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For Championship promotion-chasers Leeds United, the emergence of Archie Gray has without doubt been one of the stories of the season. Gray has started 30 out of 34 games under Daniel Farke in the league this season, including Friday's memorable comeback win over the leaders.

Only three Leeds players – Ethan Ampadu (3,060), Islan Meslier (2,843) and Georginio Rutter (2,788) – have played more second-tier minutes for the club than Gray's 2,707, and unsurprisingly, he leads the way for all teenagers in the division. His nearest challenger is Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham, and he's a considerable way back on 2,471.

While Gray broke through as a midfielder, he's mostly played as a right-back this season, lining up there 22 times in all competitions, including in the dramatic win against Leicester on Friday. Leeds had interestingly signed a potential competitor on the final day of the winter transfer window in the form of Burnley's Connor Roberts, who arrived on loan until the end of the season, and the Welshman announced himself in the best way possible against the Foxes, scoring off the bench after replacing Junior Firpo.

Now, some comments from Hay in the build-up to the match have emerged, and it looks like the 49ers ownership group – together with the manager – got their January decision making just about spot on.

Roberts forcing Gray to get "even better" – Hay

Speaking on The Square Ball Podcast before Friday's mania, The Athletic's Phil Hay said that people at the club were conscious of ensuring that Gray's development wasn't obstructed by any January addition. Signing a versatile veteran who can support the teenager rather than compete with him was the objective, and based on what happened on Friday night, they pulled it off to perfection.

“It was one of those things when they were looking for a right-back in January, I remember somebody at the club saying this, they were very conscious of wanting a good right-back, and they got Connor Roberts who is very good, but not wanting that to immediately compromise Gray’s minutes, they still wanted Gray to be in the team and him to be playing.

“Actually if anything, he’s got better since Roberts came in and made it impossible for Farke, it would have to be a fitness thing, to get Roberts into the team.”

Leeds 3-1 Leicester proves 49ers' transfer genius

Farke proved the owners' decision to target experienced support for Gray was an act of genius with what he did on Friday, bringing on the fresh legs of Roberts for Firpo, who was struggling, and shifting Gray over to the other flank.

The two combined to flip the game on its head, and Gray, who also provided an assist in the 4-0 win over Swansea City, has been phenomenal since Roberts arrived, showing precision in possession, knowing when to take risks and winning the vast majority of his individual battles.

In the end, it may be looked back on as the transfer that pushed Leeds on to become genuine challengers to what previously looked like a stroll to the title for the Foxes. With Roberts now fit and firing, the manager is free to use Gray exactly if, when and how he chooses, rather than being forced to run him into the ground week in week out at right-back only.

Allrounder was injured while fielding against New Zealand and will miss the remainder of the tournament as well as Australia’s upcoming tour of South Africa

