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Jamie Carragher urged Arne Slot to drop Trent Alexander-Arnold for the rest of the season despite his winner against Leicester City.

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Alexander-Arnold scored the winner against the FoxesYet kept silent about his future amid Real Madrid linksCarragher wants Bradley to start ahead of Alexander-Arnold Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Alexander-Arnold sealed a crucial 1-0 win over Leicester City with a late strike that pushed Liverpool within touching distance of the Premier League title. Carragher insists the time has come to shift focus toward the future, particularly given that the 25-year-old defender is widely expected to leave Anfield this summer to join Spanish giants Real Madrid when his Liverpool contract expires in June.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT CARRAGHER SAID

Speaking on after the narrow victory at Leicester, Carragher admitted that replacing Alexander-Arnold’s unique skill set would be a tall order. However, he argued that the club's transition needs to begin now, with Conor Bradley given a chance to cement his place in the side.

"You can't replace him, because what he is…" he explained. "The reason we talk about him so much, I think why he's the most talked about full-back we've probably ever seen in the Premier League, is because he's unique, he's different. You've [Micah Richards] just mentioned about him defensively, now, most top full-backs don't get it thrown at them that they're not very good defensively. But he's so unique on the ball, I think I said four or five years ago, it's like having Kevin De Bruyne playing right-back, that's what it feels like in terms of his ability on the ball. He can come on and change games, so Liverpool aren't going to replace that.

"So Liverpool need to replace his creativity, they're not going to do that from right-back, they maybe need to that from an attacking midfield position, or maybe a left-wing position. So, the team has to evolve that way. Now, where they can replace him, is Conor Bradley's a right-back. Conor Bradley shouldn't look at Trent and think, 'I want to be like him.' He's got to be like Andy Robertson was when he was in his prime, a proper full-back, up and down, aggressive at the winger, maybe overlapping, getting crosses in, underlapping is what the Liverpool full-backs like to do.

"So you're not going to be able to replace him, so forget that, but the big decision Liverpool have, or a couple of decisions between now and the end of the season, and the summer is…If Trent hasn't committed, which he hasn't obviously, to the manager for next season, he shouldn't be starting games. He shouldn't be…"

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Carragher’s strong stance drew a counterpoint from fellow pundit Micah Richards, who argued that Alexander-Arnold’s legacy at the club warranted a few more appearances before his departure.

"Liverpool are not here as a football club to give someone a send-off," he said. "I understand what you're saying in terms of you've got to prepare for next season, I totally get that point, I do. But for what he's done for the club throughout these years, been there since a little boy, they're going to win the league, just to give him a few more appearances to say: 'Well done.'

"No, it's not about that. The point would be, is in Conor Bradley you've got a young player. It's not like we're talking about a 27, 28-year-old, talking about a young player who had a tough 15, 20 minutes at the start of the game, and that's part of becoming an experienced player. I went through that in certain games, Gary [Neville], who's commentating, would have gone through situations like that. It's not about: 'Let's give Trent a send-off.' It's about: 'Okay, we need to assess whether Conor Bradley is the guy for us next season playing week in, week out.' Because the decision Liverpool will have in terms of Trent moving on is: 'Does Conor Bradley become our first-choice right-back and we buy a back-up player who's maybe a utility player, who can maybe play centre-back?'

"Or: 'Are we buying a first-choice right-back and Conor Bradley's going to have to battle with him?' So that lad needs as much experience as he possibly can get. So yes, bring him on as you did today if you need to go and win the game, maybe against Spurs or a couple of weeks after that. But in terms of starting games right now, if Trent hasn't committed to the club, which he obviously hasn't, Conor Bradley should be starting every game."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Despite the ongoing debate about who should start at right-back, the result against Leicester has put Liverpool on the brink of Premier League glory. With five games remaining, Arne Slot’s side are 13 points clear of Arsenal and need just three more points to be mathematically crowned champions. There’s a chance the title could be secured as early as Wednesday if Arsenal drop points at home against Crystal Palace. If not, the Reds could clinch the trophy in front of their home supporters next weekend when they face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.

