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Both Fabian Schar and Callum Wilson are ‘available’ for Newcastle United away at Southampton in the Premier League after injury and illness respectively.

The Lowdown: Fitness concerns

Eddie Howe admitted that Schar was ‘feeling his hamstring’ after taking him off in the 4-0 win at home to Aston Villa last weekend.

Callum Wilson also admitted earlier this week that he was feeling ‘run down’ and hoped that he could recover from his illness in time for the weekend.

The Latest: Both ‘available’

Taking to Twitter, Magpies journalist for The Shields Gazette Miles Starforth has shared that both Schar and Wilson have ‘recovered’ and are now ‘available’ to play against the Saints:

“Fabian Schar and Callum Wilson have recovered from a hamstring problem and illness respectively, and will be available for the Southampton game.”

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The Verdict: Big boost

Having both Schar and Wilson available after previous scares is certainly a big boost for Howe and his squad.

Wilson has six goals and two assists already in the top flight, while no Toon player has won more aerial duels or averaged more interceptions, clearances, blocks or long balls per game than Schar (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, both players are so key to the team and how they play, and if both start against Southampton, then it will certainly give the visitors a better chance of clinching all three points, and cementing themselves in the top four and in the race for a UEFA Champions League spot.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has been reacting to Leeds United’s attempts to sign Birmingham City midfielder George Hall.

The Lowdown: New Leeds bid

The Whites appear to be real admirers of the 18-year-oldand attempted to sign him over the summer. Elland Road officials failed with a £3m move, but they are now readying a new offer, with reports suggesting that an agreement could even be reached before the January transfer window opens.

Hall has made 17 appearances in the Championship this season, scoring once and registering one assist.

The Latest: O’Rourke’s comments

O’Rourke was speaking to GiveMeSport regarding the update on Leeds and Hall. The journalist described the teenager as a ‘very highly-rated player’ and believes that the Whites see him as a ‘potential star in the making’.

O’Rourke said: “I think Hall is a very highly-rated player. He’s already got good experience playing for Birmingham in the Championship.

“Leeds obviously see him as a potential star in the making. That’s why they’re making moves to try and sign him.”

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The Verdict: Ideal signing?

You’d expect that, should Leeds finalise a move for Hall, he would go into the club’s under-21 ranks or head back on loan to Birmingham for the second half of the season.

The Whites have gotten plenty of academy additions right in recent years, with the likes of Illan Meslier, Pascal Struijk, Sam Greenwood, Joe Gelhardt and Crysencio Summerville all now considered regulars in the first-team squad.

Therefore, Hall could be the next to possibly break through into the senior side, and with Leeds willing to go back in with a new offer, they clearly must feel that he has the talent to go to the top.

With West Bromwich Albion having finally begun to pick up crucial points in the Championship, it seems like the enforced World Cup break has come at the completely wrong time for Carlos Corberan and his men.

Boasting three wins from their last three, and clean sheets in all those games too, it seems that in a short time he has almost revolutionised the club and got everyone moving in the right direction.

Although a lot of the core principles remain from Steve Bruce’s regime, with a focus on holding possession combined with a solid defence, the Spaniard has actually managed to execute these aspects to finally make the Baggies a threat to the opposition this season.

What makes this feat even more impressive is that he has walked into another man’s squad, and is yet to have any actual impact on either incoming or outgoing transfers.

He will likely have plenty of ideas on positions that need improvement, with a goalkeeper likely high on his list.

Earlier in the season, Bruce made the decision to swap from David Button to Alex Palmer, with the former having endured a torrid season that culminated in his 6.33 average SofaScore rating.

Whilst his recent form has been better, his replacement was hardly spectacular too. In Corberan’s first game in charge, he would make zero saves and concede with just the two shots on target that Sheffield United mustered.

Perhaps instead of dipping into the market to solve this issue, he need look no further than Portsmouth, where one of West Brom’s academy hopefuls is earning huge senior experience and excelling whilst there too.

Josh Griffiths has already featured 16 times in League One for Pompey and boasts just 18 goals conceded during this time.

His exploits have been imperative in their playoff push, as only five teams have conceded less than them.

It marks the 21-year-old’s third loan in as many seasons, with the most impressive likely being whilst at Cheltenham Town. There, he would concede just 45 goals in 50 appearances in all competitions, winning the league in the process.

His manager at the time, Michael Duff, praised him for the numerous “vital” saves he would pull off for his side.

Touted to have a “big future” by the Robins chairman Andy Wilcox, and clearly enjoying yet another fine season in a higher division, there must surely come a time when he is unleashed for the Baggies, thus fixing Corberan’s issue without spending a penny.

Sunderland finally ended their four-year stay in the third tier of English football as they secured promotion out of League One by winning the play-offs.

