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A tight finish is in store at Cheltenham so like the revellers in the marquees circling the ground the scoreboard needs to be on its best behaviour

Paul Edwards at Cheltenham18-Jul-2018

Jofra Archer was in the wickets for Sussex•Getty Images

ScorecardThis day began with the completion of a domestic collapse fit to rank with that of Overend, Gurney and Company in 1866, six years before the Cheltenham Festival began. It ended with Gloucestershire batting again and seeking to atone for their previous frailty by making 276 to win. They have so far scored 30 of those runs but have lost their openers, both of whom were caught behind by Ben Brown off Jofra Archer. Thus, after three fluctuating sessions we are set for a climax to savour. Watching county cricket this summer has seemed an idyll without interruption; it has been good fortune without tariff.Yet if Wednesday’s cricket began and ended with Archer cruising in and scenting flesh, the heart of our cricket featured a gloriously disciplined innings of 98 by Harry Finch, who came to the middle when Phil Salt was bowled for 9 by Ryan Higgins in the sixth over of Sussex’s second innings and did not depart until his side’s lead was nearly 200. Finch’s dismissal, caught behind off Craig Miles, came one ball after his 16th four, a faultless cover-drive, had taken him to within a single good hit of his second century of the season. His departure was surprising because his defence had hitherto been so compact and his attacking shots had been played without the showy flourish which so often suggests vulnerability. To borrow a term used by Mike Brearley in his book Finch’s batting was “centred” in the fashion of batsmen in decent nick and his fatal flirt with a ball just outside off stump was one of his few errors.For most of the day the other Sussex batsmen played their innings around Finch’s 205-minute vigil. Luke Wright’s gloriously savage 48 included nine fours and a six but ended two balls after lunch when he drove David Payne low to Ryan Higgins at mid-off. David Wiese put on 39 for the sixth wicket with Finch and was seventh out for 40 when his attempted drive off Higgins skied the ball towards Prothero’s chapel, only for Miles to hare some forty yards from mid-on and take a quite brilliant catch. Chris Jordan made a pleasant 30 before edging Miles to Roderick.In contrast to Gloucestershire, who had lost the last seven wickets in their first innings for 11 runs in 8.5 overs, Sussex built modest partnerships. This was easier, perhaps, because Ben Brown leads a team with a clear top six in its order and four other batsmen each of whom could go in at No 7. If the home side mirror their careful approach, Dent’s men may yet achieve a very fine victory.The odds, though, are against it. A target of 276 is substantial on a pitch offering inconsistency of bounce. David Payne’s four wickets on Wednesday were a just reward and included his 200th first-class victim but Archer, Jordan and Ollie Robinson will reckon they can more than match his contribution, albeit that Gloucestershire’s batsmen are under no pressure to score quickly.And it was also a day on which the packed tents and marquees – over 20 of them at this year’s festival – could take in Cheltenham’s many glories. Indeed, the College Ground is the sort of venue where visitors struggling to shake off the past suddenly find they have no wish to do so.There are Sussex connections, too. Just to the left of the pavilion a fine Lombardy poplar commemorates the achievement of the KS Duleepsinhji who took 7 for 35 in 1921 against a Marlborough team whose eleven players boasted 27 initials. Duleep nearly steered Sussex to the County Championship in 1932 only for his health to break down in mid-August. He never played for the county again.And perhaps spectators in Wednesday’s cheery chaos of canvas, clinking glasses and jazz bands needed a sense of history and a tranquil approach to life as they watched George Drissell and Matt Taylor, two nightwatchmen if you please, defy the Sussex seamers in the final 25 balls of the day.At least they could be grateful the scoreboard worked. On the first day of this game the damn thing had packed in and essential details had to be announced over the public address. This managed to be very irritating while also not mattering much at all. This is Cheltenham, after all. That wretched board will need to work properly on the final day, though.

The NLCS kicked off Sunday night in Los Angeles with the Dodgers rolling over the Mets, 9-0, in a game that was pretty much over after the fourth inning. The Dodgers have now gone 33 straight innings without giving up a run, which ties a postseason record set by the Baltimore Orioles in 1966.

While the Dodgers' pitching staff has been lights out, they did get some help from the Mets on Sunday night, specifically from Jesse Winker, who made a mind-boggling decision on the basepaths.

With the Mets trailing 6-0 in the fifth inning with nobody out, Jose Iglesias hit a single to center field. Winker got a good jump off of first base and it appeared he'd easily got to third base when he suddenly stopped halfway there and ended up getting thrown out at third.