New Zealand 254 for 5 (Chapman 83, Bracewell 61*, Main 2-44) beat Scotland 152 for 9 (Greaves 37, Neesham 2-9, Rippon 2-37) by 102 runsThe world-famous Johnnie Walker highball forms the focal point of the award-winning whisky tour on Edinburgh’s Princes Street. It is described by the Scotch blender’s own website as a “balanced mix of smoke, fruit and fizz”. A mile away at The Grange, it was New Zealand’s own highball concoction on parade; and the liquid equivalent’s tagline could easily have applied.For it was a perfect balance of 18 sixes that saw New Zealand notch their highest ever T20I score of 254, and claim victory by 102 runs. Half-centuries for Mark Chapman and Michael Bracewell were the dominant ingredients, as both made their respective T20I career-bests. Chapman’s 83 came in 44 balls, while Bracewell’s unbeaten 61 was even sharper on the palate at 25.Chapman smashed seven sixes – getting off the mark with a straight one – after having started watchfully with four dots. A straight-arm jab off birthday boy Mark Watt fizzed to the boundary, while Hamza Tahir dropped short and was smoked for first four and then six.He also pulled a Chris Greaves drag down to Watt on the boundary in what was his first professional knock since mid-April but there was no apparent rustiness.At the other end, Bracewell should not, in fact, have made any. Scotland captain Richie Berrington will lament a drop in the covers long into the night. A relative newcomer to international cricket, Bracewell’s ball striking is as clean as it gets, and that was particularly apparent in Ali Evans’ 19th over, which went for 26.There was both deftness – slower balls waited on and tucked away either side of the wicket – and force as he plundered 4, 4, 4, 6, 6 off the last five legal balls of the over. The first six, which brought up Bracewell’s maiden T20I half-century, was slog swept over deep square leg.Meanwhile, Chapman and Bracewell were supported by several other flavourfully fruity knocks: Dane Cleaver made a quickfire 28, Daryl Mitchell smashed 31, and Jimmy Neesham – whose maximum from the first ball of the 20th took New Zealand past 243, their previous highest T20I total, which they hit twice in early 2018 – fell to the final ball of the innings for 28 from 12 deliveries.Neesham had wandered to the middle early in the 16th over; his partnership with Bracewell was worth 79 from 29 balls. Such was the scoring rate that at times the in-ground DJ struggled to clip up The Proclaimers quickly enough to cope with the demand for musical fillers.In the run chase, a trio of George Munsey boundaries in the first over gave Scotland hope. But they had lost four wickets by the by the end of as many overs. Debutant Michael Jones, fresh from 206 for Durham in the County Championship, holed out to Bracewell, before Munsey, Matthew Cross and Ollie Hairs perished within the space of six balls.Munsey was served neat by Neesham, who did not even glance to see the finger measure. Three balls later, Neesham doubled up, with Cross giving Bracewell catching practice. Then Hairs was run-out by Cleaver trying to steal a sneaky dram.Ten overs into the Scotland innings came another New Zealand entry into the record books. Michael Rippon, a left-arm wristspinner, became the first man to bowl, well, left-arm wristspin for his country.Two deliveries in, with the DJ again in his element, a replacement ball was fetched after Greaves had slog swept on to neighbouring Arboretum Avenue. The over cost 17, as Greaves – who last Saturday on this ground made 79 against Stoneywood Dyce in the Easter Premier League – tucked in.Greaves then fell for 37, Ish Sodhi taking a sharp return grab, while Rippon later claimed Michael Leask and Evans.For Scotland, two trouncings in a row, have, in the words of head coach Shane Burger, been “a massive learning curve”.But in a World Cup year, he wants more rather than less: “The more times you get thrown into this environment when they are better than you, and you have to make sure you’re playing at your best, the more we will get better. We need more international fixtures against really good teams.”

MatériaMais Notícias

De folga no domingo, um dia após ser derrotado para o Athletico-PR no Campeonato Brasileiro, em Curitiba, o elenco do Flamengoaproveitou o tempo livre para ir à festa de aniversário de 35 anos de David Luiz, que foi poupado por Paulo Sousa no revés sofrido pela terceira rodada do Brasileiro.

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A festa de David Luiz, que chegou ao Rubro-Negro em setembro de 2021 e fez o 35º aniversário no dia 22 de abril, contou com a presença de Mumuzinho, Dennis DJ e até de Gabigol, ou Lil Gabi (a versão rapper do camisa 9), na cantoria, entre outros nomes da música.

