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Steve Magoffin celebrated a 10-wicket haul for the fourth time in his career but he could end up on the losing side with Worcestershire favourites to see off a Sussex run chase in teir bid to finish runners-up in Division Two

ECB Reporters Network13-Sep-2016
ScorecardSteve Magoffin finished with 10 wickets in the match•Getty ImagesSteve Magoffin celebrated a ten-wicket match haul for the fourth time in his Sussex career but Worcestershire are favourites to beat them and improve their chances of claiming runners-up spot in Division Two of the Specsavers County Championship.Magoffin followed his first innings 5 for 38 by taking 5 for 32 from 15 overs as Worcestershire were dismissed for 198 in their second innings on another day of rich entertainment in which 17 wickets fell and 390 runs were scored.It has left Sussex with a victory target of 272 on a pitch still offering plenty of assistance to the seam bowlers and they suffered a big blow in the final over of the day when Chris Nash was leg before to Joe Leach. They will resume on 13 for 1, still needing 259 to win.Worcestershire had claimed a crucial first innings lead of 77 but Magoffin had them in trouble immediately when Daryl Mitchell was caught at cover off a leading edge from the first ball of the innings.Magoffin ‘best in division’

Mark Davis, Sussex coach: “Steve Magoffin bowled magnificently again on a pitch where you can score runs quite quickly. In the last few games he has been absolutely fantastic for us and here he got great support from the other seamers, particularly David Wiese. It was great to see Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer batting so intelligently. CJ is a bit of a mentor to Jofra and it showed – their partnership might turn out to be absolutely crucial.”
Matt Mason, Worcestershire assistant coach: “Our batsmen think Steve Magoffin is the best new-ball bowler in the division and he showed it again, I thought he was magnificent for them.

Magoffin struck again in this second over when Chris Nash pulled off a superb diving catch at second slip to remove Brett D’Oliveira. Magoffin has now claimed the wickets of 22 opening batsmen this season – the best record in the country – but Worcestershire rallied thanks to a stand of 68 between Tom Fell and Joe Clarke.Throughout the game, though, wickets have fallen in clusters and it happened again when three fell in the space of 18 balls. Wiese picked up Clarke (35) when he mis-timed a drive to extra cover before George Rhodes (6) was leg before offering no shot in the South African’s next over.Tom Kohler-Cadmore was leg before to Jofra Archer to register his fourth successive duck and leave his side 76 for 5 but once again Fell led a recovery, this time with Ben Cox. Together they added 113 in 24 overs with left-arm spinner Danny Briggs targeted as he had been in the first innings. Cox struck him down the ground for two sixes while Fell pushed on after being dropped by Nash on 57.Magoffin was summoned back into the attack and immediately made the breakthrough when Fell, trying to cut, was surprised by extra bounce and edged behind for 85, made from 126 balls with 12 fours.In his next over a full-length delivery was too good for Cox (56) and Magoffin completed his five-for when he yorked Miguel Cummins.Wiese gave him excellent support, picking up the last two wickets to finish with 4 for 18, his best figures for the county.Worcestershire would have been in an even better position had Chris Jordan not led some spirited resistance by Sussex’s lower order earlier in the day.From a parlous 71 for 7 he helped the last three wickets put on 158 of which his own contribution was an unbeaten 57. An enterprising stand of 97 with Archer ensured Sussex avoided the follow-on but it was their fellow Barbadian Cummins who stole the show.The Worcestershire paceman finished with figures of 7 for 84 after picking up four more wickets in a high-quality display down the slope on a pitch offering him plenty of encouragement.

The cusp of immortality. A feverish sense of anticipation emanates across East London and Prague as West Ham prepare for one of the biggest games in their history.

They play Fiorentina in the last stage of the Europa Conference League Final – their first European showpiece since 1976.

David Moyes is not a man prone to experimentation, rotation, or romantic storylines – there is no room for error, and his most trusted lineup must start the occasion.

On the final day of the Premier League season, with safety already secured, the Scotsman named a much-changed side.

