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Steve Bruce must ruthlessly axe Karl Darlow and return Martin Dubravka to the Newcastle United goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

And, according to The Telegraph, that’s exactly what the under-pressure Toon boss intends to do at St. James’ Park on Saturday.

Dubravka is yet to open a single Premier League fixture this season after sustaining a heel injury in training ahead of the start to the 2020/21 campaign, with Darlow going on to establish himself as the new number one on Tyneside.

Darlow performed magnificently most weeks during the first half of the term, with his saves often proving crucial to Newcastle staying in fixtures and keeping, some, distance between the Magpies and the relegation zone.

Particularly against defending champions Liverpool in December, Darlow stood firm to warrant a rare 10 out of 10 match rating from Chronicle Live, having produced 11 saves to deny Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane – the former being the Premier League’s top-scorer with 17 goals to date.

But Darlow’s efforts have dropped off somewhat in recent weeks, and he endured a particularly troublesome night at Old Trafford last Sunday when Manchester United beat Newcastle 3-1.

The 30-year-old will know he should have done better when beaten by Marcus Rashford for the Red Devils’ opener, with the England international driving home low at the near post. Dan James later snuck the ball past Darlow to restore his side’s lead, with the shot-stopper unable to make himself big enough to prevent Newcastle conceding for a 42nd time this term.

Those moments left Bruce to tell the assembled media after the game: “We’ll have a look at the goalkeeper, he will be disappointed to be beaten at the near post for the first goal. It’s been a difficult week, but we have games coming up where we think we can take points.”

That run starts with Wolves on Saturday, in which a defeat combined with a Fulham win on Sunday at Crystal Palace could leave Newcastle in the drop zone, with three points all that separates United from the Cottagers who hold a superior goal difference.

Dropping Darlow after one particular errant performance may seem harsh, but the move to recall the Magpies’ 2019/20 Player of the Year Dubravka is a needed one if Bruce wishes to keep his job, for a little longer at least.

Owner Mike Ashley is expected to be hands-off all the while Newcastle remain outside of the bottom three, though that may only be a matter of days away with Bruce winless in 14 of the Toon’s last 16 Premier League games.

Installing Dubravka between the sticks now, ahead of hosting the Molineux natives and subsequent top-flight clashes with relegation-rivals West Bromwich Albion plus Brighton and Hove Albion, may thus be a needed measure to bring a sense of calm to St. James’.

“When Dubravka was injured and Darlow was in fantastic form he was knocking on the door for an England call-up and without him, they could be in the position where Sheffield United or West Brom are,” Lee Ryder said on the EIBW Podcast (Chronicle Live, 23/2, 11:37)

“Dubravka is a different type of goalkeeper to Darlow – he organises his defence a little differently, he’s calmer and that is what Newcastle may need in the next 13 games.”

Darlow may feel hard done by to be replaced by Dubravka after everything he’s done for Newcastle this season, but a relegation battle is no time for Bruce to show sentimentality.

AND in other news, Newcastle are exploring a deal to sign a £31.5m-rated star for free this summer…

Carlo Ancelotti must unleash Andre Gomes in Everton’s FA Cup tie with Sheffield Wednesday to see if the Everton midfielder can fill the void of Abdoulaye Doucoure.

The Toffees are set to be without Doucoure for their crunch Premier League meeting with Leicester City on Wednesday night through suspension, after the £20m summer signing was issued his fifth yellow card of the season at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

An Everton victory over the Foxes will see the Goodison Park natives close the gap between themselves and Brendan Rodgers’ side to three points and they’d have two games in hand, as they battle for a place in the top-four and qualification for the Champions League.

Doucoure has played more often in the top-flight this term than any other member of Ancelotti’s squad, with the 28-year-old featuring for 1,452 of a possible 1,530 minutes after starting all 17 of their fixtures to date.

Gomes, in contrast, has fallen out of favour on Merseyside this season, with the former FC Barcelona maestro boasting only the 15th-highest total game time by an Everton player after accumulating just 573 minutes of action over 12 outings, of which he’s started five.

The last of Gomes’ Premier League starts came in November’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle United when Ancelotti sought to find a new role for him, with the £18m-rated man fielded in an advanced role in behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin before being hauled off on the hour mark.

He has struggled to impress when given the chance in the cup competitions too, with Darren Bent claiming Gomes was exposed for his lack of pace and physicality against Manchester United as Everton lost 2-0 in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

“Gomes, on the ball, is kind of your Rolls Royce footballer that gets on it, links play, not scared to take the ball in tight areas and different scenarios. I was disappointed in Gomes because he’s a wonderful footballer,” he told Football Insider.

“There are times when the opposition’s midfield are quite quick, they’re dynamic, they get about, I think that’s where Gomes lacks real legs in the middle of the park.”