Nas imagens que circulam na internet, é possível ver que grande parte dos jogadores se fez presente na festa do zagueiro, um dos líderes do elenco.

Depois da festa, hora de virar a chave e trabalhar. A reapresentação do plantel será às 15h desta segunda, no Ninho do Urubu, já com o foco apontado para o jogo contra a Universidad Católica, a ser realizado na noite de quinta-feira e válido pela terceira rodada do Grupo H da Libertadores, no qual o Flamengo está com 100% de aproveitamento e na liderança.

> Veja a tabela da Libertadores

O jogo será no bairroLas Condes,região metropolitana da capital Santiago, e o Flamengoterá que superar o acanhado San Carlos de Apoquindo se quiser alcançar um feito inédito: vencer a Católica no estádio, onde já a enfrentou três vezes e foi derrotado em todas as ocasiões (relembre aqui).

At least six debutants are expected to feature in South Africa’s first Test in over seven years

Firdose Moonda17-Jun-2022

Marizanne Kapp, Lizelle Lee and Sinalo Jafta have all been included in South Africa women’s squad to play their first Test in more than seven years, against England later this month. The trio missed out on the white-ball tour to Ireland – Kapp after contracting Covid-19 for the fourth time – but have been named in both the Test and ODI squad for the England series. The T20 squad, along with the group for the Commonwealth Games, will be named next month.South Africa last played a Test against India in Mysore in 2014 and four of the members of that XI – Kapp, Trisha Chetty, Lizelle Lee and Chloe Tryon – are in the current squad. Only one other current South African player has featured in a Test – Shabnim Ismail in 2007 against Netherlands – which means South Africa will field at least six debutants against England in Taunton. Chetty is the only player to have two Test caps.Related

Tryon wants South Africa's concentration higher than usual against England

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Kapp, Lee and du Preez ruled out of Ireland white-ball tour

Dane van Niekerk, the other current South African women’s player who has played a Test, remains unavailable for selection as she continues to recover from the ankle injury that has sidelined her since January. She has returned to training with the aim of being available for the T20Is and Commonwealth Games. Masabata Klaas, who injured her shoulder at the World Cup, is also unavailable. Tazmin Brits, Raisibe Ntozakhe, and Delmi Tucker, who are involved in the ongoing series against Ireland, will return home.South Africa will play a red-ball warm-up match next week, in preparation for the Test.”With the red ball, the main thing is to find our feet as a team again in the format and we take it one day at a time, then we can only progress into it and players can have an opportunity to go into a three-day prep,” coach Hilton Moreeng said. “Those that haven’t had the opportunity when we were back home can also start getting their aim of the red ball. Post that we know we are heading into ODI cricket and T20Is to build up into the Commonwealth Games.”South Africa beat Ireland 2-1 in the T20I series and lead the one-day series, which is part of the ICC Women’s Championship, 2-nil. Their matches against England do not form part of the Women’s Championship (South Africa are due to host England for Women’s Championship matches) but are an opportunity to solidify their strategy as a squad.”We are happy that we could come to Ireland and be able to play in these conditions which are similar to where we are going to. It has been very good and the exciting thing is that the crop of youngsters have started to put in the right performances. Now that we are going to England, we know that we are going to start with a format that most of them haven’t played in a while other than the preparation that we had, so it is exciting times, especially as a young cricketer in the squad,” Moreeng said.”We are up against a very competitive team, a team that plays well in their conditions. It’s going to be tough as we go along but at the end of the day, we are excited with the group that we have and we now have an opportunity against the hosts to be able to win a series in England.”South Africa squad for England tour (Test and ODIs): Anneke Bosch, Trisha Chetty (wk), Nadine de Klerk, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Lizelle Lee, Sune Luus (capt), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Andrie Steyn, Chloé Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt

Manchester City have endured a torrid run of form that is threatening to derail their season.

Manchester United’s 2-1 victory at the Etihad was City’s fifth league defeat in their last seven games and has left them trailing league leaders Liverpool by 11 points in the Premier League table.

Pep Guardiola’s side were also knocked out of the EFL Cup by Tottenham Hotspur at the fourth round stage and sit in a precarious 22nd position in the Champions League table – just a point above the elimination line.

