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Newcastle United are now in the top half of the Premier League table as a crucial January continues to chug along.

Eddie Howe has come out to state that the Toon’s start to the year is “season-defining”, with a mammoth nine games heading their way in all competitions, as another EFL Cup final potentially waits on the horizon.

Howe would have been delighted by the performance against Crystal Palace to kickstart 2026 with a comfortable 2-0 victory, but he will know his squad could still do with some improvements here and there, with the transfer window now back open for business.

Newcastle United looking at striker deal

With Sandro Tonali struggling to hit the grand heights expected of him this season, it’s no great shock to see that the Toon are planning to bring in midfield reinforcements in January.

The incessant rumour at St James’ Park at the moment revolves around Newcastle preparing to go all out to snap up AZ Alkmaar sensation Kees Smit, with a wild £52m valuation above the in-demand Dutchman’s head.

It’s not just centrally where Newcastle could look to add in additional bits of quality, though, with a new development no doubt piquing the Toon’s interest.

Back in the summer, it was heavily reported that the Magpies had bid a whopping £50m for Jorgen Strand Larsen’s services, with the Wolverhampton Wanderers marksman fresh off a goal-heavy campaign in the Premier League.

Now, however, with the Nordic striker’s reputation taking a battering at Molineux this season, TEAMtalk is reporting that Larsen could be available for a discounted £40m, with Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Everton, and Fulham all informed about the situation at hand.

Newcastle are also being kept up to date during talks regarding his cheaper availability, with Howe potentially winning another Nick Woltemade-style figure if the lofty centre-forward does desert the West Midlands for a chance at top-flight redemption on Tyneside.

How Strand Larsen is another Woltemade in the making

Immediately, the similarities are apparent when taking in their ginormous frames, with Larsen coming in at an imposing 6-foot-4 when powering through on goal.

Woltemade does have him beaten in this department, standing at a remarkable 6-foot-7, but, when weighing up the Wolves number nine’s debut season in the Premier League, next to the Bremen-born menace’s current potent campaign, the similarities are also clear for all to see in their shared goalscoring prowess.

Larsen’s debut PL numbers vs Woltemade’s

Stat

Larsen

Woltemade

Games played

35

17

Goals scored

14

7

Assists

4

1

Goalscoring frequency

186 mins

180 mins

Goal conversion %

26%

27%

Big chances missed

13

6

Big chances created

6

1

Stats by Sofascore

Looking at the table above, the numbers are eerily similar, with Woltemade surely in line to notch up 14 Premier League goals himself this season, if he can keep his blistering Toon stay up.

The table above is enough, though, to make Newcastle consider a £40m move for Larsen in January, even if he has just one league goal next to his name this season, with his finishing ability lauded as “phenomenal” last campaign by his ex-Old Gold boss Vitor Pereira, firing a goal home every 186 minutes.

It could just be that Larsen needs a change of scenery to get back to his best, having been plunged into a depressing relegation battle at Molineux, with his overall style of play – away from being a focal point with goals – also suiting Howe’s set-up.

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Indeed, although Woltemade has garnered a lot of praise this season so far for his “ridiculous” finishing ability – as he was once labelled by journalist Zach Lowy – he has also stood out for his general hold-up play, with the towering striker’s nous to find his teammates up top such as Harvey Barnes with ease even being heralded as “mesmerising” to watch by Sky Sports’ Andy Sixsmith.

The German’s perfectly timed backheel against Benfica in October would set Barnes on his way to slotting a chance home, with Larsen also known to be a selfless performer in trying to tee up his Wolves teammates, when at his Molineux peak, as seen in him creating six big chances last season.

Newcastle royalty in Alan Shearer has even praised Larsen’s hold-up play as “excellent”, with journalist Liam Keen also noting that the Scandinavian is “very strong” in holding off opposition defenders, before calmly playing a pass.

It’s a steep amount to fork out on a player who has seen his Wolves career fall to the wayside, but Woltemade cost a bomb, too, at £69m, as another £40m is possibly dropped soon.

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Everton sits just five points behind their arch rivals, Liverpool, in the current Premier League standings.

David Moyes’ Toffees are still in with an outside shout of a top-four position in the top-flight this season, with eight league wins now next to their name from 19 total games, after getting the better of ex-boss Sean Dyche with ease last time out to beat Nottingham Forest 2-0.

James Garner would collect a goal and assist to rub salt into the wound of his former employers, but Moyes would have been over the moon with Thierno Barry’s efforts at the City Ground, as well, as he collected just his second ever Toffees strike against Dyche’s hosts.

But, with only 20 goals put away all season long, the Merseyside giants could be tempted to make some signings up top this January, with a talismanic figure in attack no doubt steering Moyes’ men to even more victories.

