BCCI okays Shreyas Iyer's request for six-month break from red-ball cricket

“He wishes to utilise this period to build endurance, body resilience and work on his fitness,” BCCI secretary says

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Sep-20255:11

Aaron: If Iyer says he has back issue, you have to believe him

Shreyas Iyer has requested the BCCI for a six-month break from red-ball cricket due to concerns about his back, which the board has approved*. ESPNcricinfo learned that Iyer sent an email to the board to that effect and pulled out of the ongoing four-day match between India A and Australia A in Lucknow.Confirming the update on Thursday morning, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a press statement that Iyer “has informed the BCCI of his decision to take a six-month break from red-ball cricket”. “Having undergone back surgery in the UK and managed his recovery well, he has recently experienced recurring back spasms and stiffness while playing the longer format,” Saikia wrote. “He wishes to utilise this period to build endurance, body resilience and work on his fitness. In view of his decision, he was not considered for selection for the Irani Cup.”Iyer was the India A captain in the first four-day game against Australia A, but withdrew from the second. He was likely to have been picked in the Rest of India squad to play defending Ranji Trophy champions Vidarbha in the Irani Cup, but will now miss that game.Before scoring 8 in his only innings against Australia A last week in Lucknow, Iyer had played the Duleep Trophy semi-final for West Zone against Central Zone in September at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence on the outskirts of Bengaluru. He made 25 and 12 in that outing, his first competitive match since the end of IPL 2025.Iyer had problems with his back in December 2022 and the injury flared up during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at home in March 2023, after which he had surgery in April and missed the IPL that year. He returned for the Asia Cup in September and was a key part of India’s unbeaten run to the 2023 ODI World Cup final in November.He continued to have issues with his back, though, and skipped some first-class matches for Mumbai, as a result of which he was omitted from the BCCI’s central contracts list in February 2024. Iyer was back on the list of contracted players the following year. More recently, in February-March this year, Iyer was India’s highest run-getter (243 in five innings) and the second-highest run-getter overall in the run to the Champions Trophy title, after which he led Punjab Kings to the final of IPL 2025.

بعد تصريحاته الأخيرة.. صحيفة بريطانية تسلط الضوء على سِجل خلافات كاراجر ومحمد صلاح

سلطت صحيفة “ذا ميرور” البريطانية حالة الجدال والخلافات الكثيرة التي حدثت بين جيمي كاراجر، محلل قنوات سكاي سبورتس ومحمد صلاح، نجم ليفربول.

كان جيمي كاراجر، لاعب ليفربول السابق قد انتقد محمد صلاح بسبب عدم ظهوره إعلاميًا والحديث في ظل الأزمة التي يعيشها الفريق خلال الموسم الحالي باعتباره نجم الفريق، على عكس ما يقوم به فيرجيل فان دايك، (لمزيد من التفاصيل اضغط هنا).

جاءت تلك التصريحات بعد خسارة ليفربول الفادحة أمام نوتينجهام فورست بثلاثية نظيفة، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وسجل صلاح هدفين فقط في آخر سبع مباريات للريدز، انتهت 6 مواجهات منها بالهزيمة، ومع تدهور وضع ليفربول انتقد جيمي كاراجر ، نجم ليفربول الأول بشدة مع تزايد الضغوط على الجميع في آنفيلد.

تعليقات كاراجر ليست المرة الأولى التي يهاجم فيها صلاح، بما في ذلك العام الماضي عندما تحدث عن مشكلة عقده كما أنه هاجم وكيله رامي عباس.

في صيف عام 2022، شن كاراجر هجومًا على وكيل صلاح، رامي عباس عيسى، عبر وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي وسط تكهنات حول مستقبل المهاجم.

في ذلك الوقت، كان هناك حديث عن عدم تجديد عقد محمد صلاح وهو ما كان جمهور ليفربول يتمنى بشدة أن يُطرح أمامه، بسبب المستوى المميز الذي كان يقدمه، لكن منشورات وكيل صلاح على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي زادت الطين بلة من وجهة نظر كاراجر.

