Premier league injuries,suspensions, and return dates

Wondering who to put in and who to leave out of your fantasy football team? Goal has all the latest on expected injured and banned players    ARSENAL █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Alexandre Lacazette - Injured, knee - Mid-March return Nacho Monreal - Injured, back - Mid-March return Santi Cazorla - Injured, Achilles - Rest of the season    BOURNEMOUTH █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Tyrone Mings - Injured, back - Unknown Marc Pugh - Injured, calf - Unknown Jordon Ibe - Injured, hamstring - Unknown    BRIGHTON █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Steve Sidwell - Injured, back - Unknown Jiri Skalak - Injured, ankle - Unknown Matias Schelotto - Injured, head - Unknown    BURNLEY █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Tom Heaton - Injured, shoulder - Mid-March return Scott Arfield – Injured, calf – Mid-March return Jon Walters - Injured, knee - Late March return Robbie Brady - Injured, knee - Rest of the season Steven Defour - Injured, knee - Rest of the season    CHELSEA █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Tiemoue Bakayoko - Doubtful, knock David Luiz - Doubtful, knock N'Golo Kante - Doubtful, illness Ross Barkley - Injured, thigh - Mid-March return Ethan Ampadu - Injured, thigh - Unknown Izzy Brown - Injured, knee - Unknown Ruben Loftus-Cheek - Injured, ankle - Rest of the season    CRYSTAL PALACE █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Timothy Fosu-Mensah - Unable to play against parent club  Yohan Cabaye - Injured, groin - Mid-March return  Joel Ward - Injured, muscle injury - Mid-March return  Wilfried Zaha - Injured, knee - Mid-March return  Julian Speroni - Injured, knee - Mid-April return  Connor Wickham - Injured, knee - Late April return  Mamadou Sakho - Injured, calf - Unknown  Scott Dann - Injured, knee - Rest of the season  Bakary Sako - Injured, ankle - Rest of the season  Jason Puncheon - Injured, knee - Rest of the season     EVERTON █ BANNED Ashley Williams - 3-match ban - April 8 return + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Phil Jagielka - Doubtful, knock Ramiro Funes Mori - Doubtful, fitness Maarten Stekelenburg - Injured, groin - Late March return Eliaquim Mangala - Injured, knee - Rest of the season James McCarthy - Injured, broken leg - Rest of the year    HUDDERSFIELD TOWN █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Alex Pritchard - Injured, thigh - Mid-March return Aaron Mooy - Injured, knee - Mid-March return Elias Kachunga - Injured, knee - Mid-March return Jon Stankovic​ - Injured, knee injury - Late March return Sean Scannell - Injured, shoulder - Late March return    LEICESTER CITY █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Shinji Okazaki - Injured, knee - Early March return Daniel Amartey - Injured, thigh - Unknown    LIVERPOOL █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Jordan Henderson - Doubtful, thigh Georginio Wijnaldum - Doubtful, illness Nathaniel Clyne - Injured, back - Mid-March return    MANCHESTER CITY   █ BANNED + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Raheem Sterling - Doubtful, hamstring Benjamin Mendy - Injured, knee - April return Fernando Luiz Roza - Injured, thigh - Unknown    MANCHESTER UNITED █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Phil Jones - Doubtful, knock Marcos Rojo - Doubtful, knock Anthony Martial - Doubtful, knock Marouane Fellaini - Injured, knee - Late-March return Daley Blind - Injured, ankle - Unknown ​Ander Herrera - Injured, hamstring - Unknown Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Injured, knee - Unknown    NEWCASTLE UNITED █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Islam Slimani - Injured, thigh - Late March return Jesus Gamez - Injured, ankle - Unknown Jonjo Shelvey - Injured, knee - Unknown    SOUTHAMPTON █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Steven Davis - Doubtful, knock Maya Yoshida - Injured, knee - Late March return Charlie Austin - Injured, hamstring - Late March/early April return    STOKE CITY █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Stephen Ireland - Injured, calf - Mid-March return Mame Biram Diouf - Injured, shoulder - Unknown Lee Grant - Injured, wrist - Unknown    SWANSEA CITY █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Renato Sanches - Injured, hamstring - Mid-March return Angel Rangel - Injured, groin - Late March/ early April Wilfried Bony - Injured, knee - Rest of the season Leroy Fer - Injured, Achilles - Rest of the season    TOTTENHAM █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Toby Alderweireld - Injured, thigh - March return    WATFORD █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Kiko Femenia - Doubtful, illness Craig Cathcart - Injured, knee - Late March return Jose Holebas - Injured, ankle - Unknown  Jerome Sinclair - Injured, muscular - Unknown  Nathaniel Chalobah - Injured, knee - Unknown  Tom Cleverley - Injured, thigh - Unknown  Younes Kaboul - Injured, foot - Unknown  Gerard Deulofeu - Injured, foot - Unknown  Christian Kabasele - Injured, hamstring - Unknown  Molla Wague - Injured, hamstring - Unknown  Tommy Hoban - Injured, knee - Unknown     WEST BROM █ BANNED n/a + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Gareth Barry - Doubtful, knock Daniel Sturridge - Injured, hamstring - Mid-March return Nacer Chadli - Injured, thigh - Late March return James Morrison - Injured, Achilles - Mid-April return Hal Robson-Kanu - Injured, hamstring - Unknown    WEST HAM █ BANNED Arthur Masuaku - 6-match ban - March 18 return + INJURED / DOUBTFUL Angelo Ogbonna - Doubtful, illness Andy Carroll - Injured, ankle - Late April return Sam Byram - Injured, ankle - Unknown James Collins - Injured, thigh - Unknown Edimilson Fernandes - Injured, ankle - Unknown Winston Reid - Injured, knee - Unknown Pedro Obiang - Injured, knee - Rest of the season ***prbxselfnetwork***