One of his ever-presents that was rested at the King Power Stadium was Jarrod Bowen, whose recent rise in popularity and stardom has been a fantastic spectacle over the past couple of years.

The 26-year-old cannot contain his excitement for the final and said: “When I first signed, I couldn’t in my wildest dreams have thought about playing in a major European final three years later, so to be here and so close to winning a trophy for all of us and do to it with players who are my teammates and friends for everybody would be so special. That’s what our focus is on.”

Bowen has been an imperious asset for the Hammers, and he could write his name into Irons folklore tonight.

Why is Jarrod Bowen so important to West Ham?

In the last three Premier League campaigns, the former Hull City starlet has registered 49 goal involvements in 112 outings and has been a formidable component of a Hammers side that secured consecutive top-half finishes and has reached this monumental final.

During this phenomenal upsurge, the £60k-per-week man also received his first England call-up in June 2022.

On West Ham’s endearing journey to the verge of glory, Bowen has been at the centre and Moyes has recognised his contribution, saying: “He has been very much part of the journey from a team third-fourth bottom of the Premier League to a team challenging to be fourth-fifth in the Premier League.

“You have all the right characteristics with Jarrod whether it be a starter or a non-starter.”

Although he has endured a quieter season, Bowen has still emerged as the hub of West Ham’s productivity and creativity – he is the club’s joint top-scorer in the Premier League with Said Benrahma (6), without having the advantage of being the designated penalty-taker.

The four-cap international has also averaged the second-most key passes in the squad (1.3), as his effervescence and final ball have been imperative to attacking sequences.

Described as “unbelievable” by Jurgen Klopp, it would surprise no one if Bowen emerged as the hero tonight, and it would be fitting when considering his input across the years.

Julian Nagelsmann was unhappy with Chelsea's recruitment process before deciding not to become their new manager, according to reliable journalist Mike Keegan.

How close was Nagelsmann to the job?

The Blues have gone through a tumultuous time of things this season, sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League as the campaign gradually reaches its conclusion. Both Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter have been sacked since August, with neither impressing in charge, and Frank Lampard is in the Stamford Bridge hot seat until the end of the campaign.

Since Potter's dismissal, the search has been on to find his long-term successor, and for a long time, it looked as though Nagelsmann was the clear front-runner to become the new Chelsea boss. He has since backed of the race, however, deciding against taking the job and looking elsewhere after his surprise sacking at Bayern Munich.

The news came a shock to many, but now the reasoning behind the 35-year-old declining the job has emerged.

Why didn't German take charge of Blues?

Writing for The Daily Mail, Keegan claimed that Nagelsmann wasn't enamoured by the entire process, growing frustrated when Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali turned their attentions towards Mauricio Pochettino and Vincent Kompany:

"Julian Nagelsmann pulled out of the running to become the next Chelsea manager after harbouring serious concerns over the recruitment process, sources have disclosed.

"The German is understood to have been under the impression that the job was his and that talks were a formality. However, unease grew following a succession of meetings, and reports that managers such as Mauricio Pochettino and Vincent Kompany were also being considered."

This update has to lead to question marks over the manner in which Chelsea handled this situation – essentially, they have blown the chance to land one of Europe's brightest manager because of their scattergun approach. Boehly and his right-hand man Egbali clearly have a way of going about things, and while they are within the right to do things exactly the way they want to, it feels like it has backfired in regard to Nagelsmann.

This is such a crucial period in Chelsea's recent history, in terms of getting the right man in and making sure the Blues keep in touch with their Premier League rivals, and having missed out on Nagelsmann, it is essential that the next-best option is hired, whether it be Pochettino, Kompany of somebody else.

At the moment, too many poor decisions are being made at the club, both on and off the pitch, and it is no surprise that the team are struggling because of it.

Arsenal are in talks to sign Brentford goalkeeper David Raya and sell USA international shot-stopper Matt Turner to Nottingham Forest, according to reports.

Who will Arsenal sign?

Mikel Arteta has been seriously backed in this summer transfer window, with Arsenal spending over £200 million on three major signings so far.