Everton still keen on dream striker move

With Beto only on one paltry Premier League strike for the campaign, too, it’s clear why a whole host of attacking names are already being linked to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, a matter of days after the window has reopened.

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Indeed, rumours suggest that Everton have begun to discuss a January deal with wantaway Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Although with his tally of just three goals in all competitions this season, he won’t be viewed as a huge upgrade worth breaking the bank over.

However, landing the services of Ivan Toney would be a deal that would send shockwaves through the Premier League, as the ex-Brentford attacker continues to be linked with a return to England.

Realistically, the costs involved – with Toney’s wage for Al-Ahli coming in at an eye-watering £433k-per-week – render this deal somewhat of a pipedream.

But, the i Paper has suggested that this is a move that the Toffees ‘would dearly love’ to get over the line over the coming month, as they search for that missing focal point up top, with Toney picking up a stunning 131 goal contributions over his last five seasons in England and in the Saudi Pro League.

Landing the 29-year-old’s services against all the odds could see Moyes win his very own version of Romelu Lukaku, with the Belgian still revered to this day on Merseyside as a beloved goal machine.

Why Toney can be Moyes' own Lukaku

Lukaku’s lasting imprint at Everton is felt today, with Barry stating – after bagging his game-clinching strike against Forest – that he has tried to model his instinctive Toffees game on the 32-year-old during his Goodison Park peak.

Indeed, for the majority of his Merseyside stay, most of what Lukaku touched would turn to gold, with his deadly 87 strikes for Everton in total far outweighing his output at Chelsea, Manchester United, and West Bromwich Albion.

He would even be labelled a “world-class” finisher by one of his former Everton bosses in Ronald Koeman, with the Toffees often relying on the magic of their former number ten to get them out of some sticky spots.

Everton are crying out for a similarly impactful figure to lead the line under Moyes, as the mid-table outfit has fallen victim to a lot of goalless displays this season, with December seeing the Merseysiders draw blanks across three straight Premier League ties.

Toney’s goal record under Frank

Stat

Toney

Games played

141

Minutes played

11,992 mins

Goals scored

72

Assists

23

Hat-tricks

2

Sourced by Transfermarkt

This is where Toney could come to the rescue, looking at the table above, with the 6-foot-1 marksman hailed as a “special” presence in front of goal by his ex-Bees boss in Thomas Frank, when putting away a devastating 72 strikes from 141 games under the Dane’s tenure at the G-Tech Community Stadium.

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Moyes will hope he can strike up an equally red-hot relationship with the seven-time England international if an audacious move is successful, with the Glaswegian responsible for getting a hefty 55 strikes out of Michail Antonio at West Ham United, while also working alongside memorable attackers such as Lukaku during his first Everton reign in Tim Cahill and Steven Pienaar.

The “remarkable” goalscorer – as he has also been lauded by Frank – hasn’t seen his goals dry up in the Middle East, either, as seen in his 43 strikes and counting for Al Ahli, as Toney continues to impress wherever he goes, much like the well-travelled Belgian.

The financial aspects of this deal do make it a very far-fetched one to get over the line, with Strand Larsen’s signature a lot easier and cheaper to seal.

But, if arrangements can be made for Everton to somehow work around his steep pay packet, winning Toney this January could see a second coming of Lukaku arrive on Merseyside.

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	Shoaib Akhtar: “Sharing the dressing room with Shah Rukh Khan and Sourav [Ganguly] was fantastic. They backed me. And I am really happy to perform” © AFP (file photo)

Shoaib Akhtar has said he had no point to prove to anybody when he went out to bowl against the Delhi Daredevils in his IPL debut for the Kolkata Knight Riders. “I just wanted to win the game,” said Shoaib, who ripped through Delhi’s batting with four wickets from three overs.With Kolkata defending a low total, Shoaib removed Virender Sehwag off the second ball of the innings, dismissed Gautam Gambhir in his next over and then took two more off successive balls in his third.Last month the Pakistan board banned Shoaib for five years on grounds of disciplinary problems but allowed him to play the IPL. He last played for Pakistan in November 2007.Shoaib said he was stressed but put everything behind him before the match. “For me, my team is the most important thing,” Shoaib said. “Kolkata is my home team. Eden Gardens is my home ground. Sharing the dressing room with Shah Rukh Khan and Sourav [Ganguly] was fantastic. They backed me. And I am really happy to perform. They put faith in me. And I am happy to deliver.”Ganguly, the Kolkata captain, acknowledge Shoaib’s performance. “He came to the country with lots [of things] happening behind him,” Ganguly said. “But he showed a lot of character.”Sehwag said it was the best Twenty20 spell he had ever seen but denied that Delhi’s batsmen fell to Shoaib’s pace.” We are used to pace,” Sehwag said. “We are all international players. I, Gautam and [Manoj] Tiwary. We batted too positively against Shoaib.”Their 23-run win keeps Kolkata at fourth place just above Delhi; their next match is against the Mumbai Indians on Friday.