Alex Neil led the Black Cats to glory as his side beat Wycombe 2-0 in the play-off final at Wembley at the end of the 2021/22 campaign to seal their progress to the Championship.

Their success in League One last season was underpinned by sporting director Kristjaan Speakman’s superb work in the transfer market in the windows leading up to the final.

The ex-Birmingham man brought in the likes of Ross Stewart, Alex Pritchard, Dennis Cirkin, and Jack Clarke to bolster the side and they all played their part in leading the team back to the second division.

Another signing Speakman struck gold with was the arrival of Danny Batth from Stoke City. The central defender was brought in from the Championship side in January 2022 to improve the team heading into the second half of the third-tier season.

Then-manager Lee Johnson hailed the signing, saying: “Danny is a player that I’ve tried to sign a couple of times before, so it’s third time lucky. We have some good characters already in place at the football club and you are always looking to nurture leadership qualities, but Danny’s come ready-made. A dominant centre back, he has a great personality and I think he will have really positive effect on and off the pitch.”

The defensive machine made an instant impact at the Stadium of Light as he averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.10 across 12 League One matches for the Black Cats, winning a whopping 70% of his individual duels. Only Pritchard (7.12) and Stewart (7.25) averaged higher ratings within the squad and this proves that he was one of the top performers on the road to promotion.

He has now handled the step up to playing at a higher level as he has caught the eye whilst playing for Tony Mowbray’s side. Journalist Josh Bunting has described him as “immense” and claimed that he is going “under the radar” this season with his performances at the back.

The central defensive titan has played every single minute of the club’s 20 Championship matches this season and has been a rock – winning 66% of his duels and making 4.0 clearances per game.

Batth is a consistent and solid centre-back who has dominated opposition forwards since arriving at the club from Stoke and has been a key player for the side ever since he made his debut, which shows that Speakman struck gold by signing the experienced enforcer in January.

Newcastle United could seemingly be set to revive their interest in Leicester City sensation, James Maddison, having previously made an approach for the Englishman over the summer.

What’s the word?

According to the Northern Echo, the 26-year-old still remains at the top of the Magpies’ transfer wishlist, with the former Norwich City ace one of the more ‘established’ players that the Tynesiders are currently targeting.

The northeast side had reportedly made a bid of around £50m for the one-cap gem’s services during the recent window, albeit with the Foxes holding firm amid their demand for more than £60m for their prize asset.

A move could well be on the cards in the New Year, however, with the playmaker still facing something of an uncertain future at the King Power Stadium with just 18 months left on his existing deal.

Howe’s own Dybala

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will no doubt be hoping that Maddison can add a further creative spark to his high-flying outfit were the move to occur in the near future, with the £110k-per-week menace having showcased his talent amid what has been a sparkling start to the season on an individual note.

The Coventry-born ace already boasts a haul of seven goals and four assists in just 13 Premier League games so far this term – more goal contributions than any player at St James’ Park – having previously recorded 30 goals and assists during the 2021/22 campaign.

A truly dynamic figure in his playmaking berth, the 5 foot 9 sensation has been a constant thorn in the side of his potential future employers having scored four goals and recorded two assists in just eight outings against the Magpies, notably netting a “sensational” left-footed finish, in the words of journalist Michael Bailey, when the two sides met back in January 2020.

The midfielder’s quality is also evidenced by his likeness to Roma talisman, Paulo Dybala, with the two men said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities, according to FBref, including their ability to operate in a central role or off the flanks.

Dybala – who was mooted for a move to join Howe’s ranks prior to linking up with Jose Mourinho’s side – has been a real leading presence in European football over the past few years, netting an impressive haul of 115 goals and registering 48 assists in 293 games in all competitions during his time at former club Juventus.

The Argentina international had also made an impressive start to life at the Stadio Olimpico this season prior to being struck down with injury, having scored seven goals and laid on two assists in just 12 games for the Serie A side.

To be compared to such a highly-regarded figure is noteworthy as far as Maddison is concerned, with the Three Lions gem notably ranking in the top 6% in Europe for non-penalty goals, while the former Palermo ace ranks in the top 7% for the same metric.

Having previously missed out on getting Dybala through the door, Howe can land an ideal alternative in the form of Leicester’s devastating hero.

Liverpool are reportedly concerned that the club’s current director of research Ian Graham could make a controversial move to bitter rivals Manchester United.

The Lowdown: Graham leaving Liverpool in May

It has recently been confirmed that Graham is currently seeing out a 12-month notice period at Anfield, having decided to leave his role at the club. That means he will depart next May after playing a crucial part in Liverpool’s much-heralded recruitment during the Jurgen Klopp era.