كتب كاراجر عن ذلك على حسابه عبر “إكس”: “جميع مشجعي ليفربول يُحبون موكلك، وإذا غادر الصيف المقبل، فسنتمنى له التوفيق ونشكره جزيل الشكر لكن يُمكننا الاستغناء عن هذا الكلام المُبهم طوال الـ 12 شهرًا القادمة! قل كلمة!! (موجهًا كلامه لمحمد صلاح)”.

وبعد وقت قصير من تأكيد توقيع صلاح على عقد جديد لمدة ثلاث سنوات، قال كاراجر مازحًا إن صلاح ووكيله “خدعوهم جميعا”.

ثم انتقد كاراجر صلاح الذي وصفه باللاعب الأناني: “بالطبع كانت هناك نقاشات، أجل، في الوقت الحالي من الواضح أن هناك فرقًا كبيرًا في التقييم، أيًا كان ما يُقدره محمد صلاح ووكيله، سواءً كان ذلك ماليًا أو من حيث مدة العقد، وما يفعله ليفربول”.

هذه المرة، لا يوجد أي دراما تتعلق بعقد صلاح فقد تم مكافئته على مستواه المتميز بعقد جديد في نهاية الموسم الماضي لكنه لم يقدم مستواه المعهود حتى الآن هذا الموسم.

وهو ليس الوحيد الذي يعاني الآن في فريق ليفربول الذي يبدو أسوأ بعد الكثير من الإنفاق في سوق الانتقالات.

لكن كاراجر تساءل عن سبب ظهور فان دايك وحيدًا في الواجهة الآن ويريد سماع المزيد من صلاح، مُدعيا أن النجم يتحدث فقط “عندما يحصل على جائزة أفضل لاعب في المباراة أو يحتاج إلى عقد جديد”.

في حديثه عن وضع ليفربول السيء في برنامجه، قال كاراجر: “أعتقد أن فيرجيل فان ديك بعد المباراة، عاد ليتحدث كما ينبغي له كقائد، ووصف ليفربول بالفوضى، يجب أن أقول إنه بعد كل هزائم ليفربول كان فان ديك دائمًا هو من يخرج للجمهور وكما قلت، ينبغي على القائد أن يفعل ذلك، ولكن يجب أن يكون هناك لاعبون آخرون في غرفة الملابس يتحدثون باسم النادي”.

“قبل عام من هذا الأسبوع، لم يخجل محمد صلاح من الخروج والتحدث عن وضعه الخاص، وعن عدم عرض النادي عليه عقدًا، لا أسمع صلاح يتحدث إلا عندما يحصل على جائزة رجل المباراة أو يحتاج إلى عقد جديد، أتمنى أن أرى صلاح يظهر كأحد القادة، أحد أساطير ليفربول، ويتحدث باسم الفريق”.

Padikkal, Jagadeesan key as depleted South Zone face formidable North

South Zone will count on a few big names to drive the batting, while the bowlers will have their task cut out against a confident North Zone top order

Ashish Pant03-Sep-2025

Auqib Nabi will be key in North Zone’s bowling unit•PTI

Big Picture: Both teams missing major namesA depleted South Zone without several key players due to injuries and national duty, will face North Zone in the semi-final of the 2025-26 Duleep Trophy in Ground A of BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, on the outskirts of Bengaluru.Already missing captain Tilak Varma (Asia Cup selection) and R Sai Kishore (finger injury), South Zone have been dealt another setback with fast bowler Vijaykumar Vyshak ruled out of the semi-final due to a side strain. Fast bowler Vasuki Koushik has replaced him in the squad.With KL Rahul also not around, South Zone will count on Devdutt Padikkal, N Jagadeesan and captain Mohammed Azharuddeen to drive the batting, while the bowlers will have their task cut out against a confident North Zone top order.North Zone come into the semi-final after a stellar quarterfinal where they qualified after a first-innings lead against East Zone. They scored 405 in the first innings and then bowled East Zone for 230. Having taken a 175-run lead, the North Zone batters piled on the runs in the second innings, with captain Ankit Kumar and Yash Dhull recording centuries and Ayush Badoni scoring an unbeaten double ton.While the batting unit is likely to remain unchanged, North Zone will be without two of their primary fast bowlers in Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, with the duo part of India’s Asia Cup squad. Punjab’s Gurnoor Brar and Haryana’s Anuj Thakral have been added to the squad as replacements.Related

