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There are key figures at Manchester United who like Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn.

That’s according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who was speaking to Give Me Sport.

The lowdown

According to Transfermarkt, McGinn (£27million) is the sixth most valuable player in the Aston Villa ranks, behind Emiliano Martinez, Emiliano Buendia, Leon Bailey, Douglas Luiz (all £31.5million) and Ollie Watkins (£28.8million).

But Spotrac figures show that he is one of the lowest earners in the first team, pocketing £25,000 per week.

The Scotsman has earned plenty of plaudits, with one journalist describing his rise as ‘remarkable’ and another ranking him as one of the top 10 players in the Premier League at present.

The latest

O’Rourke hinted at the possibility of a Manchester United swoop for McGinn.

“John McGinn, I know for sure, has got admirers within the Manchester United hierarchy,” he said.

The verdict

The stats illustrate McGinn’s importance to Villa. As of Saturday morning, he was the club’s highest-performing player according to WhoScored metrics, averaging a 7.18/10 rating.

He’s recorded 2.8 tackles, 1.5 tackles (both squad-highs) and 1.4 dribbles per 90 minutes.

Only Ollie Watkins (six) has notched more direct goal contributions than the 27-year-old (five).

The Athletic reported in the summer that McGinn had impressed Jurgen Klopp, and that he was on Liverpool’s radar as they considered possible Georginio Wijnaldum replacements.

With two clubs of that stature keen, it may not be long before he moves on from Villa, so this is certainly a worrying verdict from O’Rourke.

In other news, fans reacted to this transfer update from Gregg Evans.

Robin Martin-Jenkins and Monty Panesar took three wickets each as Sussexmanoeuvred themselves into a commanding position on the second day againstGlamorgan

10-Apr-2010
ScorecardRobin Martin-Jenkins and Monty Panesar took three wickets each as Sussexmanoeuvred themselves into a commanding position on the second day againstGlamorgan at the Swalec Stadium. The pair helped to bowl Glamorgan out for just 191 to give Sussex a 93-run first-innings lead.By the close that advantage became 158 as Sussex reached 65 for 1 intheir second innings. Martin-Jenkins finished with figures of 3 for 34 to add to his 65 runs in Sussex’s first innings, while Panesar took 3 for 20 on his championship debut for his new county.At the start of the day some accurate new-ball bowling accounted for bothGlamorgan openers in consecutive overs. Corey Collymore, who forced the Glamorgan top order into plenty of playing and missing on a helpful pitch, claimed the wicket of Will Bragg, caught behind chasing a wide one.In the next over Gareth Rees also tried to drive a wide delivery which wascaught low down by Michael Yardy at first slip off James Anyon. From 19 for 2 Michael Powell and skipper Jamie Dalrymple had to dig deep to build a recovery.But just after reaching a patient 50 partnership for the third wicket Dalrymplewas trapped leg before deceived by a slower Luke Wright delivery. Powell and Ben Wright guided their side to 100 for 3 at lunch.Wright, in the side because overseas opener Mark Cosgrove was rested for the first game, failed to make the most of his opportunity as he was trapped lbw by Martin-Jenkins for 10. And Martin-Jenkins struck three balls later to knock back James Allenby’s off stump.Martin-Jenkins continued his good form by then trapping Powell leg before twoshort of a half-century. The wickets kept falling at regular intervals as Harris also went lbw to give Panesar a first Championship wicket for Sussex. Glamorgan then slipped to 164 for 8 when wicket-keeper Mark Wallace chased a wide Wright delivery to be caught behind.Robert Croft and Dean Cosker took their side to 184 without further loss at tea before Panesar claimed Glamorgan’s final two wickets in the space of three overs. Cosker became the fifth lbw victim of the innings and Chris Ashling edged behind.Sussex’s second innings had reached 60 without loss when Yardy was given out lbw to Croft’s first ball, bringing night-watchman Anyon to the middle for the final three overs.

Wolves will look to complete the signing of a new central defender in the January transfer window, according to reliable journalist Luke Hatfield.

The Lowdown: Defender impress for Wolves

Bruno Lage’s side have enjoyed an encouraging first half of the Premier League season, sitting in the top half of the table and eyeing up European football next year.

While entertainment hasn’t always been the order of the day for Wanderers – they have only scored 13 times in 18 matches – defensively they have looked strong.

The likes of Max Kilman, Conor Coady and Romain Saiss have all performed well but it seems as though another centre-back wouldn’t go amiss, especially with Saiss due to depart for AFCON in January.