The start of the season is a far cry from the club’s four Premier League titles in a row and their first Champions League in 2023. Whilst there has been a lot of talk around players such as Phil Foden underperforming, it has been City’s defensive vulnerability that has stood out most to eagle-eyed viewers.

Manchester City defence in turmoil

Man City have conceded 23 goals so far this campaign in their bid to defend their Premier League crown for the fifth consecutive time.

Their defence has been hit with injuries to multiple key players including, Nathan Ake missing 11 games with a hamstring injury and colossal centre-half Ruben Dias absent for seven games with a calf problem.

The above graphic shows that not only have teams been converting high-quality chances against Man City but they have been allowed to create lots of them in the first place – something that has not been the case in recent seasons.

City have conceded an average of 1.44 goals per match in the league this season and kept a clean sheet in just 19% of their games. A stark contrast to the previous season (23/24) where the Citizens conceded just 0.89 goals per match and kept clean sheets in 34% of their matches.

One defender in particular that has seen a dip in form is that of England international John Stones, who has made just seven appearances for City this season and has struggled when given the opportunity.

Academy product could be long-term Stones replacement

It has been noticeable that the form of Stones has not been up to his usual high standards of previous seasons and the England defender is down on a number of key defensive metrics.

John stones season 24/25 v season 23/24 & season 22/23

Stats (per 90)

24/25

23/24

22/23

90 mins played

3.2

11.8

20.5

Tackles & interceptions

8

12

32

Blocks

2

11

17

Aerial duels won

66.7%

73.7%

67.3%

Progressive passes

3.44

4.83

4.93

Pass completion

87.3%

93.1%

93%

Stats via FBref

The availability and durability of the former Everton man has come into question this season and from the above, it is clear that he is completing fewer 90 minutes this season than in the previous two campaigns. In addition, defensively Stones is also down on the number of tackles and interceptions won, blocks made and aerial duels won.

The England star is not only a defensive rock for City but adds so much to their attacking play too, building from the back with line-splitting passes from deep. The defender is down this season on progressive passes and has his worst pass completion rate in recent seasons.

Fortunately, City may not have to look far in order to replace Stones at the heart of their defence. According to Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, they have an academy prospect in Stephen Mfuni who is ‘one of the most talented teenage CBs in world football.’

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

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The Wigan-born defender is just 16 years of age but has already made three appearances for the Premier League 2 side and recently earned rave reviews for his performance in the UEFA Youth League in a 3-0 victory over Sparta Praha.

Mfuni can play left or right centre back and his strength in the air and on the ball have been highlighted as key attributes in order to replace current stalwart Stones.

It seems that Pep Guardiola may not have to splash the cash in the transfer market in order to fix his leaky defence as home-grown prospect Mfuni could come into his plans.

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Posts ByConnor Holden Dec 18, 2024

كشف وائل جمعة مدافع منتخب مصر الأسبق، أسباب تفوق الأهلي أمام الهلال السوادني خلال المباراة التي جمعت بينهما مساء اليوم، معلقًا على تأهل بيراميدز إلى نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وتأهل فريقا الأهلي وبيراميدز من مصر إلى دور نصف النهائي بعد تخطي عقبة الهلال السوداني والجيش الملكي على الترتيب.

طالع.. فيديو | الأهلي يفوز على الهلال السوداني ويتأهل إلى نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وقال وائل جمعة في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة بي ان سبورتس: “الشوط الثاني قلنا إن الأهلي سيتعامل بالخبرة مع عشوائية فريق الهلال، الهلال في الشق الهجومي ليس لديه الخبرة أو الثقة على الهجوم على مرمى الأهلي”.

وأكمل: “الأهلي تعامل بخبرة، وثنائي الدفاع ربيعة وأشرف داري قدما مباراة ممتازة، وتعاملا بشكل جيد، وتمريرة الهدف من طاهر رائعة وإنهاء رائع أيضا من إمام عاشور”.

وواصل: “اللاعبون حول وسام أبو علي لا يساعدونه، وأظن أنه هناك جزء على وسام، لأن تحركاته سيئة ويفقد الكرة بسهولة، وهو رأس حربة تقليدي خطورته داخل المنطقة ويجب أن يساعده اللاعبون، لكن لم يساعده أحد واللعب كان على الأطراف، وعندما خرج اللعب انضبط في الثلث الهجومي”.

