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Everton have further fortune in their favour after their fantastic FA Cup win at the weekend, with a fresh update on injuries handing Frank Lampard a huge boost in the Premier League challenge that lies ahead of the new manager.

What’s the word?

The ex-Chelsea boss took to his pre-match press conference to confirm that Dominic Calvert-Lewin is back in training with the squad and will be available for the upcoming fixture against Newcastle United this evening.

Lampard simply said: “Dominic’s in the squad, so, Dominic has been training for the last few days.”

The striker had been confirmed last week as unavailable for the FA Cup clash with Brentford last Saturday afternoon after sustaining a knock, but quickly returned to training and will now be in contention for a place in the team at St James’ Park.

Fans will be delighted

Calvert-Lewin has cemented himself as a fan favourite at the club thanks to his attacking output since he joined the club in 2016 when he was signed for just £1.5m.

He has been worth his weight in gold with 56 goals and 16 assists in 179 appearances for the Toffees.

The 24-year-old has been instrumental for the side and continues to have a presence Everton seem to struggle without, almost seven years into his time at Goodison Park, which is something we have witnessed this season with Calvert-Lewin missing the majority so far through injury.

The star striker has scored three goals this term so far of which were scored consecutively in the first, second and third games of the season, in which they won two and drew one. Sadly his momentum came to an end when he sustained a quadriceps injury and a fractured toe at the beginning of September.

Since then, it has been downhill for the Toffees, winning just two games in the Premier League in Calvert-Lewin’s absence, conceding 11 more goals than they have scored in their campaign, so his return will surely be a huge boost for the team and for Lampard, as he considers his starting XI tonight with a desperately needed win the outcome the new manager will be hoping for.

New signings Donny van de Beek and Dele Alli will also be available for the league fixture for the first time and it will be interesting to see if Lampard will stick or twist with his winning team from the FA Cup clash at the weekend.

In other news: Lampard could sign Broja in the summer

Manchester United are thought to be interested in bringing Ralf Rangnick as Old Trafford to take over as interim manager.

That’s according to reliable reporter Samuel Luckhurst of The Manchester Evening News, and unsurprisingly a number of United fans have been reacting to the news on social media.

Rangnick is currently a director at Lokomotiv Moscow and has plenty of experience as a manager. The 63-year-old’s last role in the dugout came with RB Leipzig, and the eight-honour boss appears to be on Ed Woodward’s radar.

Luckhurst claimed that United’s initial approach for Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has been rejected, leading the Old Trafford club to explore an interim boss in the meantime.

He suggested that Rangnick is the preferred short-term option, although the likes of former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde and former Roma coach Rudi Garcia have also been discussed.

United fans react

@utdreport shared Luckhurst’s claim regarding United’s interest in Rangnick on Wednesday lunchtime.

Here is what these Red Devils supporters had to say in reply, with many excited by the news and a few hoping to see a summer move for Ajax boss Erik ten Hag over Pochettino.

“Rangnick then Ten Hag with a DOF…I know I am dreaming but this sounds too damn good! #MUFC structure is key to Utd’s success!”

Credit: @RocBoiJJ

“the best news today, get Rangnick as an interim and then go for Ten Haag at the end of the season”

Credit: @morsikooo

“PLEASE, I BEG”

Credit: @evanderadjei

“On my kneeeeees”

Credit: @jaredmcleod7

“Yes!!!!!!!!!!! Then Ten Hag in the summer”

Credit: @VegetaUTD

“This is what I want to be reading please. Rangnick or Valverde end of the season, please Lord. We can still win something.”

Credit: @Dharey__

In other news: This managerial update also went down well with plenty of United fans

Flocking to Twitter, these West Ham United fans have reacted to a major update on manager David Moyes’ transfer plans ahead of January involving Burnley star James Tarkowski.

Since defender Angelo Ogbonna suffered an ACL injury in West Ham’s 3-2 home victory over Liverpool before the last international break, Moyes has been tipped to target a new signing as cover in the winter window (The Evening Standard).

