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The ICC is considering splitting points for unplayed games in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, as it prepares to host the final in June next year. That is one of two options to be considered by its cricket committee next month, on how to manage the points system in a league disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic; the other option considers only those matches actually played by the end of March and bases final positions on the percentage of points sides have won from those that they’ve contested.The aim is to have clarity in place by the time the next WTC commitment begins, with West Indies’ two-Test series in New Zealand in December this year. Any decision from the cricket committee would have to be signed off by the chief executives’ committee.A significant number of Tests have been postponed this year because of the pandemic. In many cases, it isn’t clear when they might be rescheduled to, let alone whether they can be squeezed in within this WTC league cycle, which concludes at the end of March 2021.What’s left in the World Test Championship?•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

That has thrown an already imperfect league structure – where sides play a different number of total Tests and not every side plays the other – into further complications. But, as the decision has been taken to conclude the league and play the final, what could be described as the “least bad” option is being sought to account for the impact of the disruption on the points table.Splitting the points would be within the regulations as they stand, whereby all Tests in the cycle that can’t be played (through no fault of either side) are deemed draws. In that scenario, both sides receive a third of the points available for a Test (120 points are available for every series). Basing it on percentages of points played for would require a tweak to existing regulations.There remains hope that a substantial number of the remaining commitments until the end of March will still go ahead. New Zealand, for example, have a full home summer, and South Africa are aiming to host Sri Lanka and Australia between now and next March. For now, Pakistan expect to host South Africa in January-February. Australia, England and India, meanwhile, will complete their commitments against each other by the end of March.As things stand, however, only India and England have a realistic chance of playing all six of their respective WTC series. For England, that depends on whether their Sri Lanka tour goes ahead. Pakistan can play six series but one against Bangladesh wouldn’t have been completed.The World Test Championship points table, as of October 2020•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Neither option is likely to feel satisfactory, not least for a side like Bangladesh, who could end this cycle having only played three of their six series. But a resolution is necessary given the push to complete this first WTC cycle.It was only last week that it emerged the final going ahead at Lord’s in June next year, when Tom Harrison, the ECB CEO, said his board had been in discussions with the ICC about its staging. That was the culmination of a few weeks of communications between the ICC and its members, in which some boards preferred to see the final postponed and others the cycle completed. One of the concerns cited by those wanting postponement was about the integrity of a league in which a final is held without all games in the run-up to it being played. Those in favour stressed the importance of completing the inaugural cycle of a tournament that had unanimous backing when conceived, even with imperfections.Postponement was the favoured option, though when practicalities were explored, a workable alternative could not be found. The lack of space in the calendar, in fact, is one of the driving reasons why there is keenness to ensure a final takes place next June and the first cycle of the league is officially completed.Soon after the final, the second WTC cycle starts with India’s Test series in England. After that, preparations – and attention – turns to the T20 World Cup in India and the year ends with the Ashes in Australia. Apart from the oddity of completing the first season of a league while the second is ongoing, there is a worry that between these high-profile events and series, the impact of a first World Test Championship final will be lost.With this in mind, and based on feedback from those in favour, the decision was taken to push ahead with the final.

The 21-year-old impressed at the T20 World Cup earlier this year

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Aug-2020

Laura Wolvaardt played a stunning innings•Getty Images

The Adelaide Strikers have moved swiftly to fill the void left by Sophie Devine’s departure by signing South Africa batter Laura Wolvaardt for the Women’s Big Bash.Wolvaardt, 21, was one of the stars of the Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year despite only batting twice in the competition as she made unbeaten scores of 53 and 41 against Pakistan and Australia.ALSO READ: Sophie Devine joins Perth Scorchers in major WBBL signingShe has previously had two seasons with the Brisbane Heat although struggled to make an impact with 99 runs in 15 innings, but having had more success in one-day than T20 cricket her game in the shortest format has developed significantly of late.”We’re extremely pleased to have secured the signing of Laura who we think is an exceptional young talent and will fit into our group nicely,” head coach Luke Williams said. “We were very impressed by her standout performances on the biggest stage of them all, the T20 World Cup, and we’re excited for what she will bring to the Strikers batting order, and her versatility in that order.”Cricket Australia remains hopeful that overseas players will be able to feature in the WBBL season despite the travel restrictions imposed by Covid-19.There is another potential clash for Wolvaardt, and other South African players, with the BCCI having recently said they are looking at staging a series against South Africa in October although no dates are yet confirmed. The WBBL is set to begin on October 17.

