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Manchester City journalist Simon Bajkowski has dropped an update regarding the current injury situation surrounding midfielder Kalvin Phillips ahead of City’s upcoming Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at the weekend.

What’s the news?

During City’s recent charity match against Barcelona, Phillips was taken off after picking up what Bajkowski described as an injury to the midfielder’s forearm.

In a recent Twitter post, the journalist revealed:

“Kalvin Phillips will have more detailed assessments before Palace but #mcfc are encouraged that the injury that forced him off against Barcelona isn’t as bad as it looked.”

City signed the 26-year-old earlier in the current summer transfer window from fellow Premier League side Leeds United in a deal worth a reported fee of £45m.

Since then, the England international has only played one minute of league action for the Citizens but did end up playing 57 minutes of action against the Spanish club in midweek before his injury forced him off.

In 20 league appearances for Leeds last season, no other player at the Yorkshire club managed to win more tackles in the midfield third than Phillips (33), highlighting the defensive talent he has.

A big relief for Guardiola

While this isn’t a confirmation over whether the Englishman will be available for selection to take on the Eagles on Saturday, this latest update is a positive one and will be a big relief for Pep Guardiola that the injury doesn’t look as serious as first thought.

Even though the league champions have Rodri in their squad that has started all three of their league games so far this season, having Phillips available would be a massive help for Guardiola in case the Spaniard were to pick up an injury himself and needed the Englishman to come in and replace him.

Although, with the former Leeds star’s defensive skills and the fact that no other side in the league this season have made more carries into the 18 yard box than Palace (22), perhaps having Phillips in the starting XI this weekend could be the best way of making sure City don’t end up dropping points, especially as his tackles in midfield could stop the Eagles from carrying the ball into City’s box.

With that in mind, everyone at the Manchester club will surely have their fingers crossed that the midfielder can shake off his midweek injury and be fit enough for selection at the weekend.

West Bromwich Albion could consider recalling defender Caleb Taylor in January, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Bruce under pressure

The Baggies suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Birmingham City in the Championship during midweek, with the defence majorly being questioned having already conceded 13 goals this season.

Steve Bruce has since come under threat following a poor run of form, and with Semi Ajayi still on the sidelines for the foreseeable future, backup is desperately needed.

19-year-old Taylor was sent out on loan to Cheltenham Town over the summer, but after earning rave reviews, a return to the Hawthorns could be on the cards…

The Latest: Recall for Taylor?

According to BirminghamLive, West Brom could ‘consider recalling Taylor’ during the upcoming transfer window to solve their worries at the back, though it would be more beneficial for him to ‘return next summer’ after gaining a season’s worth of first-team action.

It’s stated that this ‘could save Albion finances’ in the market, particularly as a result of both Kyle Bartley and Kean Bryan being out of contract in 2023.

The Verdict: Bring him back

West Brom have only won one of their last eight competitive games, but Taylor would definitely help improve the situation by coming back, whether that be in the New Year or next summer.

The centre-back, dubbed a ‘star’ by Cheltenham correspondent Jon Palmer, has averaged a fantastic 6.9 clearances per game and the same number of aerial duels this term (WhoScored), highlighting how much of a rock he can be at the back.

Taylor signed a long-term contract before leaving on loan which shows that he wants his future to be with the Midlands outfit, so he should have no complaints about returning to fight for a place in Bruce’s starting XI.

Celtic return to action against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League this evening, with the Hoops having succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to holders Real Madrid in their most recent outing last week.

Despite running the 14-time champions close in what was an enthralling encounter at Parkhead, the Scottish champions were ultimately left licking their wounds as the La Liga side ruthlessly surged ahead after the interval.

As manager Ange Postecoglou recently suggested, his side will need to produce more than just a strong 60-minute display if they are to have success in this season’s competition, with tonight’s clash in Warsaw already potentially crucial to their hopes of progression.

Ahead of what is a mammoth meeting with the Ukrainian side, the title-winning coach will no doubt have a handful of key selection decisions to make, with the Old Firm outfit unable to afford another disappointing result.

One man who could potentially make way is winger Liel Abada, with the Israeli international having notably struggled last time out against Carlo Ancelotti’s side, with his underwhelming first-half display seeing him withdrawn at the break.

That 45-minute outing saw the 20-year-old make just 14 touches and lose possession six times, with journalist Adam Doyle suggesting that the youngster looked “out of his depth” against such elite opposition.

Having netted a brace against bitter rivals Rangers just a few days earlier, the expectation would have been for the £6.75m-rated man to be brimming with confidence, yet he went on to produce a largely frustrating display.