Liverpool proud to keep a clean sheet at anfield

The Spaniard was proud to keep a clean sheet at Anfield on Tuesday, even though it could be the last time he makes an appearance in the competition Iker Casillas has admitted he may have played the final Champions League game of his career in Porto's clash with Liverpool on Tuesday, but he feels he is going out in style after the 0-0 draw. The Portuguese side held the Reds to a draw at Anfield on Tuesday, sealing their elimination from Europe's premier club competition n midweek after having lost the first leg 5-0. Casillas, 36, will be a free agent at the end of the season when his contract expires, meaning he may not get another chance to win a fourth Champions League crown in his career. However, in shutting Jurgen Klopp's side out in Merseyside, Casillas feels he can be proud of his potentially final European game. "If this was my Champions League farewell, it hasn't been a bad night at all - at this fantastic stadium, keeping a clean sheet... but no one knows what the future holds," he told reporters. "If I look back, I can feel proud of the things I've won in the game, of everything I have achieved. I would like to thank the fans. It's been many years in the Champions League and it's great to come to a stadium like this and be given such a warm reception. "Congratulations to Real Madrid [for beating Paris Saint-Germain], let's hope they go as far as possible, and get to the final in Kiev." Article continues below The World Cup winner has the rest of the season to see out with Porto and is targeting a Primeira Liga title to close his career, with his side sitting five points clear of Benfica after 25 matches. "My objective is to win the league with Porto because this group of players deserves to lift the trophy," he added. "We'll see what happens at the end of the season."***prbxselfnetwork***

Gattuso to restore milan's identity??

