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Celtic have been handed a major injury boost regarding the return of James Forrest.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a claim made by Alison Conroy, with the journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that Ange Postecoglou expects the midfielder to return to first-team training at the beginning of the forthcoming week, having been sidelined since August due to injury.

In her tweet, Conroy said: “The manager is hopeful James Forrest can return to full first-team training from Monday.”

Celtic fans will be delighted

While Forrest has been somewhat plagued with injury over the last couple of seasons, having made a grand total of just 15 Scottish Premiership appearances since the start of 2020/21, the 30-year-old’s return to first-team action will nevertheless have Celtic fans delighted.

Indeed, the £5.4m-rated man has proven in previous campaigns that he has the ability to be an extremely important part of the Celtic squad, with the 30-year-old scoring 17 goals and registering ten assists over 58 appearances in 2017/18, bagging 18 goals and providing 20 assists over 56 appearances in 2018/19, and scoring 16 goals and registering a whopping 22 assists over 47 games in 2019/20.

The Scotland international has also shown flashes of this form in the current campaign, making one key pass and providing an assist during a 25-minute cameo in the Bhoys’ 6-0 demolition of Dundee, as well as scoring and registering one assist in a 4-2 win over FK Jablonec in Europa League qualifying.

As such, should the man who Neil Lennon dubbed a “priceless” talent be able to continue this level of attacking output upon his return from injury, he will undoubtedly become a very useful player within Postecoglou’s Celtic squad, and could even prove to be the final piece of the 56-year-old’s attacking puzzle.

Indeed, with the likes of Jota, Kyogo Furuhashi and Georgios Giakoumakis already beginning to fire in the Celtic frontline, the further addition of the £15k-per-week Forrest would only appear to strengthen the Hoops’ chances of reclaiming their Scottish Premiership crown this season.

In other news: Celtic enter into negotiations with “excellent” £5.5k-p/w beast, fans will be buzzing

Newcastle United now reportedly want to sign Ross Barkley when the January transfer window opens.

The Lowdown: Free to go

As per 90min, Barkley is free to leave Chelsea in January, and was even expected to go in the summer.

West Ham United were exploring a loan move for the central midfield player at one stage, while Burnley entered the race at the end of the window.

The Latest: Talks already ongoing

According to 90min, the St. James’ Park faithful are one of three clubs in the Premier League who now want to sign Barkley in January, along with both Leeds United and Burnley.

They are keen to do a deal for the Englishman, and intermediaries have actually already initiated talks with the North East club to offer his services.

Barkley is on the shortlist of the new owners, along with Blues teammate Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

The Verdict: Sign

Barkley may have fallen off from the early hype he got while playing for Everton, but he is still a player who can add to the current Magpies squad.

Dubbed an ‘unbelievable’ and ‘unreal’ player by none other than Callum Wilson  – and one who he would like to play with –  on The Super 6 podcast (via The Chronicle), he may cherish linking up with a deadly striker in Wilson, who showed how much of a threat he is when given the right service with a goal at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

It is amazing that he is still just 27 years of age, as it feels as if he has been around forever, and given that Chelsea seemingly want to get rid, Barkley could be available for a price Newcastle’s new owners can comfortably afford.

In other news, find out which ‘outstanding’ manager is now in the frame for the NUFC job here!

Dean Windass has urged Leeds to improve defensively – and reckons the Yorkshire outfit should sign players in that area.

Whilst Marcelo Bielsa’s men caught the eye with their high-pressing, counter-attacking football on their return to the Premier League last season, they shipped 54 goals, the most in the top-half and even more than Fulham, who were relegated.

Leeds conceded four or more goals on five occasions and were hit for six at rivals Manchester United last December.

And Bielsa’s side have continued in a similar vein in the early parts of this season, letting in seven goals in just three hours of Premier League action, including another five at United on the opening-day.

Leeds have started with a similar defence to the one that played for the majority of last season – although Junior Firpo did make his full debut in the draw with Everton on Saturday.

