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Newcastle United fans will hope the New Year brings about a positive change in form at St James’ Park.

While the Premier League giants did bow out from 2025 with a 3-1 win over Scott Parker’s relegation-doomed Burnley, it was far from a picture-perfect end to the year for Eddie Howe’s men, with a 1-0 defeat in the Tyne-Wear Derby in December still stinging, alongside a disappointing loss by the same scoreline against Manchester United on Boxing Day also knocking morale.

Howe has already noted that January will be “season-defining” for his troops, as the fixture schedule continues to be overloaded with tough match-ups.

He will, of course, want the Saudi PIF to dip their toes into the chaotic transfer market, too, to help his team have a positive start to 2026, with plenty of moves reported to be in the works…

Newcastle prepare approach for Ligue 1 star

The window has only been open for a matter of days, but the rumour mill at St James’ Park has thrown out a wide variety of rumours.

Indeed, Kees Smit continues to be linked with a switch to Tyneside away from AZ Alkmaar – as Real Madrid even begin to show an interest in the Dutch midfielder – with Manchester City youngster Oscar Bobb also allegedly on Howe and Co.’s radar as they aim to bring in reinforcements all over the pitch.

Newcastle are also eyeing up incomings in defence, with Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope revealing that an approach is anticipated this month from the Premier League strugglers, involving a move for Toulouse left-back Dayann Methalie.

Hope states that the 19-year-old is well-liked by those on Tyneside, with his comfortable approach on the ball, and his ability to play as a left-sided centre-back if needed, making this a very attractive deal to try and get over the line.

With cover in the defensive areas also perhaps needed, with Lewis Hall’s troubling injury record on the left, this could be a very smart move to progress further with, as Methalie potentially goes down as another Malick Thiaw-style masterstroke for PIF this month.

Why Methalie can be Thiaw 2.0

Thiaw would enter the building in the summer as an intriguing pick-up from AC Milan, having collected an encouraging seven clean sheets last season from 19 Serie A starts.

The feeling in the air would have been one of expecting the German to take time to acclimatise to his new surroundings, but he has turned into a Premier League warrior effortlessly, with 19-goal menace Erling Haaland even feeling his wrath this season, when the number 12 bravely put an end to one of the Nordic attacker’s darts forward back in November when Newcastle won 2-1.

Averaging 4.9 duels won per league game, on top of registering a 90% pass accuracy, Thiaw looks as if he’s been playing at the peak of his powers in the Premier League for some time, as opposed to just half a season, with the 6-foot-4 titan even lauded as the “future of the club” by Toon captain Bruno Guimaraes.

At just 24 years of age, Thiaw will have aspirations in mind that he can go on to be a mainstay in the Magpies’ defence for the foreseeable future, with Methalie possibly linking up with the Dusseldorf-born defender, another buy with the future firmly in mind, considering the Frenchman will only hit 20 years of age himself in February.

Methalie’s Ligue 1 stats (25/26)

Stat – per 90 mins*

Methalie

Games played

16

Games started

14

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches*

36.4

Accurate passes*

12.7 (77%)

Big chances created

1

Tackles*

2.1

Ball recoveries*

3.5

Total duels won*

4.1

Stats by Sofascore

Much like Thiaw, though, the homegrown Toulouse talent is playing with a maturity beyond his years in Ligue 1, as seen in him averaging 4.1 duels won per top-flight contest this season, during what is his first breakout campaign in the senior set-up.

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With two goals also under his belt for the France U21s, it’s clear that the Les Violets’ number 24 has a bright future in the game, with journalist Alfred Frank going as far as to state that Methalie is the “complete player”, while also hailing him as “one of the best left-backs in Ligue 1”.

This possible move really does have all the ingredients to be another sensational Thiaw capture, with Newcastle never looking back after gambling on the promising 24-year-old to come good on English shores.

With European giants such as Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus previously noted as being keen, the Toon could well have to fend off some fierce competition to land Methalie’s services, as the drama of the January transfer window returns in full swing.