The former striker insists that the ex-midfielder has made the Italian giants great again Andriy Shevchenko has praised former AC Milan team-mate Gennaro Gattuso for turning around the Rossoneri's fortunes since replacing Vincenzo Montella. Milan were failing to reach their potential earlier in the campaign after plenty of pre-season investment, the club bringing in the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Hakan Calhanoglu and Andre Silva. Montella was sacked in November with Gattuso stepping up from the youth team to lead the fallen giants. It took him a while to get some consistency in Milan's displays, but since the turn of the year they have been one of the form teams in Serie A and are closing in on a European place. Milan are now unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions as they prepare to face Arsenal in the Europa League last 16, and Shevchenko says it is all down to Gattuso. "Rino [Gattuso] changed the face of Milan," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. Article continues below "He gave them their identity back, as well as a sense of belonging. He wants his players to be competitive and aggressive: he was like that as a player, so I'm not surprised. "He's someone who won't give up even a millimetre. Rino's not afraid of anything, he's been given his chance and he's taking advantage of it. "I hope he takes Milan to the Champions League next season, even if a derby between Dynamo Kiev and Milan wouldn't be easy for me."
***prbxselfnetwork***

Chelsea ace Atsu's battle against poverty

The former Chelsea winger has opened up about his family's battle with poverty before he began his footballing career Christian Atsu might be in the middle of a relegation dogfight with Newcastle United, but the Ghana international feels his side's Premier League struggles are nothing compared to his family's battle with poverty. The former Chelsea man's childhood was beset by money problems and his family's precarious financial situation saw him lose his dad in dramatic fashion. Growing up in Ada Foah, Atsu honed his skills on the streets before being spotted by scouts from Feyenoord's African football academy. He said goodbye to his family, but would never see his father Immanuel again, who fell sick and passed away during his first six months at the academy. His brother and mother looked after him and his twin sister as other family members scattered across the country to make a living and make up for the loss of their father - who had worked as a farmer and fisherman. Atsu eventually earned himself a move to Europe when Porto came knocking in 2010 and he concedes that he was lucky to find a way out of poverty.  The 26-year-old now works as an ambassador for UK based charity Arms Around The Child as he aims to battle poverty. It is fight he takes incredibly serious as he believes his father could have been saved had the family had the financial resources they have now.  "Yes 100 per cent, I believe he would have survived if I was already a professional footballer, or if he had these health problems while I was at Porto," Atsu told Goal.  "I believe that he would have survived 100 % because I could have provided for him. I could have got him into a better hospital and he would have been fine. We used to speak about this whenever I met my family members. For him, this could have been the best moment to have seen me playing. "For me, it is difficult because he sacrificed everything for me and by the time I was good, he left. It is hard but this is the life." Newcastle United's players are battling for Premier League survival, but many will gather at a gala dinner at the Gateshead Hilton Hotel on Wednesday night to support Atsu's Arms Around The Child event.  Atsu gave up education for football as a young boy and he was feeling the pressure during his three-day trial at Porto, which had the potential to ease suffering amongst his family and friends.  "It is true that in Ghana I learned about pressure. I have learned to cope with it now, everyday," Atsu added. "We used to say 'the dog chasing you will determine the speed at which you run.' If a slow dog is chasing you, you will run slower, if a fast dog is chasing you, you will run faster. "The more pressure you have, the more you put in your work. I had a lot of pressure on my back and I had no excuse to not run faster, work hard. I left the academy because I spoke with my family and I went back home. "There I had a letter from Porto that they had watched my videos in the academy. I played a game and they said they watched me and wanted me. I was very lucky that when I went home, I had someone to help me.  "So when I went there, I saw the letter. Then I had to make a decision, I spoke with my family and I said 'I have to go to Porto' because this is a big opportunity for me. From there I left the country for Porto in 2010. "I had a trial. It wasn't even a strict contract and my first trial was for three days. I had trials for three days and it wasn’t easy. I thank God that I had this opportunity. I was lucky to have this opportunity. "A lot of children in Ghana will not get this chance and waste their talent in Africa, that’s why I am also trying to do my best to make sure that they will not waste their talent and make sure they have the opportunity to work towards their future. "I was very happy because I could send money to my family and my friends. I was happy to sign my contract. At first I signed a six-month contract, then a one-year contract and then a three-year contract. I was happy because I had some money but that wasn’t the goal when I arrived. "The goal was to play at the highest level that I could and to work toward that goal. I played in a lot of big stadiums now so I have experience of that. But back then there was more pressure because you don’t know where you are going, your future, your friends, your parents and everyone were calling you. So it was a lot of pressure from outside the field. From your family, from your friends. "I mean outside of the field, also from Ghana, but now that I have played in big stadiums the pressure isn’t as much as in my early career. I have six brothers, four sisters, one mother, one father. It was good for them to hear the positive news, it put a bit of a smile on their faces. "When I went there I travelled to Porto and I decided to forget everything about my country and tried to work on my future. I concentrated everything on my future. I needed to adapt to different things; different food, different people, different weather. At the start it was hard but I decided to work hard through it. "I always enjoyed playing football, although the money was part of it, the priority is to always be a better footballer and also to play at the highest level. This was in my mind every day, when I am on the pitch and to finish training. This was my dream, It was also one of my dreams to play in the Premier League and I am very happy to have achieved it." Atsu's performances at Porto earned him the nickname "the African Messi" and eventually a move to Chelsea.  "When I was in the academy, we had the TV channel to watch the Premier League," He continued "Michael Essien was playing at Chelsea and we were watching him every time. It is true I was watching the Premier League. Even before I moved to the academy, I was finding ways to watch it. "I admired Messi too, when I saw him playing, he was very small. He was very short, quick and had amazing technique so. I used to talk about this guy and say I’d have loved to play with him. "Also Essien is a legend in Ghana, he won 'Africa’s Best' three times, he was great for Chelsea and also for himself. He was great for Ghana too. He was one of the players I was looking up to when I was growing up. Now I know him very well, honestly, he was a great player. "I want to win an African Cup of Nations with Ghana and at Newcastle United, I want to work hard and to stay in the Premier League. In my charity life, my dream is to keep doing it for as many years as I can, for it to grow and for many people to know it. Article continues below "I know there are a lot of charities in Ghana but I want this one to be one of the biggest charities in Ghana and for it to inspire other charity work. I would say that I have been through a lot but my response is to want to love humanity. "To be there for each other, help each other. Helping my brother, sister, friends and anyone who is suffering. This is what I want to do, to show love for humanity." There a still a few tickets left for the Black Star Gala, with Christian Atsu and his team-mates, at the Hilton Hotel in Gateshead on Wednesday March 14. ***prbxselfnetwork***

