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Nottingham Forest have been dealt a blow regarding the fitness of Jordi Osei-Tutu ahead of their upcoming Championship fixture.

What’s the latest?

According to a report by Nottinghamshire Live, the right-back looks set to miss out on the visit of Millwall to the City Ground on Saturday afternoon, as he is yet to recover from a hamstring injury which has kept him sidelined since the 2-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers in August.

However, the report added that the Arsenal loanee could be back in action for Forest at the beginning of October, as well as sharing an image the 22-year-old posted on his personal Instagram page, which would appear to suggest that he is indeed nearing a return to full fitness.

Cooper will be gutted

With Steve Cooper heading into his first game in charge of Nottingham Forest this weekend, the absence of Osei-Tutu is sure to have left the 41-year-old gutted, as the defender is undoubtedly a player who boasts plenty of potential.

Indeed, while the £1.08m-rated man has hardly featured for Forest this season, making just two Championship appearances for the club prior to his injury, the right-back previously demonstrated his ability while on loan at German side Bochum back in 2019/20.

Indeed, over his 21 2.Bundesliga appearances that season, the £2.5k-per-week defender scored five goals and provided his teammates with two assists, as well as making 0.9 key passes and taking 0.9 shots per game.

The 22-year-old also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, averaging 0.8 interceptions, 1.2 tackles and 0.5 clearances and winning 5.4 duels per match, with these returns seeing him earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.75.

As such, the unavailability of Osei-Tutu is sure to come as a blow to Cooper, who will undoubtedly be hoping that his Forest side can get off to a winning start under his leadership against the Lions this afternoon.

In other news: Steve Cooper drops claim which is sure to come as music to the ears of Forest fans

Watford host Stoke City in the Carabao Cup at Vicarage Road tonight as they look to build on their 3-1 win over Norwich at the weekend.

The Hornets picked up their second Premier League win of the campaign as they beat the Canaries at Carrow Road, with Emmanuel Dennis scoring the opener before a brace from Ismaila Sarr sealed the three points.

They now come up against Championship side Stoke as they attempt to progress through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

How many changes will Xisco make from Saturday? Here is our predicted XI…

We are predicting that he will make six changes to the team which won at Norwich, with Daniel Bachmann, Jeremy Ngakia, Adam Masina, Christian Kabasele, Imran Louza and Ashley Fletcher all coming into the line-up.

As you may expect with a cup game, we are predicting that Xisco will make a change between the sticks. Foster came in against Norwich and helped Watford to victory, but we believe he will now be axed so that Bachmann can have some minutes in goal against Stoke. He could have the chance to show Munoz that maybe he should be starting ahead of the veteran Englishman in the league.

In the defence, we are predicting that Ngakia, Kabasele and Masina will come in. This is simply a case of rotation for Munoz to offer some of the fringe players more minutes, whilst resting the likes of William Troost-Ekong, Danny Rose and Kiko Femenia. Munoz can see how they do against Stoke and then decide whether or not they deserve more playing time in the Premier League in the coming weeks.

Summer signing Louza started in the previous round of the cup and we are predicting that he will take Juraj Kucka’s place in the midfield. The Moroccan recorded a 7.0 SofaScore rating against Crystal Palace as he made three tackles and two interceptions, which is why he deserves his place in the starting line-up as he performed well when called upon that night.

Finally, we are predicting one change to the potent front three against Norwich. Munoz could keep Dennis and Sarr in the side to help them continue their positive momentum, whilst Ashley Fletcher may come in for Josh King at centre-forward. We published an article explaining why the ex-Middlesbrough forward should be given a starting berth in the number nine role tonight.