The £10k-per-week man saw an early chance turned away by opposition stopper Thibaut Courtois, before spurning an even better opening late in the half after latching onto Jota’s through ball, only to fire his effort straight at the towering Belgian.

That lack of cutting edge will no doubt have been a great source of frustration for Postecoglou amid what was a truly magnificent first-half showing on a collective basis, with the 57-year-old knowing his side will have to be ruthless in front of goal if they are to have any hope of reaching the knockout round.

With ample depth in the attacking ranks – with teammate Kyogo Furuhashi seemingly set to be available – the former Yokohama boss has plenty of alternatives if he is to take Abada out of the firing line, with a place on the bench perhaps what is needed for the promising, yet misfiring, starlet.

West Ham United endured a real sliding doors moment just over three years ago, having reportedly come within fractions of completing the signing of Barcelona’s teenage starlet, Ansu Fati.

According to Bleacher Report, the Hammers had been pursuing the highly-rated Spaniard in the summer of 2019, with the youngster having reportedly been contemplating an exit from the Camp Nou amid concern over his potential first-team chances in Catalonia.

The suggestion is that the east Londoners had “agreed” a deal with the player’s family regarding what would have been a remarkable move, with the Guinea-Buissea-born wonderkid having at that stage failed to sign a new contract with the La Liga giants.

As the story goes, however, issues regarding the 5 foot 10 forward obtaining a Spanish passport ultimately put paid to the deal, with the winger subsequently going on to sign a professional contract later that same summer.

That inability to get the deal done no doubt stung for GSB, with the player swiftly going on to showcase his quality after forcing his way into the first-team set-up at his current side at the start of the 2019/20 campaign, becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer at just 16 years and 304 days.

While injury woes have somewhat halted his progress since then, the £54m-rated ace still boasts a remarkable record for a player who is still only 19, having scored 21 goals and provided eight assists in 66 games at senior level to date.

Such is his standing with the Blaugrana, the £268k-per-week sensation was even chosen to be the man to take on Lionel Messi’s number ten shirt following the Argentine’s departure for Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

The expectation is that should he be able to shake off his recent injury issues, the “generational” talent – as dubbed by coach Xavi Hernandez – will go on to become a leading asset for both club and country in the years to come.

The four-cap maestro has also been lauded by compatriot and club colleague Eric Garcia of late, with the former Manchester City defender praising his teammate as someone who is simply “born with that talent and that magic.”

That quality has been shown in the early weeks of the new season with the electric gem having provided four goal contributions in just eight games thus far in all competitions, with a greater impact expected once he is truly back to full fitness.

It will likely smart for those back at the London Stadium that they seemingly came so close to securing the signature of one of Europe’s hottest prospects, with Irons supporters likely to have loved the chance to see such an outstanding prospect develop before their eyes.

As for Barcelona, the historic club appear keen to prevent a similar scenario occur in the future in which they almost lose such a prize possession, having handed Fati a new long-term deal last year that reportedly included a release clause worth €1 billion (£846m).

That colossal fee is a marker of just what a talent West Ham have missed out on. He could have been magic in the Premier League.

Glasgow Rangers roared back from a terrible September where the Ibrox outfit lost three out of their four matches, to briefly go top of the Premiership table on Saturday afternoon.

A 4-0 away win at Hearts was an excellent way to bounce back following the international break and will give Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men confidence heading into tomorrow’s trip to Anfield to face Liverpool in the Champions League.

There are still a few problem issues, however, with constant changes to the right-wing position, despite signing Rabbi Matondo in the summer.

A former Rangers favourite and Pedro Caixinha signing would certainly help solve this ongoing problem.

Daniel Candeias would be ideal in 2022

Scott Wright has been deployed out on the right at times this season to no avail, with the 25-year-old making only one goal contribution in six matches while failing to secure himself the position permanently.

Even Matondo, with three league assists, hasn’t quite lit up Ibrox as of yet, playing just 292 minutes of league football. It is still early days for the Welshman, but Van Bronckhorst needs his wingers to be on top of their game in order to fit with his playing style.

Candeias, who signed for the Light Blues in the summer of 2017, would certainly shine in this current Rangers setup, especially with his work rate and eye for goal.

The Portuguese winger scored goals in important matches for the club, netting against Spartak Moscow in the Europa League and against Celtic domestically, proving he had that big game mentality.

Overall, he scored 14 times and grabbed a further 25 assists in just 97 matches for the club, a more than respectable record, especially from a wide position.

