All posts by h716a5.icu

With Real Madrid setting their sights on William Saliba, Arsenal would now reportedly consider selling their star defender for the chance to sign a talented midfielder from the Spaniards in return.

Real Madrid eyeing Saliba move

After a disappointing season which could yet end without a trophy, it could be all change in the Real Madrid technical area this summer. Recent reports have indicated that Carlo Ancelotti is in negotiations to become the new manager of the Brazilian national team, which would likely see Xabi Alonso make his way to the Bernabeu ahead of the next campaign.

With Alonso possibly arriving, the Spaniards could yet be in for a busy summer transfer window too. Already, they’re in negotiations with Trent Alexander-Arnold over a free move upon the expiry of his current Liverpool contract at the end of the season and have now also reportedly set their sights on Saliba.

Recent reports in Spain have suggested that the Frenchman is on Alonso’s list of targets should he step into the Madrid technical area in the coming months. Following another season without a Premier League title and with Arsenal’s Champions League fate hanging in the balance, it remains to be seen whether Saliba will be able to turn down the lure of the Bernabeu.

Arsenal want to sign a "beast" Gyokeres alternative who's outscoring Isak

Arsenal could sign an amazing Viktor Gyokeres alternative this summer.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 2, 2025

If that does prove to be the case, then there’s no doubt that his departure will be a major blow. At the same time, however, it looks as though the Gunners will at least aim to get something in return.

Arsenal now considering Saliba sale on one condition

According to reports in Spain, Arsenal would now consider selling Saliba to Real Madrid if they got Aurelien Tchouameni in return. Mikel Arteta is reportedly a big fan of the Frenchman and may yet have the perfect chance to welcome him to North London.

What his arrival would also do is replace Thomas Partey, who is currently on course to leave Arsenal as a free agent upon the expiry of his current contract this summer.

Filling that gap in the middle of the park should be among the Gunners’ top priorities, especially if they are to finally claim Premier League glory next season. And there’s no doubt that Tchouameni should be a top candidate to do exactly that.

Minutes

2,364

2,437

Progressive Passes

149

165

Interceptions

42

32

Ball Recoveries

124

120

Dubbed “strong” by Ancelotti earlier this season, Tchouemeni has matched and even outperformed Partey in a number of areas this season. At the sacrifice of Saliba, Arsenal could land an instant upgrade in midfield.

Whether it is worth losing one of the best centre-backs in European football to boost their midfield is a question that those at The Emirates must ponder, however.

It looks set to be a massive summer of transfer activity for Arsenal this year; Mikel Arteta even said as much.

Based on fan sentiment and the number of reports in recent weeks, it’s no surprise that the club’s focus is on rejuvenating the attack, but the midfield also looks like it will be addressed.

Thomas Partey might now be getting a new deal, and perhaps most excitingly, the deal to sign Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi looks increasingly certain.

However, if recent reports are to be believed, the club could also be looking at a potential alternative to the Spaniard, someone who could also replace Partey.

Arsenal transfer news

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth reviewing the situation with both Partey and Zubimendi.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Regarding the latter, news initially came out back in January that Arsenal were close to agreeing a deal to sign him in the summer, and while there have since been reports from Spain claiming that he could go to Real Madrid, other stories have reaffirmed the original news that he should be on his way to the Emirates for £51m.

Partey, on the other hand, looked like he was set to depart the club upon the expiration of his current contract in the summer, but that changed last week.

Ahead of the game against Crystal Palace, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that the club now wanted the midfielder to remain and were set to enter negotiations over a new contract with him.

However, with reports now linking the team to Hugo Larsson, re-signing the Ghanaian might not be necessary.

Yes, according to a recent report from the print edition of SportBild in Germany, Arsenal are one of several sides interested in signing the Eintracht Frankfurt star.

Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that Manchester City and Liverpool are also keen on the young midfielder, who’s valued at £51m by his team.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get done, but given Larsson’s ability and potential, it’s one worth pursuing, especially as he could be an ideal Partey replacement.

Why Larsson could replace Partey

So, the first argument for why Larsson could prove to be a good Partey replacement is also one that could be used to argue for him being an alternative to Zubimendi: his age.

At just 20 years old, the Swedish international is 11 years younger than the Gunners’ number five and six younger than the Sociedad star. Now, while that’s not a massive advantage compared to the Spaniard, who is still in his prime years, it is against the Ghanaian .