Thiago:messi really wows me!!

The English side look like one of the main contenders for Europe's top prize this season, but the midfielder still prefers watching his old team-mate Manchester City have earned a famous fan in the shape of Bayern Munich star Thiago Alcantara with their impressive performances this season, but the midfielder says he would always rather watch Lionel Messi strut his stuff for Barcelona than see Pep Guardiola's side. Thiago knows first-hand how thrilling a Guardiola side can be, having made his Barcelona debut under the coach before moving to Germany to join him at Bayern. The Spain international has had to watch on as Guardiola has taken over at City and guided his side to the top of the Premier League, while they look set to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, as they hold a 4-0 lead over Basel from the first leg of their last-16 clash. And while 26-year-old Thiago admits his side's European rivals are in good form at the moment, he feels they still cannot generate the same excitement as his former Camp Nou team-mate. "City are playing amazingly, but I don't think 'wow.' [Only] Messi makes me go 'wow," he told ESPN. Article continues below The four-time Bundesliga winner is hoping Bayern get to face one of the main challengers for the Champions League this season, but he sees no reason to fear any other side at the moment. "Barcelona, Real Madrid, City: There are many teams you'd want to play against," he added. "But no team has impressed me. They are football players, like us. We just have to compete and see who is better at that moment."
***prbxselfnetwork***

