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Straits Times
8 minutes ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Alexander Isak missing from Newcastle squad bound for Singapore
SINGAPORE – Newcastle United fans in Singapore will not get the chance to see the English Premier League side's star striker Aleksandar Isak in action when they take on Arsenal at the National Stadium on July 27, after the Swede was left out of the squad who departed England on July 24. Isak, 25, is nursing a thigh injury and will continue his rehabilitation in England while his teammates play pre-season games in Singapore, followed by South Korea. The injury was also the reason he missed Newcastle's first pre-season game – a 4-0 defeat by Scottish side Celtic on July 19 – although Magpies manager Eddie Howe admitted after the match that speculation surrounding an exit was also part of his consideration. Premier League champions Liverpool have been strongly linked with a high-profile move for Isak for most of the summer transfer window, although talk has cooled somewhat after the Reds confirmed the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt's French striker Hugo Ekitike for £69 million (S$119 million) on July 23. Any deal for Isak, who has scored 54 goals in 86 Premier League games for Newcastle in the last three seasons, would likely see a figure upwards of £120m. Howe had previously said he expected Isak to join the team for their tour in East Asia. Aside from Isak, the only senior player missing from Newcastle's squad bound for Singapore is backup goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. England left back Lewis Hall, who suffered an ankle injury in February that cut his season short, has been included, as has winger Anthony Elanga, a £55m recruit from Nottingham Forest, After playing Arsenal, Newcastle are will play a K-League selection side at the Suwon World Cup Stadium on July 30, and then Tottenham Hotspur on Aug 3 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Edinburgh Reporter
42 minutes ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
David Gray believes Hibs fans will 'make a huge difference' in Denmark tonight
David Gray states the travelling support will 'make a huge difference' as Hibs take on FC Midtjylland in their first UEFA Europa League qualifier tonight. The team travelled from Edinburgh yesterday afternoon, before training in the MCH Arena where they will take on the 2024/25 Danish Superliga runners-up. After competing in vigorous pre-season friendlies, including fixtures against Dutch giants Ajax and English Premier League club AFC Bournemouth, Gray believes his team are as prepared as can be for their first continental challenge. 'Players have come through the games, got minutes into their legs,' said Gray. 'This match is why we have been doing what we have been doing, playing against a lot of tough opposition within pre-season. 'I've not been getting carried away with results. From a physical point of view, we feel we've got the players in a good position. 'We were a little later arriving [in Denmark] so we had to tweak our session,' he added on matchday minus one preparations for Hibs' first competitive match of the season. 'It was important to come to the stadium and to train on the pitch. I've experienced it myself and it gives the players a little familiarity. 'The training session was bright and bubbly. All the hard work has been done, we're all geared up to the match.' Hibs supporters have travelled to Herning, Denmark, in great numbers – and noise – ahead of the club's first European match of the 2025/26 campaign. While remembering a former trip to Brøndby, Gray spoke on how crucial the Hibees' support is for the team in Denmark. 'The fans will make a huge difference. It's their reward as well. At the start of last season, we went through tough times. The fans, as they always do, showed up in numbers. 'This is their reward, European football is what everyone wants to see. 'I'm sure it will be a fantastic occasion and hopefully we can go home with a positive result.' Gray has almost a full squad at his disposal, missing only three players in total, including two long-term injuries anticipated ahead of preparations for the first leg. 'Millsy (Lewis Miller) has not made it. Joe Newell and Rudi Molotnikov, the two longer-term ones, haven't made it. 'Apart from that, everyone is fit and healthy. The players are all in a really good place. 'Millsy was just an impact injury. 'From a squad point of view, we feel we are in a really good position and the players are chomping at the bit to be selected.' Like this: Like Related
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Arsenal off to winning pre-season start in Singapore
SINGAPORE: Arsenal kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win over Italian giants AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore on Wednesday. Manager Mikel Arteta started the match with several regulars, including Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Ben White. Christian Norgaard, a new signing from Brentford, made his first appearance for the Gunners, while fellow arrivals Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi started on the bench. In front of more than 22,800 fans, Arsenal, who finished runner-up in the last three consecutive seasons in the English Premier League, looked the more lively of the two sides in the first half, dominating possession but failing to convert their chances. Arteta then made six changes at the break, with Arrizabalaga and Zubimendi introduced to the Arsenal faithful. Their breakthrough came just seven minutes into the restart, as England international Bukayo Saka latched onto a cross from defender Jakub Kiwior and slotted the ball home into the far corner. Saka, later named Man of the Match, made way for 15-year-old Max Dowman – a product of the club academy – who impressed with his confidence and flair. Arsenal continued to press for a second goal, but Milan's substitute goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani denied Mikel Merino's header with a full-stretch save in the 75th minute. He was called into action again seven minutes later, tipping Leandro Trossard's close-range effort over the bar to keep the scoreline in Arsenal's favour. "I'm very happy with the attitude and the domination we had shown throughout the game. But there are always things to improve," Arteta said at the post-match press conference. "I have to find that cohesion within the players, and they have to continue to step up to the next level. But we are heading in a good direction."
IOL News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Arsenal off to winning pre-season start against AC Milan in Singapore
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka (L) and AC Milan's Davide Bartesaghi fight for the ball during the Singapore Festival of Football pre-season friendly match between Arsenal and AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore on July 23, 2025. Picture: Roslan Rahman/AFP Arsenal kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 1–0 win over Italian giants AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore on Wednesday. Manager Mikel Arteta started the match with several regulars, including Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Ben White. Christian Norgaard, a new signing from Brentford, made his first appearance for the Gunners, while fellow arrivals Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi started on the bench. In front of more than 22,800 fans, Arsenal, who finished runner-up in the last three consecutive seasons in the English Premier League, looked the more lively of the two sides in the first half, dominating possession but failing to convert their chances.
Perth Now
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Roar adds English striker to squad
Brisbane Roar's attacking ranks have been further boosted with the signing of English striker Chris Long. Long, 30, has spent the past four seasons at English lower league club Crewe Alexandra. A product of English Premier League outfit Everton's academy, Long also had playing stints with a host of other UK clubs, including MK Dons, Brentford, Burnley, Fleetwood Town, Bolton, Northampton, Blackpool, and Motherwell. 'Chris is a highly experienced footballer who boasts a keen eye for goal, creativity in the box and a strong turn of pace that will make him an extremely strong addition to the squad,' Roar coach Michael Valkanis said. 'We look forward to welcoming Chris to the club and squad as we continue to build for the new campaign.' Former England youth international Long, who has joined the Roar on an initial one-year deal, said he was 'excited' by the 'challenge of playing in the A-League'. 'I know I'm joining a club that has big ambitions for the upcoming season,' he said. 'I can't wait to get going, meet my teammates and most importantly, pull on that jersey and give my all for the fans.' Long, who joins recent signing Michael Ruhs as a new member of Brisbane's attacking arsenal, will arrive in Queensland in the coming days, but whether he will play in the Roar's friendly against Auckland FC on Sunday week is yet be confirmed. Meanwhile, Sydney FC has confirmed the signing of former Adelaide United and Macarthur FC signing Al Hassan Toure on a two-year-deal. 'I am very happy and grateful to sign for such a big club,' Toure said. 'Sydney FC is a great club with great players, fans and history. I can't wait to get started.'