Alex Malcolm02-Mar-2020Australia’s star allrounder Ellyse Perry has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup after suffering a high-grade right hamstring injury while fielding during the win over New Zealand at Junction Oval.Perry fielded a ball at mid-off and threw in one motion, off-balance, trying to run out New Zealand captain Sophie Devine. She immediately crumpled to the ground clutching her right hamstring, and hobbled off with a significant limp and a concerned look on her face. She did not field for the remainder of the match.Perry had a scan in Melbourne on Monday night which revealed a high-grade tear that will not only rule her out of the rest of the tournament but also out of Australia’s upcoming tour of South Africa which follows the T20 World Cup.Australia won’t name a replacement in their 15-player squad.”Ellyse sustained a high-grade right hamstring injury that is expected to keep her out of the game for a significant period of time,” Australian team Doctor Pip Inge said. “We are currently exploring management options and will continue to support Ellyse through her recovery.”Australia coach Matthew Mott said the news was disappointing for both Perry and the team but he was confident the squad could cover her loss.”Ellyse is a key member of our squad and has been for a long period of time and on a personal level we’re disappointed that she won’t have the opportunity to finish the tournament,” Mott said. “She gives her absolute all every time she takes to the field for her country and that was evident again against New Zealand in the selfless manner in which she threw herself into her batting, bowling and fielding performances.”We’re confident that we have enough depth in the squad to cover her batting and bowling and know whoever gets an opportunity will make a strong contribution.”Perry came into the New Zealand game in doubt due to a hip complaint that restricted her training in the build-up and had to pass a fitness test on the morning of the game to be cleared to play.Perry made 21 from 15 with the bat but was not running with her usual fluency during the innings and was kept away from outfield duties in the field. She is normally posted at deep midwicket as one of Australia’s best fielders but spent the first 11 overs fielding in the ring, predominantly at mid-off.Perry’s absence will leave a huge hole in the Australian line-up given she is the No. 1 allrounder in the world alongside Devine. Her absence was felt even in the win over New Zealand as Ash Gardner was required to fill her last two overs. Gardner conceded 26 runs including 15 off the last over when New Zealand needed 20 to win.However, Australia captain Meg Lanning was adamant Australia had enough depth in the squad could to cover Perry’s absence. “She’s obviously been a massive part of our squad and our team for a long time,” Lanning said after the match on Monday. “You can’t replace her but we’ve got 15 players here who can do a job and you need a squad to win a World Cup. You can’t rely on one or two players and the same XI each game. We’re going to have to use the depth that we’ve got and we’ve said we’ve got a lot of depth. I believe that and we’re just going to have to use it and that’s just the reality of it.””Unfortunately, in elite sport you get injuries. Unfortunately, Ellyse has got an injury. I’ve got full confidence that any player who comes in can play a role and we’re just going to have to get through it and play maybe slightly differently but that’s fine. You’ve got to adapt.”As far as Devine, the New Zealand captain, was concerned, it would be a shame if Perry couldn’t get back on the field for the remainder of Australia’s engagements, though she said she was certain Perry would play against New Zealand, injury or not.”Anyone going down at any point in a world event is really hard to see. Especially someone like Ellyse,” she said. “We know what she brings to the women’s game and I know people were saying she might not play this game but I didn’t have any doubts that she was going to play.”She would have to have her leg amputated for her not to take the field and it looked like she nearly did snap her leg off. I really hope she has a speedy recovery, whatever injury she has sustained. It is a real blow for the women’s game. I know it definitely will be for Australia but the world loses out on a great player.”

Chelsea have sold Angelo Gabriel to Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr for £19 million just a year after signing the Brazilian teenager from Santos.

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• Angelo spent the last season at Strasbourg
• Became the 26th player to leave Chelsea this summer
• Has signed a five-year contract with Al-Nassr

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Blues forked out €15m (£13m/$16m) to secure his services from the Brazilian outfit. However, Angelo spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Strasbourg – Chelsea's sister club in Ligue 1 – where he scored four goals in 21 Ligue 1 appearances, showcasing glimpses of his talent.

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  Chelsea have now transferred Angelo to Al-Nassr as part of their extensive summer clearout in a €23m (£19.4m/$25.4m) move. His departure makes him the 26th player to leave Stamford Bridge either on loan or through a permanent transfer as they have been actively reshuffling their squad in a bid to balance the books and achieve a zero net spend by the end of the transfer window. The youngster has signed a five-year deal with the Saudi giants and Chelsea will receive a part of any future proceeds made from his sale.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Angelo's rise to prominence began in Brazil, where he made his professional debut for Santos at the tender age of 15 years and 308 days, making him the youngest player ever to feature in the Brazilian Serie A. His early success continued as he became the youngest player to score in the Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club competition, netting a goal at just 16 years old in 2021.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ANGELO & CHELSEA?

  Angelo is expected to make his debut for Al-Nassr and line up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo on September 13, after the international break, in a highly anticipated match against Al-Ahli. Meanwhile, Chelsea will return to action against Bournemouth a day later in the Premier League.

While 2023 marked the beginning of what could be the 'Ange Postecoglou era' at Tottenham Hotspur, it also coincided with the end of Harry Kane's stellar spell in north London, with the academy graduate finally moving on after over a decade in the first team.

The 30-year-old is currently staring down the barrel of a trophyless first season at Bayern Munich, although with 24 Bundesliga goals to his name already in 2023/24, it is easy to recognise just how far he has come since arriving on the scene with the Lilywhites.

For all Tottenham's record scorer has gone on to achieve in the game, such individual success did not always look to be on the cards, however, particularly amid a difficult start to life in senior football amid a handful of loan spells across the English football pyramid.

It wasn't until the 2014/15 season that Kane – who scored 21 Premier League goals that year – truly announced himself to the wider world, with his Spurs debut having actually come a few years prior at home to Hearts in a Europa League Qualifying Play-offs round second leg tie.

