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da poker： Sheffield United are thought to be looking to tie down three different key players to new contracts, according to an exciting new update regarding their futures.

Sheffield United reach defining moment in season

da realbet： The Blades are seven games away from returning to the Premier League, with Chris Wilder’s side topping the Championship table heading into the vital remaining weeks of the season.

United have won four of their last five league matches, seeing them leapfrog a stalling Leeds United side, going two points ahead of them in the process. Perhaps more importantly, they are also only two ahead of third-place Burnley, highlighting how tight things are in the automatic promotion battle.

While on-pitch matters are clearly huge, tying down certain players to new contracts is also essential, with Wilder making it clear that he wants deals for Rhian Brewster, Anel Ahmedhodzic and Jack Robinson sorted: “For me, as you can imagine, all the focus and concentration is on what happens here but if you’re asking me, would I like them all to re-sign, yes. One hundred per cent. They’ve all been outstanding for us and have still got a part to play going forward.”

Sheffield United want new deals for key trio

According to The Star, the futures of Sheffield United trio Brewster, Ahmedhodzic and Robinson were “discussed last week when members of the group that own United, including Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy, visited Sheffield”.

Wilder has also claimed that “Steve Bettis is on with that and in discussion with the owners”, as they look to get some big in-house business over the line.

This would be great news for United, with the £90,000-a-week-combined trio of Brewster, Ahmedhodzic and Robinson such important players this season. This season, they have made 89 appearances in the Championship in total, showing how important they are to the cause, with 67 of those starts.

Ahmedhodzic and Robinson have both been reliable members of the Blades’ defence, but the emergence of Brewster has arguably been one of the biggest feel-good stories of the campaign at Bramall Lane.

Having suffered so much with injuries and not kicking after leaving Liverpool as a highly-rated player, the 24-year-old has scored in his last two appearances, including the priceless winner in the 1-0 victory away to local rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

The Englishman’s influence is going to be big in these next few weeks, given his form, and he has the ability to steer United back to the Premier League.

Related Sheffield United ready to sign £25k-p/w "natural leader" from league rivals

Chris Wilder could bolster his Sheffield United squad by snatching one of their rivals’ finest talents.

Posts BySean Markus Clifford Apr 3, 2025

New deals for him and his two Blades teammates feels like a no-brainer, especially as Wilder values them all so much, and the hope is that all three of them are still at Bramall Lane next season, at which point United are back where they belong.

Towhid Hridoy, Imran Tahir and Will Jacks were some of the standout performers in week four of the BPL

Mohammad Isam15-Feb-2024

Hridoy, Jacks, Shakib, Tahir put in starring performances

Comilla began and ended the week with contrasting chases. Towhid Hridoy was superb in both games, making unbeaten scores of 108 and 91. Comilla aced a 176-run chase against Dhaka with a ball remaining. Hridoy, not quite showing his form from the last season till that point, smashed the tournament’s first century while the others failed around him. His unbeaten 108 came off just 57 balls.Then, Hridoy’s 91 not out helped Comilla chase down 164 against Khulna, which they did with seven wickets and 21 balls to spare. Between these two wins, Will Jacks’ century helped Comilla equal BPL’s highest total when they made 239-3 in their big win against Chattogram.Jacks blasted ten sixes in his 108* off 53 balls, while Litton Das also scored a quick half-century. Moeen Ali struck a quick fifty and then finished off the Chattogram innings with a hat-trick. There was also enough time in the match for legspinner Rishad Hossain to take his maiden four-wicket haul. There was no such luck for Chattogram’s Al-Amin Hossain, who conceded 69 runs in his four overs, the most by any bowler in BPL history.Imran Tahir became the first legspinner to take a five-for in the BPL•Rangpur Riders

Later in the same day, Rangpur crushed Khulna by 78 runs, racking up 219 for 5 batting first. Shakib Al Hasan and Mahedi Hasan blasted fifties before Imran Tahir took a five-wicket haul, the first by a legspinner in the BPL. Alex Hales also struck a quickfire 60, but he was fighting a lone battle.Tahir apart, Rangpur’s other new recruits Reeza Hendricks and Jimmy Neesham also gave them strong performances in their 53-run win against Chattogram.The likes of Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah and Tamim Iqbal struck fifties to get Barishal important wins against Dhaka this week. Khulna, however, crashed and burned. After winning their first four games in a row, they have now lost five consecutively.