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Of the players linked, which include Hertha Berlin mainstay Niklas Stark and Liverpool centre-back Nathaniel Phillips, Clarets favourite Tarkowski is a name repeatedly mentioned.

The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season, with his current deal set to expire in 2022, and it is reliably believed that is he far from likely to sign an extension at Turf Moor (The Athletic).

As such, Burnley may feasibly have to let him go in January or risk losing him for free in the summer – with The Sun now coming out with a claim on what West Ham and Moyes have planned.

According to their sources, ‘West Ham boss David Moyes will make a final bid’ to sign Tarkowski this upcoming window with the club set for a transfer swoop.

It is believed they will lodge an offer of around £6m-£7m with the Hammers boss personally keen on a move.

West Ham fans react…

Reacting to this transfer claim, it’s safe to say these supporters hold mixed feelings.

There are those who believe he would be an ‘absolute steal’ at that price and ‘great addition’, hard to argue given he has averaged even more clearances per 90 (5.2) than any West Ham defender in the Premier League this season according to WhoScored.

Tarkowski has also been hailed as a ‘top player’ by Turf Moor boss Sean Dyche, highlighting his obvious quality.

However, others have mixed opinions on how willing Burnley would be to sell their prized asset amid a relegation battle whilst others question the validity of the claim.

One fan even worries for the West Ham youngsters coming through if Moyes decides to sign another ‘marquee’ defender like Tarkowski.

Find all of their best verdicts down below:

“He didn’t want to up root his family to come to us! What’s changed? Success!!!”

Credit: @Claret_Cook

“Like Burnley will sell one of their most important players in their bid to stay up.”

Credit: @Alex_COYI

“£7 million would be an absolute steal”

Credit: @stephenlott

“He’d be a great addition. But I do worry about opportunities for some of the really promising young CBs like Alese & Baptiste if we sign another marquee defender. Only reason for this can be that Ogbonna isn’t getting a new contract?”

Credit: @jackbuck123

“Tarkowski would be a good buy under Moyes”

Credit: @GkWhu

“Here we go again anything with 2 legs and a heartbeat and we are linked to them…”

Credit: @dazza7370

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘Siuuuu’, ‘Tears’…Many West Ham fans erupt as ‘massive’ off-field news emerges, find out more here.

Despite currently sitting in fourth place in the Championship table and just four points off the top spot, West Brom have scored the fewest number of goals out of any of the top five teams in the league at the moment with 30 scored in 23 games.

With this in mind and the fact that the January transfer window is close to opening, this could provide the Midlands club with the opportunity to strengthen their squad to put themselves in the best possible shape to attack the second half of the campaign and push for promotion.

In recent days, it has been reported by The Athletic that Barnsley striker Cauley Woodrow is “under consideration” for the Baggies to sign in January, which could be just what they need to progress.

The 27-year-old originally joined Barnsley on a loan deal from Fulham back in the 2018 summer transfer window before signing on a permanent basis in January 2019.

Overall, the striker, who is currently valued at £2.7m according to Transfermarkt, has made 151 appearances for Barnsley across all competitions, scoring 53 goals and providing ten assists along the way, showing how much of a goalscoring threat he could be for the Baggies.

With 42 appearances under Valerien Ismael during the duo’s time together at Barnsley, Woodrow managed to score 12 goals and provide six assists, showing that the West Brom manager knows how to get a tune out of the player and why it would make sense for them to reunite in January at The Hawthorns.

Labelled as a player that “carries a goal threat” by former Huddersfield Town boss and pundit Danny Cowley, Woodrow could be a great January signing for West Brom if he’s able to hit the ground running in terms of scoring goals and push the Baggies to promotion back to the Premier League.

However, with the striker playing the full 90 minutes in all but one of the 22 Championship games he’s appeared in so far this season, it could be tough for the Baggies to get Woodrow out of Barnsley based on how important he clearly is to their team.

Although, with Barnsley in the relegation zone with just 14 points on the board, a chance to secure promotion and play in the Premier League with West Brom could be rather tempting for Woodrow and possibly give hope to the Midlands club that they would be able to work out a deal to sign him in January.