Chelsea ace Atsu's battle against poverty

The former Chelsea winger has opened up about his family's battle with poverty before he began his footballing career Christian Atsu might be in the middle of a relegation dogfight with Newcastle United, but the Ghana international feels his side's Premier League struggles are nothing compared to his family's battle with poverty. The former Chelsea man's childhood was beset by money problems and his family's precarious financial situation saw him lose his dad in dramatic fashion. Growing up in Ada Foah, Atsu honed his skills on the streets before being spotted by scouts from Feyenoord's African football academy. He said goodbye to his family, but would never see his father Immanuel again, who fell sick and passed away during his first six months at the academy. His brother and mother looked after him and his twin sister as other family members scattered across the country to make a living and make up for the loss of their father - who had worked as a farmer and fisherman. Atsu eventually earned himself a move to Europe when Porto came knocking in 2010 and he concedes that he was lucky to find a way out of poverty.  The 26-year-old now works as an ambassador for UK based charity Arms Around The Child as he aims to battle poverty. It is fight he takes incredibly serious as he believes his father could have been saved had the family had the financial resources they have now.  "Yes 100 per cent, I believe he would have survived if I was already a professional footballer, or if he had these health problems while I was at Porto," Atsu told Goal.  "I believe that he would have survived 100 % because I could have provided for him. I could have got him into a better hospital and he would have been fine. We used to speak about this whenever I met my family members. For him, this could have been the best moment to have seen me playing. "For me, it is difficult because he sacrificed everything for me and by the time I was good, he left. It is hard but this is the life." Newcastle United's players are battling for Premier League survival, but many will gather at a gala dinner at the Gateshead Hilton Hotel on Wednesday night to support Atsu's Arms Around The Child event.  Atsu gave up education for football as a young boy and he was feeling the pressure during his three-day trial at Porto, which had the potential to ease suffering amongst his family and friends.  "It is true that in Ghana I learned about pressure. I have learned to cope with it now, everyday," Atsu added. "We used to say 'the dog chasing you will determine the speed at which you run.' If a slow dog is chasing you, you will run slower, if a fast dog is chasing you, you will run faster. "The more pressure you have, the more you put in your work. I had a lot of pressure on my back and I had no excuse to not run faster, work hard. I left the academy because I spoke with my family and I went back home. "There I had a letter from Porto that they had watched my videos in the academy. I played a game and they said they watched me and wanted me. I was very lucky that when I went home, I had someone to help me.  "So when I went there, I saw the letter. Then I had to make a decision, I spoke with my family and I said 'I have to go to Porto' because this is a big opportunity for me. From there I left the country for Porto in 2010. "I had a trial. It wasn't even a strict contract and my first trial was for three days. I had trials for three days and it wasn’t easy. I thank God that I had this opportunity. I was lucky to have this opportunity. "A lot of children in Ghana will not get this chance and waste their talent in Africa, that’s why I am also trying to do my best to make sure that they will not waste their talent and make sure they have the opportunity to work towards their future. "I was very happy because I could send money to my family and my friends. I was happy to sign my contract. At first I signed a six-month contract, then a one-year contract and then a three-year contract. I was happy because I had some money but that wasn’t the goal when I arrived. "The goal was to play at the highest level that I could and to work toward that goal. I played in a lot of big stadiums now so I have experience of that. But back then there was more pressure because you don’t know where you are going, your future, your friends, your parents and everyone were calling you. So it was a lot of pressure from outside the field. From your family, from your friends. "I mean outside of the field, also from Ghana, but now that I have played in big stadiums the pressure isn’t as much as in my early career. I have six brothers, four sisters, one mother, one father. It was good for them to hear the positive news, it put a bit of a smile on their faces. "When I went there I travelled to Porto and I decided to forget everything about my country and tried to work on my future. I concentrated everything on my future. I needed to adapt to different things; different food, different people, different weather. At the start it was hard but I decided to work hard through it. "I always enjoyed playing football, although the money was part of it, the priority is to always be a better footballer and also to play at the highest level. This was in my mind every day, when I am on the pitch and to finish training. This was my dream, It was also one of my dreams to play in the Premier League and I am very happy to have achieved it." Atsu's performances at Porto earned him the nickname "the African Messi" and eventually a move to Chelsea.  "When I was in the academy, we had the TV channel to watch the Premier League," He continued "Michael Essien was playing at Chelsea and we were watching him every time. It is true I was watching the Premier League. Even before I moved to the academy, I was finding ways to watch it. "I admired Messi too, when I saw him playing, he was very small. He was very short, quick and had amazing technique so. I used to talk about this guy and say I’d have loved to play with him. "Also Essien is a legend in Ghana, he won 'Africa’s Best' three times, he was great for Chelsea and also for himself. He was great for Ghana too. He was one of the players I was looking up to when I was growing up. Now I know him very well, honestly, he was a great player. "I want to win an African Cup of Nations with Ghana and at Newcastle United, I want to work hard and to stay in the Premier League. In my charity life, my dream is to keep doing it for as many years as I can, for it to grow and for many people to know it. Article continues below "I know there are a lot of charities in Ghana but I want this one to be one of the biggest charities in Ghana and for it to inspire other charity work. I would say that I have been through a lot but my response is to want to love humanity. "To be there for each other, help each other. Helping my brother, sister, friends and anyone who is suffering. This is what I want to do, to show love for humanity." There a still a few tickets left for the Black Star Gala, with Christian Atsu and his team-mates, at the Hilton Hotel in Gateshead on Wednesday March 14. ***prbxselfnetwork***