Batter of the week – Towhid Hridoy

Towhid Hridoy has had one of those dream weeks, having struck an unbeaten century and an unbeaten 91 this week. Both came in chases for Comilla, and he kept his cool throughout both knocks. Particularly against Dhaka, when Comilla were in trouble after a regular fall of wickets. Hridoy played gorgeous shots, particularly his whips and hoicks through midwicket; his cover-driving when in full flow is good to watch too.

Bowler of the week – Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir has added the fun element to the BPL after his late arrival. He had come after completing his SA20 assignments – it’s his first time playing in the tournament in Bangladesh. Tahir took just one wicket in his first game, but then followed it with a five-wicket haul. His celebrations have really struck a chord with the fans in Dhaka and Chattogram, and Rangpur will hope he plays a big role in the latter part of the tournament.

Everton are gearing up for investment in the transfer market this summer, with David Moyes’ impressive return to Goodison Park stabilising the club after many turbulent years.

But things are still changing. The Toffees will drape the curtain on their long and distinguished history at Goodison this summer, moving to the new and fashionable Bramley Moore.

It’s a seismic leap, but one fans hope will advance the club’s restoration. New owners, The Friedkin Group, are reported to have promised Moyes he will be granted significant transfer powers this summer, and he may even be prepared to rock the boat a little (per The i Paper).

So, with that in mind, let’s have a look at how Everton might look on new turf next season.

How Everton's squad is shaping up for Bramley Moore

Everton are set to part ways with no less than 15 first-team players this summer, a staggering number though one which is contextualised by the inclusion of players out on loan, such as Mason Holgate and the notorious Neal Maupay, and loanees such as Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom.

By and large, Everton’s soon-to-depart cohort consists of twilit players. Abdoulaye Doucoure, Seamus Coleman, Ashley Young and Asmir Begovic illustrate that point.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s contract is also up for expiry. Beto’s fine form under Moyes’ wing attenuated the need for a new striker this season, but with Armando Broja’s buy clause unlikely to be activated after an injury-blotted season, fresh firepower will be needed at number nine.

What, then, sits as the first port of call for Moyes and inbound Director of Football Angus Kinnear, who will leave Leeds United at the end of the season?

The door is wide open for incomings. Alongside Charly Alcaraz, whose purchase option will surely be activated, the rumour mill is beginning to speed up. The Blues have been reliably linked by Sky Sports with Sunderland talent Chris Rigg.

Lastly, there’s a growing sense that Jarrad Branthwaite is tempted by a move away from Merseyside. However, the Toffees are understood (via the earlier iNews report) to hope to initiate talks for a fresh deal to ward off suitors.

Everton must part with "struggling" star

If Branthwaite were to leave, it may feel like a pragmatic move to tie Michael Keane down to an extension, but this would actually be a move of stagnancy, maybe regression.

In either scenario, Keane is ageing and approaching the final few months of his contract, having fallen into the realm of insignificance over the past several years.

Everton signed Keane from Sean Dyche’s Burnley in a deal rising to a club-record-equalling £30m in 2017, part of a summer splurge after Farhad Moshiri first appeared on the scene.

He’s paid his due, for sure, but Keane’s deficiencies have been glaring in recent years.

Matches (starts)

22 (20)

10 (9)

Goals

0

2

Assists

1

0

Clean sheets

7

2

Touches*

50.5

41.3

Pass completion

82%

83%

Ball recoveries*

3.1

2.3

Tackles + interceptions*

2.4

2.0

Clearances*

6.3

5.0

Ground duels won*

2.0 (74%)

1.0 (42%)

Aerial duels won*

1.6 (53%)

1.9 (58%)

Branthwaite was out injured for the opening weeks of the campaign, and so Keane deputised alongside James Tarkowski in his stead.