In other news: Lai still wants to sell the Baggies

Liverpool are ‘convinced’ that Mohamed Salah will remain a Reds player beyond this summer, according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.The 28-year-old has been a sensational signing for Liverpool since joining from Roma in the summer of 2017, scoring 119 goals in 192 appearances.  Salah has matured into one of the biggest names in world football and become a true icon, with his influence at Liverpool arguably unrivalled under Jurgen Klopp.Despite Salah generally appearing happy at Anfield, there seem to be constant rumours suggesting that he could leave this summer, perhaps not helped by an interview he conducted with AS back in December, when he flirted with the idea of joining Barcelona or Real Madrid. Liverpool confident Salah won’t leave

Writing for BenchWarmers, Romano claimed that Liverpool believe the Egyptian superstar will stay put, adding that there is ‘no problem with the club’ currently.

The journalist wrote that the Merseysiders “are convinced that they can keep Mohamed Salah”, adding that “soon they will also have to talk about his contract expiring in June 2023 but there is no problem with the club.”

Salah’s current £200,000-a-week Liverpool contract expires in two years’ time, but the hope is that he will sign a new deal in the near future.

Transfer Tavern take

There are times when it feels like the Reds’ number 11 is underappreciated, with his constant flow of goals and assists proving priceless over the last four seasons.

It may be that Salah’s world-class quality is only universally lauded when he leaves – the hope is that he is still a few years away from departing Anfield.

In other news, there has been a key update on one injured Liverpool star – find out who it is here.

Aston Villa must seal a summer swoop for £9m-rated Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, and he would make a great partner for Ollie Watkins.

Villa were interested in bringing Nketiah to the club ahead of January but a move never materialised, but they can’t make the same mistake this summer and must secure his signature before another club do.

According to Birmingham Live, Villa are still interested in the 22-year old who has made 87 appearances for Arsenal and been directly involved in 22 goals. To have played that amount of games at such a young age is impressive, he has a long career ahead of him and we think he would make a worthy investment.

The Englishman has impressed when called upon by Mikel Arteta this season, particularly in their recent derby victory over Chelsea where he scored a brace.

Following this display his boss Mikel Arteta said he has been “unfair” on him, eluding to the lack of game time he’s given to the youngster. It’s that lack of game time that could see him leave the club in search for more regular minutes, with Crystal Palace also showing an interest.

His contract expires in June and there is another offer on the table but he looks set to leave for free. Not paying a transfer fee makes signing him even more attractive and a lot less risky, so much so that it’s a surprise other clubs aren’t in for him.

Former England star Michael Owen has heaped praise on Nketiah calling him a “goal-machine” who has a “hunger to score”.

If he made the move to Villa Park then he would be lining up alongside Ollie Watkins. He’s been a menace since he arrived from Brentford for £30.6m in 2020 and is the top scorer for the West Midlands side this season.

They could form a formidable partnership that would give the Villans the best chance at achieving Steven Gerrard’s aim of ‘bringing European football back’ to the club.

When you compare the two players they both excel in different areas meaning that they could each contribute to the team in unique ways.

Watkins is better when it comes to shots on target per 90 minutes with 0.92 compared to 0.84, whereas Nketiah beats him when it comes to goal creating actions per 90 with 0.42 compared to 0.22.

Ultimately not much can go wrong and if Villa want to improve their forward line in the summer then he is the best option for them.

IN other news: Aston Villa now plotting bid for £18m-rated “phenom”, he’s the “new Yaya Toure” – opinion…

According to journalist Alex Crook, Southampton are “still hopeful” of signing Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles on transfer deadline day.

What’s the story?

The Gunners’ versatile ace has become one of the hottest properties in the Premier League over the past couple of days, with a number of teams seemingly interested in taking him on loan for the rest of the season.

Reports had suggested the likes of West Brom and Leicester were among the clubs keen on signing him, but now Crook has delivered a promising update on the situation in Ralph Hasenhuttl side’s favour.