Auqib Nabi shakes up the Duleep Trophy with four wickets in four balls

Ankit, Rasheed added to South Zone squad for Duleep semi-final

Shubham Sharma – a low-profile red-ball warrior in the T20 era

Iyer, Jaiswal in strong West Zone line-up against Central Zone

South Zone have made a direct entry to the semi-final by virtue of playing the Duleep Trophy final the last time the tournament was played in the zonal format in the 2023-24 season. The semi-final will not be televised.In the spotlight: Padikkal, Nabi, BadoniDevdutt Padikkal came back from an injury layoff and finished as the highest run-scorer at the recent Maharaja T20 Trophy. He will be looking to get back into the red-ball grind, with a busy season coming up. Padikkal hasn’t played for India since November 2024, when he played the Perth Test against Australia, and will want to return to the fray by scoring big.Despite Arshdeep and Rana in action, it was the four-in-four man Auqib Nabi who turned heads in the only innings North Zone bowled in the first game. He was nippy, extracted plenty of bounce off the surface and got the ball to move both ways. Nabi was the highest wicket-taker at the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy for a fast bowler and has retained that form at the start of the season. He will lead the North Zone bowling attack and could prove to be a handful against a weakened South Zone batting unit.Ayush Badoni scored a double century for North Zone in the quarterfinal•PTI

Ayush Badoni was Delhi’s highest run-scorer in the last Ranji season. While he didn’t have the most productive Delhi Premier League 2025, his red-ball form has been on point. He made a counterattacking 60-ball 63 in the first innings of the quarterfinal and then an unbeaten 204 in the second. Having had the hang of the surface at Ground A of BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, he will want to build on his form.Team news North Zone could bring in Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Yudhvir Singh Charak and Punjab pacer Gurnoor Brar into XI to replace Arshdeep and Harshit. The rest of the unit is unlikely to change from the first game.North Zone (probable): 1 Ankit Kumar (capt), 2 Shubham Khajuria (vice-capt), 3 Yash Dhull, 4 Ayush Badoni, 5 Nishant Sindhu, 6 Kanhaiya Wadhawan (wk), 7 Sahil Lotra, 8 Mayank Dagar, 9 Auqib Nabi, 10 Yudhvir Singh Charak, 11 Gurnoor BrarTanmay Agarwal, Padikkal, Ricky Bhui and Jagadeesan are expected to form the top four of the South Zone XI, while they could go with three fast bowlers and two spinners in the mix.South Zone (probable): 1 Tanmay Agarwal, 2 Devdutt Padikkal, 3 Ricky Bhui, 4 Narayan Jagadeesan (vice-capt), 5 Mohammed Azharuddeen (capt & wk), 6 Shaik Rasheed/Salman Nizar, 7 Ankit Sharma, 8 Tanay Thyagarajan, 9 Vasuki Koushik, 10 Gurjapneet Singh, 11 Basil NP / MD NidheeshPitch and conditionsThere was some seam movement and bounce in the morning on all four days of the quarterfinal for the fast bowlers in Ground A at CoE, but the pitch eased out as the day progressed. Expect much of the same for the semis as well. There has been plenty of rain in and around Bengaluru over the last few weeks, and with cloudy conditions expected all through the semis, fast bowlers should get some help off the surface.

Liverpool player ratings v Crystal Palace: Slot's first-team stars worse than youngsters

Arne Slot saw much-changed Liverpool fell to a sixth loss in seven matches as Ismaila Sarr’s clinical brace helped Crystal Palace reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Oliver Glasner’s Eagles got the better of the Reds for the third time this season as they followed their Community Shield shoot-out triumph and last month’s Premier League victory at Selhurst Park with an Anfield win.