Joe Denly’s Test career would appear to be over after he was omitted from England’s squad for the second Test at Emirates Old Trafford, while James Anderson has been rested on his home ground alongside Mark Wood, in a rejig of their fast-bowling attack given the short turnaround between contests.Root missed England’s four-wicket defeat in the first Test at the Ageas Bowl, but returns to the fray as captain after attending the birth of his second child, as his team seeks a means to avoid their first home series defeat against West Indies since 1988.England did not confirm their final 13-man squad until late on Wednesday aftenoon, with Anderson understood to be sore after bowling 40 overs in his first match back after injury, and Wood also being monitored given his history of niggles. Sam Curran has been added to the squad, alongside the Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson, for whom this represents a first call-up to England’s senior squad.England’s preparations were hampered by rain in Manchester that forced the team to train indoors, and by a lively practice wicket on Tuesday that restricted their opportunities to assess the form and fitness of their quicks, and Root conceded there had been “a few areas to shore up” before any final decisions could be made.”We’ll have to have another look at the wicket, and there’s a few things we have to clear up in-house,” Root said in England’s pre-match press conference, prior to the squad announcement, “making sure everyone pulls up as we would like, and being really clear on what’s the best thing for the team over these five days.Anderson, who turns 38 at the end of the month, needs another 13 wickets to become the first seamer to reach 600 Test wickets. He was the pick of England’s seamers in the first innings at the Ageas Bowl, claiming 3 for 62 in 25 overs, but went wicketless second time around as West Indies sealed victory on the final day.Anderson’s omission for the first of two back-to-back games at his home ground means that he will have missed 10 of England’s last 14 Tests in the last 12 months, dating back to Ireland’s visit to Lord’s last July. Only once in that period has he attempted back-to-back games, the second Test against South Africa at Cape Town, where he broke down in the second innings after claiming 5 for 40 in the first.The situation means a probable recall for Stuart Broad, who expressed his displeasure at being overlooked for the first Test despite having been England’s stand-out seamer in both last summer’s Ashes series and the winter tour of South Africa where he claimed 14 wickets at 19.42 in the 3-1 series win. Chris Woakes could also make his first appearance of the summer, with all 22 of England’s players obliged to remain within the team environment due to the bio-secure arrangements for the series.ALSO READ: Broad ‘frustrated and angry’ at being left out of England side“I think there’s challenges that present themselves in this Covid era,” Root added. “With the games coming around quickly, managing bowlers is going to be quite important. Getting the balance right with a few of them coming back from injury, it’s about making the right calls at the right times. We are blessed with a number of guys who haven’t played or weren’t in the squad who’ve averaged 20 in the last couple of years in English conditions.”Anderson and Broad have played alongside one another for 116 Tests since 2007-08, claiming 883 wickets in tandem out of a combined total of 1072. But as both men approach the latter stages of their careers, Root conceded that their opportunities to extend that joint record could be limited in the coming months.”With Stuart and Jimmy, trying to maximise their careers is really important to make sure they are playing for as long as possible,” he said. “If that has to be slightly different to how it has been over the last few years, then we might have to think outside the box and not play them in every game or not play them together all the time.”That is not to say it won’t happen again. They are two world-class performers and we are very, very lucky to have them. I think to wish that away early or to push them to one side would be stupid, I really do. [But] I think we’ve got to deal with it well and be smart with it and we will find opportunities to play other guys, too.”James Anderson, with England bowling coach Glen Chapple, has been rested for the second Test•Getty Images