Check this out:

Not great.

MLB fans blasted him:

Game 2 is Monday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET.

Leeds United are beginning to make moves in the transfer market and are now said to be readying a swoop for one man who has emerged as a January target.

Leeds United January rumours…

Having a squad filled with good depth is important for any side who aspires to gain promotion from the Championship and Leeds will feel no different in that respect as they search for quality reinforcements over the course of this month.

Daniel Farke has already publicly heralded the news that recruitment expert Nick Hammond will be staying on until the summer of 2024 at Elland Road, as he stated late last year:

"He is brilliant. He is key to our success in the recent months by gaining more and more stability for this club. I have great support with Angus and Nick and Gretar in different roles."

Leeds United hold talks over Hellas Verona left-back Josh Doig

He could be set for a change of scenery this month…

BySean Markus Clifford Jan 1, 2024

Spezia goalkeeper Bartomej Dragowski is a target for the Whites in a move that could potentially re-unite the Poland international with his former teammate Ethan Ampadu. The report states that Hull City are also keen on the 26-year-old and indicated that both clubs could soon make contact with the Serie A side to discuss a deal for Dragowski.

Villarreal striker Ben Brereton Diaz is also believed to be on Leeds United's radar according to journalist Ben Jacobs; however, he may be pursued in the summer rather than this month should the Whites gain promotion.

Now, another man who could join Farke's men has emerged and formal talks have now been pencilled in concerning his potential arrival, with the 49ers Enterprises now into their first winter window in charge

Leeds United plan Nathaniel Adjei talks…

According to LUFCFANZONE, Leeds United have scheduled formal discussions over a proposed swoop for Hammarby defender Nathaniel Adjei, who is also attracting interest from Ipswich Town and Millwall, as the outlet explained on social media platform X:

Personal terms and a £4m fee not being a problem is an encouraging development as the Whites look to recruit in the central defensive department, especially when factoring in backline injury concerns involving the likes of Pascal Struijk, Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas. Adjei is capable of filling in at right-back, which could offer some wider added depth.

Labelled a "monster" in the media on X, Adjei made 26 appearances across all competitions in 2023, registering one goal in the process (Adjei statistics – Transfermarkt).

Nathaniel Adjei statistics in 2023 (Sofascore)

Tackles won per game

1.0

Clearances per game

2.7

Accurate passes per game

40.8 (88%)

Touches

59.2

Average match rating

6.84/10

It remains to be seen whether Adjei will end up at Elland Road, though Leeds United and the 49ers Enterprises certainly look to be pulling out all the stops to land their man.

Aston Villa’s recent Premier League win over Fulham was their eighth of the current season, and they are just three points from table toppers Manchester City.

It's fair to say Unai Emery has got Villa firing and there is no reason why they can’t challenge for a trophy this term, especially with the form of some of his players.

Douglas Luiz has been outstanding at the heart of the midfield, even chipping in with six goals and his form could be crucial to Villa achieving success this season.

New signing Moussa Diaby has also settled in at the club well, yet it is arguably Ollie Watkins who has been Emery’s key man.

Ollie Watkin’s season in numbers

The Englishman struggled under Steven Gerrard at the start of last season, yet when the Spaniard arrived, he ended up scoring 15 league goals, and he has carried that form into the current campaign.

Across 19 matches in all competitions, Watkins has managed to find the back of the net 11 times, while he has also shown his selfless side, grabbing five assists too.

The in-form striker not only ranks first in the squad for goals and assists (11), but he also tops the pile with regard to shots on target per game (1.3) and third for key passes per game (1.7), demonstrating how effective he has been this term.

Emery will be hoping he remains fit and healthy for the entirety of the season as much of Villa’s success will come down to him.

If something happens to the former Brentford frontman, however, the Midlands side do have a youngster who is thriving at youth level, and he’s even outscored Watkins – Rory Wilson.

Rory Wilson’s youth statistics

The highly-rated teen joined from Scottish side Rangers in July 2022 following a season where he scored a staggering 49 goals and Gerrard worked with him during his spell north of the border.

Scotland U16 coach James Grady dubbed Wilson as the player who always wants to be “the top goal scorer” and this ambition could stand him in good stead regarding a potential career in the Premier League.

His maiden season in England saw the Scot score 15 goals in just 20 matches, and he is looking on course to smash through that figure this term.