Sarr’s first-half brace and a late Yeremy Pino strike secured FA Cup holders Palace a 3-0 fourth round victory as increasingly scrutinised Liverpool boss Slot’s bold decision to make 10 changes backfired in front of a full house.

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He’s impressed the Reds

ByTom Cunningham Oct 29, 2025

Slot’s men had started Wednesday’s tie brightly, only for familiar foe Sarr to score twice at the end of the opening period to make it seven goals in nine matches against Liverpool.

Palace continued to cruise through the second half. The tie was over by the time teenage Reds substitute Amara Nallo was sent off in the 79th minute, with Pino adding extra gloss late on.

Defenders & goalkeeper

Freddie Woodman – 5

Even Freddie Woodman will be surprised to have received the call from Liverpool in the summer, but here he is and there he was in the starting line-up against Crystal Palace. To his credit, the Englishman was fairly flawless and could do nothing to prevent Sarr’s first-half brace or Pino’s late effort.

Calvin Ramsay – 6

Calvin Ramsay (yes, Calvin Ramsay) was perhaps the most surprising name on the teamsheet in a much-changed Liverpool side. The Reds have had their right-back problems as of late, so why not turn to the forgotten man?

Finally back at Anfield following disappointing loan spells and injury troubles, the Scotsman was one of the brightest sparks for the home side, particularly in the first half. He also gets bonus points for a stunning crossfield pass that Liverpool fans became used to down the right-hand side for several years. Welcome back, Calvin.

Joe Gomez – 3

It was a difficult evening for Joe Gomez, whose loose touch handed Sarr his first before his poor positioning allowed the Palace man a second in the space of four first-half minutes.

It was a frustrating watch for those at Anfield, who saw Gomez get off to a solid, leading start before mistakes crept into his game. Given the recent struggles of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, the last thing Liverpool needed was a poor performance from their other senior centre-back.

Andy Robertson – 4

In an unfamiliar centre-back role, it became clear that Andy Robertson was not in his favoured position from early on. Whilst he deserves credit for slotting in under the circumstances, there’s no denying that he struggled alongside Gomez. In many ways, it was fitting that the Reds played a fullback at centre-back against Marc Guehi as their regret became exposed.

That said, Robertson will be wondering what he has to do to take back his left-back spot as Liverpool’s disastrous defensive form continues.

Milos Kerkez – 4

Speaking of Liverpool left-backs, it was another frustrating evening for Milos Kerkez. He has continued to look rushed in possession and rash when defending. Although he wasn’t tested as much as previous weeks, the Hungary international was wasteful at times and that far from helped the blunt nature of Liverpool’s frontline.

Midfielders

Wataru Endo – 4

When Wataru Endo entered the Anfield turf last season, it often signalled game over for any opposition side. The Japanese international simply closed up for the evening and secured three points time and time again. This season, however, he has struggled to make the same impact.

Suddenly, there’s no hiding his weakness in possession which was shielded by work rate and robustness in the last campaign. Once again, he was loose against Palace and far from helped his side’s attempts to take control.

Trey Nyoni – 4

It was a night of learning for Trey Nyoni. Such a highly-rated player at Liverpool, the young midfielder felt the tempo of Premier League opposition in full and often found his passes misplaced.

Those at Anfield witness his unique composure in the middle of the park in pre-season, but he found out the hard way that time isn’t always a given at senior level.

Alas, it must be said that the senior members of the squad could have done a fair bit more to help the 18-year-old on a night to forget.

Alexis Mac Allister – 3

Alexis Mac Allister was undoubtedly one of Liverpool’s most important players last season’s title win. Alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, he formed an excellent midfield. Like much of Slot’s side as of late, however, he’s lost his way in the current campaign.

Still recovering from a knee injury in the summer, the Argentine once again looked a shadow of his best self against Crystal Palace. His form, or lack of it, hands Slot the worrying dilemma of just how to fix his current problems in the middle of the park.