AND in other news, Xisco must unleash £13k-p/w Watford beast with “super attitude”, he’s a match-winner…

It will be a challenge for Ashwell Prince to adjust to the Test scene after four months out of the side

Brydon Coverdale in Cape Town16-Mar-2009
Can Ashwell Prince open the innings? © Getty Images
Ashwell Prince isn’t used to opening. By his own admission he did it once, a long time ago when he was very young, and it was spectacularly unsuccessful. Prince is a No. 5 and South Africa’s decision last week to make him open in the upcoming third Test was a big gamble.He had one match on the weekend to test himself against the new ball at domestic level before facing up to an in-form Mitchell Johnson and co. He made 254. Maybe he can open after all.”It does allow you to get bigger scores than in the middle order where you tend to run out of partners,” Prince told Cricinfo after arriving in Cape Town ahead of Thursday’s third Test. “At this stage I’m just looking at the positives. I’m just happy to be back in the team. It’s better to be opening than not in the team. I’m very excited and I’m really looking forward to it.”In typically modest style, Prince played down the significance of his double-century for the Warriors, even though it was his highest first-class score. He was convinced that the placid Centurion surface played as much part in his success as did his own form – never mindthat only one other player from either team made a hundred during the match.”I was a bit fortunate on the weekend that the pitch was very flat as you can see from the scores,” he said. “I wouldn’t read too much into what happened on the weekend. I’m sure the pitch for the Test match will be different.”What the domestic outing did give Prince was a glimpse into the mindset of an opener. Against a Titans attack that boasted Morne and Albie Morkel, Prince simply planned to survive for as long as possible and take the shine off the new ball before the conditions became more familiar to him.”I had to make a commitment to get myself to bat to 20-25 overs,” he said. “If I could still be in at that stage it would basically be like batting in the middle order, if you’re coming in at three wickets down and then taking it from there. I haven’t really done it before. It is a new challenge for me and it’s one that I’m looking forward to.”Prince deserves some good fortune after a tough few months. In his most recent Test he made 162 against Bangladesh but suffered a nasty blow to his left thumb, which was then struck again in the nets by Makhaya Ntini as South Africa warmed up in Perth ahead of the first Test against Australia. Nobody knew quite how long his cracked thumb would keep him out.Eventually he was ruled unfit for all three Tests in Australia and JP Duminy performed so brilliantly as Prince’s replacement that when the home series came around, the selectors had a tough choice. The coach Mickey Arthur wanted Prince; the convenor of selectors Mike Procterdecided on Duminy. It was a bitter blow for Prince, the vice-captain of the national side.”Obviously it was tough,” Prince said. “There was not much I could do about that. JP came in and took his chance. I think he deserved to hold his place.”When Prince was returned to the side, after Graeme Smith suffered a broken hand and Neil McKenzie was dropped, it was as captain. Briefly. Less than 24 hours after he was named as the stand-in skipper, Prince was demoted to allow him to concentrate solely on his new role asopener.It will be a challenge for Prince to adjust to the Test scene after four months out of the side. Against a fired-up attack boasting Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, much of Prince’s work will be done in the lead-up to Thursday as he reacquaints himself with some video footage of the Australians.”To be honest I haven’t been able to watch much of the series so far because I’ve been playing matches at the same time as the Tests,” Prince said. “But I have noticed that Mitchell Johnson now seems to be able to swing the ball into the right hander, in Australia he was just moving the ball away. At his pace to be able to go either way is a big effort.”Prince will be walking out at the top of the order with another new opener, the debutant Imraan Khan. Like Prince, Khan made acentury on the weekend and he also has recent form against the Australians, having reached triple figures against them in the tour match at Potchefstroom. Khan is not the traditional rock-solid opener who will wear an attack down with attrition, but Prince is confident his new partner can step up to international level.”I hope he plays his normal game,” Prince said. “He’s not an opener in the traditional sense. He’s somebody who likes to play his shots and I hope he does that.”Like Prince, he’ll be happy just to be there.

A round-up from the latest Championship matches as Peter Moores returns to Sussex with Lancashire