Related Not just Gordon: Howe must bin Newcastle star who "doesn't look interested"

Eddie Howe must now consider axing this Newcastle United stalwart, who is regressing like Anthony Gordon.

Posts 1 ByKelan Sarson

John Blain has won Scottish cricket’s top honour in being named their Allrounder of the Year. Blain picked up the accolade at the Cricket Scotland Annual Awards Dinner in Edinburgh on Wednesday.Blain, the opening bowler and lower-order batsman, was part of Scotland’s World Cup campaign, and also played one-dayers against India and West Indies later on in 2007, taking wickets steadily.Majid Haq won the international bowler’s prize, and Neil McCallum the batsman’s award.Roddy Smith, chief executive of Cricket Scotland, told : “In 2007, the national squad played against all the full Test countries bar New Zealand and England and played cricket in nine countries. Majid, John and Neil have performed consistently well.”

Lancashire have announced that Brad Hodge has signed a new two-year deal which will keep him at Old Trafford until the end of the 2008 season.Hodge has been with Lancashire for two years. In 2006 he played only five Championship matches in between international commitments.Lancashire also confirmed that Paul Horton, Simon Marshall, Iain Sutcliffe, and former Lancashire Academy player Karl Brown have signed new contracts. In addition, James Anderson, Glen Chapple, Mark Chilton, Dominic Cork, Gareth Cross, Steven Croft, Kyle Hogg, Gary Keedy, Mal Loye, Sajid Mahmood, and Tom Smith have all agreed extensions to their existing contracts.

Scorecard

Rumeli Dhar produced an economical spell for India, taking 2 for 19 in six overs © AFP

India’s Under-21 women routed Pakistan women by eight wickets in the third one-day international in Lahore, taking an unbeaten 3-0 in the series, with one match still to be played.India successfully chased a 158-run target after they bundled their opponents out for 157 in 38.5 overs. Pakistan, who went down by 33 runs and 30 runs respectively in the first two matches earlier in the week, once again failed to put up a big total. Only the captain Shamsa Hashmi with 51 and Taskeen Qadir, who hit 44, made an impact.Shamsa, who scored 30 and 41 not out in the first two matches, hit six boundaries and the first six of the series, but received little support from her colleagues. Rumeli Dhar, Diana David and Soujanya Manukonda took two wickets apiece.India reached their target in 32.5 overs with their captain Karuna Jain producing a brilliant 59 and Anagha Deshpande scoring an unbeaten 57.Jain was thrilled with the performance: “It is fantastic to win but the matches were very hard fought. We were given tough fights in the first two matches.”

Brad Hodge joins his third county in four years© Getty Images

Brad Hodge has signed a two-year deal with Lancashire.More details to follow shortly.

