Semedo offered new deal as Dawson and Sarabia exits confirmed
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Reuters
7 minutes ago
- Reuters
Howe upbeat as Newcastle eye late transfer moves amid Isak absence
Aug 15 (Reuters) - Newcastle United lacks attacking options for the start of the season as wantaway striker Alexander Isak remains unavailable but there is still time to add the right players before the transfer window closes on September 1, manager Eddie Howe said. Newcastle endured a sluggish start to the transfer window, with winger Anthony Elanga arriving from Nottingham Forest in early July. Several pursuits failed to progress before they signed defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton in August. "The top end of the pitch isn't ideal but we still have time. We are still active in the window – we'd love to add one or two. But it's now quality over quantity," Howe told reporters on Friday. "Initially a lot of frustration as we were trying to be active early but that didn't happen. It's no-one's fault, gradually we have become stronger. "The squad has good depth and we should be resilient enough to get through a tough season. The fixture list is relentless. It's an important two weeks, we need to do a little more." Newcastle's top scorer last season Isak, who appears determined to leave the club, has been training away from the squad. Howe confirmed the 25-year-old Sweden international is unlikely to feature in their opening Premier League match at Aston Villa on Saturday. "There is no change to the (Isak) situation. All my focus has been on the training, Villa and the transfer front in terms of getting players in -- that is all-consuming for me," Howe said. "I want (Isak) to play. I want him to train. I've had those conversations (with him)." Asked whether Isak could be reintegrated with the squad, Howe said: "Yes, I believe there is (a way), but of course discussions and talks would have to take place in order for that to happen, but that's for another day." "At the moment I would (expect him to stay) but I've got no change of feeling. It's not in my hands but he's contracted to us and that's why I say that." After winning the League Cup last season, Newcastle edged Aston Villa on goal difference to finish fifth in the Premier League and secure the last Champions League spot.
BBC News
7 minutes ago
- BBC News
Valakari unfazed by Forrester's return to Hearts
Simo Valakari has no issues with Hearts loanee Adam Forrester making a quick return to Tynecastle, with the St Johnstone manager saying "we all knew" how the cooperation agreements would the new Scottish FA initiative, Premiership teams are able to send under-21 players to clubs lower in the pyramid over and above the current loan week Hearts entered into a player partnership with St Johnstone and right-back Adam Forrester moved to Perth on a season-long such is the fluidity of the cooperation system, he has now returned to Tynecastle because of an injury to right-back Christian said: "Nothing has changed. I would like to have him very much here, but we all knew it."Hearts have the power. Adam as a player, he knew what that type of agreement is."If something happens they can call him back. They did call him back so he is now there. Now he is there I am not going to waste any more of my focus on this and this."For me we knew it when we signed the agreement that can happen, it happened."Yes he can [come back to St Johnstone in the future] but I can't control what Hearts are doing, so we are focused on what we have here."
BBC News
7 minutes ago
- BBC News
Holders enter fray & Ibrox debutants - things to watch in Premier Sports Cup
Knockout football veers into view this weekend with the second round of the Premier Sports host promoted Falkirk, while third-tier Alloa Athletic's reward for topping their group is a visit to Ibrox to take on Russell Martin's stumbling United visit Championship rivals Partick Thistle, Aberdeen are away to another Championship side in Greenock Morton, with relegated St Johnstone host top-flight the back of Thursday's European action, Dundee United and Hibernian visit Premiership opposition in the shape of Kilmarnock and promoted Livingston, what to look out for across the eight matches... Will Falkirk attack Celtic? The last time Falkirk went to Celtic Park, the then-Championship side flew out of the blocks and went at from Ross MacIver and Finn Yeats had John McGlynn's side 2-1 up at half-time, before a double apiece for Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn ensured Celtic avoided an it was notable how McGlynn's front-foot play was able to cause problems against Scotland's dominant club a straightforward group-stage campaign, it has been a more difficult return to the top flight for the Bairns, who drew against Dundee United before falling to a 3-1 defeat at bogey team those setbacks lead to tweaks from McGlynn or will he stick to his approach and take the game to a Celtic side who might have one eye on Wednesday's Champions League play-off home leg against Kairat Almaty?"For us, a reference was how well we did there last season," McGlynn said. "We've got to take a bit of confidence and belief from that."We're always going to create chances with the type of team we are. We want to come out of Celtic Park with our heads held high and who knows? Maybe in the quarter-finals." Can Hearts maintain perfect start under McInnes? Derek McInnes made it clear in his pre-match news conference on Wednesday that he is targeting silverware in his first season with Hearts, who haven't won this competition since don't have the best record in Paisley but can take heart from a gritty Scottish Cup win on penalties there last season. They also go into the match off six straight wins, having beaten two of last season's top-six Premiership teams have an opportunity to take a third scalp against the Buddies and McInnes was bullish when asked about his team's prospects in the cup competitions."I've said this to them a few times. There's not one player should have signed for Hearts without having that aspiration to win a trophy here," the former Kilmarnock and Aberdeen boss said."If we don't win the cup, it doesn't mean we were wrong to say it. I don't think you're setting yourself up for a fall. We do believe we're good enough to go the full way and there's no point believing otherwise."The head coach has talked the talk. His team now need to walk the walk. Rangers debuts for Moore & Aasgaard? Ridiculous amount of shots faced across games this ponderous build-up play, particularly against teams favouring a low block. One imagines that will be Alloa Athletic's gameplan at Ibrox on Martin said before Tuesday's defeat by Viktoria Plzen that summer signings Thelo Aasgaard and Mikey Moore could both be fit to make debuts this Russell Martin make sweeping changes and grant opportunities to fringe members of his squad or will he look to build understanding and favour continuity? How will United & Hibs cope after European travails? Both Dundee United and Hibernian were in Conference League qualifying action on Thursday evening, but with mixed Hibs progressed to the play-off round with a 4-3 aggregate win against Partizan after extra time, United endured the agony of defeat on penalties after being tied 4-4 with Rapid Vienna following 210 minutes of packed schedule that accompanies European football is a significant challenge for teams as they attempt to maintain domestic form while attempting to secure a group-stage spot and the riches that have taken one point from the two league matches that have immediately followed their European efforts this season, while Hibs have had more joy having claimed four both facing top-flight opposition on the road this weekend, their squad depth will be tested again. Can 'mature' Kirk down Motherwell? Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport ScotlandHaving completed his multi-million pound move from Motherwell to Udinese, the spotlight won't fall on Lennon Miller, when his former club travel to St Johnstone on perhaps it will fall on another talented youngster - 21-year-old Saints striker Makenzie Perth side may have been relegated from the Premiership last season, but Kirk caught the eye, netting 11 Johnstone boss Simo Valakari has confirmed there has, unsurprisingly, been transfer interest in the Northern Irish added: "These players are very rare and to have a player at his age who still has a lot of potential to fulfil - of course there will be interest."He is our player, we don't have the urgency or panic to sell. I would be more than happy if he is our player when this window closes."Despite being in and out of the Saints starting XI this season, he has still scored four goals."He has been top notch, pushing very hard every day - that tells me he is young in age but mature in his head," Valakari Kirk and his Finnish manager will hope that hard work pays off as the Perth side seek a quarter-final spot.