When comparing the respective metrics across the 2024/25 campaign, it becomes clear Keane is dramatically outstripped by his younger peer in relation to defensive security. To his credit, he does have a shrewd eye for goal.

Failing to match Branthwaite isn’t of itself to Keane’s detriment, but he’s long been at odds with fans’ satisfaction, with talkSPORT pundit Terry Groves even commenting that he’s “always struggling.”

As per FBref, the dormant England international ranks among the bottom 18% of Premier League defenders this season for pass completion and the bottom 1% for progressive passes per 90.

While Everton hardly enforce possession-centric football, Keane has failed to uphold even the most rudimentary of ball-playing games. Branthwaite, by comparison, ranks among the bottom 21% of divisional defenders for progressive passes per 90, which is of course still low but indicates more initiative and enterprise on the ball.

And when considering the fact that he earns about £80k per week for the Blues, it becomes very clear that Keane needs to leave when his contract is up this summer.

Considering this, Keane has actually cost Everton more than £26m in wages since arriving from Burnley way back when. Though he’s made 226 appearances for the Toffees across his stay, his positive impact has been nominal in recent years, and it’s the right time to move on.

It’s been an eight-year stay at Goodison for this veteran, but his expiration will coincide with that of the club’s hallowed stomping ground. It’s for the best.

With West Ham United’s Vladimir Coufal on Everton’s radar as he nears the end of his contract at the London Stadium, Jake O’Brien may well find a more permanent home at centre-back, thus mitigating Keane’s potential departure. There would also, for sure, be a central fresh face brought in to deepen the ranks.

Keane still has gas left in the tank at 32 but certainly hasn’t proved in recent years that he is worthy of playing a significant part in the coming era.

Everton need to act with firm intent in the coming months; parting with Keane and replacing him with a younger, more exciting talent would issue a statement to hungry fans: this is a new era, and sights are set on lofty goals.

Moyes can forget Branthwaite by unleashing Everton's "special" academy gem

Everton might need a replacement for Branthwaite if he leaves

2 ByJoe Nuttall Mar 26, 2025

Stars were in the game at various points, but Murphy first and then Vince and Hughes took the game away from them

AAP06-Jan-2024

Opener James Vince and No. 3 Daniel Hughes were dominant, leading Sydney Sixers to an easy BBL win over Melbourne Stars. Chasing Stars’ 156 for 4 on Saturday night at the MCG, Sixers got past the target with 11 balls and seven wickets left.The result lifted Sixers to second place, and broke a run of rain-affected games and Stars’ four-game winning streak. It’s an important result, with Sixers third and Stars fourth on eight points apiece going into the game.Vince and Hughes put on 99 for the second wicket off 67 balls to take the game away from Stars. Vince top-scored with 79 from 57 balls, with 12 fours, while Hughes made 41 from 32 balls four fours and a six.The game was evenly poised midway through the Sixers’ innings, at 68 for 1 in comparison to Stars’ 81 for 3 at the same stage. But Sixers were 128 when Hughes was dismissed at the end of the 15th over and the match was as good as over.Scott Boland returned for Stars and took 2 for 38 from his four overs.Earlier, Sixers won the toss and after Glenn Maxwell threatened one of his special innings that would have torn the match apart, Todd Murphy responded with an outstanding spell in which he claimed the crucial wicket of the big-hitting Stars captain.Todd Murphy was outstanding, keeping things tight and picking up the wickets of Glenn Maxwell and Beau Webster•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