The big one is England international star Declan Rice, who swapped West Ham for the Emirates Stadium in a deal worth a club-record £105 million (including £5 million in add-ons).

He joins both winger Kai Havertz, who signed for £65m from Chelsea, and versatile Netherlands international defender Jurrien Timber following his £38m Ajax transfer.

Despite their huge outlay, reports have suggested that the possibility of further signings is very likely, and it is believed sporting director Edu is looking firm up Arsenal's goalkeeping options.

Reliable media sources, like transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, have claimed that Brenford's Raya has already reached an agreement with Arsenal on personal terms.

Fellow reporter Pete O'Rourke, writing for Football Insider, echoes Romano's point that the Gunners are in talks to sign the Spaniard.

However, it appears Arsenal are plotting a one in, one out double transfer, as they're also in simultaneous negotiations to offload Turner to Nottingham Forest.

"Arsenal are in talks to sign Brentford goalkeeper David Raya and sell backup shot-stopper Matt Turner to Nottingham Forest," wrote O'Rourke.

"It is believed the framework of each deal is close to being agreed."

The report adds that Brentford have placed a £40 million price tag on Raya's head, while Turner comes as a Forest alternative target to Dean Henderson.

Despite being the USA's number one, Turner has been exclusively used as a backup option to Ramsdale, meaning Arsenal are happy to let him depart for the City Ground.

What's been said about David Raya?

Brentford boss Thomas Frank, commenting on Raya's first ever Spain call up last year, revered his keeper's "very aggressive" style of play and mentality.

"I think that mentality we all know, or mental state in the game, the mindset is so important," said Frank.

"So that's one thing you know you're only building stronger with your setbacks. You can't have a strong mentality if you don't have any setbacks.

"He's been on the radar from the Federation of Spain, I'm pleased to see him there. I think it shows definitely a lot of credit to him because there's a lot of good goalkeepers for Spain."

According to WhoScored, the "exceptional" Raya stood out as one of Brentford's best-performing players per 90, all while playing more league minutes than any other Bees player.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was also full of praise for the keeper's distribution in late 2021, coming after Raya wreaked havoc with some of his balls in behind the Reds.

“The goalkeeper could have the shirt with No 10,” the Liverpool manager said.

“He played a few incredible balls but it was the right thing to do against us today.”

An update has emerged regarding Manchester United’s pursuit of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, and it will come as good news to Erik ten Hag as he aims to significantly bolster his attack ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

How much will Dusan Vlahovic cost?

Having been linked with a move for the Serbian hitman earlier this summer, Italian news outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Man United News) are reporting that Juventus have lowered their asking price to just €65m (£55m) and this could tempt Ten Hag into making a move for the player.

The Serie A side had previously valued him at around €80m (£68m) according to the same publication, and although it still represents a large fee, it is much lower than previously expected.

The Old Trafford outfit made a bid to sign Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund, which included a players plus cash deal, according to The Athletic, yet it was booted out by the Italian side as they aren’t looking to budge from their £86m price tag that has been set for the youngster.

Vlahovic then, could turn into an ideal alternative for Hojlund should any potential move fail to materialise during the transfer window.

Could Manchester United sign Dusan Vlahovic?

The Red Devils have made just one acquisition this summer, luring Mason Mount from Chelsea and although this is certainly a step in the right direction with regard to bolstering his attacking options, Ten Hag now needs a proper centre forward to join ahead of next term.

Only Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes scored more than ten goals for the club throughout the whole of last season and the Dutchman will be looking for another one or two players who could arrive and boost this area.

Despite conceding just 43 goals in 38 league matches, United scored only 58 goals, with all but two of the top ten scoring more than them and this heightens their need for a player who could score plenty.

Vlahovic didn’t enjoy the best season for Juventus compared to previous years, yet he still managed to score 14 goals and grab four assists across all competitions, and he could prove to be a big upgrade on Anthony Martial, who managed just 12 goal contributions in comparisons.