With that in mind, Windass exclusively told Football FanCast that Bielsa could do with signing some defenders before the window closes:

“You defend first and foremost, and then you attack. But I’m hoping that Leeds improve the squad defensively – I’m a Yorkshire fan, I’m not criticising them, it’s a fact.

“You’re conceding four of five, you did it last year and you can’t afford to do it this year.”

Lots of Glasgow Rangers fans have been left bemoaning some injury news involving Ryan Jack.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of their match away at Hearts in the Scottish Premiership at Sunday lunchtime, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed (via Planet Radio) that Jack went off their last training session with a ‘problem’, and confirmed that he will ‘not be available’ for the clash.

It is a real worry that the central midfield player has picked up yet another injury, given the problems that he has had in the past while at Ibrox.

Nonetheless, Jack is still a important member of the squad, and played in title-winning season, but the fact that he has picked up another injury has supporters fearing the worst, with some even going as far as to suggest to move him on.

Rangers fans on Jack injury news

These Teddy Bears bemoaned the injury news as it was shared on Twitter, with one Ger even going as far as to claim that it is ‘tragic’:

“Think he’s finished”

Credit: @stu644

“Think his career is done.”

Credit: @ssaunders92

“Tragic. When fit, by far the best midfielder in Scotland. Get better soon Ryan”

Credit: @coo56734508

“Love Jack but his time might be coming to an end at Rangers, been injured for far too long”

Credit: @gaz_hamilton97

“Sad to say but he’s finished”

Credit: @N18721

“As much as I love Jack, if this is another long-term injury we need to think of moving on and replacing him unfortunately.”

Credit: @jordorobinson98

In other news, find out what contract claim by this ‘quality’ ace RFC fans have flocked to here!

Sunderland are interested in a deal to bring Jamie Robson to the Stadium of Light this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Record, who claimed that both Lincoln City and the Black Cats are keeping a very close eye on the situation of the Dundee United left-back in the summer transfer window.

The report added that the Imps have even gone as far as to submit a bid for the 23-year-old, with their six-digit offer believed to have been rejected by the Scottish Premiership outfit.

Meanwhile, it is said that although Lee Johnson’s side are interested in a move for the defender, they have yet to firm up this interest with a concrete offer.

Louis-Dreyfus must move

With the contract situation of Denver Hume having dragged on for over a month now, and there having been no updates regarding the 22-year-old putting pen to paper on a new deal at the Stadium of Light despite the new League One season kicking off this weekend, it would appear to be time for Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to make a move in the market for another option in that position.

Considering the potential Robson seems to possess, he would very much appear to make a fine addition to Johnson’s side ahead of what is sure to be another arduous campaign in the third tier of English football.

Indeed, over his 36 Scottish Premiership appearances for Dundee last season, the £360k-rated man helped his team to keep 12 clean sheets, averaging 1.3 interceptions, two tackles and 2.3 clearances and winning 5.5 duels per game.

For comparison, over Hume’s 24 League One appearances last season, the Sunderland left-back made an average of 0.6 interceptions, 1.3 tackles, 0.7 clearances and won 4.1 duels per game.

While it would undoubtedly be a blow for the club to lose the services of Hume this summer, if Louis-Dreyfus manages to bring in the man who Micky Mellon dubbed a “brilliant” player in as the 22-year-old’s replacement – or better yet, as competition for the academy product – it would certainly soften the blow for Johnson and his side. We believe the Sunderland owner should do all he can to land Robson this summer.

In other news: Speakman drops update on “huge” £4.3k-p/w “nightmare” that will have SAFC fans buzzing

Tottenham Hotspur hero Graham Roberts has urged the club to sign Marcel Sabitzer from RB Leipzig this summer.

Sabitzer has been heavily linked with a potential move to Spurs across the past year.

The 27-year-old is a versatile presence who can play on either flank, in attacking midfield and in central midfield.

This season, the Austria international made 27 Bundesliga appearances and scored eight goals, while registering four assists.

He also impressed in his country’s opening game of Euro 2020, providing an assist in their 3-1 win over North Macedonia.