Hazard to wait for Real madrid

Hazard,the Belgian playmaker is looking for the exit, but Real Madrid’s interest may only be acted upon this summer if Zinedine Zidane remains in charge. The report also states Thibaut Courtois is anxious to follow Hazard out the door to the Spanish capital. Real Madrid see Pulisic as Bale replacement Real Madrid think Christian Pulisic would be a suitable replacement for Gareth Bale should the club be unable to strike a deal for Neymar, reports Diario Gol. The Welsh winger is expected to make his exit from the Spanish capital at the end of the season. And while Neymar is Madrid's number one target, should a move for the Brazilian not happen, Pulisic would be an option at the cost of €80 million. Arsenal after Leverkusen goalkeeper Arsenal and Napoli are two of the teams believed to be interested in Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno according to Bild. Napoli have been admirers of Leno since last summer and are prepared to go in for him once more after the season. And the Gunners also have interest in Leno, who only wants to leave if he can be a clear-cut No.1 at his new club. Southampton to sack Pellegrino after the season Southampton have already made the decision to sack Mauricio Pellegrino following the season, regardless of whether the team avoids relegation reports the Mirror. Replacements are already being lined up, with Fulham’s Slavisa Jokanovic and Ostersund boss Graham Potter among those in the frame. The club is hesitant to fire Pellegrino midseason for fear of a panic appointment, but his time with Southampton will come to an end when the campaign finishes. Manchester clubs and Arsenal to fight for Jorginho The Manchester clubs and Arsenal are set to battle for Napoli’s Jorginho according to the Sun. The midfielder has a number of Premier League suitors, with Liverpool previously believed to have interest. Now it appears even more top-six clubs have joined the fray for Jorginho, who is expected to cost around £60 million. Man Utd to bid for €60m Varane Manchester United are ready to make a bid to sign Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, claims Diario Gol . Jose Mourinho is keen to bring in a new centre-back in the summer and has identified Varane as the key man to stabilise his defence. Madrid president Florentino Perez would be willing to sell the France international, if United offer €60 million at the end of the season. Kimmich to sign new Bayern deal Article continues below Bayern Munich defender Joshua Kimmich is close to signing a new contract at the Allianz Arena, according to Kicker. Kimmich joined Bayern in 2015 from RB Leipzig and has established himself as a vital part of the Bayern side. The right-back’s current deal expires in 2020, but he is expected to agree a renewal to stay with the club until either 2022 or 2023.***prbxselfnetwork***