Forwards

Kieran Morrison – 5

Thrust into the side at 18 years old, Kieran Morrison started well before gradually beginning to struggle against senior opposition. It’s not the first-team debut that he would have been dreaming of, but it is a moment in his career that he should cherish at Anfield nonetheless.

Had he at least enjoyed better service, things may have been different.

Rio Ngumoha – 6

Liverpool’s biggest bright spark, Rio Ngumoha very nearly curled a sensational effort into the top right in the first-half and certainly handed the likes of Jaydee Canvot a tough start to the evening. At 17 years old, his ability to take players on remains extraordinary and may just earn him a fair few more chances in the coming months.

Liverpool star Rio Ngumoha

Whilst Liverpool’s attack is full of big-money signings, Ngumoha’s glimpses of quality have sparked questions about his own game time despite his tender age,

Federico Chiesa – 6

It looked for a moment as though Federico Chiesa would hand Liverpool the lead in the early stages, only for his effort to end high and wide. That was that for the Italian’s chances, in truth, who struggled despite once again putting in the hard yards.

Even in defeat, his work rate should have put Slot on notice. As the Reds’ attack continues to struggle to click, Chiesa may yet provide a solution alongside the rest of his senior teammates.

Substitutes: Wellity Lucky (5), Amara Nallo (sent off, 2), Kaide Gordon (6), Trent Kone-Doherty (4)

موعد والقنوات الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي والسد اليوم في دوري أبطال آسيا.. والمعلقين

يستعد فريق الأهلي السعودي لمباراة قوية تجمعه مع السد القطري، بالمواجهة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال آسيا 2025-2026.

وتلعب مباراة الأهلي والسد، على أرضية استاد جاسم بن حمد في العاصمة القطرية الدوحة، وذلك ضمن لقاءات الجولة الرابعة من دوري أبطال آسيا.

الأهلي يدخل المباراة وهو في المركز الرابع في المجموعة، ولديه 7 نقاط، بعدما فاز بـ مباراتين وتعادل مرة واحدة دون تلقى أي هزائم.

ترتيب دوري أبطال آسيا بعد فوز الهلال على الغرافة

ويحتل السد المركز العاشر في جدول ترتيب المجموعة ولديه نقطتين من التعادل في مباراتين، وتلقى هزيمة وحيدة.   موعد مباراة الأهلي والسد اليوم في دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة

تنطلق صافرة بداية اللقاء بين الأهلي والسد، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء 4 نوفمبر 2025، في تمام الساعة 7:00 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، والساعة 6:00 مساءً بتوقيت مكة المكرمة والدوحة. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي والسد اليوم في دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة

ومن المقرر أن تذاع المباراة بين الأهلي والسد عبر قناة beIN SPORTS HD3، وقناة الكأس 5. معلق مباراة الاتحاد والشارقة اليوم في دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة

ويتولى الثنائي حسن العيدروس وخليل البلوشي، مهمة التعليق على أحداث المباراة بين الاتحاد والشارقة.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــــا

West Ham gifted Nuno Espirito Santo boost as his "priority" is revealed

West Ham United have just been handed a boost in their reported pursuit of former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo, as pressure also grows on under-fire Hammers boss Graham Potter.

Potter has made one of the worst starts to a new season by any Hammers boss in Premier League history, and only Avram Grant’s relegated Hammers team from the 2010/2011 season conceded more goals at this stage of the campaign.

Grant’s dismal West Ham are also the only Irons side to record a lower win percentage in the competition than Potter’s men — which makes for incredibly worrying reading.

9. Sam Allardyce

30.7%

10. Julen Lopetegui

30%

11. Gianfranco Zola

27.8%

12, Graham Potter

27.3%

13. Avram Grant

18.9%

via StatMuse

After the east Londoners lost all three of their opening matches in all competitions, the pressure was already on Potter, but an excellent 3-0 win over Nuno’s Forest at the City Ground actually restored some degree of faith that things could turn a corner.

