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Leeds United will be back in action next weekend in their opener against Cardiff City as they set out to dominate in the Championship and earn a spot back in the Premier League.

The Whites suffered relegation after three consecutive years in the top flight and now Daniel Farke – who twice masterminded promotion with Norwich City – has been tasked with the challenge of inspiring an automatic return by the end of the 46-game campaign.

Indeed, there is still plenty of work to be done from a recruitment perspective with a number of positions to fill and squad depth to be acquired due to several departures this summer already, with only Chelsea academy graduate Ethan Ampadu confirmed so far.

Finding quick solutions will be essential, but it will be important for Farke to match the quality of those who have left Elland Road instead of just filling the positions with whatever is available on the market.

Who are Leeds interested in signing?

It was reported this week by Football Insider that Leeds are keen to secure the services of Everton defender Mason Holgate.

It is claimed that the West Yorkshire outfit have made a loan enquiry for the centre-back, with Southampton and Sheffield United also making approaches in the past few days, with Sean Dyche giving the green light for Holgate to move on.

However, a contractual agreement that would see the Everton player's wages rise to £72k-per-week could pose a stumbling block for those interested.

Will Leeds Sign Mason Holgate?

Leeds have lost both Rasmus Kristensen and Robin Koch so far, but do have strong options in the defensive set-up should those still remaining commit to the project in the second tier.

Having said that, Maximilian Wober is mooted with a move away this summer which would present a gaping hole in experience and quality in the centre-back partnership should an exit be sanctioned, though it presents an opportunity for youth academy graduate Charlie Cresswell to take his chances at competing for a first-team role.

As a result, whilst the opportunity to sign a Premier League experienced defender in Holgate might seem like an ideal piece of business, the Everton outcast's record in recent seasons suggests it would be one to avoid for Farke; exploring defensive reinforcements elsewhere instead.

The £11m-rated liability only made eight appearances in the top-flight for the Toffees last season, and when it mattered most crumbled under pressure – picking up a red card suspension in a draw with Crystal Palace which contributed to their relegation troubles with the side falling back into the relegation zone following the fixture.

Once dubbed "calamitous" by journalist Ben Grounds (Sky Sports, 08/12/2022, 20:50) Holgate has often been criticised for his performances at Goodison Park, with talkSPORT pundit Andy Townsend slamming the player's lack of influence in his team:

"Mason Holgate I don’t think is good enough to be a regular in the heart of your defence, I think he makes too many mistakes and doesn’t read the game well enough."

With that being said, considering Everton only achieved survival based on two points earned and don't view Holgate as a reliable first-team starter, there is no reason why Leeds should be considering a move for the defender and should instead look for options that have been playing more consistently.

The 22-day tournament will feature 16 teams and will be played between January 13 and February 3

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Aug-2017Defending champions West Indies will begin their 2018 Under-19 World Cup campaign against hosts New Zealand in Tauranga on January 13, the opening day of the tournament. West Indies and New Zealand have been placed in Group A, along with South Africa and the Africa qualifier, Kenya. Tauranga will also host the tournament final, on February 3.2018 Under-19 World Cup pools

Group A: West Indies, South Africa, New Zealand, Kenya

Group B: India, Zimbabwe, Australia, PNG

Group C: Bangladesh, England, Namibia, Canada

Group D: Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ireland

Sixteen teams will participate in the 2018 edition, including the five qualifiers – Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Canada, Afghanistan and Ireland. The ten Test teams [prior to Afghanistan and Ireland’s elevation] and Namibia, who finished as the best Associate team in the 2016 edition, had gained automatic qualification.Runners-up of 2016 and three-time champions India, who blanked England 5-0 in the recently-concluded series, have been slotted into Group B with Zimbabwe, Australia and Papua New Guinea. Australia will make their return to the tournament, having pulled out of the 2016 edition in Bangladesh due to security concerns.Bangladesh, who were semi-finalists in 2016, will compete with England, Namibia and Canada in Group C. Two-time champions Pakistan and 2016 semi-finalists Sri Lanka are in Group D with Afghanistan and Ireland.The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super League, while the remaining eight teams will feature in the Plate competition. Twenty matches, including the Super League quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final, will be televised, with the final scheduled to be played at the Bay Oval in Tauranga. Both Super League semi-finals will be held at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.The 11th edition of the Under-19 World Cup will be played across seven venues in four cities – Whangarei, Tauranga, Christchurch and Queenstown – over 22 days. This is the third time the tournament is being held in New Zealand, after 2002 and 2010.