For example, research conducted by The Athletic revealed that central midfielders tend to peak at around 25 years old, so while the Frankfurt gem has years to keep getting better, the former Atlético Madrid ace is undoubtedly approaching the end of his career, and considering his usually dire injury record, this might make handing him a new deal particularly foolish.

Furthermore, besides being substantially younger, the “transitional monster,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, also looks just as good when we look under the hood at their underlying numbers.

For example, according to FBref, he comes out ahead in plenty of relevant metrics, including, but not limited to, non-penalty expected goals plus assists, key passes, shots on target, shot-creating actions, blocked shots and passes, errors leading to goal, ball recoveries and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.19

0.15

Progressive Passes

4.70

6.09

Progressive Carries

0.64

1.14

Shots on Target

0.38

0.26

Key Passes

0.85

0.63

Shot-Creating Actions

2.33

2.07

Goal-Creating Actions

0.13

0.48

Tackles Won

1.06

1.77

Blocked Shots

0.42

0.26

Blocked Passes

1.19

0.59

Interceptions

1.06

1.18

Errors Leading to a Goal

0.04

0.15

Dispossessed

0.42

0.52

Ball Recoveries

4.58

4.43

Ultimately, while he might not be the most exciting name out there, Larsson looks like he could be an incredible player in the future, so instead of a Zubimendi alternative, Arsenal might be wise to sign him as well and then not offer Partey a new deal.

He'd revive Odegaard: Arsenal racing to sign £70m goalscoring "powerhouse"

Martin Odegaard could do with some additional firepower with him at Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 1, 2025

Manchester United are thought to be eyeing a move for a “brilliant” player at the end of the season, according to a fresh transfer update regarding their upcoming business.

Man Utd preparing for vital summer under INEOS

The Red Devils may still have a good chance of winning the Europa League next month, but there is no question that this has been a season to forget. Huge changes are needed in Ruben Amorim’s squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, and top-quality signings continue to be linked with moves.

Villarreal winger Alex Baena has been mentioned as a potential signing for United in the summer window, with talks even thought to be underway over a move to Old Trafford. The Spaniard has 13 goal contributions (six goals and seven assists) in La Liga this season, showing that he could be a strong source of end product.

Atalanta forward Mateo Retegui is another possible attacking option for Amorim in the coming months, with the Italy international considered an alternative to Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is loan at Galatasaray currently.

Frenkie de Jong has been linked with United numerous times in the past, and he has again been mentioned as a summer target for them, following an up and down season for Barcelona. A new central midfielder is a must, and the Dutchman could bring quality and control in the middle of the park.

Man Utd close in on signing of goalkeeper Freddie Woodman

According to a new report from Football Insider, Manchester United are closing in on signing Preston North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman this summer. The 28-year-old will be available on a free transfer when this season reaches its conclusion, with the Red Devils “ready” to offer him a deal to boost their homegrown quota. He would come in as third-choice ‘keeper, following the expected exit of Tom Heaton, and INEOS are already “working on a deal”.

Woodman’s arrival would be a surprise in some ways, as the report states, given the fact that he is a Championship player whose arrival wouldn’t exactly set the world alight at Old Trafford. That said, there is plenty of sense in bringing him in to aid the homegrown element of the squad, and he is now a very experienced ‘keeper who has 215 appearances to his name in the Championship.

Woodman also won 56 caps for England across six different youth teams during his younger years, while Ryan Lowe heaped praise on him during their time together at Preston: “Freddie made some fantastic saves and that’s 16 clean sheets for him now, which is brilliant. He’s got a gashed eye and had three or four stitches at half-time, but there was no way we were going to get him off the pitch.”

England Under-21s

6

England Under-20s

10

England Under-19s

16

England Under-18s

6

England Under-17s

16

England Under-16s

2

In truth, Woodman would know that he would be joining United as little more than a squad player who features sporadically, but he could still jump at the chance of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Leeds United have been given a boost in their efforts to sign Manor Solomon on a permanent transfer this summer.

Leeds on course for Premier League return after crucial Championship weekend

The Whites and Daniel Farke enjoyed a brilliant afternoon in the Championship on Saturday, winning 2-1 against Preston North End at Elland Road thanks to goals from Solomon and Jayden Bogle.

Promotion rivals Sheffield United also threw away a victory at bottom placed Plymouth Argyle, conceding twice late on at Home Park to lose 2-1.