As the thousands flocked to The Oval this morning, the majority eager to see England continue yesterday evening’s fightback, not many will have known that today, September 6, is the 123rd anniversary of the start of the very first Test in England. It was played right here at The Oval: England took on Australia, and won by five wickets. The star of the show was, of course, the old bearded monster himself, WG Grace.WG powered his way to 152, the first Test century in the Mother Country, to set up England’s win. Also in that illustrious line-up were two more Grace brothers, Edward (EM) and Fred (GF). Sadly, Fred was dead two weeks later, from pneumonia, but WG lasted another 35 prosperous years. And wandering around the famous old ground this morning, 123 years on from that landmark day, I wondered what the ghost of WG would make of it all now.In one of this morning’s national newspapers, The Oval was described as “a relic of a bygone era”. Well, that might be so, but the great man would surely have been turning in his grave and stroking his crusty old beard in amazement (goodness knows what would have fallen out) if he could see the fun and frolics of the future. The upper classes feasted in the corporate-hospitality boxes decorating either side of the pavilion, while the plebs in the cheap seats gazed up at a giant TV screen erected in the Bedser Stand. And to see what some of them were wearing!Even though the traditional fancy-dress Saturday was a bit lame by Headingley standards, in the Peter May Stand bowler hats had been replaced by baseball caps and, in a few cases, some outrageous mullet wigs. Sadly, there were no manly unkempt beards on display, much to the distress of Pete and Pixie, a couple of players sporting stick-on `taches in the 118 advertisement mould. “We’re on a crusade to get facial hair back in sport,” they cried. And then a blazered youth called Angus Campbell, very much a gentleman rather than a player, insisted that WG would indeed have been disappointed about the lack of beards on show.On a different note, Dave, a South African steward, imagined that the good doctor would have been appalled at the crowd’s bad behaviour, and by how scantily some of the young ladies were dressed, even though he himself didn’t mind. And one of those young ladies, who refused to be named, admitted she didn’t know much about cricket or Grace, but a lot about Jimmy Anderson. Oh, and that Anderson’s got her mate’s number. I don’t know, the youth of today …And it’s not just off the pitch that things have changed, either. There was the sight of both teams warming up before play, as the England batsmen sweated it out in the nets and the South African bowlers aimed at one stump. “Why the bother?” WG would have squeaked. And there were some other people on the pitch as well. Standing smack on the square were two suited-and-booted important-looking men nattering away. They were in fact the suave, bouffanted Mark Nicholas and the stubbly Ian Botham, preparing for their pitch reports and pre-match interviews.Television pundits, journalists, radio commentators: they were all swanning around The Oval in force. But not all had their mind totally on the job. Back up in the press box, fresh from a chat with Nicholas on the state of play, Mike Atherton was quietly tipping Vintage Tipple in the four o’clock at Kempton, and David Lloyd was instructing Jonathan Agnew on the technicalities of fishing. Meanwhile, there was no fishing from Marcus Trescothick and Graham Thorpe out in the middle, much to the delight of the absorbed Oval crowd, and no doubt to the somewhat baffled ghost of WG Grace as well.