An update has emerged on Celtic and their transfer plans for the remainder of the summer window as they prepare for the 2023/24 campaign…

What's the latest Celtic transfer news?

According to Turkish reporter Ahmet Konanç, the Hoops remain active in the race to sign Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic as Brendan Rodgers eyes a swoop for the World Cup sensation.

He has claimed that the Scottish giants are competing with Fenerbahce to secure the 28-year-old titan's signature, whilst the Super Lig side are now in contact with Paris Saint-Germain's Keylor Navas as an alternative option.

This comes as a twist to the tale as Fabrizio Romano reported on the 16th of July that a €9m (£7.7m) deal had been agreed between the Turkish team and Dinamo.

They have failed to get that move over the line in the subsequent ten days and Celtic are seemingly now interested in an attempt to usurp Fenerbahce before the deadline.

How good is Dominik Livakovic?

The 6 foot 2 colossus enjoyed a terrific 2022/23 campaign for club and country and his performances suggest that he would be far better for the Hoops than current no.1 Joe Hart.

For the Croatian giants, Livakovic averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.93 across 35 SuperSport HNL matches. He saved 74% of the shots on his goal and did not make a single error leading to a shot or goal for the opposition in that time.

The 6 foot 2 shot-stopper also caught the eye with his performances in Europe. An average Sofascore rating of 6.98 in six Champions League games placed him third within his club's squad.

However, his heroics at the 2022 World Cup for Croatia were arguably the most impressive part of his season.

He averaged an excellent Sofascore rating of 7.33 across seven appearances at the tournament, in which time he saved 78% of the shots against him and did not make a single blunder leading to an opposition shot or goal.

Livakovic also saved a penalty from Real Madrid's Rodrygo in a shootout to help his country knock Brazil out of the competition, which came after teammate Luka Modric hailed him as "miraculous" for his three shootout stops against Japan in the previous round.

Hart, on the other hand, struggled at times for Celtic.

He averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.77 across 37 Scottish Premiership outings and saved 65% of the shots on his goal to go along with four direct mistakes leading to shots by the other team.

The former England international also endured a dismal Champions League campaign with an average Sofascore rating of 6.23, which placed him bottom of the 22-man squad. During those six matches, the ex-Manchester City saved just 52% of the efforts on target and made one error directly leading to an opposition goal.

These statistics indicate that the Dinamo star would arrive as a far better option than Hart for Rodgers based on their form for their respective club, and country in the Croatian gem's case, last season.

Livakovic has showcased his ability to perform consistently at a considerably more impressive level by saving a higher percentage of the shots against him and being less of a liability between the sticks when it comes to making mistakes.

Shapoor Zadran gave the large contingent of Afghanistan fans plenty to cheer at Lord’s during their historic first match at the ground before the weather closed in