Indeed, not only does the Serbian score more than Martial, he has also registered more shots per 90 (3.12 to 2.26), taken more touches in the attacking penalty area (144 to 58) and made more progressive carries into the final third (29 to 15) suggesting that his game revolves around more than just scoring, and he puts himself in excellent positions to shoot often and also in order to create chances for others.

Lauded as a “monster” by journalist Carlo Garganese, Vlahovic, as evidenced by the statistics, offers a more well round approach than Martial, while also being capable of scoring more often and this should tempt Ten Hag into making a move for him this summer.

The fee of £55m may seem a lot on the surface, but in terms of value for money and the chance to further develop the 23-year-old at United, it could be a wise investment by the club.

R Ashwin and Mohammed Shami finished with combined second-innings figures of 43.3-12-100-7 as India completed a 3-0 whitewash with an innings win in Pallekele

The Report by Karthik Krishnaswamy14-Aug-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details7:19

‘Mathews, Tharanga and Chandimal need to set an example’

At 2.46 pm on Monday, when Lahiru Kumara played down the wrong line of an R Ashwin carrom ball, India achieved something they had done only once before. Until then, they had only once won three Tests in an away series, back in 1967-68, when they beat New Zealand 3-1.Now the scoreline was even more impressive, a 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, each Test won with a fearsome victory margin: 304 runs, an innings and 53 runs, and now, inside three days, an innings and 171 runs. Plenty has and will be said about the lack of quality in Sri Lanka’s squad, and plenty of that is true, but India’s dominance had just as much to do with their growing into a truly formidable side, with all bases covered, even – in this respect differing from previous Indian sides – on the bowling front.The last day of the series showcased India’s attack at its relentless best, in particular Ashwin and Mohammed Shami, who finished with combined second-innings figures of 43.3-12-100-7 to hasten Sri Lanka’s defeat.After a solitary over from Kuldeep Yadav to start the day, Shami and Ashwin bowled in tandem right through the first hour of day three, setting the tone for a day with no respite for Sri Lanka. Ashwin struck in his first over of the day, removing Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka’s second-innings specialist. Karunaratne might have been fresh off a hundred in the previous Test, but managed to pick neither the line nor length of the second and third balls he faced from Ashwin.This was one of those days when the ball just comes out perfectly from Ashwin’s hand, when batsmen cannot predict with any sense of certainty where it will land. First up, a big offbreak beat Karunaratne’s outside edge by a long way, his front foot planted down the wrong line thanks to the drift into him. Then, stuck on the crease to a quicker one that took off from a length, he was caught at slip off the shoulder of his bat.Dimuth Karunaratne had his outside edge pouched by Ajinkya Rahane at slip•AFPAt the other end, every ball from Shami looked likely to dismiss the nightwatchman Malinda Pushpakumara, with the TV producers lingering on slow-motion replays of his perfectly upright seam. Having beaten him four times with balls that held their line after angling into the fourth-stump channel, Shami finally found his edge through to Wriddhiman Saha in his fourth over of the day.Kusal Mendis, the other centurion in Sri Lanka’s second-innings resistance at the SSC, was jittery at the crease right from the start, getting himself into tangles in the effort to put the bowlers off their rhythm. Predictably, he tried sweeping Ashwin as often as he could, but this time he wasn’t as successful in picking up the offspinner’s changes of pace and trajectory. On one occasion, he adjusted to the dip, collapsing his back knee and leaning backwards to manufacture room for a swipe through backward square leg. On another, he had to hurriedly change his shot and play a defensive jab into the leg side instead.Mendis was stuck at Ashwin’s end for the first 16 balls of his innings. Finally, facing Shami, he received a rare bad ball – a short, wide one – that he slapped away to the point boundary. The next ball, though, he paid the price for trying to manufacture a scoring opportunity. Spotting his shuffle across the crease, Shami went wide of the crease and fired one in, full and straight. Rod Tucker gave him out as soon as Shami began appealing, penalising his across-the-line shot as much as anything else, with the line suggesting the ball may have carried on past leg stump. Mendis did not review, and ball-tracking returned an umpire’s-call verdict.Chandimal had been the most assured Sri Lankan batsman in the first innings, especially against pace, and a couple of flowing drives through the off side off Umesh Yadav gave the same impression in the second innings too. He was less certain against Ashwin, though, and in one over had two lbw appeals turned down, the ball beating his sweep both times, with his long front-and-across stretch saving him.Chandimal and Angelo Mathews saw Sri Lanka through to lunch, and for a further 8.2 overs after the interval, putting on 65 for the fifth wicket in 27.4 overs. Having survived those lbw shouts, Chandimal put away the sweep, and began instead to use his feet to the spinners. He didn’t always get to the pitch against Ashwin, and a couple of inside edges flew dangerously close of short leg.A catch at short leg eventually sent Chandimal back, though off Kuldeep rather than Ashwin, turn and bounce cramping him as he went back to flick. Then Mathews, looking to sweep a full ball off the stumps, missed, and Ashwin had his second wicket. He soon had his third too, Dilruwan Perera slogging him to deep midwicket.With Sri Lanka seven down, the quicks returned to try and finish things quickly. Lakshan Sandakan top-edged a cut off Shami, and then Niroshan Dickwella, who top scored with a typically punchy 41, fell to a stunning reflex catch from Ajinkya Rahane at gully, when he middled an open-faced slash to his left off Umesh. Shami could have had a fourth, when Vishwa Fernando chipped one straight back at him, but the one-handed effort fell to the floor, leaving Ashwin to return and take the last wicket, swelling his series-topping tally to 17.