وزاد: “أتمنى أن يعود طاهر لمستواه قبل الإصابة لأنه لاعب مؤثر وملتزم، ودخول طاهر كان مميزًا”.

واستطرد: “أختار الشناوي وأشرف داري أفضل لاعبان في مباراة اليوم، وأختار كولر أفضل مدرب بسبب الأداء في الشوط الثاني، ونزول طاهر الذي ساهم في تسجيل الهدف”.

وأردف: “إنجاز جيد لـ بيراميدز أن يصل لنصف النهائي، يمتلك عناصر ممتازة، الفريق يلعب اليوم بدون رمضان وبلاتي توريه وإبراهيم عادل، ورغم ذلك يصل لنصف النهائي”.

واختتم: “لكن أهم نقطة يفتقدها هي وجود الجماهير، وهذا سيؤثر عليهم في الدور القادم، وأتمنى أن ينجح مشروعهم لأن نجاح المشروع قد يُنتج لاعبين لمنتخب مصر”.

Babar Azam has acknowledged that Pakistan’s pragmatic approach to the final day in Karachi had been shaped by the magnitude of the target Australia had set them. When the fifth day began, Pakistan needed to survive 90 overs, or, more improbably, score a further 334 runs to gun down the fourth-innings target of 506.But with the game stretching into the final hour and Babar and Mohammad Rizwan looking fairly comfortable having put on 115 for the fifth wicket, the prospect of a remarkable late dash to the target was beginning to take shape. But Babar and Rizwan appeared to resist the temptation, and while Babar explained that the chase was never quite on, it didn’t stop him from taking great pleasure in his knock.Related

• Babar's 196 and Rizwan's hundred earn Pakistan epic draw

• Stats – Babar's record knock, Pakistan's marathon effort

• 'If we took a couple of catches it might be a different scenario' – Cummins

• When Babar, Shafique and Rizwan made Karachi dream

“This innings holds a lot of meaning for me, because the team needed it,” he said. “We were realistic about the chase. We wanted to bat normally till tea, and then if we found ourselves in a situation where we could go for the chase, we were good. But we lost wickets, unfortunately, so we didn’t really think of the chase. We needed to save the game. If I’d stayed for longer we might have tried to chase it.”When Babar and Faheem Ashraf fell off successive balls, any ideas about a chase were immediately killed off, with Pakistan facing a final-hour battle to stave off defeat. “Rizwan and I were discussing what the situation demanded because the wicket wasn’t easy for the new batter,” Babar said. “The spinners were getting help. I had belief the way Sajid [Khan] and Nauman [Ali] batted, so I had trust in them to save the game for us.”‘Abdullah Shafique was outstanding in the way he played the new and old ball and the patience he showed’ – Babar Azam•PCB

The pitches for the series have been a perpetual point of focus, with further scrutiny on the Karachi strip after the one in Rawalpindi was rated “below average” after a dull draw that saw just 14 wickets fall over five days. There was more assistance for the bowlers in Karachi, though it was reverse-swing that provided the most salient threat rather than the cracks in the pitch assisting spin. Babar said the conditions were the same for both sides, and thought the pitch had plenty to offer the bowlers.”You get reverse for the fast bowlers here; they found it and so did we. The spinners found turn, too. I don’t think there was a difference in the reverse-swing they got in both innings. They got plenty here, too. There were a lot of soft dismissals in the first innings which can make you think it was reversing a lot. It was happening in the second innings too, but our batters were at their best. You get reverse-swing here in first-class cricket too, so they have an idea how to tackle it. When you’re playing against one of the best teams, they’ll give you a tough time.”Babar revealed how he had motivated his side after a dispiriting third day, which saw Pakistan bowled out for 148 in 53 overs, giving Australia a 408-run lead. “You get motivation from your teammates,” he said. “In the first innings, we didn’t bat like we wanted but in the second innings, we had belief that we could save the game. We told the boys ‘What’s gone is gone and we have to focus on the present.’ The veteran players showed their experience. We told each other that ups and downs happen in Tests and to play session by session. I tried to give them confidence. Abdullah Shafique was outstanding in the way he played the new and old ball and the patience he showed.”This tour’s hype isn’t just about what happens on the field, but also what surrounds it. With Australia in Pakistan for the first time since 1998, a large, frenzied crowd came out to watch Pakistan pursue history, either by chasing down the target or surviving more overs to save a Test than any side since 1939. It embellished an already dramatic day, and its value wasn’t lost on the Pakistan captain.”When you play in front of your crowd and they support you, that feeling is so good I can’t explain it,” he said. “When the whole stadium backs you, it’s brilliant. We’re so happy that cricket is back, and we’re playing against such a big team here.”