He claims that whilst there’s no “tangible progress made” just yet, the Saints are “still hopeful of getting it done”.

Ralph needs him

After seeing the likes Theo Walcott, Ibrahima Diallo and Oriol Romeu make the long walk back down the tunnel in the controversial 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, Hasenhuttl must be wringing his hands wondering where on earth his luck has gone.

The Saints boss is already short on natural full-back cover, so much so that James Ward-Prowse had to fill in as a right-back. It’s exactly why the versatile Maitland-Niles is such a badly needed option for Hasenhuttl on deadline day.

The England international has played as a full-back, wing-back, central midfielder and even out wide in his career, and given that reports have even suggested that the £16.2m-rated Maitland-Niles wants a move in this transfer window where he can play in the middle of the park, surely the Southampton manager can now convince him he can get that opportunity to do so at St Mary’s?

Writing for The Athletic, Dan Sheldon said: “If Ainsley Maitland-Niles was fretting about joining Southampton over concerns of a lack of game time, then Saturday evening should convince him to opt for the St Mary’s side over West Brom and Leicester.”

Crook’s update is a promising sign for Hasenhuttl’s side on deadline day.

Meanwhile, Southampton would be foolish to get rid of this man…

Steve Bruce should use the ace up his sleeve to see that Newcastle United win the race to sign Blackburn Rovers’ sought-after striker Adam Armstrong this summer.

What’s the word?

According to Chronicle Live, Armstrong would be open to making a return to St. James’ Park three years after being sold by Rafa Benitez.

The former Toon boss sanctioned the 24-year-old’s £2m move to Ewood Park in 2018, in a decision that select club staff did not agree with at the time.

As part of the transfer, Newcastle inserted a 40% sell on clause, that would have left Blackburn with a paltry profit had the striker been sold in the January transfer window amid rumours David Moyes weighed up West Ham making an £8m offer.

Rovers are thought to have valued the forward at closer to £30m earlier in the season, but are expected to be more realistic in their appraisal this summer should Tony Mowbray fail to secure promotion into the Premier League.

Armstrong, who left Newcastle on excellent terms with those at the executive level, has less than 18-months remaining on his current Blackburn contract and is said to have been watched by a clutch of clubs from across the Premier League, Europe and Major League Soccer.

The forward has earned his array of potential suitors after thriving in the Championship over the last two seasons, hitting 17 goals in 26 games this term and 16 in 46 across 2019/20. He also fired home once in the EFL Cup earlier in the campaign, to move to within two goals of his career-best return of 20 achieved in 2015/16 while on loan with Coventry in League One.

Yet Mowbray confirmed on Deadline Day last week that his outfit did not receive any official bids, noting via quotes by the Lancashire Telegraph: “Am I surprised? Probably yes. I’m not disappointed, but am I surprised? I thought the phone might have rang.”

Should Newcastle bring Armstrong back?

Armstrong made his Newcastle debut way back in March 2014 as a fresh-faced 17-year-old, yet was never really given a run in the side whilst Benitez was at the helm with just two appearances under the Spaniard compared to 10 under Alan Pardew between 2014 and ‘15.

The forward never truly hit the ground running when on the field, either, having failed to score in any of his 21 career games for the Magpies, but has clearly come on leaps and bounds since moving to Blackburn Rovers with an increasingly prolific record in front of the net.

Mowbray also lauds Armstrong for his play off the ball for the way it creates obstacles for opponents to overcome, with the 24-year-old proving a menace in the second-tier.

“His explosive pace at the top end of the pitch allows you to play both ways, to not be overly concerned if you’re pinned back around the edge of your box because one pass releases pressure to someone like [Harvey] Elliott to play the pass that he can hit, just leaving it in the space for the speed and dynamic movement of Armstrong – it’s a devastating effect for the team,” the Rovers boss said earlier in the season, via quotes by FourFourTwo.