The Latest: Wanderers keen on centre-back

According to Hatfield, speaking to Give Me Sport, the heart of defence is where Wolves are most keen on strengthening next month:

“I think it’s the position (centre-back) that Wolves are most keen on addressing.”

The Verdict: Squad depth key

The aforementioned trio of Kilman, Coady and Saiss cannot be faulted this season, with Wolves only conceding 14 times in the league, but that doesn’t mean a new signing isn’t needed.

Squad depth is vital, given the relentless nature of the matches and fixture changes, and it may be that one of Wanderers’ regular back-three picks up an injury at some point.

That highlights the need for someone else to come in, with Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic a reported target and someone who could be ideal, having averaged 3.3 aerial duel wins per game this season – more than any Wolves player.

In other news, some Wolves fans are fuming at a refereeing update. Read more here.

Bangladesh continue to remain unpredictable. Can they pull of a special win or two in this World Cup?

The Preview by Sriram Veera30-Apr-2010OverviewFlamboyant yet disciplined: Tamim Iqbal•PA PhotosIt’s been said before that Bangladesh are most dangerous in Twenty20. That in twenty minutes of violent batting or strangulating left-arm spin, they can turn a game on its head. It’s a back-handed compliment actually that seeks to turn their flaws while playing Test cricket or 50-over cricket into strengths for Twenty20 format. However, after this summer of cricket where they weren’t totally outplayed by India and England, their fans would be hoping for a good performance in the Caribbean.The slow West Indies pitches, in theory, should suit them and this is where they were instrumental in knocking out India from the 2007 World Cup. More importantly, this is where they achieved their first overseas Test and ODI series wins against a Test-playing nation not that long ago. Tamim Iqbal, who has been in great form in the last one year though he is just back from an injury, would be their main hope with the bat and much will be expected from the usual suspects – Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful and Aftab Ahmed.Twenty20 pedigreeOverall, Bangladesh’s statistics aren’t impressive. They won three out of their first four Twenty20 games, which included a fabulous win against West Indies when Ashraful and Aftab unfurled sparkling knocks, but they have lost their last ten games.Strengths and weaknesses It’s still their unpredictability that is their strength and weakness. On their day, they could play as awesomely as they did in the thrashing of India in the World Cup but can combust as spectacularly as well. In Tamim, they have as good an opener as any other side and in Shakib they have one of the better allrounders going around in the circuit but their seam department is a worry. Mashrafe Mortaza has been busy fighting injuries, Syed Rasel is steady and Rubel Hossain is not consistent yet.Key menLook no further than Tamim Iqbal. For long, Bangladesh have had many attacking batsmen but lacking in discipline, but Tamim has been rapidly maturing in the recent months and is blossoming into a fine world-class player. He has the shots and is now showcasing his strong temperament as well. Shakib Al Hasan has already established himself as a world-class allrounder and it was he, more than Mortaza, who should have got into an IPL team. He is a fiercely ambitious man and one who has never shied away from facing the heat, be it on the field or out of it. He bowls like a miser and tries to bat like a millionaire.X-factor Mahmudullah is another young player who is maturing quickly. He has converted himself from being a “hitter” who used to bat at No.8 in domestic cricket into a responsible lower middle-order batsman who bowls handy offspin. If Bangladesh top order combusts, it will be Mahmudullah that the management will look to get them to a decent score.Vital stats For someone who has dazzled in Tests and one-dayers recently, Tamim is yet to prove himself in the Twenty20 format – he averages just 13.38 from 13 games Ashraful has just one fifty in 13 games but the stunning 27-ball 61 against West Indies is the knock with the highest strike-rate for any innings over 50 by an Bangladeshi batsman.

Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Marseille striker Bamba Dieng with the Eagles looking to push for a top-half finish in the second half of the 2021/22 season.

What’s the story?

According to French outlet La Provence, the 21-year-old Senegalese forward is on the shortlists of a handful of Premier League clubs, including Palace, Aston Villa and West Ham United.

The Marseille striker has scored four goals in 14 league appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit so far this campaign, having made just five league appearances all season last term.

It’s fair to say that this has been the youngster’s breakthrough season.

Dubbed to be “a Didier Drogba” with “great potential” by his fellow countryman El Hadji Diouf, Dieng is certainly an exciting talent who is starting to catch the eye of Premier League outfits.

The £7.2m-rated striker is currently with the Senegal national team ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations opener against Zimbabwe on Monday afternoon.

