoughts started to turn towards an unlikely win.Malik reached his second first-class century (156 balls) with a six over the well-peppered short Hollies-side boundary. Webster followed to his half-century from 103 balls and Warwickshire went into tea on 267 for three, needing 126 from 35 overs.Malik skied Ethan Brookes to long on but left with his side firmly on course for victory. Ed Barnard edged Tom Taylor behind in the first over with the new ball, but Smith joined Webster to work the ball astutely around the big field to add an unbroken 84 in 11.2 overs.The unlikeliest of victories ultimately arrived with great comfort with 82 balls to spare, and Warwickshire’s exhilaration was as great as Worcestershire’s desolation.

Palmeiras quer aproveitar bom retrospecto na Arena Pantanal para embalar no Brasileirão

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras, atual bicampeão brasileiro, ainda não demonstrou toda sua força neste início de Brasileirão. É verdade que o time comandado por Abel Ferreira já encarou “pedreiras” nas primeiras rodadas, mas agora, diante do Cuiabá neste domingo (5), às 18h30, na Arena Pantanal, tem a chance de fazer valer seu bom retrospecto no local para começar a embalar na busca pelo tri.

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+ A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!

Os números do Verdão na casa do adversário são favoráveis, assim como o momento em que vive o Dourado no Nacional. O Cuiabá é o lanterna e ainda não pontuou no campeonato. Além disso, em três confrontos na Arena Pantanal, o time paulista venceu dois e empatou um, ou seja, está invicto. Foram também seis gols marcados e apenas dois sofridos.

+ Acredita que o Verdão vai fazer mais de 2,5 gols no Cuiabá? Se liga na odd para apostar: 2.49!

O lateral-esquerdo Caio Paulista acredita que o Palmeiras tem grandes chances de buscar a vitória após dois empates consecutivos no Brasileirão.

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– São muitos jogos, mas a virada de chave é necessária. Temos de buscar os três pontos fora de casa. Sabemos que jogar lá contra o Cuiabá é muito difícil, até pelo clima, e é uma grande equipe. Mas nós estamos bem preparados e capacitados para chegar lá, fazer um grande jogo e conseguir os três pontos.

O duelo entre as equipes aconteceu apenas seis vezes até o momento, todos pelo Brasileirão, e os números são favoráveis ao Palmeiras. O Verdão venceu quatro jogos, perdeu um e empatou outro. Na última vez em que os times se enfrentaram, no Nacional do ano passado, vitória do time paulista por 2 a 0, fora de casa.

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O Palmeiras não faz um grande início de Brasileirão. Em 12º lugar na tabela, o atual bicampeão da competição tem uma vitória, uma derrota e dois empates, e precisa voltar a vencer para saltar na pontuação, já que tem apenas cinco pontos.

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'The partnership Rahul and I had ignited the spark' – Gill savours Manchester draw

India batted 143 overs in the third innings to save the Test, with Gill, Rahul, Washington and Jadeja all contributing

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jul-20252:09

Manjrekar: ‘Warriors’ keep sprouting for India when needed

India captain Shubman Gill has hailed his team’s fighting effort to secure a draw heading into the final Test at The Oval with the visitors still in with a chance of sharing the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.Gill was at the forefront of India’s fight, putting together 188 for the third wicket with KL Rahul. More importantly, the duo batted for nearly 70 overs after India had lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and B Sai Sudharsan in the very first over, with India trailing by 311.”From 0 for 2, then the partnership KL and I had, I think that ignited [the spark] yes, we can achieve this task”, Gill told . “Extremely happy. To be able to get a draw from the position we were in yesterday is extremely satisfying. This innings of mine was the most pleasing to me.”Related

Stats – Gill level with Gavaskar and Bradman; Jadeja in elite list

Gill on the dramatic end: Jadeja and Washington 'deserved a century there'

India's grit outlasts England's endurance to make 2-2 a possibility

Gill brought up his fourth century of the series, drawing level with Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar for most centuries in a series in England. It took Gill’s series aggregate to 722, which is 52 short of Gavaskar’s all-time record for most runs in a series by an Indian.Rahul, meanwhile, took his series tall to 511 – the first time he’s passed 500 runs or more in a series – en route a typically stodgy 90, his fourth score of fifty or more so far this series.Gill was equally effusive in his praise for the calmness Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar showed, after he fell for 103 in the second session while wafting at a Jofra Archer delivery. At 222 for 4, with both set batters dismissed, India were still 91 behind with Shardul Thakur, three lower-order batters and an injured Rishabh Pant still to come.2:34

Has Washington nailed his spot in India’s Test XI?