Maxwell came to the crease with his side in early trouble at 41 for 2 in the sixth over.He quickly went on the warpath and belted four fours and two sixes in his 31 from 14 balls before Murphy struck – Murphy enticed Maxwell with a wide ball and Sean Abbott caught him at deep cover.Murphy was outstanding, also bowling the in-form Beau Webster for a duck in his 2 for 15 from four overs.After opener Dan Lawrence was dismissed for 36 in the 14th over, Marcus Stoinis and Hilton Cartwright struggled to find the boundary with any regularity in their 56-run partnership. Cartwright hit a six into the second tier of the Shane Warne Stand off Abbott at the end of the 19th over, before he and Stoinis added some much-needed meat to the innings with three fours in the last over.Stoinis scored 34 from 30 balls and Cartwright made 29 from 22.Stars were without wicketkeeper Sam Harper, who was hit on the head while batting at Friday training, but is now out of the hospital. Peter Handscomb took his place behind the wickets as Stars also welcomed back Boland, while Sixers brought back Hughes to great effect.

Matt Parkinson claimed four wickets and took a brilliant catch to hand promotion-chasing Durham a strong start to their LV= Insurance County Championship Division Two clash after bowling out Sussex for 266 on day one.Sussex openers Tom Haines and Tom Clark put on 110 for the opening stand in a wicketless first session for the hosts. But, Parkinson turned the momentum of the day by removing Haines for 51 with a sensational diving grab before he tore through the middle order, including the prized wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara.Tom Alsop top-scored with 59 for the visitors, but Ben Raine and Matthew Potts were on their mettle with the new ball to clean up the Sussex tail, who lost all 10 wickets for 156 runs in the afternoon and evening sessions.The visitors won the toss and elected the bat on the same wicket used in England’s T20I win over New Zealand on Wednesday. Haines struggled to get off the mark, enduring a 21-ball wait to notch his first runs of the morning. Those runs came with the element of fortune edging a Potts delivery through the slip cordon to the boundary.Clark battled the Durham attack and took a blow from Potts to the body. His composure took a slight knock when Bas de Leede found his outside edge, but Robinson put down the opener on 22 with a sharp chance to his left.The Sussex openers found their timing as the morning progressed, ending the first session solidly by bringing up the century stand. Haines secured his fifth half-century of the term by striking Raine’s first ball of the afternoon through cover to the fence. Clark followed suit with his fifty from 99 deliveries, presenting the visitors with a promising platform.But, Parkinson led the Durham fightback in the afternoon session as Sussex lost four wickets for 52 runs. First in the field, he claimed a brilliant diving catch at fine leg running 20 yards to dismiss Haines for 51. He then struck with his first ball from the Lumley End, prising out Clark for 58 as Potts secured the catch at first slip.Parkinson’s accuracy and drift caused Pujara problems as the India international survived a stumping appeal from Robinson before he drilled the next delivery straight to Graham Clark at short cover. The procession continued from Sussex with James Coles handing Parkinson his third on a pitch proving more than helpful for the spinners on the first day.Parkinson’s day could have improved further, but he put down a quick return chance from Alsop on 24. The Sussex man made the most of his reprieve and pressed on to his third half-century of the season, sharing a vital stand of 59 with Oli Carter. George Drissell broke the partnership with his first wicket in first-class cricket for Durham, earning his reward for a tight line.Durham turned a solid day into an impressive outing after taking the new ball. Raine ended Alsop’s resistance for 59, earning his 50th wicket of the season as the left-hander became the third Sussex batter to reach fifty and fail to kick on.Potts collected his first two wickets of the day to remove Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Jack Carson, while Parkinson closed out the Sussex innings as Jaydev Unadkat was caught on the fence. The visitors lost their final five wickets for just 19 runs, failing to capitalise on the platform provided by Haines and Clark at the top of the order. Durham ended the evening six without loss, 260 behind Sussex heading into day two.