Given the presence of four Full Members and the high-stakes nature of the tournament, good viewership figures can be expected, but bringing it to that audience might not yet be a cost-effective undertaking

Nagraj Gollapudi03-Mar-20181:41

All you need to know about the World Cup Qualifiers

For the first time ever, the ICC is set to broadcast matches from its World Cup qualifier event. Ten of the 34 games have been earmarked, including all of the Super Six stage and the final. Still, the ICC will be asked why it is not telecasting the rest of the matches.The interest in this qualifier is far greater than for previous editions, partly because of the participation of four Full Members – two old ones in West Indies and Zimbabwe and two new ones in Afghanistan and Ireland – in a pool of 10 teams. Only two will advance to join the eight Full Members already booked for the 2019 World Cup. With the additional presence of established Associates like Netherlands, Scotland, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and the UAE, wider interest is a given.And given that cricket is still attempting – with however much conviction – to enter the Olympics fold, it would seem to make good sense to showcase its popularity and reach by streaming the qualifiers over a digital platform.Obviously, right? Not so much. This will be the third qualifier of its kind the ICC has hosted, but the previous two – in 2009 and 2014 – were not broadcast. The ICC had actually streamed four matches, including the final, during the 2014 Qualifier in New Zealand.* But the viewership, it is understood, was not so strong. However, four years later, with the likes of Afghanistan climbing into to the upper echelons of international cricket and the smaller Associates aspiring to take bigger steps, the appetite to consume is bigger. So by actually committing to broadcasting ten matches from this event, the ICC Board (which is made up of the various member boards, remember) feels it has already taken a forward-looking step and, based on its success, the next qualifier in 2022 could have even more matches available for the world to see.Though the ICC owns the production rights for its global tournaments, the digital rights are with Star Sports, which has rights till the 2023 World Cup. The ICC could stream in partnership with Star and is also aware of the advantages of streaming matches live over a digital platform.ICCAccording to one official from a prominent member board, the way the ICC’s digital live streaming rights are split geographically is unique. In most territories the digital rights are owned by Hotstar, according to the official, but there are pockets where Star will not stream and where the ICC can do if it so wishes.The ICC is capable of streaming matches and has the resources. Even during last year’s women’s World Cup, ten matches were broadcast live on TV. The remaining 21 were streamed live and the ICC produced content good enough for it to distribute it to different countries. Yet tournaments like the women’s World Cup, the Under-19 World Cup and the World Cup qualifiers are not, ultimately, profit-making tournaments.To stream matches for a tournament like a qualifier – with limited commercial appeal for now – is not cost-effective, especially when as many as four matches per day are scheduled during the group stages, played at four venues – two in Bulawayo and two in Harare. It is not just the cost of having the technology in place, but also the cameras, crews, commentators and graphics team.Ultimately, all these add up to costs that the members do not want to contribute to because it cuts into the percentage of profits the ICC distributes to them from global events. The budget for organising a global event comes from the subscription money member boards pay. So if the qualifier does not generate any revenue, and the broadcaster does not want to stream the matches, the ICC has to bear the costs, which consequently will affect member revenues.But, keeping in mind the sizeable and growing interest in smaller countries like Afghanistan and Nepal, the ICC has hired crews who will shoot 90-second clips of the matches that are not being broadcast but will be shared globally with fans.