Gomes again was questioned for his performance when fielded from the start against Rotherham United in the FA Cup third round win earlier this month, with the Liverpool Echo claiming his passing was often sloppy and that his poor tackling should have been punished.

Doucoure’s absence against Leicester will be a big miss for Ancelotti, with Bent further lauding the Frenchman as a “top, top player” who “there isn’t anyone like” at Everton as he brings a powerful presence to the engine room.

That presence has also returned among the highest number of progressive passes at Goodison Park this term (39), with only James Rodriguez (82) recording a significantly higher total of passes that moved play closer to the opponent’s goal in Premier League fixtures, per FBref.

Doucoure also stands strong at the other end of the pitch to make a higher number of tackles (19) in the defensive third and the second-most pressures (298) by a Blues player. Gomes, on the other hand, has offered just one more tackle in the defensive third than attacker Alex Iwobi (8) and pressures opponents (127) as frequently as Rodriguez (122).

Gomes will have big shoes to fill against Leicester if he’s the one selected, thus he must be unleashed against Sheffield Wednesday to shake off any cobwebs against a side sitting second-bottom of the Championship. Otherwise, Ancelotti will be throwing him in straight at the deep end on Wednesday.

AND in other news – Exclusive: Pundit reacts as Everton to hand £100k-p/w man a new contract.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Crystal Palace are reportedly considering a move for Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero as a potential replacement for Real Sociedad target Vicente Guaita.

What’s the word?

Reports have emerged over the past week that the La Liga giants are interested in signing the Spaniard stopper, who has shown flashes of his ability at Selhurst Park this season.

Guaita moved to Palace from Getafe as a free agent almost three years ago and has started every single game in the Premier League so far this season and has three clean sheets to show for his 20 starts.

Now, the Spanish publication claim that the Eagles are eyeing up a move for Romero, who has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford, with the 33-year-old now in the final few months of his contract.

Guaita’s perfect replacement

Hodgson’s side have conceded 36 goals in the Premier League this season, second only to newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion with 48.

Described as being a “top professional” by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the stopper would make a fine addition at the back of Palace’s squad.

Like Guaita, Romero has shown tremendous dexterity, with WhoScored listing his strong reflexes as one of his key strengths. The similarities don’t stop there, either, as both keepers have shown they are comfortable saving shots from close range.

Last season, the Argentine goalkeeper averaged 1.2 saves per game in the Europa League, albeit against a higher level of competition, while Guaita has managed three in the Premier League this season. The pair also possess a similar work rate, with Romero taking 32.3 touches per match, slightly ahead of Palace’s stopper at 32.1.

If Hodgson is looking for another veteran to come in and replace Guaita between the sticks, then he could find the perfect replacement in the £1.8m-rated United outcast.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Carlton Palmer on Crystal Palace contract talks with Patrick van Aanholt…

Leeds United have had a great start to their Premier League campaign. This has largely been down to the way Marcelo Bielsa has set them up and the team ethic that they have. Defender Luke Ayling is one of the Leeds players who has recently been praised for his performances.

Alex McLeish praises Luke Ayling

Speaking about the defender, Alex McLeish said: “We talk about Luke nearly every week, we always give him a mention. He’s such an enthusiast for the game. You see him as soon as a corner is over and it’s an opposition goal kick and he was up, it’s like ‘woah’ he’s the fastest guy back into the defence. He’s back into his position.

It’s a guy who clearly loves his football and his roles within Leeds United, not only as a full-back, he’s got the centre-back skills as well – he’s got versatility.

He’s a really, really good example to any young player coming up because he’s been through the ranks. You see where he started and now he’s playing in the Premier League.”

Ayling has shone for Leeds

In the past, Phil Hay has emphasised how important Ayling is as he tweeted: ‘The more you look at him and analyse him, the more you realise he’s integral to everything Leeds do.’

The stats from this season in the Premier League also emphasise Ayling’s importance to Leeds. Defensively, he has shone, managing 2.6 tackles and 2 clearances a game (WhoScored). He has been a threat at the other end of the pitch too, boasting 1.4 dribbles per game as Leeds have taken to the Premier League in a confident fashion.

Full-backs are key in the modern game because they can provide so much for sides at both ends of the pitch, and Ayling is flourishing as he is showing the division that he can perform very well in this role, making him on of the numerous right-backs who have played at a high level this season.

In other news, one Leeds player is desperate to prove himself to Bielsa. Have a read who it is here!

Premier League clubs have reportedly approached Man Utd striker Odion Ighalo over a potential move.

Ighalo’s loan deal at Old Trafford expires at the end of January and he will then return to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua. Having said that, there seems to be no shortage of interest in the Nigerian forward currently.