As a result, Leeds now sit top of the table and are five points clear of the Blades in third, while also having better goal difference with four games to go.

Sheffield United also have to go to second place Burnley, meaning Leeds need a maximum of seven points from their remaining four games to all but guarantee promotion on goal difference, providing the Blades win all four of their remaining fixtures.

Leeds (88 pts)

Sheffield United (83 pts)

Burnley (88 pts)

Oxford United (a)

Cardiff City (h)

Watford (a)

Stoke City (h)

Burnley (a)

Sheffield United (h)

Bristol City (h)

Stoke City (a)

QPR (a)

Plymouth Argyle (a)

Blackburn Rovers (h)

Millwall (h)

If Leeds go up, 49ers Enterprises may quickly look to seal a number of new signings while also expanding Elland Road, and one target is loanee Solomon.

Leeds given boost in permanent Solomon deal

There have been claims that the winger, on loan from Tottenham, is wanted by Leeds on a full-time basis, should promotion be achieved.

Now, according to reliable reporter Alasdair Gold for football.london, ‘Solomon would certainly consider a move to Leeds if they got promoted after enjoying his time at the West Yorkshire club’.

The Isreal international is expected to have more interest from Premier League clubs and from teams abroad, but it seems as if the 25-year-old is open to moving to Yorkshire on a permanent basis.

Back in January, Solomon said on Leeds: “I love it here. I love the fans. I love the club. I love the players, the manager. Especially now, I’m really enjoying it and I love living here. Of course, it’s different to London, less things to do and we have less friends here. All the Israelis, they live in London, but we found our place here.”

Farke was also quick to hail Solomon on the weekend after he scored his eighth goal of the campaign and registered his 10th assist.

Leeds and 49ers now considering £3.5m bid to sign 26 y/o to replace Wober

Daniel Farke and co. have their eyes on a player who is likely going to replace Max Wober.

1 ByBrett Worthington Apr 14, 2025

“Always a joy to work with. A top character. Yes can be tricky, he’s emotional! Especially when he doesn’t finish a game. But top.”

It has been rumoured that Solomon could cost up to £20m this summer amid interest from Everton, so it is a boost for Leeds knowing that the attacker will consider a permanent transfer to Yorkshire.

Reporter Pete O’Rourke has delivered a significant update regarding Brendan Rodgers’ future as Celtic manager.

Rodgers backed to leave Celtic

The 52-year-old has enjoyed a superb second spell in charge at Parkhead, winning the Scottish Premiership title last season, adding to the two that already came his way in 2016/17 and 2017/18.

Celtic are again on the cusp of title glory this term, with the Scottish League Cup already coming their way and the Scottish Cup also still on the table, with a treble feeling very possible.

Despite things going so swimmingly under Rodgers, however, there is always the risk of losing him and his head being turned by a return to the Premier League, with former scout Mick Brown admitting as much earlier this year.

“If Rodgers was offered a Premier League job, he would take it. He’d be interested in coming back to England and I think he’s not entirely happy at Celtic. At the moment, Celtic are dominant in Scotland, there’s nobody challenging them. They’ve got to build on what they’ve got in the transfer window, they’re ruling the roost and they want to keep it that way. But Rodgers wants more than that – he’s thinking about European football.”

New update on Rodgers' Celtic future

According to Football Insider‘s O’Rourke, Rodgers “could quit” as Celtic manager at the end of this season, amid interest from Premier League clubs. A return to the English game appeals to him, and although it is also stated that he is “content” in his current role, he wants more backing after a lack of it in the previous two transfer windows.

Losing Rodgers would be a significant blow for Celtic, considering what a talented manager he is, bringing so much stability to the club and continuing to win trophies at the same time.

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Steve McMamanan has always been an admirer of the fit in Glasgow, saying in 2017: “I’ve heard people say ‘it’s only the Scottish league’, which I feel is quite arrogant really, quite ignorant. Whenever you’re breaking records that have stood for a long, long time in football, you’re doing something marvellous and I think it takes it away from himself, or the team in general, of what they have achieved.”

£15k-p/w Celtic star could leave this summer with lucrative offer on table

Brendan Rodgers may lose one of his stars at Celtic this summer.

BySean Markus Clifford Apr 3, 2025

The lure of the Premier League is great for any boss, however, and as Brown alluded to, there isn’t the same level of competition in the Scottish Premiership, making it harder for the Irishman to truly test himself.