He has featured in just nine U18 Premier League matches so far, yet has plundered 15 goals in the process and this scintillating form will surely be attracting the attention of Emery.

Of course, making the step up from U18 level to the bright lights of the top flight is a mammoth jump in ability, yet the 17-year-old already looks at ease and if he continues to score on a regular basis, could the former Arsenal boss perhaps offer him a few cameo appearances in the coming months?

Much will depend on Villa’s fortunes in the weeks ahead, yet the feel-good factor at the club could allow Emery to blood several young talents with the prospect of giving them a run in the first team.

If he wants goals, Wilson is the man to call upon, there’s no doubt about that.

Tottenham Hotspur and chairman Daniel Levy are reportedly plotting a discounted January sale for one player who Ange Postecoglou is a big fan of.

What's the latest Spurs transfer news?

Spurs have begun this new Premier League season in very fine fashion under Postecoglou; winning four of their opening six top flight matches while remaining unbeaten. In that time, only Brighton, Man City and Newcastle have scored more than the Lilywhites; highlighting a new-look, attack-minded style courtesy of their popular new manager.

Tottenham most recently held their own against north London rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, matching them toe-to-toe for possession and attacking play in a 2-2 draw last Sunday. Captain Son Heung-min's brace helped them fight back from a goal-down on two occasions, and you could argue they were desperately unlucky with the goals they did concede.

Levy's off-field decisions, like the hiring of Postecoglou and Tottenham's seven major signings over the summer, have been completely justified so far with an array of impressive results. However, you could argue there's still room to strengthen, as the club may well be just one or two injuries away from a serious lack of depth.

James Maddison's scare this week has definitely drawn attention to this, while the north Londoners are also lacking astute defensive cover if one of Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven where to be sidelined. It is believed Spurs are aiming to rectify this, though. Indeed, the likes of Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly and Juventus star Gleison Bremer have both been linked with moves to Tottenham in the past month.

Meanwhile, there are some suggestions that Spurs could move to replace Harry Kane outright with a new centre-forward, as Brentford star Ivan Toney attracts their interest.

Who could leave Tottenham?

Levy and new Chief Football Officer Scott Munn will need to balance the books, though, with midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Ivan Perisic and Giovani Lo Celso all recently tipped to leave in the winter window. The latter star is a favourite of Postecoglou's, however, with the Australian heaping praise on his midfielder in pre-season.

"I’m really happy with Gio," said the Tottenham boss. "He’s been really good in training. You can see he’s a quality player and I think the way we play suits him. I’ve enjoyed working with him and I think he’s enjoying himself in terms of the football we want to play."

Despite this, there have been reports of a possible exit for Lo Celso in January, with Italian news site TUTTOmercatoWEB and their reporter Raimondo De Magistric sharing a further update. According to his information, the Argentine's spell at Tottenham "now seems to be at the end of the credits", meaning he looks set to leave soon.

It's added that he could leave in January, and while Spurs were demanding around £22 million for his sale in the summer, this figure will decrease when the window reopens to around £13 million – as Levy seemingly plots a discounted sale. Lo Celso's contract expires in 2025, given the club just a hanful of future windows to earn good money from a proposed transfer.

The report and journalist go on to claim Real Betis, Sevilla and even Barcelona showed an interest in taking him on loan last window, but that sort of deal is apparently a no-go from Tottenham.

The Sri Lanka captain had been suspended from the third and final Test of Sri Lanka’s tour of the West Indies