Resuming from their overnight position of 277 for 6, England made steady if unspectacular progress toward the very satisfactory total of 407 all out on the second day of the second Test against India at Ahmedabad. It was a memorable day for Craig White who recorded his maiden century at this level, and with two Indian wickets in the bag before the close of play, England certainly enjoyed the better of an interesting day’s play.Bearing in mind the abysmal collapse in the first Test at Mohali, England could not have been sure of reaching 300 at the start of play. However, despite the continued excellence of Anil Kumble, the seventh wicket partnership of White and James Foster went on to set up the chance of going through the 400 barrier.Harbhajan Singh was not far behind Kumble in terms of quality, even if he was a street behind in wicket-taking. Not that he enjoyed any luck. Early in the day he drew White down the pitch, beat him in the air, only to see the ball bounce and hit Deep Dasgupta high on the arm rather than nestling in his gloves to effect the stumping that the bowler deserved.Not content with that, White hoisted Harbhajan over long-on for a six that brought up his own fifty and the fifty partnership with Foster. Foster was playing his part in the stand and when Sourav Ganguly took the new ball, the young wicket-keeper picked up a two and four off Javagal Srinath to bring up the England 300.White continued to lead a charmed life. He played a ball from Srinath down onto his stumps, but the bails remained in place. He offered a simple chance off the same bowler that the wicket-keeper only needed to grasp to complete the dismissal. He dropped it and White, on 63 at the time, survived.White smote the next ball for four, before hooking Srinath towards Kumble at deep backward square leg. Kumble did not quite get to the ball and in dropping the chance damaged himself to the extent that he needed treatment off the field. The booing he suffered from the crowd was hardly justified.Having brought up the hundred partnership, it looked as if the pair could go through to lunch. That was when Kumble induced Foster to play in the air to his favourite mid-wicket region where Sachin Tendulkar dived to his left to hold a spectacular catch. Foster was obviously annoyed with himself for falling ten short of his fifty, but he had played a staunch role by doing more than simply survive for 119 balls.Giles fell soon after lunch when the admirable Kumble got a googly past his defensive prod, leaving White with just Richard Dawson and Matthew Hoggard to accompany him if he was to go to three figures. He began by protecting Dawson, but gained in confidence in his partner as Dawson gained in confidence himself and went through the nineties in singles.His maiden Test century could not be described as chanceless but, however many he might go on to score, this will surely be one of his most valuable. Batting at seven with an average of just over 17 after 23 Tests spread over seven years, he justified the faith Ray Illingworth had shown in him when he first selected him for the national side.Srinath got his reward for earlier misfortune when Dawson eventually offered a sharp chance to Dasgupta after facing 61 balls in a ninth wicket partnership worth 31 good runs, before White was last out.Deciding to go after Harbhajan Singh when he came back into the attack, he thumped him off one knee over mid-wicket for six having advanced down the pitch. He then did the same but missed and was bowled for 121. His innings had lasted for 265 balls and included 12 fours and two sixes. Kumble finished with 7 for 115 from 51 quality overs.These had been five ultimately frustrating sessions in the field for India, but their openers set about the task with a purpose and no sign of tiredness. Flintoff was wayward in his first spell, staying down leg side while striving for the pace that he achieved. Hoggard was steady as usual, but it was Giles who made the breakthrough.Mark Ramprakash had put down a reflex chance at silly point off the bowling of Dawson when Shiv Sunder Das got a leading edge trying to turn the ball to leg. Dasgupta swept and cut Dawson out of the attack, but Giles was in much steadier mode.With a century under his belt at Mohali, Dasgupta went to sweep a ball from the left-arm spinner pitching in the rough and top edged a catch to Nasser Hussain fielding on the forty-five for that very eventuality.Flintoff returned to the attack bowling with less pace but more control and somehow persuaded Das to chase a ball very nearly a foot outside the off stump. Das, on 42 and six overs from the close, should have left it but edged to Mark Butcher who gobbled up the chance at second slip.Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid prevented any further mishap before the close of play, leaving India with plenty to do but undeniably the personnel to do it.

Calcutta, March 15: Mumbai, took a stranglehold in their match againstBengal on the third day of their Ranji Trophy encounter here today.Chasing a victory target of 380 in their second innings, Bengal were67 for the loss of four wickets at stumps. It would now take a superhuman effort on the part of the remaining batsmen to bat out theentire day tomorrow on a pitch that is helping the bowlers.Bengal have themselves to blame for such a position now. Losing thematch outright would mean the failure to add anything to their tallyof 13 points. A situation they are facing because of a decision toplay on an under-prepared wicket. It means that Karnataka who have 11points will be able to make it to last eight stage even if they failto get the first innings lead against Delhi. They would get threepoints which would be sufficient enough to take their tally to 14 andpip Bengal to the second spot in the group. The Bengal think tankshould have realised that on a pitch that would help bowlers, theMumbai team would be better off as they have more variety in theirattack.It was the day of Romesh Powar. The 21-year old playing in his secondRanji Trophy match blasted the Bengal attack after they had done wellto reduce Mumbai to 172 for six at lunch. Powar, in a 77-ball blitz,raced to 92 then finally put the match out of Bengal’s reach. He hit14 boundaries and six over midwicket of Sourashis Lahiri and lookeda strong player of the back foot. In the process he added 104 runs forthe eighth wicket with Rajesh Pawar who scored 30. The latter wasfinally dismissed by Lakshmi Ratan Shukla who had the batsman caughtbehind. Powar on the other hand fell trying to force the pace. Hetried to cut the other Bengal medium pacer Abdul Masood only to becaught by Chatterjee at point.For Bengal Vishal Yadav finished with four wickets, while Shukla,Masood and off-spinner Sourashis Lahiri finished with two apiece. WhenBengal batted, it was Powar’s turn to strike with the ball. Hedismissed the first three Bengal batsmen mixing up his off-spin withthe one that straightens up. Deep Dasgupta and Devang Gandhi bothfailed to read it and were caught plumb in front. Bothe however, madethe cardinal sin of going on to the back foot on a pitch where theball kept low. Powar then tempted Shukla into a drive. The batsmanfailed to keep the ball down and was caught by the bowler himself. Atthe period, Powar spell was 8-2-15-3. The other wicket went to RajeshPawar, who had Srikkanth Kalyani leg before. At stumps Saba karim andRohan Gavaskar on seven apiece were trying to save a match that hadalready slipped from their grasp.