Palace fans will be buzzing

After an impressive first half of the campaign, Patrick Vieira will certainly be targeting a top-half finish for his Palace side with the South London club sat in 11th after 20 games, two points off of 10th placed Leicester. However, the Foxes have two games in hand.

Christian Benteke has had a decent campaign thus far, contributing four goals and an assist in 19 Premier League appearances whilst on-loan midfielder Conor Gallager is the club’s top scorer so far this campaign with six goals.

However, Palace could do with some extra firepower up front.

Jordan Ayew has been a popular option for Vieira, despite scoring just one goal all campaign whilst there are reports that Jean-Philippe Mateta could leave Selhurst Park this window.

Moreover, with Ayew now 30 and Mateta a loanee, signing a young striker like Dieng with bags of potential would be a shrewd move from the Palace hierarchy.

In other news, Patrick Vieira has delivered a major update…

The Jamaica leg of South Africa’s tour of West Indies has been shifted to Trinidad following the ongoing violence in Kingston which has now killed 44

Cricinfo staff24-May-2010The Jamaica leg of South Africa’s tour of West Indies has been shifted to Trinidad following the ongoing violence in Kingston which has now killed 44.A state of emergency is in operation in the capital after serious fighting broke out involving supporters of a local drug lord whom Jamaica officials are aiming to extradite to the US.Sabina Park was due to host the final ODI, a warm-up match and the first Test starting on June 10 but the two internationals will now be held at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad with a venue for the practice match still to be confirmed.Trinidad had originally been scheduled to hold the two Twenty20 internationals and the opening two ODIs but they were moved to Antigua after a general election was called. The remaining Tests will be held in St Kitts and Barbados later in June.Last year Sabina Park was the scene for a rare West Indies victory as they skittled England for 51 in the first Test.

According to football.london reporter Rob Guest, Tottenham are hoping to bring in three new additions before the January transfer window closes.

This will consist of a right wing-back, a central midfielder and a striker, with those positions “expected to be the priority”.

The Lowdown: Spurs rushed for time

Today marks two weeks until transfer deadline day, so Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici haven’t much time left to deliver upon what was deemed a pivotal transfer window for the club.

Many rumours have arisen regarding additions and departures, but nothing has come to fruition so far, with zero signings or departures at Tottenham Way.

Antonio Conte recently indicated to Levy that the transfer situation at Tottenham is not where it should be, saying that the club’s “incredible” fans “deserve much more”.

The Latest: Three new additions expected

Guest said in a Q&A for football.london that Tottenham are hoping to secure three signings before the January transfer deadline, and it is expected that they will prioritise the additions of a right wing-back, a central midfielder and a striker.

He stated: “Hopefully it will be three new additions as a new right wing-back, central midfielder and striker are expected to be the priority this month. Monday marks two weeks until the transfer deadline and that leaves Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici with limited time remaining to bring in new signings.

“However, Spurs have been known to be late movers in the transfer market in the past. As Jose Mourinho was backed in his first transfer window as Spurs boss with a couple of new additions, Levy has to do the same with Conte. Tottenham have a world-class manager at the club and they need to keep him happy about the level of backing he will get at Tottenham.”

The Verdict: Ambitious but necessary

Additions to Spurs’ squad are a necessity for a number of reasons. Firstly, the squad is light on depth, with a lack of cover an obvious issue in a few positions.

Perhaps even more importantly, transfer activity will be crucial in keeping Conte happy. If a hugely successful manager like him is not backed by the club after promises to the contrary, he could become disenchanted – you only have to look at how his time at Chelsea ended acrimoniously.

Also, if Spurs are to fight for Champions League qualification, they will need to bolster the quality of options they have in their squad, as currently a few injuries could leave a lasting impact on the Lilywhites’ season.

Three signings is an ambitious mission with two weeks left in the window, but Spurs need to do their utmost to try and deliver on that before the end of the month.

In other news: “All depends on…” – Alasdair Gold drops big Spurs transfer update as Paratici waits for club’s decision

The New Zealand selectors have named a 14-man squad for the annual Emerging Players Tournament in Australia in August

Cricinfo staff27-Jun-2010The New Zealand selectors have named a 14-man squad for the annual Emerging Players Tournament in Australia in August. The tournament involves teams from Australia, India, New Zealand and South Africa, and each team will play four Twenty20s and four one-dayers.The trip offers an opportunity to players like Neil Broom, Daniel Flynn and Aaron Redmond to fight their way back in to the senior squad. Fast bowler Ian Butler was not considered due to an injury. The selectors, however, did not name a captain.Squad: Brent Arnel, Michael Bates, Neil Broom, Brendon Diamanti, Daniel Flynn, Colin de Grandhomme, Peter Ingram, Tim McIntosh, Rob Nicol, Aaron Redmond, Shanan Stewart, Neil Wagner, Luke Woodcock, Reece Young (wk)