Peter Della Penna at Lord's11-Jul-2017
Scorecard1:40

‘Keenly waiting to play Test cricket’ – Rashid

The sight of Shapoor Zadran running in with his long mop of hair flopping about as he leaps into his delivery stride has warmed more than a few Afghan hearts in the eight years since he made his national team debut.That warmth was needed on a damp and chilly day in London, and Shapoor provided more than enough to keep the 8000 fans who showed up in St. John’s Wood feeling snug and toasty. His three wickets shone through the intermittent rain on Afghanistan’s debut at Lord’s, the standout performance on a festive but frustrating day that ended with no result.When Shapoor bounded in with the new ball, he brought a declaration of intensity to his team-mates and the opposition that this was going to be treated as much more than a friendly exhibition. By his seventh ball, he had bounced out Brendon McCullum, cramped for room attempting an uppercut. At that stage, there were only about 3000 fans in the ground, but by the time he dismissed Chris Read for his third wicket more than three hours later, the crowd had swelled to more than double that.They may have taken up less than half the ground, but the full-throated roars for each diving stop, each sharp throw, each catch taken may very well have surpassed the decibel levels heard for the sellout crowds that turned out daily for the Test match completed on this ground just two days earlier. The Afghanistan fans were raucous, rowdy and resolute in their unwavering support despite the rain and a staunch challenge put forth by a very competitive MCC line-up.Sam Hain put up the biggest resistance. The other man involved in the Luke Fletcher incident from Saturday night at Edgbaston, Hain had a nervy start, perhaps the events of that day still fresh. It took him 17 balls to get off the mark, but two balls later he bashed a pull over midwicket for his first four. He settled into a groove soon after, producing a series of crisp drives through the off side and finished with eight boundaries in his 76 to top-score for MCC in their 40-over total of 217 for 6.Shapoor Zadran made his mark with early wickets•Getty ImagesAfter Shapoor claimed Misbah-ul-Haq caught behind in the seventh over, Hain combined with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and then Samit Patel after Chanderpaul retired hurt, for a combined 150-run third-wicket stand. The partnership was interrupted twice by rain delays, the second of which came at the 18-over mark with the score 83 for 2 and lasted for an hour and 45 minutes. Lunch was taken during the delay, meaning only 10 overs were slashed from the original 50.Bigger than the roars for the wickets of Shapoor was the introduction of Rashid Khan, who was serenaded with chants of “Rah-SHEED! Rah-SHEED!” But the wily Chanderpaul blunted the star legspinner, and the crowd’s excitement simultaneously, with his arsenal of nudges and nurdles. Chanderpaul was forced off injured after being struck on the body attempting a pull against Dawlat Zadran in the 25th over. Samit joined Hain and the pair continued to keep Afghanistan’s bowlers at bay.It wasn’t until the slog overs that Afghanistan’s spirits were lifted once again in the field, rattling off a series of wickets caught in the deep to restrict MCC. Hain finally fell to end the 34th, pulling Gulbadin Naib to deep midwicket. Chris Read fell two overs later going after Shapoor for another caught behind. Samit slogged Rashid to the deep midwicket rope in the 38th for a well-made 52 and Naib had Yasir Shah edging behind on a big heavy with two balls left in the innings.After going wicketless in the field, most of the crowd were looking forward to Mohammad Nabi coming out to showcase his skills with the bat. Listed at No. 4, he never got the chance as rain ended play after just five overs of the Afghanistan chase. Noor Ali Zadran was the only wicket to fall, chopping on in the third over. After waiting for more than 90 minutes, the fans were delivered the inevitable news that there would be no more play. But it may have been enough of a taster to make them hungry for a return visit, possibly as soon as the 2019 World Cup.

Andrew Strauss, the director of England cricket, has defended his decision to allow key England players to participate in the IPL despite subsequent injury concerns