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jun-20181:40

Arnold: Chandimal’s was a genuine mistake

Dinesh Chandimal has appealed against ICC match referee Javagal Srinath’s decision to find him guilty of ball-tampering during the second Test against West Indies in St Lucia. Chandimal was suspended from the third and final Test of the series.*Later on Thursday, the ICC appointed chairman of the ICC Code of Conduct Commission, Michael Beloff QC, as the judicial commissioner to hear Chandimal’s appeal. The ICC release said, the “hearing will take place on June 22, and, legal counsel for both parties and Chandimal will join via telephone or videoconference.” It gives Chandimal a chance of participating in the third Test that begins on June 23 in Bridgetown, if the punishment is overturned.Chandimal had been charged by the ICC after video evidence indicated that he applied saliva to the ball shortly after putting what the ICC suggested was a sweet into his mouth. He pleaded not guilty, before attending the hearing where Srinath handed Chandimal the maximum punishment available under the code – two suspension points and a fine of 100% of his match fee.Chandimal’s appeal is likely to hinge on what he put in his mouth. One of the probable contentions is that Chandimal had a number of things in his pocket during the day, including cough lozenges (which you cannot apply to the ball) but also almonds, and he does not remember which of those things he put into his mouth in this particular clip.This, the Sri Lankan team feels, is different from the ICC’s framing of Chandimal’s defence. Upon suspending Chandimal for a Test, Srinath had said in the ICC release: “Dinesh admitted to putting something in his mouth but couldn’t remember what it was, which I found unconvincing as a defence and the fact remains it was an artificial substance.”Chandimal’s defence is likely to contend that there was no way the ICC could possibly know that it was a substance capable of altering the condition of the ball, because the video evidence does not make it clear what the substance was.The argument, essentially, is that the ICC does not have sufficient evidence to find Chandimal guilty of tampering. This has been one of Sri Lanka’s assertions from the beginning.*1600hrs The story was updated after the ICC appointed a judicial commissioner for Chandimal’s appeal

A pitch that has combined the effects of the Pune/Indore-style bunsen and Chennai-style toss magnifier has left India on the verge of another home defeat

Karthik Krishnaswamy24-Feb-20242:06

What is the key to batting on tricky pitches?

India’s rare defeats in home Tests over the last decade have tended to be of two types. In Pune in 2017 and Indore last year, they lost to Australia on square turners that narrowed the gap between India’s spin attack and that of the visitors. In Chennai in 2021, they lost to England on a pitch where the toss had a significant influence on the result: it was flat on the first two days, when England piled up 578, and began to take appreciable turn thereafter.Now, after two days of play in Ranchi, India could be on their way to another home defeat. They are seven down and 134 adrift of England’s first-innings total, and they will be batting fourth. And the pitch that has helped bring them to this position has been a curious one, combining the effects of the Pune/Indore-style bunsen and the Chennai-style toss magnifier.It hasn’t exactly been a square turner, but it has armed spinners with variable bounce – particularly low bounce. And while the Ranchi pitch hasn’t been anything like flat at any point, uneven bounce has seemed to have a greater effect on day two than it did on day one, and it’s only likely to get worse. The toss, then, may have been crucial.Related

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There’s a caveat, though. For losing the toss, India gained a window of seam movement and awkward bounce for their fast bowlers on the first morning, when there was a bit of moisture in the pitch for the new ball to work with. The debutant Akash Deep took three wickets in his opening spell, helping reduce England to 112 for 5.Since then, though, England have had the best of the conditions, and have batted and bowled brilliantly to take full advantage. Batting became easier through the second and third sessions of day one, when the pitch dried out and the ball lost its hardness and shine, and while low bounce was a threat even on day one, it only seemed to get more pronounced on day two.The conditions have contributed to the vulnerable position India find themselves in, and their bowling coach Paras Mhambrey suggested they were surprised by how this pitch has played, and how quickly uneven bounce has become a factor.”From the couple of games that previously we’ve seen out here, generally the nature of the wicket is, it gets lower and slower as the days progress,” he said. “In the past also, if you see a couple of games that [were] played, it has got slower, on lower side as well. So we expected that, but to be honest we didn’t expect it to be playing that low on the second day itself.”I think a couple of balls did keep low in the first innings as well, but that’s what we didn’t expect. We expected it to get slower as the days progress, but not the variable bounce that we’ve seen in the last couple of days.”The low bounce has had a ripple effect on the game. Apart from the chances it has directly helped create, it has also widened the spinners’ margin for error. All through this series, India have taken advantage of the relative lack of control of England’s young spin attack, but on this Ranchi pitch, the bowlers have had to bowl genuine long-hops to get attacked square of the wicket. Given the threat of the shooter, batters have had to offer a straight bat even to marginally short balls.All in unison: Shoaib Bashir, Jonny Bairstow, Zak Crawley, Joe Root and Ben Foakes go up as Rohit Sharma falls•BCCIAs well as Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley bowled, then, this widened margin for error also helped them settle and build a constricting rhythm. They sent down 32 and 19 overs, respectively, virtually in single spells – their only break came when they swapped ends late in the day – and made excellent use of their high release points and pace into the pitch, attributes for which they were selected for this tour ahead of more experienced candidates.In the past, India have made their preference for spinner-friendly pitches clear during certain home series. During the Border-Gavaskar series last year, their coach Rahul Dravid admitted that the pressure of having to win Test matches and accumulate World Test Championship points was leading them to push for turning pitches rather than flat ones.The first three Tests of this India-England series have witnessed a return to a more traditional style of Indian pitch, largely batter-friendly through the first three days or so, with wear and tear bringing spinners into play thereafter.Yashasvi Jaiswal batted pretty firmly during his fifty, but didn’t have enough support from the other end•AFP/Getty ImagesThis Ranchi pitch has been different. In the lead-up to the Test match, India may have had a case to ask for a turning pitch given that they were resting Jasprit Bumrah, their leading fast bowler and most influential player of the series. According to Mhambrey, they made no such request, and had expected that this pitch, going by its history, would play similarly to the one in Rajkot for the third Test.”Firstly, venues are not something we can control,” he said. “This was a venue allotted for the series as well. The way the wicket plays out here has always been similar. It has always not been a rank turner. I wouldn’t call this a rank turner because there was variable bounce. I don’t think too many balls spun sharply from the wicket and there was variable bounce on the lower side. That made batting difficult.”But that’s the nature of the soil and there was no specific instruction of a rank turner from our side. It was a similar wicket to [Rajkot] which turned a little bit. We expected it to be similar but the soil out here is different and you can’t guarantee the exact wicket you want. There honestly weren’t any instructions that we need a turner. I don’t think it is a turner as of now. It’s just the low bounce which is making batting a little difficult. I don’t think there has been any ball which has really spun to call it a turning wicket here.”