PL interest in Man Utd’s Ighalo

Sky Sports have stated that while there is interest from abroad to sign Ighalo, a couple of Premier League clubs have made ‘tentative’ enquiries to sign the former Watford striker. His loan deal expires on the 31st of January and apart from the two English clubs, teams in Qatar and Saudi Arabia are also interested in the 31-year-old.

The report from Sky Sports suggests that Ighalo is happy to see out his contract at Old Trafford and then consider other opportunities. The Nigerian has made just one Premier League appearance for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men this season and in all competitions, he has played four times.

Before joining Man Utd last January, Ighalo had rejected a move to Tottenham because he supported the Red Devils as a kid.

Solskjaer previously hailed Ighalo as a ‘proven goalscorer’: “He’s a proven goalscorer and played his part in both goals (against Norwich in the FA Cup last season). He is a great person to have around the dressing room too.”

Man Utd can afford to part ways with Ighalo

Considering the fact that Ighalo hasn’t played much this season, it may not be a surprise to see him leave. Summer signing Edinson Cavani has impressed already, scoring three goals in the Premier League and picking up a couple of assists. He also scored the Red Devils’ first goal in the League Cup win over Everton (as per Transfermarkt).

Because of Cavani’s form, perhaps it would be best for Ighalo to move elsewhere if he wants to play regular first-team football.

In other news, another Man Utd star could be moving to a Premier League club – read more about it here.

When Leeds get going there are very few teams that can stop them.

Although they went behind against Newcastle, they were eventually ruthless and unstoppable on their way to winning 5-2.

It was a clinical emphatic performance full of class and everything you’d associate with a Marcelo Bielsa team.

He works his players hard and they keep going right until the final whistle. If there were any fears of burnout, they were quashed when Leeds scored three goals in the final 13 minutes.

It was a swashbuckling display that should have left Bielsa blown away, especially with one player.

No, we’re not talking about Jack Harrison or Rodrigo here, neither are we talking about the all-action Stuart Dallas. Instead, we’re talking about Pablo Hernandez.

The Spaniard has been at the centre of attention over the last few years, winning multiple Player of the Season awards at Leeds, quickly earning his place in Elland Road folklore.

However, his return to the Premier League hasn’t been very profitable. He’s started just two matches and before last night, had failed to contribute to a single goal.

For a 35-year-old, he is no longer in the prime of his career but there had been question marks over whether he had the quality for the top-flight.

Those concerns were answered on Wednesday evening in a magical eight-minute cameo that rolled back the years.

Hernandez, who earns £19k-per-week at Leeds, was brilliant as he picked up two assists after making just 13 touches. Remarkably, that was fewer touches than goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

The Spaniard didn’t even play too much in the final third, spending the vast majority of his time on the pitch inside their own half.

He completed 92% of his passes and lost the ball just once. If ever there was an indication that form is temporary, class is permanent, this was it.

Hernandez has had his fair share of doubters this term but this was evidence that he can still offer plenty to Leeds and Bielsa.

If he can provide this kind of magic from the bench regularly, he will have done his job no end.

In other news, Forget Harrison: “Bargain” Leeds beast who made 100% longballs delivered a huge statement…

Crystal Palace must make a cut-throat decision on Mamadou Sakho’s future at Selhurst Park amid links abroad.

What’s the word?

The 30-year-old defender has struggled with injuries so far this season, and has yet to feature since the 2-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage in October, where he made a brief cameo from the bench, and it now appears the end is nigh for the former France international.

Sakho had been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park in the summer, with L’Equipe reporting that Ligue 1 side Lyon were interested in the centre-back, but that deal failed to materialise.

However, he has been handed another lifeline, if recent reports are to be believed. According to Estadio Deportivo, Real Betis are interested in securing his services as they are targeting players who are out of contract next summer.

The clock is ticking

Having returned to Palace on a permanent basis from Liverpool for £26m in 2017, things haven’t exactly gone to plan for Sakho at Selhurst Park. The veteran defender has had his fair share of injury problems during his time at Palace, having played just 74 games for the club since his move was made permanent.

As a result, he has often found it difficult to establish himself in Roy Hodgson’s side, with Gary Cahill and James Tomkins the preferred defensive pairing last season.

Hodgson has been frustrated by his injury problems in the past, saying: “He feels, in his own words, scared that something’s going to happen if he plays and he’s unwilling to take the risk.

“We thought he was going to be back, but he is still feeling his calf injury. At the moment he is making it clear he doesn’t feel confident enough to play.

“I’m disappointed in that as I thought we would have got him back after the Newcastle second half when he played so well, but it hasn’t turned out that way. We will just have to wait and see but it’s really when he lets us know he’s ready. We’ll have to wait and see, and we are waiting for him to let us know when he’s ready.”

