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“We’re on our way, we are Gareth’s 26…”. Okay, it doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as 1982 but Southgate’s squad are nearly on their way. Will they get it right? This time? Here’s the story and squad if somehow your missed it. And below it a link to see Dave Watson, Steve Foster, Joe Corrigan et al recording their smash No.2 hit. Fun fact: Joint writers, Chris Norman and Pete Spencer of Smokie, had written “Head Over Heels in Love” for Kevin Keegan in 1979.
Sadio Mane named in Senegal World Cup squad
Breaking news: Sadio Mane shall go to the ball – but how fit is he? It was always likely Senegal would do everything to patch him up although maybe this has echoes of Keegan and Brooking in ‘82. Perhaps he can recover during the group stage before returning in the last 16 for a likely clash with England if my When Saturday Comes wallchart prediction works out. Here’s the Reuters report.
Sadio Mane has been named in Senegal’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar despite injury concerns after he was hurt playing for his German club at the weekend.
The 30-year-old striker, whose decisive penalty kicks won both the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualification for his country this year, suffered an injury to his right fibula in Bayern’s 6-1 win against Werder Bremen and misses this weekend’s clash against Schalke.
But coach Aliou Cisse included the team’s talisman when he named his 26-man squad at a news conference in Dakar on Friday
Manchester United made it through to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup with a 4-2 win over Aston Villa last night, Qatar-bound Marcus Rashford getting the hosts’ second. Here’s Jamie Jackson’s match report.
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In bonkers scheduling news, the fourth round ties are being squeezed in between the World Cup final (December 18) and the resumption of the Premier League (December 26). Manchester City kids/reserves v Liverpool kids/reserves is the standout tie. Here’s the draw.
Wolves v Gillingham
Southampton v Lincoln City
Blackburn Rovers v Nottingham Forest
Newcastle v Bournemouth
Manchester City v Liverpool
Manchester United v Burnley
MK Dons v Leicester
Charlton v Brighton
Let’s kick off with a weekly staple. Gonna miss you my friend.
“Maddison will hope to sign off from domestic duty by helping Leicester beat West Ham. Standing in his way, though, will be an international teammate: Declan Rice. This is a huge game for West Ham’s captain. David Moyes’s side are two points above the bottom three after stinking the place out against Crystal Palace last weekend and they could do with an inspirational midfield display from Rice.”
Preamble
And for the final time until Boxing Day, here we go with another round of Premier League fixtures.
Sounds weird doesn’t it but due to a World Cup in Qatar being plonked in the middle of the season, when the Fulham v Manchester United game finishes at around 6.20pm on Sunday, the Premier League table will be frozen in time for (checks calendar) 43 days.
While Premier League managers strive to leave the standings looking as favourable for them as possible – Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace could actually go into the break in sixth if an awful lot went their way – World Cup-bound bosses will spend the weekend chewing finger nails.
Senegal manager Aliou Cisse is already cursing that star man Sadio Mane may not be fit after picking up an injury playing for Bayern Munich this week so Gareth Southgate will be having kittens every time Harry Kane contests a 50-50 in Tottenham’s home game against a Leeds side not known for standing back and admiring.
Let’s go then. If you’re looking for team news, hot press conference quotes and World Cup build-up, step right this way…