New Zealand are not guaranteed to play a tri-series in Australia in 2008-09 © Getty Images

Australia may not host a tri-series in 2008-09 for the first time in 29 years, but the event would return to the calendar the following summer and stay until at least 2012. South Africa and New Zealand are currently due to play five one-day contests each in two series rather than appearing in the format used for the CB Series.Cluttered scheduling, which has also led to Australia delaying the start of their annual limited-overs tournament until next February, is behind the programming proposal. India’s first Test will be in Melbourne on Boxing Day, which in recent history has been the second-last five-day contest of the season.Michael Brown, Cricket Australia’s operations manager, told The Australian ratings and attendances showed the tri-series was still popular but “hiccups” existed in the scheduling. “There’s a hurdle again in 2008-09,” he told the paper. “We need to work with both New Zealand and South Africa to determine what the programme looks like. At this stage we have them committed for five one-day games each.”Official tri-series have been played in Australia since 1979-80, but the length of the tournament – it lasted a month and contained 14 matches in 2006-07 – has made it more difficult to attract two teams at the same time. Sri Lanka, who play two Tests against Australia in November, will return in January to join India as the visitors for the next CB Series.

The Asia Cup will be played every alternate year and Pakistan will host the next round in 2008, as has been decided by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in its annual general council meeting in Kuala Lampur. It will be the first time that Pakistan willl host the tournament.Apart from that, as per the rotation policy, the presidency of the ACC will be handed over to Jayantha Dharmadasa, the Sri Lankan board president, Saleem Altaf, the PCB director-operations told . Dharmadasa will take over on July 1.The 2006 Indian edition of the tournament was to be played in February, but was postponed to 2008 after the Indian board complained of an already hectic schedule for the season. Sri Lanka are defending champions of the cup, which they hosted in 2004.

Shane Warne had a successful 2004 season with Hampshire© Getty Images

At the end of his second stint with Hampshire, Shane Warne insists that county cricket is in good condition, although he believes that a few changes could improve it even further.”When I look back over another enjoyable season in England, I can see that county cricket is in good shape overall,” said Warne in his article in . “England are starting to play well because it [the County Championship] is competitive and producing some high-quality games, so the best players are learning how to win.”Having said that, I would change a few things here and there, he admitted. “One is the sheer volume of cricket; there is definitely too much at the moment. Players just don’t get the chance to practise or recover. I think the workload is a big reason why out-and-out fast bowlers are not coming through.”Warne, who played a vital role in Hampshire’s promotion to Division One with 51 Championship wickets at an average of just over 24 this season, suggested that the number of matches played be reduced from 16 to 12, with some counties playing each other only once, adding that this “could be organised on a system depending on finishing positions the season before.”Warne recommended that the National League schedule also be reduced to 12 games. “Put together, this would open up 20 days through the season for players to rest or work on their techniques. The Twenty20 Cup can stay as it is.”Warne also advocated the scrapping of bonus points in the County Championship, saying: “I think some teams have been playing for them this season instead of going all out to win. The difference between what you can earn for a win and a draw with full bonus points should be greater.”I accept there must be something for a draw, if only because of the way the weather can influence a game. It should be minimal – two points, say – to make sure that teams playing for big-scoring draws all season do not become champions.” Warwickshire, this season’s county champions, went through the season unbeaten, but only won five matches, and drew 11.Warne added that he believed counties should come to an agreement regarding the issue of overseas players, where every team would have to include eight players who are qualified to play for England, concluding: “The other three can be overseas, EU, or little green men from Mars.”

Mark Waugh and Sue Porter in 2003© Getty Images

Mark Waugh’s long and prosperous cricket career ended only 22 days ago. Now his 17-year relationship with Sue Porter is over as well.Waugh, who retired after New South Wales’s season-ending Pura Cup game against Queensland at the SCG on March 7, announced the split today via his manager. Waugh and 51-year-old Porter were together throughout his 128-Test career and the vast majority of his 18 years with NSW.Leo Karis, Waugh’s manager, confirmed the separation. “Mark Waugh and Susan Porter have today mutually and amicably agreed to end their relationship,” he said in a statement. “Mark and Susan request that their privacy be respected at this time. There will not be any further comments made by either party.”Waugh, 38, met Porter when he was a 21-year-old working at a Sydney sports store. She was 34 at the time, and married with three children.”It wasn’t love at first sight,” Waugh wrote in his biography. “Sue was married, and I was just a young fella who was a bit naive when it came to girls.” Waugh’s book said Porter did not share his love of gambling on horses, and insisted on one gambling-free day a week when they were at home together.They had been engaged.