Football.London has reported that Sabitzer could be available for a bargain fee of around £15m this summer, with just a year left on his contract, and Roberts believes Spurs need to get a deal done quickly to ensure he ends up in north London.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “We’ve been chasing him for a while. It’s now, do we go and get him?

“They have said he can be sold this year so we might wait until August to get him but yeah, I think we need to go and get him, and we need to go and get him very, very quickly.”

Sabitzer has been with Leipzig since 2014 and has made 227 appearances in total, scoring 52 goals and laying on 42 assists.

When one player comes back, it feels as though another one gets injured at Celtic.

The Hoops are set to be boosted this week by the return of Anthony Ralston who missed their clash with Ross County at the weekend.

It will be a timely boost for the Bhoys as they gear up for the first Europa League group stage encounter of the campaign.

They take on Real Betis in Sevilla but they do now have a major problem.

On the chalkboard

Defensive issues are mounting for Celtic with Greg Taylor set to miss the match in Spain with a shoulder problem.

The left-back missed the Old Firm derby a few weeks ago with an injury and had to withdraw from the Scotland squad during the international break.

In that defeat to Rangers, Ange Postecoglou decided to hand a debut to Josip Juranovic but he began his Celtic career out of position at left-back.

This would be a risky decision in midweek and instead, they should consider unleashing someone who is more competent on the left-hand side of defence.

The manager left Boli Bolingoli out of Celtic’s Europa League squad so the only other players he could turn to is new signing Liam Scales or the rarely-seen Adam Montgomery.

The latter made his breakthrough towards the back end of last season when John Kennedy was in temporary charge of the team but he’s made a real impact under the new boss.

Montgomery has featured on five occasions this term but is yet to start in 2021/22 for Celtic.

However, that simply has to change on Thursday evening with Taylor out injured. First and foremost, the 19-year-old hasn’t put a foot wrong this term.

Secondly, he possesses the attacking attributes that Celtic’s number one option in that position has in his locker.

The teenager has previously described himself as “tricky” and has already been compared to a certain Kieran Tierney.

If Montgomery can live up to the Scotland international’s high standards then he will be an instant success at Parkhead.

Importantly, the manager also trusts him significantly. The defender came on against AZ Alkmaar last month when Taylor was first injured and performed admirably. Postecoglou remarked: “I thought Monty was outstanding coming on, a young player, knowing that we’re going to have defend a fair bit of the game.

“I thought he did an outstanding job.”

Based on that review, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Australian unleashed again when they travel to Spain later in the week.

AND in other news, Newspaper journalist makes big Dom McKay claim, Celtic fans must be fuming…

Three Tottenham Hotspur players are set to be fined by the club for going away on international duty after the red list countries agreement was put into place, according to Alasdair Gold for football.london.

The Lowdown: Premier League agreement

Towards the end of August, it was announced that Premier League clubs would refuse to release players who play for red list countries during the current international break.

It was thought that the agreement would impact between 50 and 60 players. The agreement was put into place amid the concerns of players’ risk to injury or being forced in a hotel for 10 days, whilst there were also concerns over the suitability of food available to players when quarantining in hotels.

Any players who went on international duty would be banned from playing for their clubs for the international window, which is until September 9 plus another five days, duly excluding them from next weekend’s games.

The Latest: Spurs fuming with trio

According to Gold for football.london, Argentina internationals Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso are due to be fined when they return to Tottenham, with club bosses reportedly angry with the pair for travelling in the first place.

Davinson Sanchez is also set to be fined for his decision to go against club wishes, with the Colombia defender playing in both 1-1 draws with Bolivia and Paraguay in the World Cup qualifying stage in recent fays.

Gold said that there is confusion over the return of Romero and Lo Celso, especially after Sunday evening’s dramatic events between Argentina and Brazil, where ANVISA claimed that four Premier League players had entered the latter country without declaring that they had arrived from the UK.

The Verdict: Troubling situation

With Premier League clubs’ decision to not release players for international matches, the players who didn’t follow their employer’s demands can justifiably face punishment.

The drama in the Brazil and Argentina contest could spread further concerns regarding future international breaks, the next of which comes in October.