Northern Superchargers have progressed to the final of the women’s Hundred after their Eliminator with Welsh Fire was abandoned during a torrential downpour at the Kia Oval.Superchargers, who will play Southern Brave at Lord’s on Sunday, progressed by virtue of finishing second in the group stage. It was a position they sealed by beating Fire on Tuesday in both teams’ last match of the group stages, taking Superchargers to 12 points, one ahead of their opponents.The Eliminator had already been reduced to a 95-ball affair after rain pushed back the start by 45 minutes. And the agony for Fire, who finished bottom in the first two editions, is that the strong progress they made to reach 104 for 2 after 75 deliveries, having won the toss and opted to bat first, was ultimately for nothing.An engaging 38 from Sophia Dunkley set up a platform of 59 for the first wicket, before fellow opener and Fire skipper Tammy Beaumont – 37 not out off 30 – prepared for a late assault with Laura Harris, who had 14 from 5 balls. At that point, standing umpires Sue Redfern and Mark Newell opted to take the players off the field due to the threat of lightning in the area.In accordance with the playing conditions, the players were only permitted to return to the field once officials were confident the storm had passed. However heavy rain set in, bringing the Fire innings to a close, before the match was called off at 4.41pm local time, 30 minutes before the latest time Fire’s 25-ball second innings was permitted to start.”You never want the result to go into a final to be how it is today,” Hollie Armitage, Superchargers captain, said. “But I think that shows why finishing second is so important, just like finishing first and going straight to the final. Obviously, it is a little bit bittersweet, but we’re happy to be on the side that’s going to Lord’s tomorrow.”We’ve won six out of eight games in the group stage and that’s why the group stages are so important. You’ve got to treat every game as a final so you can try and finish at the top of the table, which was obviously our ambition. But luckily today, by finishing second, it’s going to take us to the final.”Having finished bottom in both of the first two editions, Fire’s about-turn, in tandem with their men’s team, has been one of the stories of 2023. To have their tournament ended in such fashion was a tough pill to swallow.”Devastated, absolutely devastated for the girls,” Beaumont said. “The game was going nicely towards what would have been a decent total and I would have backed the girls to defend anything. It would have been easier to take had we been absolutely thrashed or beaten in a close one and actually lost the game.”To go on previous results and table finishes is tough. Everyone is absolutely devastated. But that is cricket. You can’t book the weather. It’s been a pretty poor summer on the weather front, hasn’t it? Sport is cruel, isn’t it?”Rules are rules, aren’t they? At the end of the day, if we’d have won at Headingley on Tuesday and finished second we wouldn’t have been complaining.”Asked if, like the final, the Eliminator should have a reserve day, Beaumont was phlegmatic. Though Fire ended up on the wrong side of the calculations here, she appreciates the nature of the Hundred, and indeed a point of difference with other franchise competitions around the world, is its compact schedule.”They want The Hundred to be condensed and I think that is what sets it apart from any other competition. Just eight games and an Eliminator and final – that is what makes it good.”You hear people saying the Big Bash is too long, the IPL being far too long, the games and the format. In terms of the women’s team, they’ve had the same overseas players throughout and that is what makes it good. [With reserve days] it would have to be another four days. That is pretty good – it has just stitched us up this time.”

Leeds United are considering sacking Daniel Farke in what could prove to be a hugely controversial move after their promotion to the Premier League.

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• Farke could be sacked
• Leeds have confirmed their promotion
• Farke's Premier League record a concern

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per the Daily Mail, Leeds are considering a move to sack Farke despite the club winning promotion to the Premier League. They claim that the club have reservations about the manager's record in the Premier League. He has twice led Norwich to promotion, and has now done so again with Leeds, but in his first full season in the Premier League, Norwich finished bottom. His second season in the top-flight saw him sacked in November, with his Canaries taking five points from 11 games.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Leeds are not likely to make a change unless they can line up a replacement they believe guarantees success. They are also acutely aware that any move to sack a manager who has just won promotion could prove hugely controversial, especially if the club fail to get off to a strong start in the top-flight.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Leeds won promotion over the Easter bank holiday weekend, as they beat Stoke City 6-0. They have two games remaining, against Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle, as the club aim to be crowned champions.

• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Farke will take charge of the final two games of the season before learning of Leeds' plans for the summer. They are expected to invest heavily ahead of their top-flight return.