After finally making his first Liverpool appearance against Atletico Madrid, Alexander Isak will have his sights set on the Merseyside derby against Everton and Arne Slot has already dropped a hint about his potential role.

Isak makes Liverpool debut

It was never going to be a game that saw Isak steal the show in the same way that he so often did for Newcastle United. He’s not quite there yet, as he works his way back to sharpness. But the Swede certainly showed plenty of glimpses.

What particularly stood out is how Florian Wirtz also burst into life for the first time in Liverpool colours when combining with his fellow summer arrival. That partnership, if it continues to click, will be one to watch.

Although it’s difficult to criticise a side that have won four from four in the Premier League, Liverpool looked far more balanced against Atletico Madrid before complacency forced them into winning late on once again.

Isak, Mohamed Salah, Wirtz and Cody Gakpo formed a formidable frontline, whilst Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch proved that they’ll be a tough midfield partnership to break up for the rest of Slot’s options in that department.

Jeremie Frimpong’s influence should also be noted. The addition of a natural, overlapping full-back – which Szoboszlai did not provide – allowed Salah the space that he has been craving to cut inside and return to his most influential form.

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Kelan Sarson

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Finally complete now that Isak is up and running, the depth of quality that this current Liverpool side have at their disposal should be frightening for any Premier League rival. But after making his debut against Atletico Madrid, will Isak start against Everton in the Merseyside derby this weekend?

Liverpool vs Everton: Slot drops early Isak hint

Speaking about the Swede’s potential role against Everton, Slot told reporters that, whilst Isak surprised him, fans shouldn’t get their hopes too high for another start in a matter of days. Instead, Anfield may be forced to welcome their new star striker from the bench on Saturday afternoon.

Of course, such is the depth of talent in Liverpool’s squad, it will likely be Hugo Ekitike who starts against Everton. The Frenchman has scored two Premier League goals in four games and has looked more than capable of pushing Isak all the way for a starting place this season.

For the third summer in succession, Manchester United appear set to bring in a new centre-forward once again, with new boss Ruben Amorim simply crying out for a prolific presence to lead the line.

Not since the days of Robin van Persie has a United player hit 20 goals in a Premier League season, with the young duo of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee scoring just seven times between them in the top-flight in 2024/25.

Matheus Cunha has already arrived through the door – with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo expected to follow – although neither man is an orthodox number nine, ensuring further reinforcements are still needed.

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With that in mind, we’ve asked the AI tool ChatGPT to predict which of the Red Devils’ leading targets would prove to be the biggest hit at Old Trafford next term, fitness permitting.

Viktor Gyokeres – 15-20 Premier League goals

By all accounts, the man whom Amorim truly wants is his former Sporting CP talisman, Viktor Gyokeres, with prior reports indicating that the clinical Swede is open to joining United, even amid the lack of Champions League football.