Advertise online with us

Jumpei kusukami leaves western sydney wanderers

The Japanese midfielder has informed the playing group of his departure Japanese attacker Jumpei Kusukami will leave the Western Sydney Wanderers immediately after telling the news to his teammates on Tuesday. The Covert Agent can reveal coach Josep Gombau has started his January re-shaping of the Wanderers squad by informing the 30-year-old midfielder he can leave if he wishes. Article continues below Kusukami played 44 matches, including 11 this campaign, since joining Wanderers in 2016 - scoring six goals and assisting four. He is believed to be keen to find a club in his native Japan, where he has previously played for Cerezo Osaka, Kawasaki Frontale and Sagan Tosu The announcement was made on the same day teammate Jacob Melling confirmed he was leaving the club for Central Coast Mariners, as communicated by The Covert Agent on Monday.***prbxselfnetwork***

Jumpei kusukami leaves western sydney wanderers

The Japanese midfielder has informed the playing group of his departure Japanese attacker Jumpei Kusukami will leave the Western Sydney Wanderers immediately after telling the news to his teammates on Tuesday. The Covert Agent can reveal coach Josep Gombau has started his January re-shaping of the Wanderers squad by informing the 30-year-old midfielder he can leave if he wishes. Article continues below Kusukami played 44 matches, including 11 this campaign, since joining Wanderers in 2016 - scoring six goals and assisting four. He is believed to be keen to find a club in his native Japan, where he has previously played for Cerezo Osaka, Kawasaki Frontale and Sagan Tosu The announcement was made on the same day teammate Jacob Melling confirmed he was leaving the club for Central Coast Mariners, as communicated by The Covert Agent on Monday.***prbxselfnetwork***

Who will win the african nation's championship?

With defending champions DR Congo unable to defend their title, the stage is set for Morocco, Nigeria, Libya and Cameroon to make history Democratic Republic of Congo’s elimination to Congo Brazzaville in the first qualifying round of the African Nations Championship saw the defending champions, and two-time winners miss out on the tournament in Morocco, opening the door to a plethora of contenders to slug it out for their title.  Hosts Morocco may not have the best pedigree in the tournament, heck they were eliminated in the Group stage of the biennial competition two years ago in Rwanda, yet it’ll be naïve not to include the hosts as one of the favorites this time around. No host nation has ever won the competition, however, so the Atlas Lions have their work cut out in trying to make history. They face 2016 semi-finalists Guinea, Sudan and Mauritania in Group A.  Nigeria may have made the last three tournaments, but the competition continues to elude them. The home-based Eagles will be out to do better than their 2014 showing (which still remains their best performance in the competition) when they ended third. Salisu Yusuf’s side also have to do better than two years ago when they failed to make it to the knockout rounds. They face favourites Libya, Rwanda and Equatorial Guinea in Group C.  2014 winners Libya come into the biennial competition as one of the favorites. Having missed out on the chance to defend their title last time out in Rwanda, the Mediterranean Knights will be extra motivated when they cross that white line in Morocco. They will have to better Nigeria and Rwanda (with debutants Equatorial Guinea not given much of a chance) if they are not to see dreams of a second ACN title crushed.  Ivory Coast are making their fourth appearance in the biennial tournament, and having secured third place last time out in Rwanda, will seek to better their performance. The Elephants will have to outfox Zambia, Uganda and Namibia in Group B if they are to avoid what will surely be a shocking group-stage elimination for a side touted to make an impact in the latter stages of the competition.  Cameroon are two-time quarter-finalists in the competition having made the last eight in 2011 and 2016. However, the West Africans have failed to ever make it into the final four and beyond in their three appearances in the competition. They will have to contend with the 2011 runners-up Angola, Congo and Burkina Faso in Group D. Article continues below So which team will emerge as African champions come February 4 at Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca.  Vote in our comment section***prbxselfnetwork***