Bruce would surely benefit greatly from having another option like that at St. James’ Park who can supplement the threat of players like Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron, so should be urging Mike Ashley and Managing Director Lee Charnley to use their 40% sell-on clause to bring the striker back to his boyhood side.

Newcastle may soon be depleted in attack with Dwight Gayle and Andy Carroll both now in the final six-months of their respective contracts, so using the sell-on clause could be particularly beneficial in driving Rovers’ asking price down and saving funds that can be used to sign other options as well.

Neither Gayle nor Carroll are currently playing their way into new deals with just a goal each in the Premier League this term, so United will have to box smart in rebuilding their attack. And only an astronomical asking price should rule Armstrong out of that remodel.

AND in other news, a £47k-p/w colossus is weighing up his future at Newcastle United…

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon has suggested that Southampton will be keeping a close eye on Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie in the coming weeks.

The Lowdown: Christie a man in demand

Celtic appear to be in a tricky situation with Christie, as his contract actually expires in January 2022.

That means he’ll be able to pen a pre-contract agreement with sides outside of Scotland this summer, ahead of a potential free transfer in the new year.

Both Burnley and Norwich have been linked with a move for the 26-year-old recently, and it seems as if Southampton have become the latest side to show an interest in the Scotland international.

The Latest: Nixon’s Christie claim

According to Nixon, the Saints ‘will watch Celtic’s Ryan Christie at Euros’ – an interesting seven-word claim for the Hoops’ expected rebuild.

Christie was included in Steve Clarke’s squad for the major competition, alongside five other Hoops players.

Nixon took to Twitter on Sunday morning to share the news, saying:

“Southampton. Will watch Celtic’s Ryan Christie at Euros. Contract running down. May get a chance to play in preferred role too.”

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The Verdict: Euros key for Celtic’s financial hopes?

Back in February, a Celtic source informed Football Insider that the Hoops were looking to tie Christie down to a new deal ahead of the summer window.

However, with no deal yet in place, Celtic may have to bite the bullet and look to sell at a cut price, should interested parties be keen on one, to ensure they at least receive something for the attacking midfielder.

He’s currently valued at £6.3m and is on £12,000-a-week at Parkhead, so if the club can receive an offer around £4-6m, they may be silly not to accept given his contract situation.

Hopefully, Christie can impress with his country this summer over the coming weeks, which could end up being key for Celtic earning as much as possible in a permanent deal ahead of the 2021/22 season.

In other news: Source shares further Celtic managerial twist; Dermot Desmond urged to consider Ange Postecoglou alternative, find out more here. 

It would be fair to say that not many Manchester United players came out of Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Leicester City with much credit.

The Red Devils produced an utterly abject performance at the King Power Stadium, with a brace from Kelechi Iheanacho and another from Youri Tielemans ending their journey in the competition.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a number of changes for the tie, a gamble that did not pay off, with one of those introduced to the starting line up, Donny van de Beek, turning in a particularly passive showing.

Making just his 12th start in all competitions for United since joining from Ajax, the 23-year-old did not do his chances of getting more opportunities any favours.

According to WhoScored, the Dutchman had just 33 touches of the ball throughout the entire game. On first glance, that isn’t too bad of a contribution, but it takes on a completely different complexion when it is noted that van de Beek’s replacement, Bruno Fernandes, had 41 touches, despite getting far fewer minutes on the pitch.

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Even when the former Ajax man did receive the ball, he could not do much with it. He only completed 24 passes throughout his time on the pitch, whilst also not contributing a single shot or key pass.

He did play a key role in United’s only goal of the game as his clever dummy fell kindly for Mason Greenwood to smash home but that did not mask what was otherwise an utterly shocking showing.

Van de Beek continued to struggle against a Leicester midfield full of quality and determination, only completing one tackle and zero interceptions.

His awful evening was eventually brought to an end as he was substituted by Solskjaer in the 64th minute of the tie.

The Norwegian will likely feel that Van de Beek did nothing to earn his £120k per-week wages at the King Power Stadium.

AND in more news, take a look at which midfielder Manchester United should bring in this summer…