Sri Lanka’s cricketers have rejected a performance-related pay package for the forthcoming World Cup and refused to sign their player contracts.The Sri Lankan cricket board has therefore failed to the meet the January 14 ICC deadline for signing the players’ terms agreement.A statement released by the Sri Lanka Cricketers Association (SLCA) said: "The SLCA confirms that the controversial players’ terms agreement has not been signed by the Sri Lanka players."The SLCA are demanding that the Sri Lankan cricket board pay the players 20% of the monies that they receive from the ICC World Cup. At present they have been offered a 5% revenue share."The players of Australia and New Zealand are being paid 25%," said the SLCA. "The South Africans are almost there with 30% of the total money received from their board. In view of the above, the 20% that the Sri Lankan players are requesting seems reasonable enough.""The players are of the view that their rights have been stolen away by this Player Terms Agreement. The BCCSL, without consulting the players concerned, have signed the agreement until the 2007 World Cup. Therefore, the players have a right to claim these payments."The release, however, hints that the players would stop short of boycotting the tournament: "The players are clearly committed to participate in the World Cup even without such payments."Earlier in the week, the BCCSL offered the players a performance-based payincentives package, including an USD 100,000 bonus for lifting the trophy, as well as doubling their standard match fee of USD 700 per game.

Kent County Cricket Club today announced the coaching structure that willguide the Kent team to the end of the 2001 season. John Inverarity’sshort-term contract as Coaching Adviser is drawing to a close but hisexpertise has produced some excellent performances by the Kent team, layingfirm foundations for the future.John will be handing over the reins of the First XI to Chris Stone whojoined the Club’s coaching staff in March 1999 and in his short time at theClub has demonstrated his commitment to Kent’s young players. Alan Wellswill Captain the Second XI and Daryll Cullinan will assume the role ofDevelopment Coach, encouraging the development of the Kent Young Cricketersquads as well as the County’s young professionals.John Inverarity commented: “I have thoroughly enjoyed the past three months and have been excited by the huge potential within the Kent squad. Chris Stone is anexcellent coach and, under his guidance and Matthew Fleming’s captaincy, Iam sure that the team will soon reap the rewards of their hard work.”The Club will be considering a detailed report prepared by John Inverarityand will announce its coaching structure for the longer term in due course.

According to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, via TUTTOmercatoWEB, Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on a new striker target in Roma star Tammy Abraham.

The Lowdown: Conte eyes striker move…

As reliably reported, Tottenham and manager Antonio Conte see the signing of a back-up to star striker Harry Kane as one of four priorities (Alasdair Gold).

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The likes of Andrea Belotti and Alvaro Morata have been linked in recent months with Kane currently unchallenged and unsupported for the attacking role in north London.

It could be imperative for Spurs and Conte to have another option in the event of a serious injury to the England superstar with their eyes now apparently turning to Abraham.

The Latest: Spurs set sights…

As per Il Messaggero (via TMW), it is believed that Tottenham, and by extension transfer chief Fabio Paratici, have ‘already set their sights’ on the former Chelsea star.

Man United and his ex-club also hold a serious interest amid his fine debut campaign in Italy with the latter side possessing a €80 million (£67.6m) buy-back clause.

The Verdict: Big challenge…

It is little wonder Abraham has caught the attention of Spurs as he dazzles in Rome and earns the affection of both Jose Mourinho and supporters alike.

However, if Paratici and co. truly wish to sign the attacker, they will have to pay big.

Reliable journalist Sami Mokbel of The Daily Mail recently revealed that Roma are expected to place a £100 million price tag on Abraham this summer, a valuation which could well dent Spurs’ summer hopes.

If Tottenham did somehow do the very improbable, there is little denying he would upgrade Conte’s options, with pundit Alex McLeish calling him ‘phenomenal’.

He’s lived up to that tag in Italy with 15 goals and three assists in the league alone so far this season, and amid his huge hike in value, Spurs may be regretting not signing him when they had the chance last summer.

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The Telegraph explained that Abraham had been ‘offered’ and ‘made available’ to Spurs in 2021 with the price tag around that time amounting to £40m.

Now, it appears Paratici faces a much bigger challenge to sign him.

In other news: Conte now eyeing £25.2m-rated ‘game-changer’ who Spurs once agreed personal terms for…find out more here.