Jadeja fought his way through to score his fifth score of fifty or more in six innings. His fifth Test century, which he raised with a six during the last hour after England were keen to shake hands for the draw, was full of pluck. Having been dropped first ball at first slip by Joe Root off Archer, Jadeja batted through without any further alarms to remain unbeaten on 107.Washington, whose previous best was 96 against England in 2021, also brought up his century, his first in Test cricket. Washington, who began the series at No. 8, earned a promotion to No. 5 in Pant’s absence. The partnership between the two was worth an unbroken 203 for the fifth wicket when both teams eventually shook hands for the draw.”When Jaddu and Washy were batting, it wasn’t easy,” Gill observed. “The ball was doing something, but the way they calmly batted and got Test centuries from there tells you how big of an achievement it is.”Explaining their thought process as they began the prospect of salvaging a draw early on day four, Gill said: “To be able to have the same mindset for 140 [143] overs is very difficult. That’s what is the difference between a good team from a great team. We showed today why we’re a great team.”

Chelsea ready to make bid to sign £88m Real Madrid and Man Utd target Allan

Chelsea are now ready to make an opening offer for Palmeiras forward Allan, but there could be competition for his signature from two of the world’s biggest clubs.

The Blues have already added one young Brazilian forward to their ranks in recent times, with Estevao emerging as a first-team regular this season, and the 18-year-old got off the mark in front of goal in the 2-1 victory against Liverpool last month.

With the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens also on the books, Enzo Maresca already has plenty of exciting youngsters at his disposal in attacking areas, and the west Londoners have now started running the rule over forwards with more top-level experience.

Maresca’s side are now ready to launch a January move for Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr, amid tensions with manager Xabi Alonso, although a deal could be on the expensive side, considering he is regarded as one of the best wingers in the world.

Chelsea ready to bid for Palmeiras forward Allan

Vinicius is not the only Brazilian forward Chelsea are looking to sign, however, with a report from Spain revealing BlueCo are also ready to bid for Palmeiras’ Allan, but there could be competition for his signature from Manchester United and Real Madrid.

The 21-year-old is protected by a release clause of nearly €100m (£88m), and with the Brazilian club determined to receive a large fee, akin to the money raised by selling Estevao and Vitor Reis, so a deal may need to break the bank.

With Palmeiras extending the youngster’s contract until 2029, however, they remain in a strong negotiating position for the time being.

The starlet has impressed at times for Palmeiras, being described as their “standout” player by journalist Leandro Boudakian earlier this year, and he is extremely versatile, having featured in central midfield, on both wings, and in attacking midfield for the Brazilian club.

Not only that, but the Florianopolis-born attacker has regularly displayed his dribbling and creative talents over the past year, ranking in a very high percentile on both metrics, when compared to his positional peers.

Statistic

Average per 90 (past year)

Successful take-ons

2.93 (99th percentile)

Progressive carries

2.93 (98th percentile)

Assists

0.42 (99th percentile)

That said, the Palmeiras academy graduate didn’t exactly set the world alight in the 2025 Brazilian Serie A, chipping in with just one goal and two assists in 21 appearances, which suggests he may be some way off first-team level at a club like Chelsea.

Allan is still very young, but the Blues have already signed a plethora of youngsters in recent times, including Gittens, Garnacho and Estevao, so it would not be the end of the world if they missed out on another.

Chelsea now leading race to sign Samu Aghehowa Chelsea lead race to sign Samu Aghehowa with January transfer now possible

The Blues are in pole position to sign a new striker, who could be made available this winter.

ByDominic Lund Nov 2, 2025

ANÁLISE: Time alternativo domina Boavista, e Botafogo ganha 'reforços' para Libertadores

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo encerrou sua participação no Campeonato Carioca com a vitória sobre o Boavista e conquista da Taça Rio no domingo (31). Com a goleada por 4 a 0 e enorme vantagem conquistada no jogo de ida, o Alvinegro entrou em campo com um time alternativo, repleto de jovens da base e jogadores que retornam de lesão.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Fogão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Botafogo

Mais que o troféu e a vaga assegurada na Copa do Brasil de 2025, o Botafogo ganhou ótimas notícias e reforços para a sequência da temporada. O bom desempenho de peças secundárias do elenco e a volta de importantes jogadores, como Luiz Henrique e Jeffinho, dão uma maior confiança no crescimento do time às vesperas do início da fase de grupos da Libertadores.

LH retornou ao time logo como titular, após seis semanas fora por lesão na panturrilha. Agora dono da camisa 7, o ponta-direita atuou por 45 minutos e foi o melhor jogador do Botafogo enquanto esteve em campo, levando muito perigo tanto com dribles quanto armando o jogo. Principal contratação do clube para a temporada, o jogador fez apenas seu terceiro jogo com a camisa alvinegra.

