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Premier League side Wolves have reportedly planned for Matija Sarkic’s return to the first-team with a view to promote him to the number two goalkeeping spot.

While Sarkic is currently loaned out to Shrewsbury Town, it seems as if Wolves are prepared to bring him back and put him behind Rui Patricio in the goalkeeping pecking order.

Sarkic set for Wolves recall

Football Insider have reported about Sarkic’s situation, saying that he has made an impression in his loan spell at Shrewsbury Town and that has caught the attention of people at Wolves. They are now set to hand him a chance as Rui Patricio’s back-up  and they feel confident that he can perform that role in the Premier League.

They even believe that the Montenegro youngster has the ability to become a future number one at Wolves.

He did want to leave the club last year, but Wolves activated the option to extend his contract by a further 12 months. He could now be ready to replace John Ruddy as the number two between the sticks.

Sarkic had joined Wolves from Villa on a free transfer in 2020 and was loaned out in September last year. He has made 23 starts in all competitions for Shrewsbury this season, keeping nine clean sheets.

Sarkic could be a steady Ruddy replacement

Considering Sarkic’s travels in the lower leagues, he is slowly getting first-team experience and that can come in handy at Wolves.

Ruddy is now 34 and he hasn’t played even once in the Premier League this season. He has played in cup competitions, but he isn’t getting any younger and Wolves may need a more youthful option.

Sarkic may become that player, considering his age and because he’s getting first-team football, so it can’t be a bad idea to recall Sarkic and at least give him a chance to shine.

In other news, a Wolves forward could be set for an exit – read more here.

With the summer transfer window coming up in a few months, one of Leeds’ priorities must surely be to sell Kiko Casilla.

With reports back in December and January claiming that the club are eyeing up the likes of Sam Johnstone and Seny Dieng, it’s clear that the goalkeeping department is something Leeds are planning on reinforcing.

The £40k-a-week earning Casilla has lost his place at Elland Road after Illan Meslier’s emergence onto the scene, and when he has been called upon this campaign, he hasn’t delivered the goods.

Speaking after Leeds’ FA Cup loss to Crawley Town earlier this season, journalist Daniel Storey, slammed: “I think Kiko Casilla was the other game-changer in a negative sense because I don’t think he should be playing for Leeds for non-football reasons, but he probably shouldn’t be playing for Leeds for football reasons after today.

“He just looked so short of confidence that the second goal just completely went through him at his near post. I think it was disappointing that he was picked and I kind of saw it as karma doesn’t really have a sell-by date and two or three years down the line, he’s come undone maybe.”

And, speaking about him last year, Noel Whelan said the 34-year-old: “He’s an accident waiting to happen at the moment. His body language is terrible and you can see the defence are losing confidence in him, they’re fearful and thinking, ‘can we trust him anymore?’”

Leeds TV podcaster, Oscar Mario, meanwhile, simply dubbed him as a “complete liability”.

Given all the off-the-pitch controversy, and the fact that Meslier has clearly established himself as Leeds’ number one, it’s surely the perfect time for the Whites to offload the Spaniard this summer.

With just a solitary 90 minutes of first-team action in the Premier League, and just 270 minutes of competitive football in total this season, Casilla has just been picking up a pay-cheque for doing virtually nothing.

It makes no sense for Leeds to be paying a decent chunk of money to someone who’s got no hope of getting into the first-team, and the club would surely be better off reinvesting that money elsewhere.

He’s just been rinsing Andrea Radrizzani dry for far too long.

Meanwhile, Victor Orta pulled off an absolute masterclass for Leeds with this signing…

Newcastle United have a great chance to put distance between themselves and the Premier League relegation zone when they visit Burnley on Sunday after Fulham were beaten 1-0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Steve Bruce’s Magpies can move six points clear of the bottom three and retain a game in hand over the Cottagers with a win at Turf Moor, where Sean Dyche’s Clarets have failed to win their last six top-flight games.

However, Newcastle have struggled for results on their travels all season, with the St James’ Park outfit winning just three of their 15 away league games – only West Bromwich Albion (two) and Sheffield United (one) have won fewer.

Bruce faces a number of selection decisions as players return from injuries and some head for the treatment room. With that in mind, here’s a potential line-up the Toon may field at Burnley…

Newcastle will arrive at Turf Moor brimming with confidence after taking a point at home to Tottenham Hotspur last time out, but will be expected to make as many as four changes from the line-up which faced Jose Mourinho’s side.

Jamaal Lascelles opened the Spurs affair in central defence alongside Paul Dummett and Emil Krafth but has been ruled out of the Burnley game with a fractured foot, while Krafth is likely to be replaced after struggling in a centre-back role.

Ciaran Clark could come back into the team after watching last weekend’s game from the bench, while Federico Fernandez is expected to be available for his first appearance since January following a spell out with a calf injury.