Root’s pre-match press conference was pushed back by 90 minutes, partly to enable the captain to have a bat given the weather restrictions, leading to speculation about England’s selection issues. However, all the signs in the build-up to the match had pointed to Denly being dropped. His scores of 18 and 29 at the Ageas Bowl were the 23rd and 24th occasions in 28 Test innings that he has reached double figures, but he has converted those starts to just six fifties in 15 Tests, with a highest score of 94 and an overall average of 29.53.”Over a period of time Joe has done a brilliant job for us,” said Root. “He has helped show the identity of our side, how we want to play moving forward. He has laid the platform for guys behind to go on and make big scores.”I think he’ll be just as frustrated as anyone that he’s not managed to quite convert those opportunities,” Root added. “But certainly the door’s not closed. He’s been a big part of our squad for some time now. He gets if he gets an opportunity to come back again, then I’m sure he’ll be desperate to take it.”Zak Crawley, by contrast, has improved his career-best score in each of his five Tests to date, and top-scored for England in the first Test with a second-innings 76. At 22, he is a full 12 years younger than Denly, and is set to make his first start for England at No.3, having debuted in New Zealand at No.6, featured as an opener in South Africa, and slotted into Root’s No.4 berth at the Ageas Bowl.”You watch Zak’s progression since he’s been involved in the team, his game has continued to get stronger,” said Root.England squad for second Test: Joe Root (capt), Jofra Archer, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.

Newcastle United have enjoyed another successful campaign in front of goal, with the club scoring the fourth-most goals in the Premier League during 2023/24.

However, it hasn't been enough to propel the Magpies back into the Champions League places for a second successive season, with injuries preventing the club from welcoming any of Europe's biggest clubs to St James' Park next term.

The defensive department has taken a battering during 2023/24, with Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles all missing large parts of the season, which has often resulted in a makeshift backline for Eddie Howe's side.

Newcastle's forward line has undoubtedly saved the Magpies from a disastrous campaign, with striker Alexander Isak single-handedly keeping the club within arm's length of a European spot, scoring 21 times in 30 Premier League outings over the course of the season.

However, one player in particular has disappointed within Newcastle’s attack, with Howe desperately needing to replace him with a young star who has caught the eye in recent months.

Newcastle interested in signing Almiron replacement

According to journalist Rudy Galetti, the Magpies are "interested" in Tallares’ Paraguayan left-winger Ramon Sosa, with some of the club’s representatives already monitoring him closely.

The 24-year-old has produced some impressive numbers this season, scoring seven and assisting six in his 14 outings for the Argentinian side.

Sosa has certainly caught the eye and with the talent under contract until 2026, if Howe’s side were to pursue a move, it would command a fee that would easily be more than his £6.8m market value, as per Transfermarkt.

Ramon Sosa's stats in 2023/24

Statistics

Tally

Games

18

Goals

7

Assists

6

Stats via Transfermarkt

Understandable comparisons will be drawn to current Newcastle wide man Miguel Almiron with the pair both from the same country, but it’s clear when looking into the stats that Sosa would be an upgrade on the current Magpies star.

Why Sosa would be an upgrade on Almiron

Despite featuring in a much lower-quality division than Almiron, Sosa has blown the 30-year-old out of the water with his unbelievable attacking stats over the last 365 days.

The Tallares attacker has averaged a staggering 2.2 shots per 90 and 4.3 successful take-ons, with Almiron averaging four times less than the youngster in the latter category.

Sosa vs Almiron in the last 365 days

Statistics

Sosa

Almiron

Shots

2.2

2.1

Successful take-ons

4.3

1

Progressive carries

3.9

3.6

Shot-creating actions

4.5

2.6

Assists per 90

0.2

0.07

Stats via FBref

It’s evident that the 24-year-old loves to run with the ball at his feet, completing 3.9 progressive carries per 90, a tally that the Magpies attacker can’t beat, only averaging 3.6.

The “technically gifted” gem, as described by scout Ben Mattinson, has a huge future ahead of him, with his qualities evident during his time in Argentina.

Although it’s undoubtedly a huge jump for him to make to play in the Premier League, his direct dribbling and eye for goal could allow him to thrive in England, whilst proving to be the missing piece in Howe’s attacking puzzle.

With Almiron once again being linked with a move away from Tyneside, Sosa could be the perfect replacement for his fellow compatriot, as Tallares are unlikely to demand a fee that would potentially turn the Magpies' FFP worries into fruition.

Related PIF eye Newcastle move for £35m talent who'd be "superior" to Ramsdale

The club are actively looking to improve their current goalkpeeing situation.

Posts ByEthan Lamb May 22, 2024

Aston Villa are set to snap up a proven European talent on a free transfer this summer.