That goalless draw with the Scottish Premiership side back in August 2011 was the striker's first taste of senior action as a mere teenager, as he lined up alongside an eclectic mix of names who have gone on to endure far less fruitful careers elsewhere…

1

GK – Carlo Cudicini

Lining up in the sticks on the night was former Chelsea man, Carlo Cudicini, with the Italian shot-stopper having arrived at the club two years earlier after almost a decade at Stamford Bridge.

After spending just three years with the Lilywhites, the veteran 'keeper swiftly retired in 2013 following a brief stint in the MLS, before joining the Republic of Ireland U21's coaching staff.

Since 2019, the 50-year-old has been working back with the Blues as one of their 'loan player technical coaches', having initially made his return as an assistant coach to Antonio Conte in west London.

2

RB – Ryan Fredericks

One of the few players on this list who is still plying his trade in the Premier League, Ryan Fredericks was also handed his debut for Spurs on the night alongside Kane, acquitting himself well as the home side kept a clean sheet.

Despite going on to make just two more appearances for the club prior to sealing a permanent exit in 2015, the 31-year-old has since enjoyed stints at the likes of Fulham, West Ham United and Bournemouth, albeit while having yet to feature for the latter side this season.

3

CB – Michael Dawson

Now part of Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday panel, Michael Dawson was one of the more senior members of the side against Hearts, leading the club as captain at the centre of defence.

After spending nine years at the club following his arrival in 2005, the former England international eventually ended his playing career with Nottingham Forest in 2021, having previously risen up through the youth ranks at the City Ground.

4

CB – Sebastien Bassong

Lining up alongside Dawson on the night for Harry Redknapp's side was the club's £8m signing, Sebastien Bassong, with the Cameroon international having joined from Newcastle United two years earlier.

Despite previously winning the Magpies' 'Player of the Year award, the Paris native was unable to replicate those feats during his three years in north London, making just 70 appearances in all competitions in that time.

After leaving White Hart Lane, the 37-year-old spent time at the likes of Norwich City and Peterborough United, before calling time on his playing career in 2019 following a brief stint at Greek side Volos.

5

LB – Vedran Corluka

While typically a centre-back, the Croatian ace lined up at left-back for the visit of the Jambos in what was one of just eight appearances he made that season, prior to joining Bayer Leverkusen on loan in January 2012.

A friend and international colleague of Luka Modric, the 6 foot 4 brute was "a very tenacious, uncompromising defender" – according to teammate Roman Pavlyuchenko – albeit having swiftly tumbled down the pecking order under Redknapp.

Having ended his career in 2021 after almost a decade at Lokomotiv Moscow, the 38-year-old is now assistant coach of the Croatian national team.

6

DM – Tom Huddlestone

The man with a cannon of a right foot, Tom Huddlestone enjoyed a respectable albeit unspectacular seven-year stint at White Hart Lane, racking up 47 goals and assists in 209 games in all competitions for the club, after signing from Derby County in 2005.

A second-half substitute during Spurs' last trophy win in the Carling Cup final back in 2008, the Englishman eventually moved on to Hull City in 2013 – prior to ending his career with the Tigers in 2022 after a stint back at Derby.

Now 37, the Nottingham native is currently on the books at Manchester United in a unique player-coach role for the U21s, having been brought in by the Red Devils to pass on his experience to the club's emerging talent.

7

CM – Tom Carroll

At one stage tipped to be the 'next Luka Modric, Kane's former academy colleague wasn't quite able to establish himself with the Lilywhites, eventually falling by the wayside amid the rise of the likes of Harry Winks under Mauricio Pochettino.

Having been sent out on a string of loans during his time at N17, it wasn't until 2017 that Carroll eventually left permanently for Swansea City, prior to featuring for the likes of Queens Park Rangers and Ipswich Town.

Now 31, the 5 foot 10 playmaker now plies his trade for League One side Exeter City, albeit having provided just one assist and no goals in 30 league games this season.

8

CM – Jake Livermore

Completing the midfield triumvirate was another promising English talent, Jake Livermore, with the academy graduate even scoring in the 5-0 first-leg thrashing of the Edinburgh-based side.

That was, however, the only goal that he would score in 58 games for Spurs in total, with much of his time at the club spent out on loan, prior to leaving permanently for Hull in 2014 – linking up with Huddlestone with the Tigers.