Gio van Bronckhorst’s Rangers sealed their place in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup on Sunday as they won 3-0 away from Ibrox.

Connor Goldson was the quickest to react after Filip Helander’s effort crashed back off the crossbar and put the Gers 1-0 up – his third goal of the campaign in all competitions.

They were then given the perfect chance to double their lead as James Tavernier was brought down in the box after linking up with Aaron Ramsey. The former dusted himself off to tuck the spot-kick away and make it 2-0 to Rangers heading into the second half.

Academy product Alex Lowry, who scored against Stirling Albion in a previous round of the competition, burst away on the break and teed up Fashion Sakala to round out the scoring as the Zambian found the bottom corner to put the clash with Dundee FC to bed.

Although Tavernier got himself on the scoresheet for the 12th time this season and won the penalty himself, another player stole the show from the Gers skipper – Ramsey.

The midfielder caught the eye throughout the game as he impressed in a routine victory for the club. He was given an opportunity to show that he is not at Rangers just to collect a wage before heading back to Turin and he did exactly that by helping them to secure their place in the last four of the competition.

He played a pivotal role in the second goal as his clever play with Tavernier led to the full-back being blocked off, with the Wales international showing off his sharpness to build up the play.

Ramsey, who was praised for his “surging” play in the first half, was hailed by former Scotland captain Colin Hendry as the former professional said: “Aaron Ramsey’s been efficient. He’s hardly given the ball away.”

Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie was also quick to praise the Juventus loanee, Tweeting: “Aaron Ramsey has been really impressive also, taking the ball in with ease and making neat combinations. Fingers crossed he can get a run in the team because his quality is evident.”

The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell Tweeted his appreciation of Ramsey’s performance: “2-0 Rangers! Tavernier converts from the spot after he was brought down in the box. Nice play between him and Ramsey, who looks a lot sharper. It was today to get him going and make a strong start given recent cup struggles. Good display so far.”

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These comments illustrate how influential he was throughout the game, with his calm presence on the ball often allowing his teammates to make runs around him to open up space and drag Dundee players out of position – the penalty incident highlighting this particularly well.

Hopefully, Ramsey will now be able to kick on and enjoy a succession of starts in the Europa League and Premiership to help Rangers win some silverware this season.

AND in other news, Cost £2.2m, now worth 145% more: Rangers struck gold on “consistent” £18k-p/w dynamo…

Shoaib Akhtar is the latest player set to join the IPL © AFP

Shoaib Akhtar is set to join the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has sought permission from Pakistan’s cricket authorities.”I have been approached by the Indian Premier League and I have applied for permission from the Pakistan Cricket Board to sign the contract,” Akhtar told AFP on Saturday. “I have always liked the Indian crowd and have always loved to play in India. Hopefully I will be in the Pakistan team for next month’s tour there and will also play in the league.”Mohammad Yousuf, the Pakistan middle-order batsman, and eight Sri Lankan cricketers, including Muttiah Muralitharan and Mahela Jayawardene, have already signed with the IPL.The IPL – sanctioned by the International Cricket Council – is a Twenty20 competition scheduled to be launched next April. It will offer US$3 million in prize money and feature eight franchises participating in a 56-game season. The top four teams will then face off in the semi-finals, with the winners contesting the championship match.