Given Graham’s reputation in his role, it is a clear blow for the Reds to lose him, and a recent report could potentially make the manner of his departure even worse.

The Latest: United move on the cards?

According to Football Insider, Liverpool ‘fear’ that Graham could now move to United, in what is described as a potentially ‘controversial’ development.

It is also noted that former Reds sporting director Michael Edwards has been eyed up by the Red Devils as they look to replicate their Merseyside rivals’ success of recent years.

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The Verdict: Wouldn’t go down well

While Graham’s possible move to United wouldn’t be comparable to the blow of a Liverpool player heading to Old Trafford, it is still unlikely to go down well at Anfield or among the Reds’ fan base.

The intensity of the rivalry is arguably unrivalled in the English game, and the idea of Graham strengthening United moving forward would surely not sit well with Kopites.

That being said, it is still his job and it is only natural that he could consider such a high-profile role – ultimately, his final decision could boil down to how much respect he has for Liverpool.

Manchester United have emerged as one of the growing train of club’s with sights set on the signing of Croatian titan Josko Gvardiol, who is starring at the World Cup in Qatar.

With the 20-year-old phenom successfully taking the headlines after a captivating start to the campaign with RB Leipzig, starring despite his tender age, he has transferred his feats to the international stage and played an integral role for Croatia, who have reached the quarter-finals of the tournament for the second successive time. 

Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg recently took to Twitter to report on the prospective transfer of the Leipzig ace.

“We’ve been told: NO release clause in his contract until 2027. But lots of top clubs informed about him for 2023. #CFC, #MUFC, Real and Barcelona highly involved. For Tuchel he was the main target. Boehly also focused on him. NO contact with Bayern,” he said.

Despite the intense interest in his signature, United boss Erik ten Hag will be confident of enticing Gvardiol with his proposal, with Old Trafford still one of the most prominent homes in world football. 

Bad news for Maguire

With the 2022 World Cup in Qatar the birth-ground to several stars, Gvardiol might just be the cream of the crop, with his aggressive tackling and ball-playing ability an embodiment of the modern centre-back at the top of the game. 

He would not come cheap, but Manchester United have been known to splash out on defenders in recent years, notably signing Harry Maguire for a fee of £80m – a world record deal for a defender.

With the Theatre of Dreams looking to return to former glory, Gvardiol could be the presence at the bedrock of the pitch to cement status as a top-four team, and aid the club in the pursuit of major honours once again after going over five years without a single trophy. 

In Qatar, as per Sofascore, Gvardiol has recorded an average rating of 7.28 – not dropping below 7.0 throughout the tournament – and has been an assured colossus at the park with a maturity that belies his age.

And FBref points out some of the best defensive statistics in the business from the young ace, ranking him within the top 1% for passes attempted and dribbles completed, and the top 5% for progressive passes.

It is this forward-thinking approach that will aid United greatly, providing a creative stalwart from the very back, while also maintaining the aggressive nature that can differentiate good centre-backs from the great. 

Playing on the left side of the central defence, the position that Maguire has occupied at Manchester United, the “sensational” Gvardiol could be a breath of fresh air into the team, a new star on the biggest stage that can continue his burgeoning rise under the mould of Ten Hag’s clay. 

He might have only cast his teenage years aside earlier this year, but Gvardiol has been an impeccable defender for club and country, and with some of Europe’s top outfits circling like sharks, the Red Devils manager must move with swift precision.

West Ham United appear to have tied up a move for Sao Paulo defender Luizao…

What’s the latest?

That’s according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, who claims that the Brazilian has undergone a medical and will sign for the Premier League club next month.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “It was confirmed to me that this one is as good as done. Luizao will join in January on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

“But he’s seen, at 20 years old, as probably one for the future. As opposed to going straight into the first-team squad, I think he’s going to develop first in the under-21s at West Ham.

“There is a lot of truth in that and he has had a medical already with West Ham. He is set to join in January.”

The new Zabaleta

This move could draw comparisons with the successes that West Ham had with another South American defender, as they signed Pablo Zabaleta in 2017 when he entered the twilight of his career.

The main difference in this situation is that the future remains incredibly bright for Luizao, who can still be moulded into whatever kind of defender David Moyes desires.

He would come to the London Stadium as a “highly rated” centre-back, as dubbed by Toby Cudworth, and the sky is the limit for the 20-year-old starlet, who has impressed in his breakout year for Sao Paulo.

Boasting a 6.79 average rating, he has averaged one tackle and a mammoth 3.8 clearances per game, alongside an 88% pass accuracy (via Sofascore).

His defence-first mentality could liken him to Zabaleta, who joined West Ham five-and-a-half years ago and went on to feature 80 times for the Irons.