The 34-year-old is now on the books at Watford following a six-year spell with West Bromwich Albion, the seven-cap England international having scored three goals for the Hornets this season in the Championship.

9

RM – Roman Pavlyuchenko

With the likes of Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart afforded a rest on the night, Redknapp handed what proved to be a rare outing that season to Pavlyuchenko – the Russian striker scoring just four goals in 14 games in 2011/12.

In total, the towering forward recorded a respectable haul of 42 goals in 111 games following his arrival in 2008, albeit while only once reaching double figures for Premier League goals – scoring ten times in 2020/11.

That proved to be the marksman's only stint outside of his homeland, as he eventually hung up his boots in 2022 at the ripe old age of 40.

10

LM – Andros Townsend

Described as the 'star turn' against Hearts by BBC Sport's Sam Lyon, Andros Townsend looked destined to make the grade at Spurs, particularly after a fruitful loan spell at QPR in 2012/13 in which he netted a stunning volley at home to Aston Villa.

Alas, the breakthrough at his parent club never truly came as the Englishman moved on to Newcastle United in 2016, before subsequent stints with Crystal Palace and Everton.

Now on the books at Luton Town, the 32-year-old has enjoyed something of a renaissance with the Hatters alongside the likes of Ross Barkley, notably scoring against former club Newcastle back in December – that diet of chicken feet seems to be working out well for the part-time talkSPORT pundit…

An attempt will be made to persuade him to step down ahead of a board meeting on Wednesday

Firdose Moonda10-Feb-2020Chris Nenzani’s tenure as Cricket South Africa president could be nearing its end. ESPNcricinfo has learnt that an attempt will be made to persuade Nenzani to step down ahead of a board meeting in East London on Wednesday. This would present a more seamless way forward for CSA because, according to an insider, it could take between 45 to 60 days to vote a sitting president out.Jack Madiseng, the president of the Gauteng Cricket Board, who resigned from the CSA board in December, is understood to have lobbied enough support to succeed Nenzani.The process to vote a sitting president out of office requires support from two-thirds of the Members’ Council (the body made up of the 14 provincial presidents). That equates to 10 of the 14 presidents being in favour of the motion. Then, the CSA president has the opportunity to respond to the grievances leveled against him and if their explanation is accepted, they could continue in office. If not, they would be dismissed.Given the time such a procedure would take, and the fact that Nenzani’s term ends in September, a more immediate way for the presidency to change hands would be if he voluntarily walked away.A few months ago, such a thought would have been unlikely. Nenzani has one of the longest serving members in CSA. He has been in office since February 2013 – that’s two three-year terms and then he was able to amend the CSA constitution to secure a one-year extension as well. At the time, Nenzani claimed he was staying on to tide the board through an unsettling period, with major administrative changes in the works.”Since 2018, there has been a high turnover on the board; we failed at the World Cup and that has forced us to introduce a different structure for the team management and team coaching. We are appointing a key person, a Director of Cricket, and at the same time we have given a lot of responsibility to the management through the office of the CEO,” Nenzani said at CSA’s AGM last September. “These are not small changes, they require sensible leadership – which is not to say no one else can provide that – I’m part of a collective and that collective will provide that sensible leadership.”However, in the months that followed, CSA’s executive unraveled, four board members resigned, sponsors were lost and seven staff members including CEO Thabang Moroe were suspended. Key stakeholders, such as the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) called on the board, and specifically the president and vice-president, to be held accountable for the multiple crises affecting the organisation. Now, it appears the pressure has told and Nenzani is likely to take the fall. The position of vice-president Beresford Williams is unclear but the rest of the board are set to remain in their positions.

Manchester United are reportedly set to sign an 18-year-old wonderkid, Sekou Kone, after reaching an agreement with Malian side Guidars FC.

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• Man Utd to sign a defensive midfielder
• Kone will work with the U21s
• Erik ten Hag views him as a future star

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Kone, a promising defensive midfielder, had attracted significant attention from several top clubs across Europe, but United have successfully secured his signature, according to Several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers, reportedly expressed interest in the young midfielder but the Red Devils seem to have successfully fended off competition.

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  At just 18 years old, Kone has already made a name for himself as one of Africa’s brightest football talents. With 12 caps for Mali’s youth teams, Kone’s experience on the international stage highlights his potential to become a key figure for Manchester United in the coming years.