Hopefully, Rodgers still feels that he has plenty to achieve at Celtic, not least making more of an impression in the Champions League, which will persuade him to stay put for the foreseeable future and ignore any potential interest from England. If he does leave, though, he will be a hard act to follow.

Burger walked off the field in the first innings after bowling 6.1 overs and de Zorzi pulled up in the dying moments of the chase to retire hurt for 17

Firdose Moonda03-Dec-2025South Africa left-arm seamer Nandre Burger has suffered a hamstring injury that curtailed his participation in the second ODI against India in Raipur and could impact the rest of his season.South Africa suffered another injury scare when Tony de Zorzi pulled up towards the end of their chase and retired hurt for 17 after the 45th over.”It didn’t look too good, to be honest – Nandre not being able to finish his overs and Tony also walking off,” captain Temba Bavuma said at the presentation. “If need be, we do have other guys waiting in the wings come Saturday.”Related

Markram ton trumps Kohli, Gaikwad centuries for nervy win

Burger had started his seventh over when he lost his run-up twice and appeared to struggle to land on his right leg. He held onto his right knee before walking off the field. Aiden Markram delivered the next five balls to complete the over.ESPNcricinfo understands that Burger was assessed and is still experiencing discomfort in his right hamstring. He will continue to be monitored by South Africa’s medical staff. In the immediate term, it affected South Africa in this match, where Markram bowled 5.5 overs in total, and will impact team selection for the third ODI on Saturday. Burger is not part of the T20I squad, where Anrich Nortje will make his return, and he may be called on earlier if South Africa feel they need extra pace. They are already without Kagiso Rabada, who has a rib niggle, and Gerald Coetzee, who was not picked for this tour.Later in the match, South Africa suffered a second injury blow when de Zorzi pulled up as he completed a second run. De Zorzi was on 17 off 11 balls when Corbin Bosch called him through and though he reached the non-striker’s end safely, de Zorzi hobbled the last third of the way. He received treatment on field and decided to continue. But after Bosch hit the next ball for four and de Zorzi had to hop on one leg, he left the field, with South Africa 27 away from victory after 45 overs. De Zorzi walked off unaided, but very gingerly, suggesting the injury is serious. He has an SA20 deal with Durban’s Super Giants.Burger has a long history of injuries, including a lower-back stress fracture which kept him out of the game from October 2024 until September this year. He missed last year’s SA20 but was re-signed by the same team, Joburg Super Kings for this year’s edition for R6.3 million, and they will be sweating on his availability. The tournament begins on Boxing Day, in just over three weeks’ time.

Batting form is a major concern, yet his importance as a captain and bowler shines through on critical day four

Vithushan Ehantharajah13-Jul-20252:16

Trescothick: It’s going to be an amazing final day

Nebulous sporting magic – or , if you will – is not unlike energy. Not created or destroyed, merely changed from one form to another.The quantity of such magic remains constant in an athlete’s lifetime. But the areas it influences shift, and given the nature of some pursuits – such as, say, being an allrounder who just happens to also be Test captain – often irrevocably.”Who else but Ben Stokes?” That clichéd sentiment passed through the minds and perhaps even the lips of the 26,569 spectators here at Lord’s, to cheer or bemoan his last-over dismissal of nightwatcher Akash Deep. The manner of it added fuel to the notion that games of cricket bend to Stokes’ whim. Even if this was merely a case of getting one to go down the slope to a bloke with a batting average of 8.09.Related

Ben Stokes on final-day bowling efforts: 'Nothing was stopping me'