That turned out to be Nuno’s final game in charge of Forest, despite guiding them back to Europe for the first time since 1995 last term, owing to a public fallout with controversial owner Evangelos Marinakis which ultimately cost the Portuguese his job.

Since then, West Ham have swiftly been brought right back down to Earth after the international break following a 3-0 slump at home to Tottenham in the London derby last Saturday, and Nuno could now replace Potter.

Reports suggest that West Ham chair David Sullivan is a fan of Nuno (Alan Nixon), and the fact he is readily available makes the prospect of his potential appointment a fairly doable one if they do decide to sack Potter.

Nuno Espírito Santo stance on next job as West Ham eye move

A lot will depend on Nuno’s wishes and his stance on joining West Ham, with journalist Neil Goulding sharing a significant boost for Sullivan in this regard.

According to Goulding, Nuno’s “priority” is to remain in the Premier League after leaving Forest, and he’s extremely keen to jump right back into management — which will suit West Ham down to the ground.

He’s apparently hungry for his next role as soon as possible, so West Ham may need to make a decision on Potter’s future fairly quickly.

West Ham should consider Nuno to replace Potter

West Ham’s next three league games against Crystal Palace, Everton and Arsenal will likely go a long way in determining Potter’s long-term future, but if they elect to part company, Nuno is arguably their best replacement choice.

José Mourinho is also a free agent, though his last job in England was a lacklustre spell at Tottenham, while Nuno made history by seriously overachieving at Forest last term on limited resources.

This arguably makes him a standout candidate, and Nuno is known for promoting defensive discipline in his setup — something which West Ham have lacked for a very long time.

He also significantly improved Forest’s set-piece weaknesses, which were a major achilles heel for them prior to his arrival, not to mention an aspect of play that West Ham have seriously struggled with under Potter.

Perhaps Nuno could be a David Moyes 2.0, with the potential to bring back serious solidarity to an otherwise very fragile side.

West Ham planned to sign £35m star before deadline-busting Aston Villa move

West Ham United were planning to sign an “outrageous” player, before he ended up signing for Aston Villa in a deadline-busting move.

West Ham miss out on "outrageous" star to Aston Villa

Ultimately, West Ham did what they needed to do on deadline day, bringing in Igor Julio on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion to provide cover in defence, but there are question marks over whether it was a successful window on the whole.

Former player Dean Ashton has been left unconvinced by the recruitment team’s summer transfer strategy, saying: “The recruitment’s been so shoddy, especially when you change managers and style of football.

“You have to be so aligned at board level to make sure that recruitment is absolutely spot-on for the manager that you’ve got in place.”

Things picked up in the latter stages of the window, bringing in 21-year-old midfielder Soungouto Magassa from AS Monaco, while Mateus Fernandes also arrived from Southampton.

However, there are arguably some doubts over the signing of Fernandes, given that the attacking midfielder is yet to really prove himself at Premier League level, having been part of the Southampton side that picked up just 12 points last season.

Instead, West Ham may have been better off signing a more established Premier League midfielder, and that is exactly what they tried to do, having planned to push for the signing of Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott in August.

However, Elliott ultimately ended up completing a deadline-busting move to Aston Villa, with the 22-year-old joining on a loan deal for the remainder of the season, which includes an obligation to buy for £35m.

"Outstanding" manager is "leading" West Ham candidate to replace Potter

The Hammers have set their sights on a Graham Potter replacement.

ByDominic Lund Aug 31, 2025 Elliott could have been "outrageous" signing for West Ham

It is perhaps unsurprising the Hammers missed out on the England U21 international, given that the option to join a club competing in the Europa League was on the table, but it is still disappointing they were unable to get a deal done.

The former Fulham man has been lauded as “outrageous” by scout Jacek Kulig in the past, and he is much more established than Fernandes at the top level, most notably scoring a late winner against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last season.

That’s not to say Fernandes isn’t a strong addition to Potter’s squad, however, with the Portuguese youngster impressing after being thrown straight in on the left-wing against Nottingham Forest last time out.