Cricinfo staff21-Apr-2009Division OneEd Joyce marked his Sussex Championship debut with a vital innings as he held his new side together against Lancashire at Hove. He ended the opening day on 89 after James Anderson had threatened to give the visitors control with three wickets in an impressive display of pace and accuracy. Anderson, in his one Championship outing before the Tests start, made the first breakthrough when Chris Nash was superbly caught off an inside edge, then returned to remove a stubborn Michael Yardy after lunch. Glen Chapple claimed two key scalps as Murray Goodwin was held low at third slip and Matt Prior edged a drive to first, but Joyce held firm throughout the setbacks. Although Luke Wright didn’t last long, well held by Anderson off his own bowling after an inside edge ballooned into the off side, Robin Martin-Jenkins provided solid support until the close. He reached his half century in the final over of the day after dominating an unbroken stand of 87.Adam Voges and Samit Patel both fell agonisingly short of centuries, but Nottinghamshire still enjoyed a profitable day against Worcestershire at Trent Bridge as they finished on 334 for 5. Voges was caught down the leg side for 99 after a 224-ball innings while Patel, given one life when dropped at slip, was run out for 95 when he chanced a single to Vikram Solanki. Patel has to prove himself all over again at the start of the season after he was dropped by England for being unfit and he played fluently in front of selector James Whitaker during his 137-ball innings until the misjudgement. Nottinghamshire’s openers departed early as the visitors’ patch-up pace attack – at least boosted by Ashley Noffke’s arrival – made inroads, but Voges and Patel combined to add 140. Voges and Chris Read then added 114 until Michael Mason struck late to shift Voges. Read ended the day on 69 and Nottinghamshire, with Stuart Broad in next, have plenty of batting left.Division TwoBowlers ruled the opening day at Bristol with 13 wickets falling as Essex slipped to 60 for 3 in reply to Gloucestershire’s disappointing 155. Ryan ten Doeschate claimed 5 for 62 after the top order was dispatched by David Masters and Chris Wright. When ten Doeschate opened his haul with Chris Taylor, the home side were 38 for 4 before a New Zealand alliance brought some stability. Hamish Marshall and James Franklin added 55 and Marshall top-scored with 64 off 149 balls as ten Doeschate wrapped up the innings. Gloucestershire, though, hit back with the ball and Franklin led the way by trapping both Essex openers leg before.For a full report from the opening day between Kent and Northamptonshire click here.

Wayne Rooney’s Derby County side could be handed yet more transfer sanctions by the EFL.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Alan Nixon’s report for The Sun, in which the journalist revealed that Derby could be handed a two-year transfer ban by the EFL – if the Rams do not settle their outstanding transfer debts.

Nixon continued by stating that these reported unpaid transfer fees are now late for a second time, with the governing body giving Mel Morris until the end of September in a final chance for the owner to settle the debts, or else the Championship club could be restricted from signing players until the summer of 2023.

Fans will be fuming

With Rooney already having to operate under strict EFL transfer guidelines this summer, with the 35-year-old having brought in five free agents on restricted wages, the news that the former England captain may now not be able to bring in any further new signings over the next two years is sure to have left fans of the club fuming.

Indeed, while the Rams boss has done an impressive job so far this season considering the testing off-field circumstances – with Derby picking up six points over their opening five fixtures of the Championship campaign, suffering defeat just once – should the club indeed be forbidden from bringing any fresh faces in over the next two seasons, the chances of Rooney’s side remaining in the second tier of English football by the end of the potential transfer ban would appear to be slim to none.

As such, the 35-year-old manager and fans of the club alike will undoubtedly be hoping that Morris can resolve the situation prior to the EFL’s deadline, or else the owner could well be consigning the club to relegation to the third tier come the end of the season.

In other news: £180k-rated Derby County flop who lost possession 22x let Rooney down badly vs Blades

Tottenham Hotspur boss Nuno Santo has shown that he isn’t afraid to turn to the club’s promising youth system since being handed the job in the summer.

For example, Japhet Tangana and Oliver Skipp have started all four of their Premier League matches thus far, whilst names like Dilan Markanday and Dane Scarlett have featured on the bench, too.

Spurs’ unbeaten start to the season came to an end this weekend and it merely highlighted one of Nuno’s biggest problems in north London right now – their lack of creativity and drive from the engine room.

Perhaps he ought to turn to another academy gem in a bid to fix the problem.

Players like Bukayo Saka, Harvey Elliott and Mason Greenwood have shown that if a young player does have genuine talent, then it doesn’t matter what age they are gifted an opportunity in the big time.

So taking a punt on 17-year-old gem Alfie Devine could be a wild but smart call to make, especially as he continues to light it up for the U23 squad despite still being in his teenage years.