George Dobell30-May-2017Andrew Strauss, the director of England cricket, has defended his decision to allow key England players to participate in the IPL despite subsequent injury concerns.Both Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes were obliged to sit-out games during the recent ODI series against South Africa after sustaining what have been described as minor knee and quad “niggles” respectively.But with the Champions Trophy starting in a couple of days, the decision to allow such important players to spend almost the entire IPL season in India is sure to come under more scrutiny. While the England team management remain confident both men will be fit for their opening Trophy match against Bangladesh on Thursday, there is a possibility that Stokes will be fit to play only as a specialist batsman.Strauss, however, is confident there are many benefits in IPL experience. Echoing comments made by Stokes and Woakes – and before them, the likes of Eoin Morgan and Kevin Pietersen – Strauss felt the experience in India could help.”The players who have gone over there have benefitted massively from the experience,” he said. “We’ve seen that already with the maturity that Ben is playing with the bat. And it looked like he’s improved his bowling at the death tremendously, too.”I think Chris Woakes was saying that to go there, to learn from the best players in the world and pit themselves against the best players in the world…they come back from that experience knowing they’re as good as anyone out there. The deep-rooted belief they get from that is massively important.”I’ve always seen the massive advantages of our players going out there. And that was on the back of us under-performing in white-ball cricket for year after year after year, and clearly falling behind some of the other teams.”There is no evidence that either injury was sustained in India. Indeed, you could argue that both men would have been required to play far more had they remained in England and been utilised by their counties. Moeen Ali, another of England’s allrounders, also missed the final ODI against South Africa with a minor groin strain and he did not play in the IPL.”That is the slight risk you take when you make people available for a chunk of cricket that is outside the international schedule,” Strauss said. “Injuries are part and parcel of life, but on one hand you weigh-up the potential risk and on the other you ask what they can potentially gain from that experience. That’s what forms the decision.”Thankfully I don’t think any of those injuries are of massive concern at this stage. It’s very much precautionary that they’re not playing at this stage. We want them to hit the ground running in the Champions Trophy.”Having said that, we’ve always got to balance that great opportunity for them with the schedules and workloads. And we just need to keep looking at this on a year by year and case by case basis. There will be times where it may be the smart thing not to play and at other times it might be the smart thing for them to play in the IPL.”Up until now, we’ve had mature, adult conversations with players about their availability. That’s why some of the guys came back for those Ireland internationals and some of the guys stayed at the IPL. And that’s what we’ll continue to do. When the opportunity is right for players to go – and when we feel they’ll benefit from that experience – we’ll try and make it possible.”While Stokes, Woakes and Jos Buttler were permitted to miss the two ODIs against Ireland in order to remain at the IPL this year, Strauss baulked at the suggestion that players would ever be allowed to miss a Test in similar circumstances.”Personally, I think that’s unlikely,” he said. “When you get to the stage where you’re missing Test matches to play in IPL that sends out a very strong message about where your priorities are and I would be uncomfortable with that.”It is a delicate balance Strauss must strike. As well as providing opportunities for players to benefit from experience in overseas leagues, he is also keen to help them benefit financially. And while there is no sense of the contractual wrangles that are currently clouding Australian cricket, as more money floods into the game, it is an issue on which the ECB will have to remain alert.”There are always negotiations between players and employers around what is a fair structure for salaries and pay,” Strauss said. “Our current agreement is tied in with our TV deal that runs till 2019. There will be conversations over the next couple of years to ensure we put together something that’s fair and everyone is happy with.”I’m in no way commenting on what’s happening in Cricket Australia, because I don’t know the ins and outs of it. But I’d be very surprised if anything other than a full-strength team turned out at the Gabba. I would have thought the Ashes will focus people’s minds to make sure they get a conclusion to where they are at the moment.”Then I’d like to think we can have some sort of mature conversations with TEPP [The Team England Player Partnership; the branch of the PCA that negotiates on behalf of England players] and the players themselves early enough to prevent us going down that sort of route. And as much as possible, behind closed doors and in the right sort of spirit.”What I’m focused on is making sure the relationships between ourselves as the national governing body and our players who are contracted to us are as good as they possibly can be. That’s the best way of ensuring that those conversations happen in good faith.”

Manchester United reportedly remain in the mix for the signing of Bayern Munich defender, Benjamin Pavard, albeit with Erik ten Hag's side set to have to try and see off rivals Manchester City for the Frenchman's signature.

What are the latest Man United transfer rumours?

There has been notable speculation of late that the Red Devils are seeking to move on club captain, Harry Maguire, ahead of next season, with Europa Conference League winners, West Ham United said to be interested in signing the 30-year-old this summer.

Amid that talk of an exit for the Englishman, Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has confirmed United's interest in a possible replacement in the form of Pavard, albeit with City also in the running at present, alongside Juventus.

Writing on Twitter, the transfer insider revealed: "Pavard: FC Bayern, waiting for concrete offers now! Talks between the players management and ManCity took place as #Guardiola is very interested in Pavard. But there are no agreements yet. At this stage, it’s a race between #MCFC, ManUtd and Juventus."

According to prior reports, the 27-year-old could command a fee of just €30m (£26m) if he is to be sold this summer, with the versatile ace having entered into the final year of his contract at the Allianz Arena.

How good is Benjamin Pavard?

For a player comfortable operating at centre-back or at right-back, it is no surprise that there is such significant interest in landing the World Cup winner for a cut-price fee, with such flexibility likely to make the former Stuttgart ace a real asset to Ten Hag.