Former Rangers first-team coach Michael Beale, who worked with Candeias for a season, praised him when the winger left the club, saying that “he had a few big moments in a Rangers shirt” and he certainly lit up Ibrox with some wonderful pieces of wizardry in offensive areas.

It’s that kind of dynamism out on the right that hasn’t been forthcoming regularly from Wright or Matondo this term, so how they must dream of a Candeias-shaped player in that role.

He eventually left the Ibrox side to move to Turkey in 2019 and is currently playing for Alanyaspor in the Turkish top flight and still performing at 34 years of age, grabbing a goal and assist in just seven matches this season.

The winger perhaps moved on from the Gers far too soon, but his time in Glasgow was a memorable one and he could certainly fit well into Van Bronckhorst’s current system with a lack of numbers from those on the flanks.

Journalist Simon Phillips has shared that Frank Lampard has ‘already asked’ to sign Conor Coady for Everton on a permanent deal.

The Lowdown: £4.5m option

It was reported earlier this week that the Goodison Park outfit have a £4.5m option to buy Coady once his loan spell from Wolves ends.

The central defender has been a mainstay in Lampard’s side in the Premier League, starting all seven games that he has been available, and even coming up with one goal and one assist (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: Lampard request

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Phillips has shared that Lampard has actually ‘already asked’ for the Merseyside club to sign Coady permanently, adding that he has ‘no doubts’ about his decision:

“I was actually told some weeks back that Frank Lampard has already asked the Everton board to sign Coady, he has no doubts.”

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The Verdict: Huge impact

The fact that Lampard is already so convinced about Coady, even a few weeks ago when they only signed him in August, is testament to the huge impact that he has had in such a short space of time.

Hailed as a ‘massive, massive‘ player for Lampard by Phillips, Coady and James Tarkowski have formed a formidable new centre-half partnership, conceding the fewest goals in the top flight of any side so far.

The England international is ranking highly among his new teammates in terms of aerial duels won and average clearances and blocks per match in the division, and none of his teammates complete more passes than him on average over the course of a game (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, £4.5m looks like a real bargain for Coady already, and there is seemingly no doubt that the Toffees will look to activate their option to buy at the end of the season.

Journalist Hannah Perkins has shared a fresh update on the Wolves manager search involving former boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

The Lowdown: Lage sacked…

It’s been nearly two weeks since the Old Gold sacked their former boss Bruno Lage, coming after a series of disappointing Premier League defeats which could leave them in real trouble.

The Molineux outfit currently languish in 18th, having scored the fewest goals of any top flight side with their lack of fire power coming as a major concern.

Wolves have also won just one match this season, a 1-0 victory at home to Southampton at the start of September, as club hierarchy are now tasked with appointing their perfect coach to help turn the tide.

The Latest: Perkins shares big Nuno update…

Sharing news on their former coach Nuno, who has been repeatedly linked with returning to the club, reporter Perkins has a big update for supporters.

The journalist claims he is actually ‘already in Wolverhampton’ for talks.

She explained (via Twitter):

“As per others, Nuno Espirito Santo is indeed in advanced talks to return to Wolves. One source has told me the former boss is already in Wolverhampton to hold further discussions about his return.”

The Verdict: Good news?

Called a ‘great’ manager by Spurs striker Harry Kane, Nuno won the Championship title in his first season at Wolves and could be considered one of their best managers of the last few decades, despite the unceremonious end.

As backed by the BBC, Wolves are indeed in negotiations with their former head coach and he could be the right man to bring stability back to the club.

The 48-year-old knows Wolves inside and out having spent years there before his lacklustre move to Tottenham.

Everton have been backed to complete the permanent signing of Conor Coady ‘now’ by former BBC pundit Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Permanent fee revealed

The centre-back joined the Toffees on a season-long loan from Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers over the summer, and has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Goodison Park.

The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath and John Percy recently revealed that Frank Lampard’s side will only have to cash out £4.5m to maintain his services beyond this campaign, and the Old Gold don’t have the option to recall the 29-year-old in January.

The Latest: Whelan’s message to Everton

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan urged Everton to complete the deal for Coady and claimed that he could go on to become a key man on Merseyside in years to come. He said:

“It’s a no-brainer.

“If you’re going to trigger that, then do it now. He’s already proven his point.

“We can see how valuable he is already in that back line. Him and Tarkowski have grown a really good relationship and they’ve got two leaders there.

“They’re talking and organising.

“Coady has got international experience and quality, and that is nothing for someone who can be at the club for at least another three years.”

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The Verdict: Absolute bargain

Everton signing Coady permanently is something that the club shouldn’t even have to think twice about considering the instant impact he’s made.