The starlet won six duels, the joint-second highest number of any West Ham player on the pitch, while he has also received high praise for his attitude from former Saints man Jo Tessem in the past, who said: “Every week he plays his heart out, he is by far the best player on the football pitch from a Saints perspective.”

Mikel Arteta drops Kai Havertz injury bombshell with Arsenal missing 'different specimen' in final third

Mikel Arteta has dropped a bombshell update on Kai Havertz's injury while admitting that Arsenal "really miss" the German forward. Havertz is currently sidelined due to a knee issue he picked up during an Arsenal training session last month. Injuries have disrupted the start of Arsenal's 2025-26 campaign, and Havertz is not due back any time soon.

  • Getty Images Sport

    Havertz's injury woes continue

    After remaining sidelined for the majority of the second half of the 2024-25 campaign with a hamstring problem, Havertz returned to action during pre-season. He came off the bench in Arsenal's 1-0 win over Manchester United in the opening gameweek but picked up another knee problem during a training session last month.

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  • Arteta's bombshell update on Havertz

    Speaking to reporters, Gunners boss Arteta provided an update on Havertz's condition, admitting his recovery is still in the early stages. "With Kai, we know that it will be months with him. I don’t know if it can be weeks, you never know because this is Kai and he’s a different specimen," he said. "We really miss him. Hopefully, he will be back, and back for the long term as well, so it is very important to look after that knee. So far, he’s progressing pretty well."

  • Madueke latest Arsenal player to suffer injury

    New signing Noni Madueke, who arrived at the Emirates Stadium from Chelsea in the summer, is the latest Arsenal star to suffer an injury setback as the winger could be out for months after sustaining a knee injury against Manchester City last weekend. Martin Odegaard, meanwhile, missed the game with a shoulder problem.

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    Saka's comeback a relief for Arsenal

    Amid all the injury concerns, Bukayo Saka's return against City was a huge relief for the Gunners camp. The English winger could feature again in the club's Carabao Cup fixture against Port Vale on Wednesday, before Arsenal turn their attention to a Premier League clash with Newcastle.

When to expect announcement of Isak agreement between Liverpool & Newcastle

Liverpool and Newcastle United have been at loggerheads for months, but a timeline for an agreement between the two clubs over the transfer of the summer may be fast approaching.

Alexander Isak's latest situation amid heavy Liverpool speculation

In a story that has twisted, turned and left everyone on the edge of their seats, Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak’s desire to join Liverpool and subsequent standoff with the Magpies has left Premier League fans desperate for a conclusion.

Earlier on Saturday, Jan Age Fjortoft sent supporters of the Reds into overdrive, offering a revealing statement on X that the Sweden international is now set to sign on at Anfield for a fee in the region of £130 million.

He stated: “Re: Alexander Isak Understand Isak – deal is done! Newcastle away at Leeds tonight, so nothing expected before that I am told. Fee expected to be around £130m Isak to Liverpool likely to happen very soon.”

However, there is always a twist in the tale somewhere, something that Mailsport’s Dominic King provided around half an hour after Fjortoft’s update on Isak’s situation.

The reporter contradicted claims that Isak is set for Liverpool, instead telling his followers that there is a chance Liverpool may not sign anyone else by Monday’s deadline.

Arne Slot’s men have always maintained hope they can land the Magpies striker, and that doesn’t look likely to change soon, even if some reports diverge from others on the current state of play.

With two extremes mentioned earlier, could the truth behind Isak’s proposed move to Merseyside from Newcastle be somewhere in the middle?

Tavolieri: Liverpool in advanced talks to land Alexander Isak

Once again by virtue of social media platform X, reputable journalist Sacha Tavolieri has claimed that Isak is now in advanced talks to join Liverpool and a full agreement should be found by Sunday.

Tavolieri stated: “NUFC and LFC now in advanced talks for Alexander Isak! As explained from Friday night to Saturday, the Reds have made an offer likely to convince the Magpies management. Sunday expected to be the day of the announcement of a full agreement. Matter of time.”