As much as we hate to admit it, it’s fair to say that he has simply been more trouble than what he is worth, which is precisely why the Eagles must get rid of him at all costs by any means necessary in January.

With his contract coming to a close in a matter of months, coupled with the fact that the £8.5m-rated outcast has been left on the bench for the past four Premier League games in a row, Palace chairman Steve Parish must make the ruthless call to cash in on him when the winter transfer market opens in just under a month’s time.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace must swoop for Reading defender Omar Richards in January…

Leeds United were linked with every man and his dog during the summer transfer window, well, at least that’s what it felt like as even the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani were rumoured to be on their way to Elland Road.

But there is one realistic name that the Yorkshire giants must reconsider going into January as the door has seemingly opened for them to strike this time around.

According to West London Sport, Queens Park Rangers’ contract talks with attacking midfielder Bright Osayi-Samuel continue to stall, and now their manager Mark Warburton has warned that he isn’t afraid to offer an ultimatum if he does not sign an extension soon.

The 22-year-old saw a £5m move to Belgian outfit Club Brugge fall through early in the summer and as a result, he remained at Loftus Road, where he has continued to display his impressive exploits.

Osayi-Samuel has contributed to four goals in 13 starts in the Championship so far this term while also averaging 3,4 dribbles, 1.5 shots and 1.3 key passes per game when playing anywhere in behind the striker, via WhoScored.

It means he’s well on track to surpass last season’s tally of five goals and eight assists, and his averages for all three facets have improved from 2019/20 too.

You’d have to imagine that Warburton’s ultimatum is said through gritted teeth as the former Brentford manager knows all too well just how good the Nigerian-born Englishman is.

He has previously lauded Osayi-Samuel as a “real handful” who has “sheer pace that terrifies defenders,” which is why Leeds should be all over him again after AllNigeriaSoccer linked the Yorkshiremen with interest back in May this year.

Given that Pablo Hernandez is out of the side right now having not featured in any of their last three Premier League outings, while he has only started two of ten matches, per Transfermarkt.

“He’s going to be a real star of the future. He’s not just got speed, he’s got that end product. He can cross, get assists and can score,” once said Steve McLaren too.

The Rs sensation is out of contract in the summer, so with some forward planning, he won’t even cost Andrea Radrizzani a penny. Not bad when you’re looking for someone suitable to take the reigns from the Spanish veteran.

AND in other news, Leeds must steer well clear of £60k-p/w “monster” in January…

Crystal Palace bolstered their attack with the loan signing of Michy Batshuayi in the summer, and many fans are reacting as they still look to strengthen up front, with Mariano Diaz the latest name linked.

According to Sport, Palace and fellow Premier League sides Everton and West Ham are monitoring the £25million-rated Real Madrid striker. The forward has played 42 times in all competitions and only scored 11 times (Transfermarkt) and this is not the greatest record. Many Palace fans have various opinions on the rumour because of this, with one calling it a ‘horrible idea’.

Not only is his lack of goals worrying, but also the fact that he has only played 41 times in four years. This highlights that he isn’t really highly rated by Madrid, even though there is plenty of squad depth in front of him.

The signing seems like a bit of a risk, especially for a club who haven’t spent over £20million on one player since Mamadou Sakho in the 2017/18 season (Transfermarkt).

With the South London side already having a lot of experienced Premier League forwards at the club, it would probably be best if they spent their money elsewhere.

Here is how Palace fans reacted to the transfer update:

In other Palace news, many fans are not happy with this Premier League star being linked. Have a read who it is here!

Many Aston Villa fans are hoping they get to see captain Jack Grealish feature for England over the upcoming internationals.Â

Gareth Southgate prefers an England formation which typically only suits one creative attacking midfielder. This has seen Grealish battling with players like Mason Mount for a place in the lineup.

Speaking on both Grealish and Mount, the Three Lions manager said: “I suppose on that (Grealish starting debate) you’re referring to Mason, whose only crime is not to be Jack at the moment. I’m also aware I should talk about Mason because then it keeps the memes going of me talking about Mason.â€

These comments have not gone down well as fans of Villa continue to feel that the Three Lions manager is picking Mount due to favouritism and not form. One fan said it was ’embarrassing’. His comments in the past have not helped them change their opinion on this matter, as it certainly seems like the former Villa player has unintentionally turned a molehill into a mountain.

Fans definitely have a right to feel this way too, as the Chelsea star has only managed one goal and one assist in the Premier League this season (WhoScored). Meanwhile, the Villa captain has four goals and five assists (WhoScored) and was a dominant figure in the middle of the park against Arsenal last weekend.

Here is what Villa fans said following the comments on Grealish:

In other Villa-related news, Mason Mount has spoken out on Grealish, have a read what he said here!