Marcus Rashford contributed with two assists as Aston Villa came back from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1, earning praise from his new team-mates.

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• Rashford starred with two assists in Villa's win
• Emery's side came back from behind to beat Chelsea
• Marcos Asensio netted a brace

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Chelsea took an early lead through Enzo Fernandez's strike in the ninth minute but Paris Saint-Germain loanee Marco Asensio brought the Villans back into the game just minutes before the hour mark after Rashford set him up with an assist. The Manchester United outcast then provided another assist for Asensio towards the end of regulation time as the Spanish winger completed his brace and sealed all three points for the hosts.

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• WHAT MARCO ASENSIO SAID

  Speaking to after the match, the former Real Madrid star thanked Rashford for his support as he said: "I looked to Marcus and he told me that he was not offside. I trust him. He told me that it was not offside. We know all the qualities of Marcus. He helps us a lot and thank you also to him for the two assists."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Another Villa star Youri Tielemans also heaped praise on the United loanee as he added: "Very pleased, especially the way he is performing now and with the two assists today. Marcus is someone who can threaten everyone one versus one and even one versus two.

  "He is very important for us in the way he plays because he gives us something different on the left-hand side. You could tell today every time he got the ball he was dangerous and hopefully with many more minutes in his legs he will only get better."

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• WHAT NEXT FOR ASTON VILLA?

  Unai Emery's side, who climbed up to the seventh position after Saturday's win, will be next seen in action on February 25 as they take on Crystal Palace in a Premier League away fixture.

As they look to maintain their Championship top spot, there’s reportedly a growing belief inside Sunderland that one defender could make his return to Regis Le Bris’ squad against Queens Park Rangers this weekend.

Sunderland injury news

Despite sitting top of the Championship, Sunderland haven’t been without their problems on the injury front this season and it looked as though those issues were going to increase last weekend when Wilson Isidor suffered an injury scare against Oxford United. Eliezer Mayenda has also been out on the sidelines recently, missing the last six games.

However, both have recently trained to hand Le Bris a double boost ahead of the QPR games, with Isidor looking to continue his fine form and Mayenda hoping to make his first appearance since September.

It’s not just Isidor and Mayenda who could be on course to face QPR, however, with one Black Cats star also battling to be fit. According to The Sunderland Echo, there’s now a growing belief inside Sunderland that Daniel Ballard could return against QPR this weekend in what would be his first league appearance since facing Middlesbrough on September 21.

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Missing over a month of action, the defender will be desperate to return amid Sunderland’s excellent form. After playing a key role in their survival last season, Ballard could prove to be just as vital, if not more now that the Black Cats are vying for shock promotion to the Premier League.

Having missed the last six Championship games, and eight of the 12 that Sunderland have played so far this season, Ballard must now avoid a further injury blow and get a run of games under his belt.

"Leader" Ballard still a key man at Sunderland

Although both Luke O’Nien and Chris Mepham have covered incredibly well together in the absence of Ballard, the 25-year-old is likely to come back into the side once he is 100% fit. Of course, the last thing that Le Bris will want is for his defender to suffer yet another setback, but he should also ensure that Ballard is back to his best by the time the festive fixtures begin to come thick and fast.

The Sunderland man has earned plenty of praise over the years, including from Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill, who told reporters as relayed by The Sunderland Echo: “Dan is a young player but he is an experienced player in his team at Sunderland in a very young club side and he brings a lot to us. He is one of our more experienced players, along with Paddy McNair and Jordan Thompson.

“They’re pretty much our most experienced players in this group so it’s nice to have Daniel back. He’s in a good place and when you see him playing for Sunderland you see a natural leader. Hopefully you see that emerge at international level as well.”