Shades of Coutinho: Liverpool confident of signing “special” big-money star

Liverpool are ready to close a few deals before the end of the summer transfer window.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 29, 2025

Both Liverpool and Newcastle fans will be well-versed with his capabilities, which saw the Solna-born man register 27 goals and six assists inside 42 appearances last season.

Linking the play between Eddie Howe’s midfield and attack, Isak also managed to fashion 42 chances for his teammates on Premier League duty, albeit it doesn’t look like he will be continuing in the North East for much longer.

After months of speculation surrounding his future, Liverpool could now be about to make one of the biggest signings in recent English football memory should all go to plan.

عماد النحاس: لن نُعاقب لاعب الأهلي.. وهذا ما أخشاه في الفترة القادمة

تحدث عماد النحاس القائم باعمال المدير الفني لفريق الأهلي، عن الفوز برباعية مقابل هدفين، على كهرباء الإسماعيلية، ضمن مباريات الدوري المصري الممتاز. 

وحقق الأهلي فوزًا كبيرًا على فريق كهرباء الإسماعيلية، برباعية مقابل هدفين، في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين اليوم السبت، على ملعب المقاولون العرب في الجولة العاشرة من الدوري الممتاز. 

فوز الأهلي رفع رصيده إلى 18 نقطة في المركز الثالث بالتساوي مع الزمالك والمصري البورسعيدي، اللذين يمتلكان نفس العدد من النقاط، بينما تجمد رصيد كهرباء الإسماعيلية عند 8 نقاط في المركز الـ18 من جدول الترتيب. 

طالع.. رجل مباراة الأهلي وكهرباء الإسماعيلية في الدوري المصري

وقال النحاس في تصريحاته للمؤتمر الصحفي عقب اللقاء: “دائمًا المباريات سواء قبل أو بعد القمة تكون صعبة، فقبل مباراة القمة يكون هناك حسابات المباراة والإنذارات والإصابات، ولكن عقب المجهود الذي بُذل، ظهر الإرهاق على اللاعبين اليوم ودخل مرمانا هدفين، ورغم ذلك النتائج جيدة”.

واضاف: “اطمأنينا على الإصابات، وأبارك للاعبين قبل الانضمام للمنتخب، لدينا توقف 10 أيام واللاعبون سينضمون لمنتخباتهم، وسنستكمل التمرين مع المجموعة المتبقية”.

وعن إصابة ياسر إبراهيم، قال النحاس: ياسر في الإحماء كان يُعاني من دوار (دوخة) ولكن لا أعلم سببها، ورفضنا أن يستكمل المباراة”.

وواصل: “حسين الشحات كان يسير بشكل جيد لكن الإصابة قدر، إن شاء الله تكون بسيطة، لأنه سينضم للمنتخب ولاعب الكرة (ما بيصدق) أن يستعيد مستواه، لذلك طبيعي أن يبكي”.

وعن حقيقة معاقبة عمر كمال عبد الواحد لاعب الفريق، أكد النحاس: “لا يوجد عقاب ضد عمر كمال، قمنا بإجراء التغييرات بعد الإصابات وهذا أربك الأفكار”.

اوأكمل: “التدريبات ستكون مختلفة في فترة التوقف، لكن الصعوبة بعد عودة لاعبي المنتخب والسفر إلى بوروندي، هذا ما نخشاه، نحن نتواصل مع الجهاز الطبي الذي يتابع إصابات اللاعبين، ونحاول مرعاة أن كل اللاعبين يكونون جاهزين”.

واختتم النحاس تصريحاته: “الهدف الأول لفريق كهرباء الإسماعيلية أمامنا جاء من خطأ وارد، لكن إن فريقًا صاعدًا يعود أمام الأهلي بهدفين هذا يُحسب لهم ولمدربهم، وارد يكون هناك عرضية من الجنب اليمين أو اليسار تترجم لهدف، أهم شيء أننا حققنا الفوز”.  

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