On the same day ten-man Spurs were well-beaten by Crystal Palace, the midfield gem was scoring a brace against his former club, Liverpool, leading to many supporters expressing their desire to see him promoted into the senior set-up.

That took his tally to three goals and one assist across four Premier League 2 appearances this campaign, whilst overall for the club, he has provided eight goals and two assists, including a strike on his senior debut in the FA Cup last term, as per Transfermarkt.

Devine has captained England at youth level and can play anywhere in midfield – no.6. no.8 and no.10.

According to The Athletic, he is a ‘well-rounded central midfielder with an eye for goal’ and ‘is said to have an exceptional attitude, drawing comparisons with Harry Kane.’

These are attributes that has been echoed by his former Wigan academy boss Gregor Rioch.

“His possession stats are very high and he passes the ball forwards, rather than sideways and backwards. He can play holding midfielder and link play up, he can also break forward from midfield with and without the ball and grab a goal,” he told The Athletic.

Similarly, another former coach in Harry Brooks lauded the teenager as “the whole package,” adding: “The talent, the attitude, the ability to always turn it on. The tenacity, the aggression. When it comes to looking at that whole picture, he’s the best player in the academy. He could play for England one day.”

Also praised as “so special” by The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare, it could be time for the Portuguese boss to take a punt on Devine. Of course, he’s still young and raw but he is a player that could be unleashed as a secret weapon throughout the season

But at the very least, he deserves a permanent place in the first-team set-up. Spurs could really do with a midfielder that can contribute in that final third.

AND in other news, Forget Tanganga: £27m-rated Spurs flop who won 47% duels badly let Nuno down vs Palace…

David Warner made one of the most memorable international debuts imaginable as he lit up the MCG with 89 from 43 balls to set up Australia’s 52-run win over South Africa

The Bulletin by Brydon Coverdale at the MCG11-Jan-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
David Warner launched six sixes, including a couple of monsters over midwicket © PA Photos
David Warner made one of the most memorable international debuts imaginable as he lit up the MCG with 89 from 43 balls to set up Australia’s 52-run win over South Africa. Not even a superb 78 from JP Duminy could rescue South Africa’s chase and he watched his partners fall around him as they fizzled out for 130 in the 18th over.The crowd appreciated Duminy’s brilliance, particularly when he scooped a Shaun Tait half-volley over the wicketkeeper’s head for six, but it was Warner who was undeniably the star of the show. It was an incredible situation for a man previously so unknown that the scoreboard operators didn’t have a photo of him when the teams were displayed.Warner, 22, had already created history by simply playing the match; he was the first man to debut for Australia in any format without first-class experience since 1877. It’s a fair bet he might get a game for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield after this performance.His innings featured six sixes, including a paddle over fine-leg off Dale Steyn and Warner’s personal favourite, a baseball-style slog over midwicket off the same bowler. What made the strikes even more impressive was that they were the first two deliveries Warner faced from Steyn, the man who caused Australia so much trouble in the Test series.Warner raced to his half-century from 19 deliveries and it was the second-fastest in Twenty20 internationals, behind the brutal 12-ball effort of Yuvraj Singh when he put Stuart Broad away for six sixes in an over. The previous quickest for Australia was a comparatively unhurried 25-ball display from Andrew Symonds two years ago.South Africa’s bowlers simply didn’t know where to bowl to Warner. A tiny man at 170 centimetres, he was so strong on the leg-side that one six off Jacques Kallis more resembled a home run as it threatened to reach the second tier of the Ponsford Stand before falling just short. It was a sight that must have pleased the IPL Delhi Daredevils, who signed Warner last month on the strength of a couple of blitzes at state level.When the fast men tried to force him to play through the off side he demonstrated equal proficiency there. One cut for four off Kallis was so finely placed that Warner, who could hardly see daylight between the men at point and backward point, managed to split them. He also demonstrated his cricket brain by driving twos regularly when the field was back.His breathtaking effort finally came to a close when he holed out to long-on off Makhaya Ntini, who had been on the wrong end of two consecutive sixes from Warner in the third over of the match. In the end South Africa did well to keep Australia relatively quiet following Warner’s departure.David Hussey (19) and Luke Ronchi, who made 11, were caught before they could reach full flight, and Ntini and Albie Morkel chipped in for two wickets each before Steyn finished things off with 3 for 38. Fortunately for Australia, South Africa’s effort was just as uneven.Apart from Duminy’s effort, their chase never quite got back on track following the second over of the innings, a particularly nasty one from Tait in his first international match in nearly a year. No delivery in his first over was slower than 150kph. His first ball was a vicious 152kph bouncer that whacked Kallis on the shoulder but worse was to come for AB de Villiers.Tait dug in a 155.4kph delivery short of a length, de Villiers looked to pull and bottom-edged the ball onto his hip. As he folded in pain, he lowered his bat in the follow-through and crashed it into his stumps. Hit wicket is an unfortunate dismissal at any time but it was a particularly embarrassing exit for de Villiers as he hobbled off clearly in pain with a bruised hip, although South Africa were hopeful of him making a quick recovery.Nathan Bracken, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes and David Hussey all chipped in for wickets and the scorecard was so lopsided that besides Duminy, no batsman passed 12. Duminy was outstanding and, apart from his six off Tait, he played much more typical cricket strokes than Warner.A cover-driven four off Tait proved to Duminy’s team-mates that the fastest man in the match was playable, and a straight-drive to the boundary off Hilfenhaus would on most days have been the shot of the match. His half-century took 35 deliveries but as the required run-rate ballooned, so did his risk-taking increase, until he was lbw to Hussey trying a lavish reverse-sweep.The finish came when Tait rattled the stumps of Lonwabo Tsotsobe with 12 balls remaining. Tait’s fiery 2 for 36 was just as impressive a sign for Australia as Warner’s display. Australia retained their unbeaten record in Twenty20 internationals at home, and will look to continue their dominance when the teams meet again at the Gabba on Tuesday.