A magnificent innings from Harmanpreet Kaur was the centerpiece of Melbourne Renegades’ victory as they went to the top of the table with a big run chase. Harmanpreet struck five sixes in her 46-ball innings in which she timed the acceleration perfectly in the second half to enable them to get home with two balls to spare as Sophie Molineux found the boundary twice in her three deliveries.At the midway point of the chase Renegades were well behind on 2 for 55 – despite a brisk innings of Jemimah Rodrigues – needing 106 from 60 balls, but then Harmanpreet took charge having been 10 off 16 balls. Consecutive sixes against Amanda-Jade Wellington signaled the change as the required rate was kept with realms. Josie Dooley played her part as did Jess Duffin, but Harmanpreet was the game changer. In the 18th over she took advantage of a free hit from a Darcie Brown beamer to flick another six over fine leg and then superbly sent Sarah Coyte over cover in the 19th.She had earlier played her part with the ball with a couple of late wickets to help keep Renegades within range. A second-wicket stand of 73 between South Africa team-mates Dane van Niekerk and Laura Wolvaardt and dominated the first part. van Niekerk was the aggressor until falling lbw then Wolvaardt was able to find the boundary late on as 33 came from the last three overs but it still wasn’t enough.Alyssa Healy goes down the ground•Getty Images

Alyssa Healy led the way with the bat and Nicole Bolton nabbed three wickets against her former club as Sydney Sixers lifted themselves back into the middle of a congested points table with an emphatic victory.Healy dominated Sixers’ innings with 58% of their total as she fell one blow short of her fifth WBBL hundred. She formed a 101-run opening stand with Ellyse Perry but there may still be questions about the scoring rate alongside her even though it did not make a difference on this occasion. Ash Gardner, who has had a lean tournament so far, made 8 off 16 balls at No. 3.Scorchers never made an impression on the chase. Sophie Devine couldn’t get going before being superbly caught at midwicket by Lauren Cheatle who also bowled excellently with 2 for 13 including 14 for balls in her four overs. But it was the spinners who went through the innings with Bolton and Radha Yadav taking 5 for 33 in six overs between them. Bolton removed Chloe Piparo, sent in at No. 3, and Chamari Athapaththu in four balls and when Yadav claimed Beth Mooney in the next over the game was done.Annabel Sutherland claimed three wickets•Getty Images

Table-toppers Brisbane Heat were comprehensively turned over by Melbourne Stars after they could only manage 95 from their 20 overs. It was a marked contrast to Saturday’s performance when opening pair Grace Harris and Georgia Redmayne added 140 against Hobart Hurricanes.Less than 24 hours later, Redmayne was trapped lbw in the opening over by Kim Garth and it set the tone for a poor batting display. Harris tried to hold the innings together but was bowled when she swung across the line at Tess Flintoff. Laura Kimmince’s lean season, where she hasn’t got out of single figures, continued when she scooped into the keeper’s gloves to give Annabel Sutherland one of her three wickets. None of the Stars bowlers went at a run-a-ball.Elyse Villani was quickly out of the blocks in the chase and made 26 of the 30-run opening stand with Meg Lanning before edging behind. With no scoring-rate pressure Lanning, who has been low on runs, was able to play within herself while Maia Bouchier ticked along comfortably.Phoebe Litchfield plays a reverse sweep•Getty Images

Defending champions Sydney Thunder completed a weekend resurgence to kickstart their season with a second victory in two days as they dominated Hobart Hurricanes.Smriti Mandhana provided the foundation for Thunder’s innings with her second half-century of the tournament while Phoebe Litchfield (31 off 25), Deepti Sharma (20 off 15) and Sammy-Jo Johnson (13 off 9) added impetus. Tayla Vlaeminck had made an early breakthrough but the left-hand pair Mandhana and Litchfield added 70 in eight overs for the second wicket. The fifth over of the innings from Vlaeminck lasted 10 balls.Mandhana didn’t find top gear and was out the ball after reaching fifty as Nicola Carey hauled Thunder back but her final over, the 19th, cost 15 against Deepti and Johnson.Issy Wong provided a huge breakthrough second ball when Rachel Priest drove to cover and Hurricanes fell behind the required rate. Mignon du Preez threatened to turn things around but became Deepti’s second wicket and Hurricanes fell away from 2 for 66. Deepti’s 3 for 13, following her handy innings, earned the player of the match award.