Aston Villa transfer rumours

Aston Villa are in the midst of a superb 2023/24 campaign that is all but guaranteed to see them secure a top-four Premier League finish, and with it, Champions League football.

While Villa have impressed under the guidance of Unai Emery this season, it is fair to say they will need to improve their squad during the 2024 summer transfer window if they are to compete in the Champions League. To their credit, the Midlands outfit have already begun making plans for the upcoming window. Aston Villa have reportedly sent scouts to watch Alex Baena ahead of a summer move that would see the Villans trigger the Villarreal midfielder's reported €60m (£52m) release clause.

Elsewhere, reports earlier this week claimed that Aston Villa are leading the race for Lille striker Jonathan David, who is valued at £30m. While said players would be great additions for Villa, the fees that come with signing big names who can compete in Europe may prove too much for the English outfit in light of PSR limitations.

Earlier this season, Unai Emery praised Aston Villa's owners for wanting to help the club but also appeared to hint that Financial Fair Play had to be monitored.

He said: “The owners are always helping – always. They are very involved with me, with us, with Aston Villa. They want to support us. They ask how we can improve – but it’s not easy. If we can improve, we will do it. We have added a young player – he needs time – Jhon Duran. He is getting better, getting confident, playing minutes. We are trying to support him. But it’s not easy to improve in those circumstances. If it is, you tell me names.”

One way Aston Villa can strengthen their squad ahead of next season without having to worry too much about FFP is by signing players on free transfers.

Aston Villa poised to beat Inter to free transfer

Now, the Villans look set to do exactly that, as Spanish outlet Diario AS claims that Aston Villa are primed to press ahead and reach an agreement with Mario Hermoso to make him their first summer signing.

The centre-back, who currently earns €160k (£137k) per week, is set to depart Atletico Madrid at the end of this season when his contract expires after four years working under Diego Simeone. Hermoso is of interest to a number of clubs around Europe, including Serie A champions Inter, but Villa are said to be the ones closing in on the Spaniard's signature.

Hermoso is a left-sided defender who could replace Clement Lenglet when he returns to Barcelona after his loan ends in the coming weeks. The stopper won the La Liga title with Atletico Madrid in 2021 and has made a total of 169 appearances for the club, with 29 coming in the Champions League.

As a result, he could be a great fit for an Aston Villa side who, barring a complete collapse, will be plying their trade in Europe's premier club competition next term.

Nicolas Otamendi has joked about how Argentina keeper Emi Martinez has “changed” and boasts a “terrible personality” after becoming a national hero.

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Keeper starred at 2021 Copa AmericaHelped to secure global crown at Qatar 2022Stock has soared with club & countryGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Aston Villa shot-stopper saw his stock soar when helping the Albiceleste to Copa America glory in 2021. He helped to successfully defend that crown in 2024, while also becoming a World Cup winner at Qatar 2022 – with a reputation being earned as a penalty-saving specialist.

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Martinez’s antics during shootouts have become the stuff of legend, with the 31-year-old becoming one of the most reliable custodians in the global game. He had been a relative unknown prior to bursting onto the international scene, with Otamendi poking fun at how fame has gone to his fellow countryman’s head.

GettyWHAT OTAMENDI SAID

Otamendi, who formed part of Argentina’s squad at the 2024 Olympic Games, has told of Martinez’s transformation: “Dibu was a very quiet goalkeeper, he wasn’t what he is now. After Colombia [at the 2021 Copa America] he changed completely, we found another version of him. I don’t know if his brother, who is very similar, started to play as a goalkeeper or what, but that’s when he started to change. He has a terrible personality!”

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WHAT NEXT?

Martinez is up to 45 caps for Argentina and had been hoping to head to Paris himself this summer, before seeing Villa block that path. He will be back in Premier League action on Saturday when the Villans – who have Champions League football on the agenda this season – open their 2024-25 campaign away at West Ham.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após empatar na ida, o Botafogo disputará no próximo domingo o jogo de volta da final da Copa do Brasil Sub-20 diante do Coritiba, no Estádio Raulino de Oliveira, às 15h. E o Glorioso terá um reforço importante na luta pelo título. Trata-se do atacante Matheus Nascimento, que foi liberado pela Seleção brasileira Sub-17.