  According to Erik ten Hag has already devised a careful plan to integrate the young star into the club. The Dutch coach is mindful of the significant cultural shift Kone will experience upon his move from Mali to England and the club will ease him into life in Manchester gradually. This transition will begin with Kone joining United’s under-21 squad, where he will have the opportunity to acclimate to the new environment while continuing his development.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  In Africa, Kone is compared to legendary Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure, further raising expectations surrounding his potential impact. He was a regular starter during the 2023 FIFA U17 World Cup and emerged as a key player while Mali settled for the third spot in the competition.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  As United prepare for the upcoming Premier League fixtures, including their match against Brighton & Hove Albion this Saturday, the focus remains on building a competitive squad. They kicked off their season with a 1-0 victory over Fulham, and Ten Hag's men will look to build on that victory when they take on the Seagulls.

There was plenty of change at Celtic last summer as Brendan Rodgers returned for a second spell at the club, whilst a number of players moved in and out of Parkhead.

Central defender Carl Starfelt, who had been a rock at the heart of Ange Postecoglou's defence, was sold to LaLiga side Celta Vigo after the 2022/23 campaign.

The Hoops responded by signing Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki on permanent deals, whilst Nat Phillips joined on a short-term loan from Liverpool.

That string of deals has turned out to be a nightmare for Rodgers as Starfelt's value has soared this season and the replacements brought in have failed to nail down a place in the side, as the three defenders have started 11 league matches between them.

Carl Starfelt's value last summer

At the time of his switch to Celta Vigo, FootballTransfers placed the central defender's Expected Transfer Value (xTV) at €2.8m (£2.4m) after his performances for the Bhoys last season.

Starfelt, who John Hartson described as "pivotal" to the club's success, featured in 28 of the club's 38 Scottish Premiership matches under Postecoglou last term.

The Sweden international made 2.1 tackles and interceptions per game and won 67% of his duels throughout the season to help his team collect 11 clean sheets and the top-flight title.

That came after the 28-year-old star had started 34 league matches under the Australian boss and helped the side to keep 18 clean sheets during the previous season.

These statistics show that Starfelt was a key performer at the back for Celtic as he was a regular starter across two seasons at Parkhead, and secured two league titles in the process.

Carl Starfelt's current market value

At the time of writing (16/02/2024), FootballTransfers has his xTV at €4.9m (£4.2m) and this means that his value has soared by 75% since the start of the season.

It has rocketed up from the initial €2.8m he was valued at upon signing for Celta Vigo last summer, which shows that the experienced defender made the right decision.

The 28-year-old former Hoops star wanted to test himself in the Spanish top-flight and his soaring market value suggests that he has passed that test.

Starfelt has started 17 matches in LaLiga so far this season for his new club, which means that the talented battler has started six more games than the three players signed in his position have for Celtic combined in the Premiership.

He has been a regular starter and dominant performer, as shown by the statistics in the table above, at the back for the Spanish side, whilst Rodgers' two permanent additions, now that Phillips has returned to Liverpool, have not adequately replaced him.

Celtic are level on points with Rangers in the Premiership table as it stands and have conceded four more goals than their closest rivals, which may leave them regretting allowing Starfelt to leave last summer.

Rodgers appears to have had a mare by both failing to convince the impressive defender to remain at Parkhead and then failing to bring in quality replacements for him as neither Nawrocki nor Lagerbielke have been regular starters.

Gary Lineker has explained why Pep Guardiola “might be interested” in the England job after entering the final year of his Manchester City contract.

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• Southgate stepped down after Euro 2024
• Carsley handed reins on interim basis
• Permanent appointment required at some stage

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Three Lions are in the market for another permanent boss after seeing Gareth Southgate walk away on the back of a second successive European Championship final defeat. He took in 102 games at the helm over the course of an eight-year reign.

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  Lee Carsley, who guided England’s U21 side to Euros glory in 2023, has been handed the reins on an interim basis. There has been talk of Guardiola being approached to take charge in 2025, with the six-time Premier League title winner yet to extend his contract at the Etihad Stadium.

• WHAT LINEKER SAID

  Guardiola has said on his future: “I have to decide what I want to do in my life. If I want to continue here, take a break, train national teams or not – many things.”