Matt Ritchie came in for his first appearance since a training ground bust-up with Bruce to start at left-back against Spurs while Jacob Murphy thrived at right-back, and both will expect to retain their roles in front of Martin Dubravka’s net.

“Matty played very well. I never hold a grudge – our row is forgotten,” Bruce said after the Spurs draw, via quotes shared by The Guardian. “That’s the best we’ve played for a long, long time, so there’s a tinge of disappointment we didn’t win.”

Jonjo Shelvey and Sean Longstaff will be expected to retain their positions in midfield, with Joe Willock returning to the starting line-up to occupy the right-hand role of the three-man line after scoring the late equaliser against Spurs.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-newcastle-news%2c-gossip-and-views-2″ title=”The latest Newcastle news, gossip and views!”]

Miguel Almiron started in a deeper role against Tottenham but will likely move back into an advanced position to pull the strings behind the strikers, with Bruce potentially able to field his first-choice front three for the first time since beating Southampton 3-2 on February 6.

Bruce lost Callum Wilson to a hamstring injury 36 minutes into the Saints affair and has been without Newcastle’s 10-goal top scorer since, but is hopeful the ex-Bournemouth frontman – who Kevin Phillips has described as “excellent” – has now overcome his issue.

“I’m sure everyone’s asking about whether Callum and Allan [Saint-Maximin] will be in the squad,” Bruce said on Friday. “We’ve still got two days of training – we train today and tomorrow [Saturday] – but Callum and Allan have trained all week, so that’s good news for us that they’re available.”

Bruce starting Wilson and Saint-Maximin will see Dwight Gayle and Joelinton drop out of the team, despite the latter scoring the opener against Tottenham for his first Premier League goal in 15 appearances.

However, Wilson can offer Newcastle a game-changing option, who Rob Lee exclusively told Football FanCast: “He makes a difference, it’s genuinely that simple. Out of all the clubs down the bottom, no one [else] has got a goalscorer [like him].”

AND in other news, Newcastle have landed a boost in the race to sign a £26m target backed to be “one of the best in Europe”…

Speaking exclusively with Football FanCast, Carlton Palmer has backed Josh Windass to win a place in Sheffield Wednesday’s starting XI under new manager Darren Moore.

Windass has been “frustrated” by his lack of playing time, something former caretaker boss Neil Thompson revealed last month, but was given a start in the recent 3-2 defeat to Luton Town and did not disappoint.

The 27-year-old managed to bag himself two goals on the day in a display that will surely give his new boss something to think about ahead of that all-important clash against Rotherham United on Wednesday.

They were his fourth and fifth of the Championship campaign, and Palmer is now hoping to see him kick on amid what has been a difficult period not just for the player, but the club as a whole.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about Windass’ recent performance, Palmer said:

“He’s now scored two goals. So, you know, I expect Darren to select him. I’m sure he’ll be speaking to Thompson, who knows the players really well. And I would assume that Josh will start the next game. You would expect to as a player if you scored two goals, and then the rest is down to him.”

While Windass will surely be keen to impress if selected for the visit of Rotherham as he looks to nail down a regular position in Wednesday’s XI, his biggest concern will undoubtedly be securing the three points.

Paul Wayne’s side are only one point ahead of the Owls, albeit with a game in hand, so a win could really help change the complexion of the relegation battle.

Steve Bruce must axe Jeff Hendrick from his Newcastle United squad after the summer signing proved to be a complete dud once again in Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Aston Villa.

Hendrick was recalled to the starting line-up after falling to the bench for last week’s 3-0 defeat at Arsenal and was given his first Premier League appearance in central midfield since November when beaten 2-0 at Southampton.

Newcastle have now only won in one of their six top-flight fixtures in which Bruce has fielded Hendrick centrally, after a completely abject performance at Villa Park that Chronicle Live summed up in one word: Anonymous.

Bruce’s decision to field Hendrick was also quizzed by The Northern Echo, who likewise slammed the 60-cap Republic of Ireland midfielder for being anonymous once more in Birmingham and questions have to be raised over his inclusion.

Hendrick’s only moment of real value against Dean Smith’s Villans came deep into stoppage time, well beyond when his number should have been shown, with the 28-year-old’s through ball finding Dwight Gayle in the box.

Gayle could only flick his effort wide as Newcastle laboured to defeat with just one shot on target from seven attempts, coming through Miguel Almiron in the fourth-minute.

Hendrick had an effort on Emiliano Martinez’s net of his own in the first-minute of second-half stoppage-time, but failed to see the Argentine have to make a save from what was only his first shot in 192 minutes of top-flight football.

Never has the former Burnley midfielder attempted more than one shot in a Premier League fixture since moving to Tyneside in the previous transfer window, with a lower shots-per-game ratio than eight of his teammates at 0.7, per WhoScored.