> Confira a classificação da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro

RelacionadasBotafogo‘De que planeta você veio?’: Fifa relembra fantástica atuação de Garrincha na Copa de 1962Botafogo14/06/2021BotafogoCarli e Ricardinho incentivam o grupo em vitória sobre o Remo; veja os bastidores do triunfo do BotafogoBotafogo14/06/2021BotafogoDestaque do Botafogo, Pedro Castro celebra gol ‘em casa’ e divide méritos com profissionais do clubeBotafogo14/06/2021

O jovem foi convocado pelo técnico Paulo Victor Gomes para umperíodo de dez dias de treinamentos com início no próximo dia 16, no CT Retrô Recife. As atividades são umacontinuidade da preparação da Seleção Brasileira Sub-17 para o Torneio Sul-Americano da categoria, previsto para o segundo semestre de 2021.

> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

O clube havia solicitado à CBF que o atacante se apresentasse após a decisão, porém a comissão técnica decidiu liberar o jogador. Confira o documento enviado ao presidente do Botafogo ao clicar aqui.

Na partida de ida da decisão, Botafogo e Coritiba empataram por 1 a 1.O zagueiro Márcio Silva marcou para o Coxa no primeiro tempo, e Wendel para o Botafogo, na segunda etapa. Em caso de novo empate,a decisão irá para os pênaltis.

MatériaMais Notícias

Gabigol está fora da partida contra o Palmeiras, neste domingo, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. Na noite deste sábado, o Rubro-Negro informou que o atacante “apresentou quadro viral com indisposição gástrica e foi retirado da relação do jogo”.

CONFIRA A TABELA DO BRASILEIRÃO

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Sem poder contar com Gabigol, o técnico Rogério Ceni deve optar por Pedro no comando do ataque. O centroavante é o substituto natural do ídolo rubro-negro.

CONHEÇA O APLICATIVO DE RESULTADOS DO LANCE!

O atleta Gabriel Barbosa apresentou quadro viral com indisposição gástrica e foi retirado da relação do jogo de amanhã (29.05). #CRF

— Flamengo (@Flamengo) May 30, 2021

England women's star Millie Bright says her team-mates are ready for the worst when they watch the men's team face Netherlands with Sarina Wiegman.

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• Lionesses to watch men's team in action
• Three Lions face coach Wiegman's home nation
• Bright joked players will wear body armour

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Lionesses will watch along with their Dutch coach as Gareth Southgate's team take on Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final on Wednesday. Wiegman will likely be cheering on Ronald Koeman's Oranje and Bright joked that she and her co-stars are taking precautions ahead of the game.

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• Getty
  

  WHAT BRIGHT SAID

  Asked if the squad and coach will watch the game together, Bright told reporters: "We’ve all got our body armour on don’t worry! We’ll all watch it together. We’ve got a really good environment. We’re all looking to get behind the boys."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The England women's team are together as they are preparing for the upcoming Women's Euro 2025 qualifying matches against Ireland and Sweden. The Lionesses will hope to see the men's team book a place in the final of Euro 2024 at the expense of Wiegman's homeland.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

  After watching Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Co in action on Wednesday, the Lionesses will get back to preparing for their match against Ireland at Carrow Road on Friday. England are third in the group after four matches but are level on points with Sweden.

Tomorrow night's clash between West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers sees teams at opposite ends of the Championship face off against each other, with the Baggies vying for promotion and QPR just content surviving in the division.

Carlos Corberan won't go into the clash at the Hawthorns underestimating his lowly opponents however, the Hoops pulling off an unbelievable 2-1 win away at table-topping Leicester City just last match.

To keep his side fresh for the task of the Loftus Road side away from home, the Spanish manager could be tempted into making a couple of changes here and there to the XI that was victorious against Coventry City 2-1 last game.

Here is what the predicted lineup could look like as a result, with Conor Townsend ruled out for the trip to London in two potential changes…

1 GK – Alex Palmer

It's almost a guarantee at this point in time that Alex Palmer will stick it out as Corberan's number one goalkeeper, with the 27-year-old shot-stopper ever-present in the Championship this season for the promotion-seeking Baggies.