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No intervalo, Luiz Henrique deixou o campo para dar lugar a Jeffinho, que também fez sua volta após quase dois meses machucado. Talvez o melhor jogador do Glorioso no primeiro mês de temporada, o atacante viu Júnior Santos crescer enquanto esteve ausente e terá de lutar por seu espaço no time. Contra o Boavista, o camisa 47 foi discreto, mas teve flashes com bons dribles.

Quem também fez seu retorno após lesão foi Patrick de Paula. Afastado dos gramados por 400 dias, o meio-campista entrou durante o segundo tempom já com o 2 a 0 consumado, e foi bem participativo. PK recebeu algumas bolas no ataque e até arriscou de longe duas vezes, primeiro em falta na entrada da área, e depois em chutaço que parou o goleiro.

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Além da volta de lesionados, atuações de jovens que ganharam minutagens nesta Taça Rio. Kauê, autor do segundo gol do Botafogo na noite de domingo (31), tem tido cada vez mais espaço com Fábio Matias. Por sua vez, foi Matheus Nascimento que assistiu o companheiro em lindo passe de calcanhar e teve uma atuação muito sólida.

Desta forma, o Alvinegro pode contar com outras peças que não os recentes protagonistas para o restante da temporada, e inicia sua trajetória na fase de grupos da Libertadores em seu melhor momento. O Botafogo recebe o Junior Barranquilla na quarta-feira (3), às 19h, no Estádio Nilton Santos.

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موعد مباراة مصر ونيجيريا وديًا استعدادًا لـ كأس أمم إفريقيا

أعلن إبراهيم حسن، مدير منتخب مصر، عن إقامة مباراة ودية قوية ضد نيجيريا، ضمن الاستعدادات الختامية قبل المشاركة في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025 بالمغرب.

ومن المقرر إقامة بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025 في المغرب، خلال الفترة من 21 ديسمبر 2025 إلى 18 يناير 2026.

وسيشارك 24 منتخبًا في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا، مقسمين على 6 مجموعات.

وأسفرت قرعة كأس أمم إفريقيا، عن تواجد منتخب مصر في المجموعة الثانية مع زيمبابوي وأنجولا وجنوب إفريقيا.

طالع.. خاص | حسام حسن يحدد ثلاثي حراس مرمى منتخب مصر في كأس أمم إفريقيا

ويستهل منتخب مصر مبارياته في دور المجموعات من بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا، بمواجهة زيمبابوي، ثم يلاقي جنوب إفريقيا ويختتم بلقاء أنجولا. موعد مباراة مصر ونيجيريا وديًا استعدادًا لـ كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025

وقال إبراهيم حسن خلال تصريحات عبر المركز الإعلامي لاتحاد الكرة المصري، إن منتخب مصر يلعب ضد نيجيريا وديًا استعدادًا لـ كأس أمم إفريقيا.

وأضاف: “تقام مباراة مصر ونيجيريا، يوم 14 ديسمبر على ملعب استاد القاهرة”.

تم تأجيل موعد المباراة لتقام يوم 16 من شهر ديسمبر، ووفقًا لتصريحات خالد الدرندلي نائب رئيس اتحاد الكرة المصري.

Counties reject plan to cut Championship fixtures

PCA refuses to rule out strike action amid concerns player welfare is being disregarded