Akhter, an offspinner who last turned out for Bangladesh in 2022, is the first international women’s cricketer to be banned on charges of corruption

Mohammad Isam11-Feb-2025Bangladesh offspinner Shohely Akhter has become the first female cricketer to be banned for corruption. Akhter, who has played two ODIs and 13 T20Is, was found guilty of attempting to fix, offering a bribe and failing to disclose full details of an approach to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code (ACU), as well as obstructing the investigation.She has been banned for five years from all cricket after she admitted breaching five provisions of the anti-corruption code.The charges against her centre around an approach she made to a Bangladesh cricketer during the 2023 Women’s T20 World held in South Africa. Akhter, 36, was not part of the Bangladesh playing squad for that World Cup, having last played in October 2022.The ACU’s investigation focused on Shohely’s conversation on Facebook Messenger with the cricketer on February 14, 2023. It was the day of the T20 World Cup match between Bangladesh and Australia. She made an offer of 2 million Bangladeshi Taka (USD 16,400 approx.) to the player to get out hit wicket during the match.The player who was approached by Akhter reported the matter to the ACU immediately, providing all the voice notes from Shohely, who had deleted those files on her devices.When interviewed by the ACU, Shohely confirmed that she did send the voice messages to the player but initially claimed that “she only did so in order to show her friend that members of the Bangladesh team were not involved in fixing, not because she was genuinely making a corrupt approach”.In her first interview with the ACU, Akhter showed the ACU screenshots which she claimed were a conversation between her and a friend about the “challenge”. She said that these messages had been exchanged prior to February 14, when she contacted the Bangladesh player. The ACU however confirmed that those files were created after February 14 by “reviewing underlying metadata for the messages”.In deciding on the length of her ban, the ICC said it had considered the circumstances of the case, “including giving Ms Akther credit for agreeing an outcome that avoids the need for a hearing and so saves considerable time and money for use elsewhere in the fight against corruption, and has considered relevant precedents.”The ICC therefore considers that a period of ineligibility of five (5) years is reasonable and proportionate. Ms Akhter has agreed to this sanction. As such, a period of ineligibility of five (5) years is imposed.”As such, neither Akhter nor the ICC has any right of appeal against this decision.The ACU which oversees all senior international cricket, does not make public information on investigations that do not lead to charges, but it is believed that a small number of investigations around women’s events have taken place in the past. This, however, is believed to be the first time an investigation of an attempt to corrupt at a women’s event has reached a conclusion with charges.

After a record-breaking League One title-winning campaign last time out, Birmingham City will be looking to carry that momentum into the 2025/26 Championship season under Chris Davies.

Co-owners Tom Wagner and Tom Brady have big plans at St Andrew’s, and the Blues will be looking to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2011 as soon as possible.

Birmingham City vs Ipswich Town

August 8

Blackburn Rovers vs Birmingham City

August 16

Birmingham City vs Oxford United

August 23

Leicester City vs Birmingham City

August 30

Stoke City vs Birmingham City

September 13

To do that, new signings to help them in the second tier could be key, and the club have already made a start on their summer transfer business.

But who will start against Ipswich Town on August 8? Well, Grok, the AI tool on X, has forecasted Birmingham’s 25/26 line-up, with five new faces in the XI.

AI predicts Birmingham’s 2025/26 line-up 1 GK: James Beadle

After helping England to U21 European Championship glory this summer, goalkeeper James Beadle will be playing for Birmingham this season.

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Birmingham City could win themselves a modern version of former star Jota by forking out £8.5m to land this new signing.

3 ByKelan Sarson Jul 2, 2025

Signed on a season-long loan from Brighton, Beadle already has second tier experience after his time with Sheffield Wednesday in 24/25.

2 RB: Ethan Laird

A key member of the League One title-winning side, Ethan Laird has been predicted to keep his place in the Birmingham side.

His ‘pace and attacking contributions make him a mainstay’ under Davies, and Grok adds that Laird’s ‘enthusiasm and Championship experience will be vital’.

3 CB: Krystian Bielik

Club captain Krystian Bielik is also backed to retain his place in the XI, being described as a ‘cornerstone of the defence’.