While recent speculation would suggest that it is Arsenal who are more likely to win the race for the 27-year-old’s signature, there remains a glimmer of hope that he could end up in Manchester instead – not least if the Gunners plump for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

The former Coventry City star – who has scored 97 times in just 102 games in Portugal – would certainly represent an upgrade on Amorim’s current attacking options, although the prospect of “tougher defences” in the Premier League, in the view of ChatGPT, could hamper his impact somewhat.

Ollie Watkins – 18–22 Premier League goals

The latest high-profile name to emerge as an option for the Old Trafford side appears to be Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, with reports indicating that contact has already been made regarding a possible move for the England international.

While at 29, the former Brentford man would buck the trend of INEOS’ recent youth-centric transfer policy, his proven Premier League quality has made him an attractive prospect, having hit double figures in each of his five top-flight campaigns.

In the view of ChatGPT, the experienced marksman could thrive when supplied by the service of the likes of Bruno Fernandes, as “United historically create more chances”, ensuring “Watkins would likely see more high-quality opportunities”.

Victor Osimhen – 20-24 Premier League goals

Watkins’ recent Premier League experience will count for a lot, but it seemingly isn’t everything. If you can score regularly across Europe, surely you can do the same in England?

That appears to be the case with regard to Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, with the Nigerian believed to be among the players that United are considering, amid his expected exit from the Serie A side.

Viktor Gyokeres

39

Kylian Mbappe

31

Robert Lewandowski

27

Harry Kane

26

Victor Osimhen

26

Mateo Retegui

25

Alexander Isak

23

Omar Marmoush

22

Erling Haaland

22

With 151 goals to his name in 264 senior career games, across his time in France, Belgium, Italy, Germany and Turkey, the 26-year-old represents an almost guarantee of goals, having bagged 37 times in just 41 outings on loan at Galatasaray in 2024/25.

According to ChatGPT, that momentum could well be maintained in Manchester, as “his proven scoring consistency, physicality, link-up play, and aerial threat suggest he could swiftly hit the 20‑goal mark in the Premier League”.

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1 ByCharlie Smith Jun 7, 2025

West Ham manager David Moyes could now hand more opportunities for a player to revive his career at the London Stadium, according to reports.

Frustrating international break for Moyes

Following a torrid run of internationals for members of the Hammers squad, Moyes is now having to cope with a few injury problems to key players. Star winger Jarrod Bowen pulled out of England duty with a knee problem and is a small doubt to face Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, though Moyes is hopeful to have him, while striker Michail Antonio is a certain absentee after limping off for Jamaica (pre-Burnley press conference).

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Moyes has been handed a big striker problem.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 22, 2023

Mohammed Kudus was absent for Ghana at points but played the second half of their final international game of the break, with the summer signing apparently suffering from back problems these past few weeks. Antonio, though, will come as a big miss for Moyes and West Ham are now very short of natural striker options as a result.

Kudus can play in a more central attacking role when required, as can Bowen, with the Hammers boss not exactly showing much faith in back up forward Danny Ings this season.

Indeed, Kudus in particular has been tipped to become more and more of an Antonio rotation option this season than the former Saints star.

"I think it makes most sense that he goes in to alternate the forward role for a little bit," said journalist Dean Jones to GiveMeSport last month.

"We know that West Ham are going to start looking towards signing a No.9 in the January market. We know that they're looking for somebody to alternate with Antonio a bit.

"Before he came in, I was told that's a role they had earmarked for him. It wouldn't be just that position that he would play, but the two things I was told was to look out for him as a striker rotator and also don't expect him to come in all guns blazing."

Fellow option Ings has featured over just 68 minutes in the Premier League so far, indicating that he just isn't quite fancied, but Antonio's injury problem could hand him a brief opportunity.

Ings tipped for "late, last" West Ham chance

Signed from Aston Villa in January earlier this year, Ings just hasn't quite managed to justify his transfer over the minutes he has played. Scoring just three goals throughout his entire West Ham career, time is running out for the 31-year-old to showcase his true ability, but reporter Jones believes Ings may be handed a "late, last" opportunity to do so amid Moyes' injury crisis.

"I don't think that there are that many West Ham fans right now who have got much faith in Danny Ings being the answer to this solution based on what they've seen so far," said Jones this week to GMS.

"I think that Danny Ings was heading for a January transfer. Maybe this is a late, last opportunity for him to prove that he can make this work out at West Ham.

Indirect set-piece threat

Plays the ball off the ground often

Likes to tackle

"Certainly, he is going to get more opportunities now than he would have had before. But it'll be interesting to see if that's definitely the route that West Ham want to go down and how much they even trust Danny Ings."