The 6 foot 2 rock – who also described himself as "more complete" than Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold – may not be the most glamourous or "sexy" of names, in his own words, yet he could prove to be a wise investment for the Old Trafford outfit this summer.

The hope will be that Pavard could replicate the success that another former Bundesliga talent Manuel Akanji has enjoyed since trading Germany for Manchester a year ago, with the Swiss international having gone on to secure treble glory at the Etihad last term.

Much like Pavard, the 6 foot 1 centre-back – who can also operate at full-back – was snapped up on the cheap to little fanfare last summer, with Pep Guardiola's side forking out just £15m as the player also had just a year left on his contract at Borussia Dortmund at the time.

As pundit Alan Hutton noted at the time, it looked as if that signing was merely to help bolster the club's "strength in depth", albeit with Akanji going on to make 48 appearances in all competitions, as he simply "surpassed expectations" – as per ex-England number one, Paul Robinson.

Much like the 27-year-old, Pavard – who has been described as "underrated" by Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel – could perhaps surprise a few next term if he is to link up with Ten Hag, having shown signs of his quality of late.

The Frenchman has the tools to thrive in the Premier League due to his likeness to Akanji, with the pair both adept at playing out from the back as the latter man ranks in the top 17% among his European peers for progressive passes and the top 20% for progressive carries, while Pavard ranks in the top 1% and the top 9% for those same two metrics, respectively.

That ball-playing quality is also showcased by the fact that while the former Dortmund ace ranks in the top 3% for attempted passes as a marker of his desire to play forward, Pavard again ranks in the top 1% for that same metric.

As such, having seen the impact that Akanji has made in Manchester to date, Ten Hag could land his own version of the former Basel gem by snapping up another unsung Bundesliga ace this summer.

Tottenham are keeping an eye on Lille star Jonathan David in case they lose Harry Kane to Bayern Munich, according to reports in France.

Is Harry Kane leaving Tottenham?

It’s not a summer transfer window unless there is a saga surrounding Kane’s future in north London, but it’s fair to say this one feels closer to something actually happening than those that have come before.

That is of course due to the talisman’s contract situation, meaning Daniel Levy has to at least consider the offers coming in from Munich, and Ange Postecoglou has admitted he’s had no assurances:

“No, I haven't had any assurances [over Kane's future] and I wouldn't expect any assurances because with these kind of things you're never dealing in definites or certainties.

“I'm trying to concentrate on the things that I know right now, and what I know right now is that Harry's part of this squad.”

Those comments were followed by a pretty worrying update from Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, who insists Kane has actually personally agreed to join the Bavarian giants:

“As reported: Harry Kane made 100 % clear that he only wants to join FC Bayern.

He’s not considering a move to another club abroad. It’s an agreement between Kane & Bayern.”

Now, according to French newspaper L’Equipe, the Lilywhites have picked out David as a possible option to replace their record goalscorer. Sport Witness translate the update, which says Lille have set their price at €60m (£51m).

Lille hope to make a signing of their own with the money they generate from selling their star man, a Canada international, but Kane’s moving is holding everything up, with Spurs one of the teams “observing” David’s situation.

There is plenty of competition for his signature however, as PSG, Chelsea and Newcastle are all keeping an eye on the striker merry go round as well.

How good is Jonathan David?

In truth, it’s going to be impossible for Postecoglou and Levy to find someone to fully replicate Kane’s end product, but there aren’t many players who come closer than David over the last couple of seasons.

The 23 year-old found the back of the net 15 times in 38 Ligue 1 showings in the 2021/22 campaign, and followed that up with 24 strikes in 37 games this time around.

He can play as an out and out centre forward, in behind another number nine or even on both wings if required, and hasn’t fallen below ten league goals in a season since he was a teenager.

A 40-cap international – with 24 goals in those games too – his injury history is also a major selling point, having missed a total of just three games due to illness or injury across his entire career to this point.

Labelled an “absolutely massive” player for Lille for his ability to step up to the plate in pressure situations, that is exactly the kind of mentality Spurs need from whoever arrives to fill Kane’s shoes – if he goes – and for £51m, Postecoglou would be getting an exciting young talent in the form of his life.