2 RB – Darnell Furlong

Darnell Furlong has also been present in every single second-tier match for West Brom this campaign to date, unsurprisingly keeping that streak going by remaining at right-back for the trip to QPR tomorrow.

Furlong did have an off-day in the 2-1 Sky Blues win by his standards – winning just three of his nine duels at the Hawthorns – but that shouldn't be enough for Corberan to axe his number two from the XI to face the relegation-threatened Hoops.

3 CB – Kyle Bartley

Cedric Kipre, however, could face the wrath of Corberan's cut-throat nature instead with Kyle Bartley getting closer to a first-team start after battling back from injury.

Kipre struggled, much like Furlong, against Coventry in patches – the former Cardiff City loanee even giving away a penalty late on in the tight affair that was dispatched confidently by Sky Blues attacker Haji Wright.

Bartley – who was once described as "incredible" by ex-Baggies attacker Kevin Campbell – was given a run-out late on in the 2-1 win and will be itching for more minutes to come his way soon, with his manager tempted to reinstate the imposing 6 foot 1 centre-back into his lineup for the test of QPR.

4 CB – Erik Pieters

Erik Pieters, despite not naturally being a centre-back, could still remain in the XI regardless of Kipre being dropped.

The Dutch defender bravely went about his defensive duties against Mark Robins' men with two aerial duels won, whilst also remaining measured with the ball at his feet by only misplacing six of his 70 passes at the Hawthorns.

5 LB – Adam Reach

The second personnel switch to the side that won last Friday night will see Townsend removed from the lineup, the West Brom number three coming off against the Sky Blues late on owing to an injury niggle.

Adam Reach will be more than trusted to do a job in place of the bandaged-up 31-year-old against QPR, the versatile former Sheffield Wednesday man competently filling in for Townsend late on last time out.

Reach would manage to muster up one key pass from just 25 minutes of action, with the Baggies number 20 hoping to unlock a susceptible QPR defence from deep tomorrow night if selected.

6 CM – Okay Yokuslu

Okay Yokuslu should be safe knowing that his holding midfield spot isn't up for grabs travelling down to QPR tomorrow night, the Turkish midfielder competently putting in a shift against Coventry to ensure the Baggies remained solid at the back.

The Baggies number 35 would come away from the closely fought affair with an impressive 95% passing accuracy next to his name, on top of winning his fair share of duels with three ground duels successfully ground out.

7 CM – Alex Mowatt

Whilst Yokuslu often gives West Brom another gritty, defensively sound figure to help out at the back, Alex Mowatt likes to orchestrate attacking moves from deep alongside his holding midfield partner.

The former Leeds United man wasn't at his creative best in the Coventry win but still performed well against a strong away side, calmly ending the game with a fantastic 97% pass accuracy.

Mowatt would also roll up his sleeves when necessary, bettering Yokuslu's numbers in terms of winning ground duels with three notched up.

8 RM – Tom Fellows

Tom Fellows continues to go from strength to strength in the senior fold at the Baggies, the homegrown product constantly playing with a beaming smile on his face for the promotion hopefuls.

Fellows would pick up an assist in the 2-1 win, teeing up Grady Diangana for the decisive second goal of the contest late into the first 45 minutes after twisting and turning his Coventry marker.

Away from that positive contribution, the exciting 20-year-old winger would have one off-target effort on Ben Wilson's shaky goal.

Corberan will hope Fellows can be more accurate in front of goal when selected to play against QPR, on the way to the Baggies picking up another win.

9 CAM – Grady Diangana

Grady Diangana was arguably back to his explosive best against Coventry last Friday night, converting Fellows' cross with ease to give his team a two-goal cushion after just 36 minutes.

The lively Baggies number 11 also won five ground duels in the narrow win, excelling in a number ten role for Corberan's men when he's often been deployed down the wing this season for the West Midlands-based outfit.

10 LM – Michael Johnston

West Brom fans would have been crying out for the Baggies to permanently sign Michael Johnston after his devastating performance against Coventry, the Celtic loanee's sensational solo strike hitting the back of the net with some venom to open the scoring at 1-0.

Johnston also gave West Brom a composed head in attack away from his unbelievable opening goal, only accumulating two inaccurate passes from his impactful 65 minutes on the pitch.