  Those comments have led former England striker Lineker to tell the podcast: “I did see an interview a few days ago with Pep Guardiola where he was asked in a press conference if he would be interested in England. And you know, mostly people put that away, but he certainly didn't. And it made me think the way he was talking; I thought he actually might be interested in this job. And the fact that they've appointed Carsley as an interim coach and the fact Pep's contract ends at the end of the season… however, I'm maybe having a little bit of wishful thinking here!”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Fellow ex-Three Lions frontman Alan Shearer added: “There are a few people or a couple of people that have actually said that to me, but I don't know, maybe it's just a rumour, but hey, you never know, which is why I think it's a wise decision for them to give it to Carsley and just take their time and see what happens. I mean, they've got a game in a month's time, less? So I think it would have been really difficult to appoint someone in that short amount of time. So this gives them time to sit back and see and look at the bigger picture.”

It's been no secret this transfer window that Derby County have been chasing the services of Michael Smith, the Rams rumour mill dominated by constant conversation over whether or not the Sheffield Wednesday talisman will finally relocate to Paul Warne's side.

With that move looking rather dead in the water now, the Rams have been forced to look elsewhere to bolster their attacking spots – the League One automatic promotion candidates in even more need of added reinforcements up top now owing to Tyreece John-Jules' serious injury knock.

Warne hasn't gone majorly left-field when looking at other targets away from Smith, however, with the former Rotherham United boss still going after a Wednesday player in this potential incoming.

Derby going after League One promotion winner

According to the Sheffield Star, Derby are now looking at a second Owls striker in the form of Lee Gregory on a loan deal until the end of the season. It's stated talks have already taken place between the respective parties.

The report does further state that both Smith and Gregory wouldn't come to Pride Park hand-in-hand though, with the third tier side facing similar hurdles this time around to land Gregory that kept tripping the Owls up in their pursuit of Smith – financial restraints getting in their way yet again.

If Wednesday could pull off a dramatic deal for Gregory, this last-gasp transfer could well prove to be the perfect Smith alternative with the 35-year-old attacker also previously prolific in League One.

How Gregory fits into the Derby team

With Warne having to play Nathaniel Mendez-Laing in a number ten spot last match against Cheltenham Town to make up for John-Jules' absence, signing a new striker recruit in Gregory could see the Rams manager go back-to-basics with a switch to a 4-4-2 formation to slot the current Owls man in alongside James Collins.

The deal would even see Gregory return to Pride Park after a short but sweet loan stint back in 2021, bagging three goals in 11 games.

Collins and Gregory could well combine to devastating effect in a strike partnership together if the 35-year-old returns to Derby, Gregory always hitting double figures whenever he's played a full season in the third tier with five strikes from 11 games in the lottery of the League One playoffs also showcasing his deadly knack of scoring when it matters.

It's why former Millwall teammate Tom Bradshaw described the potent centre-forward as "instrumental" to his own development as a clinical goalscorer, the Lions striker at the time modelling his own game on Gregory's craft.

The 35-year-old even netted Wednesday's first goal of their somewhat topsy-turvy Championship campaign to date, the EFL veteran almost effortless in his approach to finding the back of the net.

Not being able to secure a deal for Smith would have stung, especially with Warne's close connection to the ex-Millers man, but any annoyance over that transfer falling flat would be swept to one side if the Rams could land this alternative target before the close of the window tomorrow.

The allrounder had hurt his back while fielding in the second T20I on Tuesday

Deivarayan Muthu08-Jan-2020Sri Lanka allrounder Isuru Udana has been sidelined from the team’s must-win third T20I against India in Pune on Friday with a back injury. The 31-year had injured himself during India’s chase in the second T20I on Tuesday night, while attempting to stop the ball at short third man. Udana immediately hobbled off the field and did not return to take the ball.Udana’s injury depleted Sri Lanka’s attack although Dasun Shanaka stepped in and bowled four tidy overs, giving up 26 runs. India eventually chased down the target of 143 with seven wickets and 15 balls to spare, handing Sri Lanka their fourth successive defeat in the format. India are now 1-0 up in the three-match series, with the first T20I in Guwahati having been abandoned without a ball being bowled.After the loss in Indore, Sri Lanka coach Mickey Arthur said that Udana had hurt his back and was in “hell a lot of pain.” Despite being ruled out, Udana will work with the physio and stay back with the squad in Pune.