His lack of creativity at Villa Park was far from a surprise, either, having averaged just 0.2 key passes a game. That accounts for fewer goalscoring opportunities being carved out than 16 members of the United dressing room – including defender Federico Fernandez (0.3) and fellow midfielders Isaac Hayden (0.3), Matty Longstaff (0.4), Sean Longstaff (0.4) and Jacob Murphy (0.5).

Any hopes of a United comeback were never going to come through Hendrick on Saturday night, with the Irishman only recording one progressive carry by moving the ball more than five yards. Instead, 43 of his 44 carries saw the Dublin native simply palm off possession or stay static, while playing just four of 51 passes more than 10 yards, per FBref.

Bruce saw nothing of worth from Hendrick when the £8m-rated man was out of possession, either, with the midfielder pressuring Villa players on just seven occasions – no United player who started applied pressure to the home side less often.

If Hendrick starts Newcastle’s next Premier League fixture at home to Leeds United on Tuesday night in central midfield, he will only hold the Magpies back once again and as such, he simply must be dropped if Bruce has any hopes of getting the win he needs as he battles to keep his job.

AND in other news, Newcastle face a fight to sign a £7m-rated target who “destroys” danger.

Despite their reluctance to splurge on the January transfer market, Leeds will undoubtedly be looking to the summer to strengthen their ranks. They are currently struggling with injuries to their defence and options in attack are very limited.

On top of making it a priority to secure Jack Harrison on a permanent deal, the Whites must also bring in reinforcements to counter their ongoing injury woes. They have been linked to 20-year-old rising star Mikkel Damsgaard, but other clubs are also on his scent.

Tottenham Hotspur are amongst those watching the youngster’s progress according to the Daily Star. Southampton and West Ham are also amongst the clubs looking to strike a deal with Damsgaard, despite the face he hasn’t long signed for current club Sampdoria.

Should Leeds sign Damsgaard?

The hot prospect joined the Italians last summer and has since tallied two goals and four assists in Serie A this season, according to Transfermarkt. It is thought that Damsgaard’s price tag has already soared from the £5.2m Sampdoria paid for him to a hefty £15m.

His performances have attracted a lot of attention, with current manager Claudio Ranieri tipping him and teammate Kristoffer Askildsen for a “big future”.

Should Andrea Radrizzani and Victory Orta decide to pursue a move, they could be recruiting a fine protege for club icon Mateusz Klich.

The Poland international has been a stalwart in the Leeds engine room since he joined the club in 2017. The 30-year-old has 19 goals and 19 assists to his name for the Whites and boasts versatility that has helped Marcelo Bielsa out of some tough spots – he’s played in five different positions under the Argentine.

Comparing the two players, a lot of their statistics are similar. According to WhoScored, the pair have a similar goal and assist return for this season and whilst Klich leads the way in terms of key passes and shots taken per game, Damsgaard averages more successful dribbles and is fouled more often.

With ten years between them, Klich could pose as the perfect mentor to Damsgaard, who is just as versatile as the Polish veteran. Whilst the 20-year-old Denmark international isn’t a midfielder by trade, he is comfortable being played in the heart of the engine room. He dominates the left-wing and can also be deployed as a striker.

The versatility he could offer to Leeds could be a huge coup for Orta, who will be eyeing up his next big deal. Landing a potential heir to Klich would tick all the right boxes.

In other news, Gaetano Berardi injury news may not be the boost many believe it is…

Celtic will continue to monitor Airdrie winger Thomas Robert over the coming months after he impressed on trial in recent weeks.

That’s according to an exclusive report from Football Insider, who claim that the Hoops are yet to offer the 20-year-old a deal, or hold talks with the League One side over a potential transfer.

Celtic’s reasons for Robert stall

The Frenchman is out of contract at the end of the season after being watched by Nick Hammond back in December, so could end up joining the club for a nominal fee.

Football Insider claim that Celtic have decided to hold off on tying up a deal for Robert due to the club’s ongoing search for a director of football, as well as a new manager.

There have been reports of a mass overhaul at the club this summer, and it seems the club have decided to halt transfer activity while they sift through the impending chaos.

Transfer Tavern take

It seems as if Robert impressed at Lennoxtown, but holding off on a potential transfer until off-field positions are filled seems to be a sensible decision.

Liam Shaw’s summer move was officially announced on Wednesday, however, that deal was reportedly secured during Neil Lennon’s tenure in the Celtic Park hotseat.

Lennon’s long-term successor and the new director of football may well end up giving the green light to a deal for Robert, who has been involved in six goals this season. However, holding off for now appears to be the correct decision.

Liverpool return to Premier League action on Monday evening as they travel to St Mary’s to face Southampton.