Big-game Stokes pushes his limits to keep England alive

Brook's shot selection under scrutiny as counterattack goes awry

Washington and Carse light up Lord's as gripping finish looms

With that final ball of day four, Stokes has put England on a level footing going into Monday, in front of a sold-out Lord’s. It was a statement clonk that took him to nine wickets in the series at 32.33.It is the most he has taken in 11 previous series, the result of a new left knee and a more robust recovery after a second tear of his right hamstring. The last time he took more wickets was his ten against South Africa in 2022, his second series as captain, in the early stages of his emergence as one of the most astute leaders England have ever had.Beyond his ability to lift those around him as a talisman, however, is Stokes’ acumen in the field that can, at times, feel like throwing leg slips at the wall and seeing what sticks. And yet, at moments such as the final throes of Sunday’s play, his feel for the game deserves praise, eclipsing those of previous England captains of the modern era.Granted, he might have been better served opening with Brydon Carse instead of Chris Woakes. But the decision, in the day’s final half-an-hour, to bring Carse and himself on to replace Woakes and Jofra Archer, came with an extra tick when Stokes chose to put Carse on from the Pavilion End.It was from the Nursery End that Jasprit Bumrah had unearthed a patch of uneven bounce. Yet, the three wickets that England claimed with this double-change – two to Carse in a stirring spell of 4-1-11-2 – highlighted Stokes’ sharp reading of the contest. The slope – left to right from the Pavilion End – suited Carse’s methods better, rather than the vague promise of some variations up-and-down. Let’s not forget, Bumrah took more of Crawley’s fingers than wickets.Ben Stokes was knocked over by Washington Sundar•Getty ImagesWith Stokes’ bowling trending back towards his previous heights circa 2019, and his captaincy remaining steadily impressive, perhaps it is no surprise his batting seems to have lost that spark. There is only so much juju to go around.What was confronting about Stokes’ innings today was that the situation seemed primed for the latest volume in his “who writes his scripts?” anthology. He was England’s last hope – and their last recognised batter – in a quest for an iron-clad winning score, yet he was bowled by a broadly innocuous offspinning delivery from Washington Sundar. An attempt at a visceral slog-sweep ended in an apologetic whimper.The slog-sweep is a familiar club in Stokes’ bag. Not quite a calling card, more of an easter egg amid his epics. Here in 2019, for instance, batting at the same end from which he was dismissed on Sunday, he dumped Trent Boult over midwicket at the critical juncture – 15 needed off four balls – of the World Cup final. That same side was peppered four years later in a hellacious 155 against Australia. Now, the shot is an appropriate sherpa down through Stokes’ batting decline. He boasted a scoreline of 111 for 2 from 32 attempts at the shot in Test cricket between the start of the 2019 up to the 2022 summer. Ever since the start of Bazball, however, he has tried it 26 further times, scoring just 59 for the loss of six.Ben Stokes struck on the last ball of the day•Getty ImagesThe nature of this most recent dismissal also gave a new twist on the Stokes meme machine. His knack for making good balls look great – wide-eyed and open mouthed, stunned at a delivery that probably just seamed a bit – is rich online fodder. Now, however, the decent balls are being played badly.As it was in 2022, when he charged out of the blocks in his first series to show his teammates that flying close to the sun was cool, Stokes’ third second-innings 33 of the series – this one the slowest, from 96 balls – felt like an extension of England’s second-innings approach. Stunted, a lot of huff and a little confused.Their run rate across the whole match – 3.31 – is now England’s slowest in a home Test in the Bazball era, knocking the very first match of the McCullum-Stokes axis – also at Lord’s, against New Zealand – off top spot. Being an inspiring figure works both ways.It is important, however, not to simply attribute Stokes’ average of 24.57 from four Tests this summer – including one against Zimbabwe – as a loss of magic. To do so simplifies the issue, which is that he has just not batted enough.1:20

Manjrekar: Lord’s Test 70-30 in England’s favour

Sunday’s knock was his seventh of the year. He could have had more, either for Durham in the County Championship, or for England Lions in the lead-up to the series, when he had fully recovered from the hamstring tear sustained at the end of the New Zealand tour in December.Of course, there are only so many hours in the day, and so much a body can take, even after such tailored reinforcement. Stokes maintains, at the age of the 34, that recovery is his biggest focus around Test matches.Thus, it seems batting is now third on his list of priorities. Even though Stokes has vociferously hit back at the suggestion, his numbers against spin bowling – which requires the most work behind the scenes to improve – paint a clear picture. Since the start of 2024, his average of 19.11 is the second lowest, after R Ashwin’s 16.50, for batters who have faced more than 300 deliveries of spin.Whether that eventually means a slide down the order remains to be seen. It likely won’t, given the England management are impressed with how comfortable Jamie Smith has been at No.7.Even though Stokes’ lack of runs might have cost England a shot at resting easier overnight, they will arrive on day five with a 2-1 lead in their grasp, thanks in no small part to his bowling and captaincy. And that is how it is likely to be for what remains of his career.

Arsenal have now reportedly joined Liverpool in the race to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace, as contract talks continue to drag on between the striker and the South London club.

