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USA coach Pubudu Dassanayake has been announced to fulfill the same role for the ICC Americas squad at the WICB Nagico Super50 later this month in Barbados. Dassanayake will be assisted by former Canada fast bowler and current Cricket Canada selector Henry Osinde.Dassanayake took over USA’s coaching duties in September and helped lead the side to a tournament title at the ICC WCL Division Four in Los Angeles this past November. The former Sri Lankan Test wicketkeeper was the most likely candidate to lead the combined ICC Americas side – comprising players from USA, Canada and Bermuda – as his USA coach’s salary is currently being paid for by funding from ICC Americas while the USA Cricket Association remains under suspension for issues regarding its governance.Another factor is that Dassanayake also has a solid familiarity with many of Canada’s players in the ICC Americas squad, having coached Canada from 2007 to 2011 and continues to live with his family in Barrie, Ontario, about an hour north of Toronto. Dassanayake and Osinde take over from Derek Perera and Mike Young, who formed the coaching staff for the ICC Americas squad at last year’s WICB Nagico Super50.ICC Americas staff also announced on Sunday night that USA wicketkeeper-batsman Akeem Dodson has been chosen as the replacement for Steven Taylor in the ICC Americas 15-man squad. Dodson received a call up after Taylor was drafted into Jamaica’s squad for the tournament. The 29-year-old Dodson was a member of last year’s ICC Americas squad at the Nagico Super50, making 16 runs in three innings, but had initially been left out of this year’s 15-man squad when it was first announced in December.”Whilst it will be disappointing to lose a senior player from the Americas squad, it also means another Americas player gets an opportunity at this level,” ICC Americas regional development manager Ben Kavanagh said in a media release announcing the squad change and coaching staff assignments. “Ultimately, the more players who can get an opportunity to play within first-class cricket structures, the stronger the Americas region will be.”The majority of the squad is due to arrive in Barbados on January 21 for four days of training ahead of their first match against Combined Campuses and Colleges on January 26. USA representatives Fahad Babar and Jessy Singh are currently playing first-class cricket in Sri Lanka in a development opportunity arranged by Dassanayake and won’t arrive in Barbados until January 23 in order to allow them to continue playing through the seventh round of the Sri Lanka first-class tournament that ends on January 22.

Manchester City will turn their attention to RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol after sealing a deal for Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Manchester City transfer news – Josko Gvardiol

Gvardiol has emerged as one of the most sought-after defensive prospects heading into this summer transfer window, and Romano has stated that City are on the verge of agreeing on personal terms with the Croatian international.

The Italian transfer expert states that negotiations are needed between RB Leipzig and the recently crowned European champions as the German side want more than the reported €80m fee. He also believes Leipzig still want to keep the 21-year-old.

"Right after Kovacić deal, Man City will push again for top target Josko Gvardiol — as personal terms are on the verge of being agreed with Croatian CB," he tweeted. "Negotiations needed with RB Leipzig as they want way more than reported €80m fee, still hoping to keep Josko."

The Bundesliga side are said to be demanding around €100m (£85m), as per 90min.

Is Josko Gvardiol better than Ruben Dias?

City are stacked at the back, and signing Gvardiol can help make that defensive unit even stronger.

Pep Guardiola switched up City’s defensive system this season, changing from their traditional 4-3-3 formation with overlapping fullbacks to an unusual 3-2-4-1 formation with inverted fullbacks.

It worked a treat, as City went on to win a historic treble and claimed their first-ever Champions League title.

Although Ruben Dias would be considered the premier defender in this side, Gvardiol’s performances against City in this season's Champions League show that the Croatian could even be an upgrade on one of Pep’s favourite defenders.

The 6 foot 1 colossus put in an excellent performance against Erling Haaland when the sides met in the first leg of their Champions League knockout game in February.

Josko’s stats in the game were sensational, winning three ground duels and four aerial duels and didn’t commit a single foul whilst marking the hottest striker in the Premier League.

He also showed his abilities on the ball, completing 82% of his 82 passes, including one key pass and creating one big chance, per SofaScore.

Gvardiol finished with a 7.2 match rating, in comparison to Haaland’s 6.7 rating. He even got on the score sheet in the 1-1 draw, unlike the talismanic Norweigen, powering home a bullet header from a corner in the second half.

The Croatia international, who was hailed as one of the best centre-backs at the World Cup by Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra, allowed Haaland just 22 touches in the entire game with the Norwegian hitman failing to register a shot on target in the 90 minutes.

“He’s young, he’s 21 years old, so to come and perform the way he did, so mature, so calm,” said Ferdinand.

“I think he has got a chance to go on and become one of the best defenders in the world, if he can continue improving like this.”

The Croatian "machine" – as hailed by The Athletic's Jordan Campbell back in December – has proved his worth in the RB Leipzig defence, winning 32 of the 59 games the centre-back has played.

If the promising young defender does get his City move, he can learn from the excellence of teammate Dias, and even surpass the Portuguese centre-back.

Dias has won all there is to win in Manchester since his move from Benfica in 2020. Dias won the club player of the year in 2021 and has won three Premier League titles since his arrival at the Etihad.

Gvardiol becoming an upgrade on Dias speaks not of a decline in the ability of Dias, but more so of the sky-high potential the Croatian transfer target has to become one of the best centre-backs in the world.

Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Sporting CP defender, Goncalo Inacio ahead of the summer transfer window, as manager Erik ten Hag seeks to strengthen his backline.

What's the latest on Inacio to Man United?

According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo – via Sports Witness – the Red Devils are believed to have been watching the 21-year-old for a 'long time', with the Premier League outfit one of several European clubs to have sent scouts to watch the centre-back in action against Vizela on Friday evening.