For Spurs, who are now set to be without three players for their London derby with Crystal Palace on Saturday lunchtime due to quarantine, manager Nuno Espirito Santo won’t be happy with the conduct of the trio, who will hopefully learn from their reckless actions.

In other news, Fabio Paratici has been full of praise for ‘most talented in Europe’ starlet. Find out more here.

After the way Celtic’s move for Eddie Howe collapsed just over a week ago, the Hoops hierarchy need to be cautious with their next moves.

The Bhoys have been in advanced talks with Ange Postecoglou with personal terms reportedly agreed but they’d be foolish if they didn’t have a contingency plan in place.

After all, the Australian currently lacks the necessary coaching badges which has resulted in the deal being held up.

Celtic have sought an exemption from UEFA to allow him to become the new manager but the Hoops have other irons in the fire in case things go south again.

The Daily Record reported last week that the Bhoys had held tentative talks with Rui Faria, the man who for so long was Jose Mourinho’s assistant.

Faria is reportedly keen on the move but unfortunately for him, Postecoglou is still the front runner.

He has little experience of being a manager himself but it’s hard to deny his CV and what he could bring to Celtic.

Having been under the wing of Mourinho for so long, he will have developed not only a winning mentality but also a method for how football should be played.

He was the Portuguese’s number two at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United before being handed his first managerial gig with Al-Duhail.

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The 45-year-old has been credited as a “football expert” by Mourinho and when you consider their nearly 20-year long relationship it’s clear to see why.

There are few greater tutors than the multiple Champions League winner but Faria could bring his own style and thought process to Celtic.

His background is in strength and conditioning, being named Leira’s fitness manager under the stewardship of Mourinho during his first gig back in 2001.

From there, Faria has developed an understanding of the physical demands applied to modern-day footballers and what they need in order to succeed.

This method could be incredibly beneficial when you consider the sheer number of games Celtic have to play across a single season.

Their campaign will get underway on either the 20th or 21st July when they begin their Champions League quest in the second qualifying round.

Celtic will have to play six matches in order to reach the group stages and consequently, players will be incredibly tired before the domestic campaign has even begun.

Throw in the fact that Celtic have a number of players at the European Championships and it only adds further strain to their legs heading into the new season.

A normal manager would have to manage this carefully but for someone like Faria, he’d be an expert in tailoring rest and recuperation periods so early into a new term.

Bearing this in mind, it’s certainly a smart idea for Celtic to consider a manager like Faria.

AND in other news, Hoops set for colossal blow after Celtic news emerges, fans should be gutted…

Liverpool have been linked with an audacious move for France and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe this summer.

The Lowdown: Mbappe on the move?

The 23-year-old is undoubtedly one of the world’s best players at the moment, continuing to wreak havoc for PSG and registering 36 goal contributions (22 goals and 14 assists) in 29 Ligue 1 starts this season.

Mbappe’s future continues to be one of football’s biggest talking points, with a summer move to Real Madrid widely mooted while his contract ticks down towards its expiry in the summer.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for the Frenchman in the past and now a surprise rumour has emerged.

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The Latest: Liverpool back in the hunt

According to Get French Football News on Twitter, the Reds now look like possible front-runners to sign Mbappe this summer:

“His new suitor is likely to be Liverpool.”

PSG and France midfielder Jérôme Rothen has apparently been given new information that a different club has entered the race and may have a ‘new factor’, with Liverpool named as the mystery club due to the player’s personal appreciation for Jurgen Klopp.

The Verdict: Only if Salah leaves?

While the idea of seeing Mbappe in a Liverpool shirt is beyond mouthwatering, it is almost impossible to see a move happening this summer – unless one thing happens.

The wages that he would demand would surely be deemed too astronomical by FSG, while the the current options at Klopp’s disposal are already great.

The only way a move could seem possible is if Mohamed Salah leaves the club, perhaps to PSG, with Mbappe heading the other way. FSG would surely be more willing to pay the big wages Salah wants to a much younger player called ‘the best player in European football’ and ‘unstoppable’ by Carlo Ancelotti.

In other news, a journalist has dropped a key Liverpool contract claim. Read more here.