Vithushan Ehantharajah24-Sep-2025 • Updated on 25-Sep-2025

Oliver Hannon-Dalby says “players’ voice must be heard”•Getty Images

The Rothesay County Championship will remain a 14-match competition next season after counties rejected a proposal to cut the number first-class games to 13.The decision to retain the existing structure, with 10 and eight teams in Division One and Two respectively, came after the alternative option failed to receive the two-thirds majority backing from the 18 Professional County Cricket Clubs (PCCs) required for change. Voting opened on Friday and concluded on Tuesday, prior to the final round of the 2025 campaign.The conclusion comes at the end of a county-led review into the domestic structure which the England and Wales Cricket Broad (ECB) announced on the eve of the Championship season. Several parties within the game, namely the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), felt the schedule was asking too much of players, and urged counties to reassess a packed fixture list.Speaking to the BBC on Thursday, PCA chief executive Daryl Mitchell refused to rule out the possibility of strike action*, although he said it was not something the players’ union “would look to encourage” at this stage.”We will be led by the players,” he said. “The WhatsApp group last night was pretty animated and there were some high emotions.”We are a union. I don’t think any union would rule out the possibility of strike action if their members wanted it. We are completely at the behest of our members on that. We will have those conversations if they are deemed necessary by the player reps and our members.”I don’t think that’s where we’d like to get to. It would have a negative impact on the counties and a negative impact on the game, and that’s not something we’re seeking to do.”It’s not something that has been discussed in great detail. It’s also something that is very easy to say and more difficult to execute because there are implications. Players not being paid is one, the amount of members that would need to vote is another. At this stage I don’t think it’s something we would look to encourage.”In an earlier vote in July, counties agreed to cut the Vitality Blast men’s competition to a 12-match group stage (currently 14), moving to three regional groups of six teams each. However, the PCA have lamented the lack of meaningful change, believing their concerns about player welfare have not been heeded.”Unfortunately, the decision-makers have failed to ensure our premiere red-ball competition remains a standout in world cricket by evolving,” Mitchell said in a statement released by the PCA. “Not just to meet the needs of modern professionals, but to provide a product that captures the imagination for all.”Players appreciate the small tweak to the Vitality Blast schedule, however, we are yet to see a fixture list. At the very least, we expect to see a significant reduction in back-to-back fixtures.”With the continuation of a 14-game Championship season, an indicative schedule for 2026 we have seen suggests there will be two games in nine days following The Hundred, this cannot be acceptable. We now need to ensure the best possible schedule can be created in a structure that remains not fit for purpose.”PCA chair and Warwickshire seamer Oliver Hannon-Dalby added: “The players’ voice must be heard and while we recognise scheduling concerns go well beyond county cricket with a cluttered international calendar and similar issues in other sports, we cannot relent in our ambition to create minimum standards to allow for a safer schedule.”This week’s second, final, vote featured a 13-match County Championship proposal which would have split the 18-clubs into a top tier “Championship” of 12 teams divided into two conferences. The top three of each conference would then be pooled to compete for the title, with the bottom six determining the two sides relegated to a “Championship Two” made up of the remaining six counties. That option also included increasing the One-Day Cup to 10 group-stage matches.The retention of the existing structure does at least mean players, staff and supporters know what is at stake in the final round of the season, which began on Wednesday.Yorkshire, Durham and Hampshire are fighting against joining Worcestershire, whose relegation from Division One was confirmed last week. Leicestershire and Glamorgan have already secured promotion from Division Two.*September 25, 1.30pm BST – This story was updated with Mitchell’s comments

No way back for West Ham star with January exit inevitable after Nuno decision

There’s reportedly no way back for one West Ham star as Nuno Espírito Santo ultimately decides that he doesn’t want the player, and a January exit is now described as inevitable.

The pressure on Nuno’s shoulders has slightly eased following back-to-back victories against Newcastle and Burnley, which also gifted the Hammers some much-needed encouragement over surviving the relegation dog scrap.

Before their only consecutive home wins since October last year, West Ham looked nailed on for a drop to the Championship for the first time since 2011, but six points from Nuno’s last two matches have suddenly flipped the narrative on its head.

However, things don’t get any easier for West Ham from this point onward, with Nuno braced for a tough round of fixtures just after the international break.

West Ham’s results in the Premier League so far

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

West Ham 3-1 Newcastle

West Ham 3-2 Burnley

The east Londoners take on Bournemouth and Liverpool before travelling to Man United, who are enjoying a resurgence under Ruben Amorim, with Aston Villa and Premier League title contenders Man City awaiting them over the festive period as well.

After that, the January transfer window does represent a major lifeline for West Ham, and reports suggest the club are set for a very active winter when it comes to incomings and outgoings. Sky Sports report that West Ham are targeting a new defender, midfielder and striker in January, with Nuno given assurances that David Sullivan and co have money to spend on fresh talent.

We’re also likely to see a fair few players head out the exit door, not least striker Niclas Füllkrug, who has apparently been given the green-light to leave after a lacklustre spell marred by injuries and a lack of form.

West Ham could also sell Guido Rodriguez for pure profit after signing him on a free transfer from Real Betis last year, but one player who looks the most likely to depart by far is midfielder James Ward-Prowse.

The 31-year-old was axed from West Ham’s matchday squad immediately after Nuno’s arrival, despite being vice-captain under Graham Potter and a “quiet leader” of the team.

James Ward-Prowse "almost certain" to leave West Ham after Nuno decision

For anybody wondering, there is basically no chance for Ward-Prowse to play his way back into contention, with Nuno fully deciding that he’s surplus to requirements.

That is according to journalist Dean Jones, who told TEAMtalk this week that the Englishman is “almost certain” to leave as David Moyes’ Everton take real interest.

The question for West Ham is how much money they can recuperate from Ward-Prowse’s sale, and how much could be reinvested into bolstering key areas when the January window opens for business.

Sullivan will also be keen to get the former Southampton star’s £115,000-per-week wages off the books, as he is currently the club’s fourth-highest earner behind Alphonse Areola, Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen.

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