Leeds United have gone through a summer of change so far as they have had to deal with relegation from the Premier League and a host of players moving out of the door at Elland Road.

Who has left Leeds this summer?

Tyler Roberts, Adam Forshaw, Joel Robles, and Rodrigo have all departed on permanent deals, whilst Marc Roca, Rasmus Kristensen, Brendan Aaronson, and Robin Koch have left on loan.

Manager Sam Allardyce also moved on at the end of last season, after he failed to maintain the club's place at the top table, and has been replaced by German head coach Daniel Farke.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

The former Norwich tactician has been able to make one addition to his side to date, as Ethan Ampadu has joined on a permanent deal from Chelsea.

One player who could be on his way to Elland Road before the summer transfer window slams shut is Coventry City star Gustavo Hamer, as he has been linked with a switch to Yorkshire.

How good is Gustavo Hamer?

The Dutch maestro is an exceptional Championship performer, as his Sofascore rating of 7.35 placed him third within the entire league last term, whose ability to create for others could allow him to get the best out of misfiring Leeds forward Patrick Bamford.

Farke could get the ex-Chelsea striker back on the goal trail by signing Hamer to be an outstanding provider of opportunities from a midfield position.

Last season, the 26-year-old maestro racked up ten assists and created 16 'big chances' for his teammates. He also provided 1.8 key passes per game across 41 appearances outside of the play-offs.

Meanwhile, no Leeds player produced more than 1.5 key passes per match and Jack Harrison created the most 'big chances' for the team with nine.

Journalist and transfer insider Dean Jones compared Hamer to ex-Leeds star Pablo Hernandez, who assisted 21 goals in his last two second-tier seasons with the club, by saying that he could be a "Hernandez-type" figure under Farke.

This suggests that Hamer has the potential to be the German's main creative threat in the heart of midfield, which could benefit Bamford by allowing more room for error with his finishing as opportunities would come his way more frequently thanks to the Coventry gem's playmaking invention.

The Leeds centre-forward only scored six goals in 37 Premier League matches over the last two seasons but when fully fit, he had plundered 17 goals in 38 top-flight outings during the 2020/21 campaign.

He also managed an impressive 16 strikes in 45 Championship clashes throughout the 2019/20 title-winning campaign under Marcelo Bielsa, which shows that the ex-Middlesbrough loanee has the quality to be a terrific goalscorer for the Whites in each of the top two divisions.

Hamer's creativity could be the key to helping Bamford to rediscover his touch in front of goal as the Coventry star, who also scored 11 goals last term, has the ability to consistently provide the striker with the chances he needs to be a lethal scorer next season.

Therefore, Farke must push the club to complete a deal for the £5.2k-per-week whiz over the coming weeks in order to revive the former England international whilst also adding a sensational midfielder to his squad.

The FIFPRO Women's World Best XI was announced at The Best awards on Monday with England and Spain players dominating.

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Seven Lionesses make cutAitana Bonmati and Sam Kerr also includedMorgan the sole USWNT representativeWHAT HAPPENED?

awards ceremony kicked off Monday afternoon, and the top 11 footballers around the world in the women's game were represented in the XI. England and Spain dominated the XI, while Alex Morgan was the sole representative from the USWNT.