Neither side go into the game on the top of their form, with Liverpool having slipped to disappointing draws against Newcastle and West Brom recently, whilst the Saints have failed to find the net in any of their last three fixtures.

However, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have still made an impressive start to the Premier League season and it won’t be an easy game for the Reds, so we’re expecting Jurgen Klopp to make some changes to the starting team that struggled to break down Newcastle last time out.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Klopp to line his side up on Monday evening, with three changes from their last fixture…

There’s one change in Liverpool’s defence as Rhys Williams replaces Nathaniel Phillips. Whilst the former Bolton Wanderers man helped the Reds to a clean sheet against the Toon, he is not the most mobile and could struggle against the pace of Southampton attackers Danny Ings and Che Adams.

Meanwhile, Klopp makes two changes in midfield, as Thiago makes just his second start in a Liverpool shirt after his impressive cameo at St James’ Park, whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces Curtis Jones in midfield to make his first start of the season against his old side, with James Milner also dropping to the bench.

The “exceptional” Jones has struggled in the Reds’ last two fixtures so should perhaps be rested, whilst Oxlade-Chamberlain could provide some much-needed creativity against the Saints.

Unsurprisingly, Klopp will go with his strongest attack with Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah all starting, and they will have to be much more clinical than they were against Newcastle if the Reds are to leave Southampton with all three points on Monday.

And, in other news… Forget Ings: Klopp should be scared of £45k-p/w Saints danger man loved by Guardiola

Things are just beginning to look up if you’re a Newcastle United fan.

After a dreadful and timid display at home to Manchester United eventually saw them lose 4-1, the Magpies have enjoyed a couple of very impressive results in the Premier League.

First, Steve Bruce’s side rescued a very creditable point away at notoriously hard to play Wolves at Molineux, before picking up a huge 2-1 win against this season’s high-fliers Everton.

Spot the fact from the fib: Are these Premier League records true or false?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

With in-form Southampton their next challenge in the top-flight, there’s a real chance Newcastle could end up in the top four by the end of Friday night, if – and it’s a big if – they can beat Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

Below is a look at just how the Magpies could potentially line up.

With Martin Dubravka still no closer to making his return to the starting line-up thanks to injury, Karl Darlow will continue in between the sticks for the Magpies.

In front of him, Bruce will no doubt continue with the same back-five that served him so well in that clash against Everton, with very little reason to make changes there.

The two big decisions that the Newcastle boss will have to make comes further forward. Both Isaac Hayden and Ryan Fraser came on as substitutes in that win over the Toffees, and will surely be pushing for a start this time around against Southampton.

Sean Longstaff’s inspired performance on his return from injury may however have convinced Bruce that he should be kept in the starting eleven, meaning Hayden will have to settle for a place on the bench.

Miguel Almiron on the other hand, is surely in danger of losing his place, especially given Fraser’s contribution to Wilson’s second goal, which proved to be the match-winner of course thanks to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s late strike.

That could see Bruce field a very exciting, and pacy, front-three of Fraser, Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson.

Predicted XI: Darlow; Murphy, Schar, Lascelles, Fernandez, Lewis; Longstaff, Hendrick; Saint-Maximin, Wilson, Fraser.

Leeds are amongst the many high level English clubs who are keeping tabs on rising talent Dean Henderson. The goalkeeper enjoyed a success loan stint with Sheffield United, helping them achieve promotion into the Premier League and contributed to their impressive finish last season.

His strong performances for the Blades won Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over and he has featured five times for Manchester United since his return. He was deployed in their last two matches against Southampton and West Ham, which both ended in victory. However, with Spain international David de Gea still at the club, it’s unlikely Henderson will be able to overthrow the club icon just yet.

The Englishman would benefit from another loan move in January, before he considers his options for his future. He’s certainly not short of offers, receiving recent praise from the likes of former teammate Sander Berge who labelled him an “insane” player.

Leeds United are a club who are interested in his services, but signing him could be more of a curse than a blessing.

Why Leeds should avoid Dean Henderson

Snapping up the shot-stopper would be a huge move for the Whites and he would undoubtedly improve their defence. But in signing such a big talent comes the risk of him stunting the growth of Illan Meslier.

The 20-year-old was brought to the club during the summer for a fee in the region of £5million, after a superb loan spell in which he achieved promotion under Marcelo Bielsa. Whilst the step up to Premier League football has been tough on the whole team, Meslier has done well to adapt.

The Frenchman has already usurped Kiko Casilla as the Leeds No.1, so bringing another young goalkeeper to the club would only get in the way of Meslier’s progress. He has already proven to be a solid signing made by Victor Orta and he needs to keep his confidence high if he is going to be a success at Leeds.

In other news, Radrizzani must not waste money on signing Gyrano Kerk…