His debut season at the London Stadium was actually less impressive than the Brazilian’s current campaign, as the Argentine only received a 6.74 rating from Sofascore despite impressing defensively.

At the very least, the Manchester City legend would always offer a solid presence down the right flank for West Ham, outlined in his match averages of 1.6 interceptions, 2.6 tackles and 3.4 clearances in 2017/18 (via Sofascore).

With both of these players focusing their game around solidity, it seems that the Hammers could be set to repeat the successes of the past by signing a player who’s very much for the future.

Luizao has also been labelled “super confident”, and with the right guidance this could be channelled into an unprecedented ability on the ball which could even surpass Zabaleta, who won two Premier League titles at the Etihad Stadium.

Assuming there are no late hitches, this move would be a huge statement of intent from Moyes, who will look to the example set by the 37-year-old Argentina as the benchmark for the young Brazilian, who now seems destined for east London.

West Bromwich Albion return to Championship action today as they host Rotherham United in a 3pm kick-off.

The Baggies are currently enjoying their best vein of form in some time, having won four games on the bounce already. A win today could propel them to within five points of the play-off positions, which is astounding considering where they were when Steve Bruce was sacked in October.

Their most recent win over Sunderland was particularly important for ensuring that they maintained their run despite the World Cup break, and they now face a Rotherham side who sit below them in the table.

The Millers have only won once in their last eight, but that did come while on their travels against high-flying Sheffield United.

Carlos Corberan will look to exercise caution amongst his squad as he deals with injuries and sickness.

With that in mind, here’s the West Brom XI that we’re predicting for today’s clash. Corberan is expected to make three changes from the side which won on Monday.

Alex Palmer will surely continue in goal, with the shot-stopper having conceded only once in the Baggies’ last four games.

He will sit behind an unchanged back four, with Kyle Bartley’s only just back in training and Semi Ajayi ruled out. The former has enjoyed a similarly rich vein of form but was struck down in their mid-season friendly with Elche.

Erik Pieters deputised brilliantly at the Stadium of Light, though, making five clearances, and he will continue alongside Dara O’Shea. They will be flanked by Conor Townsend and Darnell Furlong.

The substitute heroics of Tom Rogic will surely have earned him a start for today, as it was his goal which sparked their second-half turnaround last Monday. He will partner Okay Yokuslu, who will screen the defence to allow John Swift the freedom to get forward.

Jed Wallace provided a peach of a cross for their late winner at Sunderland, and he will continue on one wing. However, having missed out five days ago due to illness, Grady Diangana should return ahead of Matt Phillips if he is deemed fit enough, having also trained this week.

Despite being described as a “fantastic player” by Charlie Austin in the past, Phillips’ performances have not caught the eye this season, ranking a lowly 17th among West Brom’s squad via WhoScored.

These wide attackers will supplement the return of Monday night’s match-winning hero, with Daryl Dike seeking to make his first senior start since last January.

His goal and assist won them the match earlier in the week, and if he is deemed fit he will surely be trusted to lead the line today.

Julen Lopetegui got off to a winning start as Wolves manager as the Old Gold earned a less than convincing 2-0 win over Gillingham in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

In their first game after the World Cup break, a strong Wolves side struggled to break down the team currently bottom of League Two, with only late goals from Raul Jimenez and Rayan Ait-Nouri securing their place in the quarter-finals.

There were plenty of underwhelming performances from Wolves’ senior players against the Gills but not from Hugo Bueno, with the young left-back picking up where he left off prior to the World Cup break.

As per Sofascore, the teenage defender – making just his seventh appearance of the campaign – earned an impressive 7.6/10 rating for his performance on Tuesday, with only Ruben Neves rated higher (7.7) from both teams.

During the 90 minutes, the Portuguese full-back saw a huge amount of the ball, registering an impressive 106 touches and completing 68 of his 74 passes to end with a strong completion rate of 92%.

Considering that he has averaged just 23.8 passes in his six Premier League appearances this season, with a success rate of 86.7%, it is clear that he raised his game, albeit against inferior opposition.

He also provided a huge creative spark down the left-hand side, contributing as many as three key passes at Molineux, with no player on the pitch playing more.

Express and Star journalist Liam Keen was full of praise for the left-back on Twitter during the match, writing: “Bueno, by the way, is superb. Another lovely run down the left almost results in a Costa header, before Hodge has a shot blocked.”

While the 19-year-old wasn’t challenged too much defensively, he showed that he could help to alleviate Wolves’ goalscoring woes in the Premier League this season, contributing one shot, six crosses and one successful dribble in the 90 minutes.

Lopetegui will need a lot more from his players if they are to avoid relegation from the top flight, but Bueno showed his new manager that he could be a great option for Wolves at left-back for the rest of the campaign.