Before their match against Manchester United this evening, the England international was averaging 5.4 clearances per top-flight game and already has a goal and assist to his name in just seven starts (WhoScored).

Lampard has already asked the board to complete the deal, so it shouldn’t be too long before an official announcement is made.

Scottish champions Celtic played out a thrilling encounter with Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday afternoon, with Ange Postecoglou’s side facing a stern test in what was a VAR-impacted affair on the day.

The Old Firm side struck the first blow through the in-form James Forrest – the Scotsman making it four goals in his last two league games – before substitute Lawrence Shankland netted from the penalty spot just before the break.

The visitors had seemingly been aggrieved at seeing Antony Ralston’s header ruled out for a perceived foul by Giorgos Giakoumakis early in the first half, while Postecoglou was again incredulous at the failure to award his side a spot-kick late in the first period after what he described as a “clear handball” from defender, Michael Smith.

That man Shankland completed a stunning comeback for his side just after the interval, before goals from the aforementioned Giakoumakis and Daizen Maeda completed a turnaround of their own for the Hoops just prior to the hour mark.

The away side were made to pay for Moritz Jenz’s foul inside the penalty area as Shankland completed his clinical treble at the second time of asking, after an initial VAR intervention, only for unlikely hero Greg Taylor to slide in late on to ensure all three points for the Glasgow giants.

On a day dominated by talk of technology and refereeing decisions, that has perhaps overshadowed the displays of some of Postecoglou’s key men, with defender Cameron Carter-Vickers having endured something of a difficult afternoon against the Jambos.

The typically reliable centre-back – who has recently been dubbed the “best player in Scotland last season” by BT Sport pundit Chris Sutton [05/10/2022, 19:41] – had endured a rare sloppy moment after clumsily fouling Cammy Devlin inside the area for the hosts’ opener.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man – who made the move to Paradise on a permanent deal this summer after spending last season on loan at the club – was also somewhat culpable for the home side’s second of the game as he was unable to prevent the ruthless Shankland from turning home from close range.

The 24-year-old has helped to keep five clean sheets in his nine Scottish Premiership appearances so far this term, although was unable to prevent the attacking onslaught from Robbie Neilson’s side yesterday, while also notably losing possession on nine occasions from his 97 touches.

Such an outing – in which the 24-year-old was ‘under pressure constantly’ from the opposition forward line, as per Glasgow Live’s Ben Banks – may well be of concern to the Bhoys and their supporters, with the hope being it is a mere blip for the ten-cap colossus after a relatively smooth journey in Scottish football thus far.

The £6.3m-rated man – who former Celtic striker Kenny Dalglish recently dubbed ‘top-quality’ – has so often been the hero for his side of late, although was something of a villain on Saturday.

West Ham United manager David Moyes has provided an update regarding the fitness of Nayef Aguerd amid the Moroccan’s ongoing injury absence.

What’s the word?

Speaking to Sky Sports following Monday’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth, the Hammers boss revealed that it is unlikely that the summer signing will feature before the upcoming World Cup, despite him being set to play his part for his country in Qatar.

While the former Everton boss did not totally rule out an appearance from the 26-year-old in the coming weeks – having only recently suggested that the £30m defender would take to the field before club action is halted next month – it appears that the chances of the centre-back being involved in November are now slim.

The former Rennes colossus is yet to make a competitive outing for the east Londoners, having sustained an ankle injury during the pre-season friendly clash against Glasgow Rangers.

Awful news for Moyes

It looks as if the wait will go on for both Moyes and West Ham supporters to see Aguerd in action, and this delayed start to life in English football for the 26-year-old is no doubt a huge source of frustration for all concerned.

This latest news comes at a seemingly awful time for the London Stadium outfit as the club are already facing a handful of defensive injury concerns, with former Watford brute Craig Dawson having only featured twice in the Premier League this season as a result of his recent complaints.

Fellow veteran Angelo Ogbonna has also been used sporadically, having only recently returned from an ACL issue which ruled the Italian gem out of the majority of last season, and it’s yet to be seen if the 34-year-old can return to his previous high standards.

With some lingering concerns also regarding fellow centre-back Kurt Zouma – amid talk of a potential degenerative knee issue impacting the Frenchman – it has left Moyes with a number of headaches during this hectic autumn fixture schedule.

Being able to bring Aguerd back into the fold would likely have come as a timely boost for the 59-year-old, although it now appears that it may not be until late December that the 6 foot 2 sensation is finally able to line up in a claret and blue jersey.