Games

125

Goals

2

Yellow cards

32

Red cards§

2

The Poland international is still under contract until 2027 and Bielik’s ‘leadership and ability to play in midfield or defence ensure his place’.

4 CB: Phil Neumann

Alongside Bielik is new arrival Phil Neumann, who signed on a free transfer from Hannover 96 earlier this summer.

The German actually penned a pre-contract agreement at the beginning of 2025 and has been backed to go straight into Davies’ XI.

5 LB: Lee Buchanan

With Laird keeping his place at right-back, Lee Buchanan has been predicted to make his return from a serious knee to start at left-back.

Buchanan ‘is expected to hold down the left side with his defensive solidity and attacking overlaps’.

6 CM: Hayden Hackney

Backed to cost £10m from Middlesbrough this summer is Hayden Hackney, with AI-driven predictions suggesting Birmingham could target the 22-year-old versatile midfielder.

Grok says Hackney’s ‘ability to play multiple midfield roles would add dynamism’ to the Blues side.

7 CM: Paik Seung-ho

Partnering Hackney is Paik Seung-ho, who was a regular in 24/25, making 50 appearances in all competitions.

The South Korea international is likely to play a key role once more, and Grok says his ‘composure and work rate make him a certain starter in the Championship’.

8 CAM: Kanya Fujimoto

The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for Japanese attacking midfielder Kanya Fujimoto this summer, with his contract at Gil Vicente set to expire.

Still just 26 years of age, Fujimoto’s ‘creativity and flair would suit Davies’ attacking philosophy’.

9 RW: Demarai Gray

Returning to St Andrew’s this summer is academy graduate Demarai Gray, nine years on after leaving Birmingham for Leicester City.

Gray’s ‘Premier League experience and pace would be a major coup’ for the Blues, according to Grok.

10 ST: Jay Stansfield

Birmingham’s record signing Jay Stansfield was always going to keep his place in the XI after a successful first season as a permanent Blues player.

The striker already has ‘proven Championship quality which makes him the focal point of the attack’.

Kotak has been head coach of several India A tours, and served as assistant coach to Laxman during the Ireland T20Is, and has been a batting coach at the NCA since 2019

Nagraj Gollapudi16-Jan-2025Former Saurashtra captain and batter Sitanshu Kotak is set to join the India men’s set-up as batting coach. ESPNcricinfo has learned that Kotak, who is 52, will start with the five-match home T20I series against England which starts from January 22.Kotak, who retired in 2013 after a first-class career spanning more than 20 years, has been the batting coach at the National Cricket Academy since 2019. Kotak also was the head coach of several India A tours and served as assistant coach to VVS Laxman when the latter helmed India’s white-ball bilateral engagements as head coach in the last few years.Kotak will be the fifth assistant on the coaching staff which is led by Gautam Gambhir, who took charge as the all-format head coach last August. At the time Gambhir brought in three assistant coaches: former South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel (bowling coach), along with former India and Mumbai allrounder Abhishek Nayar and former Netherlands and Essex captain Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coaches. T Dilip, who was the fielding coach during Rahul Dravid’s tenure, was retained.Related

• India's Champions Trophy squad: Will Bumrah be ready in time? And what about Kuldeep?

• Will Jaiswal be picked for ODIs? Does Jadeja still make the cut?

• Mohammed Shami returns for India's T20I series against England

The development comes soon after the BCCI conducted a review meeting in Mumbai last weekend to assess India’s disastrous run of series defeats starting with the white-ball loss in Sri Lanka, followed by an unprecedented 3-0 defeat in the Test series against New Zealand at home and then the 3-1 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.The India batters’ plummeting form – and subsequent failures – was the key reason behind those defeats, and played a big role in the Test side missing out on a World Test Championship final berth. It is understood that batting was among the significant points discussed during the review meeting which included Gambhir, selection committee head Ajit Agarkar and many from BCCI’s top brass, including newly-appointed board secretary Devajit Saikia.