The Gunners return from the international break looking to get back to winning ways after entering it off the back of a dramatic 2-2 draw against Sunderland and it doesn’t get much bigger than the North London derby. Up against rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Mikel Arteta’s side will be aiming to prove their title credentials once again and at least maintain their four-point lead at the top.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the derby, Arteta reiterated just how big a rivalry it is, saying: “It’s just different. it’s a big city, but it’s a big rivalry; it’s a part of London that we want to conquer, and they want to do the same.

“There’s been a lot of shifts as well over the years, we’ve been more dominant and it’s just beautiful, especially when we play at home in front of our people, we know what it means to them.

“The energy that they’re going to bring, the energy that the team is going to bring in every single action, it’s just a privilege to play those kind of games. We cannot wait to get to Sunday.”

Arteta must axe Eze & unleash Arsenal star who's "very similar" to Bergkamp

With Eberechi Eze failing to catch fire at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta could seek a replacement against Spurs.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 22, 2025

It marks the beginning of a crucial week for Arsenal, who have the small task of playing host to Bayern Munich just days after the Tottenham clash before then travelling to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. Three points from three in such a run would highlight just how serious the Gunners are about winning major honours.

In their current run, it would also be difficult for many players to turn Arsenal down and that may even be the case for Palace star Mateta.

Arsenal join race to sign Mateta

According to Caught Offside, Arsenal have now joined the race to sign Mateta from Crystal Palace in what could be their second major signing from the Eagles following their recent move for Eberechi Eze.

The Frenchman is set to become a free agent in 2027 and with contract talks yet to reach a resolution, the South London club may be forced to cash in sooner or later – allowing the Gunners to make their move.

A player who’s already been on the scoresheet at the Emirates in the past, Mateta could yet get the chance to wheel away in celebration every week in North London. Such a move would certainly be well-earned, too. From initial struggles, the 28-year-old has become one of the best strikers in the Premier League.

Minutes

959

800

Goals

6

4

Assists

0

0

Expected Goals

8.1

4.6

There’s a reason why Palace boss Oliver Glasner has dubbed his star striker “excellent” in the past and the comparison with Gyokeres shows the level that he’s operating at. If Arsenal want to ensure that their goalscoring problems are ended for good, then they should sign the Palace star.

Arsenal hold talks with £71m ex-Man Utd star after post-Old Trafford transformation

The Milwaukee Brewers, the No. 1 team in baseball, received some unfortunate news on Sunday ahead of the final week of the regular season. Star pitcher Brandon Woodruff landed on the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain.

The IL designation goes back to Sept. 18, meaning Woodruff would first become available for the Brewers in the NLDS when that starts up on Saturday, Oct. 4. That would likely be the Brewers' expected first game in the postseason anyway as they will get a bye in the wild-card series as long as they hold onto the top spot.

It's been an injury-riddled 2025 season for the two-time All-Star. After missing the entire 2024 season while recovering from right shoulder surgery, Woodruff didn't make his 2025 debut until July 6. In May, he paused his rehab minor league assignment with an ankle injury. Then, when he was in the midst of his rehabilitation minor league return in June, he was hit on the elbow by a line drive, which in turn kept him out for another month.

Through 12 starts this season, Woodruff posted a 3.20 ERA over 64.2 innings pitched. He has 83 strikeouts and had 23 earned runs against him.

Harris strained her calf in the final ODI against India on Saturday while fielding

Alex Malcolm23-Sep-2025Australia batter Grace Harris has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI World Cup due to a calf strain, with Western Australia allrounder Heather Graham called up to replace her.Harris injured her calf while fielding in the final ODI of the three-match series against India in Delhi on Saturday. It was the only match that Harris played in the series having been called in when Annabel Sutherland was ruled out with hip soreness.Harris was unlikely to be in Australia’s first-choice XI at the start of the World Cup but was a key reserve player given her lower-order hitting ability. She may have played a part in the tournament as Australia do have some injury issues. Sutherland’s hip soreness was the latest niggle to crop up after Phoebe Litchfield missed the last two matches of the ODI series with a quad issue and Darcie Brown suffered back spasms.Sophie Molineux was unavailable for the entire series as she is still working to full fitness coming off her major knee injury. Georgia Wareham is coming off a groin and adductor strain that saw her miss the Hundred and skipper Alyssa Healy is on return from her major foot problems but both got through all three matches against India.Graham, 28, has only played one ODI for Australia back in 2019 but has been part of many squads since. However, she has not played an international since the last of her five career T20Is in September last year.