Suspended Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif nearly landed in another controversy on Saturday

Cricinfo staff17-Jan-2009
Mohammad Asif – In trouble again? © AFP
Suspended Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif nearly landed in another controversy on Saturday. Asif, who arrived in India to sort out financial issues with his IPL team Delhi Daredevils, was stopped at the Delhi airport due to visa-related problems, but was later allowed to move out following intervention by the Pakistan High Commission officials, reported.Asif had flown into Mumbai from Karachi and took a connecting flight to Delhi where he was stopped by immigration authorities at the airport for having “insufficient documents”. “Asif has a five-year visa issued to him which states he can travel to India as an international cricketer to play in the Indian Premier League,” a source said. “But since he has gone on a private visit and not to play cricket, he was supposed to inform the Indian High Commission in Islamabad for clearance which he didn’t do.”Asif was originally scheduled to reach India on Friday to meet with Delhi Daredevils officials. “He is very much in Delhi and will be meeting officials for issues related to his payment,” Delhi Daredevils chief executive Amrit Mathur said. However, he said he had no idea about Asif’s problems at the airport.Asif, however, denied facing any issues at the airport. “I was very pained about the reports in the newspapers, and on television, this morning about my arrival to New Delhi. I wish to clarify that there was absolutely no problem at the Delhi airport on my arrival,” he said. “I came to New Delhi via Mumbai and I was welcomed whole-heartedly there and all immigration formalities were concluded there.”Delhi bought Asif for US$650,000 on a three-year contract, making him the second-most expensive Pakistan player in the league after Shahid Afridi. His future with the franchise, however, hangs in limbo after he tested positive for a banned steroid during the first edition of the tournament in 2008. He appealed against the finding though his case was yet to be resolved by a three-man tribunal appointed by the IPL. It is believed that the Daredevils have yet to pay Asif outstanding dues from last season, but that the payment may be linked to the fate of his doping case.The Pakistan board had also suspended Asif from all cricket and not given him a central contract after he tested positive. He is scheduled to travel to India again on January 24 to attend the hearing of the IPL tribunal which was moved back to Mumbai from London. The hearing had earlier been shifted out of Mumbai following November’s terror attacks in the city.