The ICC has retained its current policy of allowing the host country to decide, upon consultation with the touring side, on whether or not to use the UDRS in a Test series

Cricinfo staff01-Jul-2010The prospect of using the UDRS at next year’s World Cup came a step closer after the ICC approved the implementation of the controversial system subject to agreements over costs and equipment between the broadcaster partner, ESPN STAR Sports, and the host nations. However, the use of UDRS in all Tests still seems a distant possibility after it was agreed to retain the current arrangement whereby the host country and visiting team decides.The implementation of the UDRS worldwide has been inconsistent, and the ICC Cricket Committee, in its meeting at Lord’s earlier this year, had recommended the system be introduced “as soon as possible in all Tests.””The detailed work of the ICC Cricket Committee gave both the CEC and the ICC Board excellent direction and there was full agreement that technology would be used whenever possible,” Haroon Lorgat, the ICC’s chief executive said.”We have all seen the benefits of using DRS to assist umpires in Test cricket and we are now keen to use DRS in the ICC Cricket World Cup. We also acknowledge and we are grateful for the support provided by broadcasters and technology suppliers around the world during the development phase of DRS.”The ICC and the ECB have also exonerated umpire Daryl Harper of any blame during the Johannesburg Test earlier this year. Harper landed in controversy after he turned down a caught-behind appeal against Graeme Smith which had been referred to him.Harper upheld the on-field umpire Tony Hill’s decision because he could not hear a sound on the replay and it was suggested that he had not increased the volume setting on his monitor which would have made the edge evident. However, the ICC has said a “technical failure” was the cause of the lapse.”Following the issues raised with the DRS in the Wanderers Test match between South Africa and England in January 2010, the preliminary findings of Advocate Brent Lockie and ICC Cricket Committee chairman Clive Lloyd acknowledges that the technology failure at the time adversely impacted on the information received by the third umpire Daryl Harper while making his decision,” the ICC said. “The ICC and the England and Wales Cricket Board agreed that the third umpire in the match, Daryl Harper, was entirely blameless due to this technical failure.”Andy Flower, the England coach, was unhappy with officials at the time and suggested the outcome of the investigation wasn’t quite what transpired. “I know what happened that day, because they told me,” he said.However, he remains a supporter of the system and has no issues with it being extended into the World Cup. “I think the DRS, in whatever format it is used, is quite useful – because we get more good decisions,” he said. “I don’t see why, if we give the same level of importance to all three formats, it is only Test cricket that should have DRS available.”In a bid to eliminate any inconsistency the ICC, in May, had decided it had to meet with all broadcasting companies in a bid to standardise the use of technology, and hosted a workshop earlier in the year.

Celtic target Hannes Wolf could be on the move ‘in the next few days’, according to Borussia Monchengladbach chief Max Eberl.

The Lowdown: Ange a fan

The Hoops have already brought in two midfielders this month in Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi, however, they are seemingly after more.

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Riley McGree almost made the move to Parkhead before a deal fell through, with Wolf another player who has been linked alongside MK Dons’ Matt O’Riley.

Ange Postecoglou is thought to be a ‘big’ admirer of the Monchengladbach man, who has been a ‘long-term target’ for the Hoops, and it now seems as if the 22-year-old could be on the move.

The Latest: Eberl’s comments

As reported by Fohlen Hautnah, Eberl had this to say on Wolf, claiming that he may be on the move over the coming days, not ruling out a temporary or permanent exit.

“Something might happen to him in the next few days. We’ll see whether it’s a loan or a sale when the time comes.”

The Verdict: Hoops to pounce?

Tom Rogic is the club’s only recognised attacking midfielder on the books, as per Transfermarkt. David Turnbull has also played in that role but is currently out injured, so bringing in Wolf on loan could be a shrewd move.

Things haven’t worked out for Wolf in Germany, however, if he can replicate his form for former employers RB Salzburg, where he contributed to 44 goals in 89 appearances, a transfer to Glasgow could be a smart one.

A possible option to buy included in a temporary deal, as they have with Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers, could also be of benefit to the Hoops, so it could be one to keep a close eye on ahead of the weekend.

In other news: Mikael Lustig buzzing as Celtic confirm more January news on ace who ‘makes it look easy’.