That was vintage juve pogba-heny

The former Arsenal forward heaped praise on the French midfielder after his dominant display on Monday Thierry Henry was glowing in his praise for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, who set up both goals in Monday's 2-0 win at Everton, also hailing the Frenchman's leadership. Wearing the captain's armband in the absence of injured full-back Antonio Valencia, Pogba provided assists for Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard at Goodison Park as Jose Mourinho's side snapped a run of three consecutive draws in the Premier League. Pogba starred on New Year's Day, at home on the left of a three-man midfield – where the France international established himself during his time at Italian champions Juventus before returning to Manchester in 2016. "He can play in a lot of positions. I said when he first arrived that, for me, he is not a holding midfielder," fellow Frenchman Henry told Sky Sports . "He can play in a lot of positions but that is where he is at his best. That was vintage Juve Pogba. "Every time Lingard was making that early run inside, he was occupying that position on the left. "When you go back on your right foot — I used to go on the left myself — you can ping a ball on the other side, you can play that reverse pass, you can play a cute one-two, you can dribble past people. As we saw, he did it all in the second half. "When he plays at that level he is almost unplayable and I think he changed the second half. "He went up to a certain level. That's what you do as a captain. You say to your team-mates, 'guys, follow me. I'll show you the way.'" "When he plays like that and when he plays on the left, coming in and being kind of free, it's very difficult to stop him," Henry added. Article continues below "Today he acted like a captain. That's very important too." Manchester United moved up to second in the table, two points ahead of Chelsea – who are due to play Arsenal on Wednesday – and 12 points adrift of neighbours Manchester City. Pogba and company face a match on Jan. 5, an FA Cup tie against Derby Country to close an insane run of fixtures over the festive period. The club will then have a substantial break before returning to Premier League action on Jan. 15 against Stoke City. ***prbxselfnetwork***

Gabriel jesus injured!!

Manchester City have confirmed Gabriel Jesus injured his medial collateral ligament on Sunday, with the Brazilian set for further tests Gabriel Jesus suffered an injury to his medial collateral ligament in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, Manchester City have confirmed. The Brazil international was forced off in the first half at Selhurst Park after appearing to overstretch while accidentally doing the splits. Although he did not need the assistance of a stretcher, Jesus left the pitch in tears and City boss Pep Guardiola predicted after the match that the forward would likely be out for up to two months. City have now confirmed Jesus did suffer ligament damage during the incident. "Manchester City can confirm Gabriel Jesus suffered a medial collateral ligament injury during the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday," a statement from the club reads.  "He will undergo further examinations in the coming days to establish the extent of his lay-off. "We wish Gabriel a speedy recovery and we will keep you updated on his progress via the Club's official channels." Jesus quickly came out on social media to calm fears of a lengthy absence, saying that the injury was "small" and that it would not require surgery.  Hoje fiz um exame no joelho esquerdo que diagnosticou uma pequena lesão no ligamento colateral medial! Graças a Deus não é uma lesão muito séria e não preciso passar por nenhum procedimento cirúrgico. Volto o mais rápido possivel! Obrigado por todas as mensagens de apoio e pensamento positivo! Feliz ano novo! 2018 promete!!! ——————— Today I went through an image exam on my left knee that diagnosed a small medial colateral ligament injury! Thanks god it is not very bad and I won’t have to go through any surgery procedure. Promise to be back as soon as possible! Thanks for all the fans support and positive thoughts! Happy new year! 2018 is going to be my year! "Today I went through an image exam on my left knee that diagnosed a small medial collateral ligament injury!" he wrote on his official Instagram account.  Article continues below "Thanks god it is not very bad and I won't have to go through any surgery procedure. Promise to be back as soon as possible!  "Thanks for all the fans support and positive thoughts! Happy new year! 2018 is going to be my year!" Following the injury to Jesus and midfielder Kevin de Bruyne taking a knock on a late challenge in the same match, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola asked for more protection for players. ***prbxselfnetwork***