Ex-professional footballer Nigel Jemson believes it’s a very difficult decision for Xherdan Shaqiri to make this summer, which is whether or not to leave Liverpool.

L’Equipe have previously reported that Shaqiri has agreed personal terms with Lyon but the clubs need to find an agreement on a price. Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported that Lyon’s offer was €6m, but Liverpool want €8m for their player.

The 29-year-old featured in 63 games in total, scoring eight goals and providing nine assists, and Jemson believes it’s a difficult decision for him to leave the club but understands due to him not featuring a lot of late.

In an exclusive interview with the Transfer Tavern, Jemson said: “I think it’s very difficult, I mean you look at Liverpool, massive, massive club.

“They’ve got a great squad together. I think that they’ve got to look at it from the players point of view, he’s not played the greatest amount of football in the last couple of years, he impressed in the Euros for Switzerland, but I think at some point, he’s going to turn around and say I need to be playing, you know, it is a short career.”

Whist it appears that Shaqiri will possibly leave Liverpool this summer, he has had a successful spell with the club, having won the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.

A wonderful opening partnership of 130 from Jesse Ryder (62) and Brendon McCullum (59) proved the difference for New Zealand as they won the second Twenty20 international against West Indies at Hamilton by 36 runs, thus levelling the series 1-1.

The Bulletin by Marc Ellison28-Dec-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Jesse Ryder top-scored for New Zealand with 62 from 41 balls, and hit seven boundaries and three sixes © Getty Images
A wonderful opening partnership of 130 from Jesse Ryder (62) and Brendon McCullum (59) proved the difference for New Zealand as they won the second Twenty20 international against West Indies in Hamilton by 36 runs, thus levelling the series 1-1.After beginning the tour with a string of low scores, Ramnaresh Sarwan (53) played brilliantly, bringing up his half-century off just 30 balls and looked more like the player that once averaged comfortably over 50.00 in ODIs. However, it proved in vain as West Indies finished short of their target of 192.Earlier in the day, Ryder and McCullum gave New Zealand the perfect start before the visitors fought back gallantly to restrict the home side to 191 for 9. The two added a whirlwind 130 from just 70 balls, but McCullum’s departure signalled the collapse of nine wickets for just 61 runs as West Indies surged back into the match.McCullum faced 34 balls and hit six fours and four sixes, while Ryder used 41 balls to hit seven fours and three sixes. Both were brutal on anything too full or too short and, ultimately, it was their fireworks that gave the hosts the edge.However, the West Indies really tightened the screws once McCullum departed and the collapse followed. Captain Chris Gayle was once again the pick of the bowlers for the visitors with two for 27, while Kieron Pollard and Jerome Taylor finished with two wickets apiece.During the chase, Ewen Thompson made a dream start to his international career by removing the dangerman Gayle with just his second ball.Gayle, who single-handedly led his team to victory in the first match at Auckland, tried to flick a slower ball from Thompson over midwicket but holed out to Jacob Oram at deep square-leg. Thompson ended up with 1 for 18 off three overs after beginning his spell with a wicket maiden.The visitors failed to recover from the poor start with the bat and with the required run-rate rising, Xavier Marshall (10) took on Tim Southee with the first ball of his spell, only to be caught at long-off by Daniel Flynn.The previously immovable Shivnarine Chanderpaul was caught by Oram on the midwicket boundary from a top-edged sweep off Daniel Vettori for 5.However, Sarwan was striking the ball sweetly, particularly straight down the ground, and gapping the ball to perfection. He gave his side a real chance of victory before skying a slower ball from Oram to Southee at mid-on, effectively ending the chase at 87 for 5.Pollard (38) and Denesh Ramdin (30), however, gave the West Indies some late hope, adding 68 off 40 balls. They kept their side in the match, but they were always behind in the chase. And it got worse after Jeetan Patel had both caught in the deep in the final over.Vettori’s introduction brought about the usual end to the scoring, as the visitors failed to cope with the asking rate. He was superb once again, changing his pace but most importantly bowling a tight line without allowing the West Indies batsmen a chance to get away.He claimed 2 for 19 from four economical overs, while Patel ended the match with a double wicket-maiden and figures of 2 for 12.