AdvertisementGettyWHO MADE THE 2023 FIFA FIFPRO WOMEN'S WORLD 11?

England and Manchester United star Mary Earps was named as the team's goalkeeper alongside team-mates Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Ella Tone, Keira Walsh, Alessia Russo and Lauren James. Spain's World Cup final goalscorer Olga Carmona and Aitana Bonmati were also included, as were Australia hero Sam Kerr and USWNT's Alex Morgan, who is named in the team of the year for the sixth time.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

It is no surprise to see the XI dominated by players from England and Spain after the two teams made it to the World Cup final in 2023. Spain went on to lift the crown with a 1-0 win in Sydney. England manager Sarina Wiegman was named The Best FIFA Women's Coach while Earps took home The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper prize.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

England and Spain will hope to build on their excellent performances at the 2023 World Cup when they compete in the 2025 European Championship. The draw for the qualifying phase will take place on March 5 before the competition kicks off in Switzerland in July next year.

Sunderland’s Championship season began in frustrating fashion as they lost 2-1 to newly promoted Ipswich Town at the Stadium of Light.

It was a damaging lack of potency and end-product that robbed the Black Cats of any points. In the match, they managed 66% possession and 20 shots, but just four of those were on target.

Sunderland began the affair with recently-signed Luis Semedo up top, but to place an over-reliance on a 19-year-old who has never played English football before is a questionable strategy and they must look to dip back into the market.

This was recognised by manager Tony Mowbray, who said:

“Hopefully there will be some more attacking options in the building in the next week or two, they'll have to settle into the environment and get used to everybody.”

Therefore, another attacking option that Sunderland could possibly turn to is Tom Cannon.

What’s the latest on Tom Cannon to Sunderland?

According to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, several second-tier sides including Preston, Stoke, Birmingham, and Sunderland are interested in signing the 20-year-old.

However, that bid has not been formalised due to Ross Stewart’s presence at the club. The Scot is currently out injured and Mowbray expects him to return to action in “six or seven weeks”, but if he does leave then Cannon can be considered as his replacement.

Would Tom Cannon be a good signing for Sunderland?

Cannon is a youth product of Everton and has been at the club since 2012, before signing his first professional contract in 2021.

For the Toffees’ U18 and U21 sides, the striker has registered 65 goal contributions in 97 outings. However, despite forming a spectacular reputation, the Irishman has been limited to just three appearances for the senior team.

The £7.5k-per-week man may feel especially overlooked when you consider Everton’s rotten goal-scoring record.

Last term, the Merseyside outfit only bagged 35 times in the Premier League and dramatically avoided relegation on the final day.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin only started 15 games due to persistent injuries, whilst Neal Maupay has netted just once in his Everton career.

Meanwhile, Cannon was sent out on loan to Preston in January 2023 and scored eight goals in 19 starts.

Hull City boss Liam Rosenior described the youngster as “outstanding”, with Preston midfielder Ryan Ledson extending this praise, saying:

“Tom Cannon has been absolutely brilliant. He’s a credit to himself and Everton Football Club. Since the second he’s come through the door he’s worked hard, got his head down and he’s a nice kid.

“He’s 20 years of age, has the world at his feet and all he needs to do is focus on himself and scoring goals because he can go wherever he wants to be.”

If Sunderland moved for Cannon, it could see a repeat of their Ellis Simms trick.

Last summer, the Wearside giants signed the Englishman on loan from Everton, and he notched nine goal involvements in 14 starts.

Whilst in impressive form, he was recalled by Everton to aid their relegation battle. He admirably deputised for Stewart, who has missed 38 games for the club through injury.

If Simms had spent the whole season at Sunderland, he could've allowed the Black Cats to formulate a more threatening promotion bid, paving an interesting storyline for Cannon if he follows suit.

Therefore, counting on Stewart and his patchy fitness record is a risky strategy and with Cannon waiting in the wings with the promise of more regular minutes, it could be an inspired piece of business.