The report suggests that United are always 'very attentive' to what is going on in the Primeira Lga and its potential stars, having previously snapped up Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo from the Lisbon outfit in the recent past.

As per Football Insider, however, Ten Hag could well face competition for the signing of the one-cap Portugal international – who could command a fee of around £45m – amid claims that Newcastle United are also in the running at present.

Who is Goncalo Inacio?

The 6 foot 1 starlet is evidently a highly-coveted young talent and a player who could well be on his way to England in the near future, with the youngster having been hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig as "another sensation" to have emerged from Sporting's academy

The "ball-playing" left-footer – as described by Kulig – has established himself as a leading presence at Estadio Jose Alvalade despite his relative youth, having already made 122 appearances across all fronts to date, scoring 11 times and contributing eight assists in that time.

That includes a respectable tally of four goals and three assists from his defensive berth in 52 games across all fronts this season, with Inacio notably helping to dump Arsenal out of the Europa League last 16, having scored in the 2-2 draw in the first-leg.

Not only has the Almada native already proven himself against English opposition – having been part of the side that also beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League earlier in the campaign – but he could also be attractive to United as he is said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities with one of Ten Hag's former Ajax assets, Jurrien Timber, as per FBref.

That likeness between Inacio and his fellow 21-year-old is shown by their innate ability at playing out from the back, with the Sporting gem ranking in the top 1% among his peers in the 'Men's next eight competitions' for progressive passes as well as in the top 3% for progressive carries, while Timber ranks in the top 1% for both of those metrics.

The two exciting centre-back's are also alike due to their defensive prowess, with the Portuguese ace having recorded 39 tackles and 45 interceptions in the league this season, while his Dutch counterpart has recorded 42 and 47 for those same two metrics, respectively.

That comparison is noteworthy as Timber previously shone under Ten Hag's tutelage in Amsterdam, having scored four goals and provided two assists in 74 games during their time working together.

With the United boss previously hailing his compatriot as a "great leader", he clearly holds a strong affection for the Utrecht native, hence what a wise move it would be to snap up the 53-year-old's next Timber with the signing of Inacio.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Emerson Royal has endured an inconsistent season like many of his teammates as the Lilywhites have struggled to deal with the expectations bestowed upon them.

Pedro Porro had displaced the Brazilian in the Spurs' starting line-up until recently, though Royal has since won his place back in the side and could have a big impact come 2023/24.

What's the latest news involving Emerson Royal?

Journalist Dean Jones, speaking to Football FanCast, has predicted that Royal could have a renaissance in north London next term under a new manager, telling FFC: "I know what they're thinking, will it be three at the back, will it be four at the back [under a new manager], but if he can be adaptable to that, then he could become a big player for Tottenham and start to produce the types of performances that Tottenham fans would have hoped to see more of."

As per The Evening Standard, the 24-year-old demonstrated that he has a role to play looking ahead for Spurs against Crystal Palace earlier this month, operating admirably in a back three, something which drew praise from caretaker boss Ryan Mason.

Mason said after the game: “He was outstanding. I thought the whole team without the ball worked hard, they worked together. And obviously Eme has had a period out. But I trust him. We trust him. And I thought today he did a very good job along with the rest of the players on the pitch.”

90min have cited that there have been suggestions from Royal's agent and father, Emerson Zulu, that he could be set to leave north London this summer, as he said in an interview with the Charla Podcast: "We believe it's time for him to take a bigger leap and to go to a team that fights for titles. I think he fits a giant like Real Madrid."

In total, the £40k-a-week ace has made 35 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham this campaign, registering two goals and one assist, as per Transfermarkt.

Does Emerson Royal have a future at Tottenham Hotspur?

Royal should have a future at Tottenham and he has all of the tools for a new manager to come in and make him a key player in north London moving forward.

The 24-year-old is hardworking, adaptable and has definitely raised his game since the arrival of positional rival Porro in January. WhoScored notes that Royal has been competent in the tackle this season, averaging around two successful challenges per match in the Premier League.

Earlier this year, talkSPORT pundit and former Tottenham man Jamie O'Hara took the time to praise the Brazil international due to his upturn in form, saying: “Emerson Royal. All of a sudden, he’s had the kick up the backside that he needs and he looks like a decent player. Porro has come in and he’s thought I need to step up here and play some decent football and he looks alright now you know.”

FBRef details that Royal also ranks in the top 6% of full-backs across Europe's top five divisions for clearances over the last 365 days, having made 3.25 per 90 minutes in total.

In the Premier League, the Sao Paulo-born defender, who was labelled as "dreadful", has managed to complete 33 accurate long balls, illustrating that he can also contribute to offensive passages of play efficiently.

Yes, Royal still has some aspects of his game that he needs to work on; nevertheless, there is a big opportunity for him to show Spurs' prospective new manager that he can fight for the jersey as a starter next campaign.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly interested in signing a striker from the Championship this summer.

Julen Lopetegui is set to “overhaul” his strike force, as per Sky Sports, in the bid to improve on this season’s woeful lack of goals.

Wolves are the Premier League’s lowest scorers this campaign, having found the net just 30 times in 36 games, 62 fewer than league leaders Manchester City.

With the future of Raul Jimenez in doubt, Lopetegui will have the chance to rebuild his front line with the hope to get his side firing again.

The club have been linked with a number of forwards ahead of the window, including Coventry City marksman Viktor Gyokeres and Barcelona’s Ansu Fati. However, there should be another option in the frame if Wolves are smart about things; Chuba Akpom.

What’s the latest on Chuba Akpom's future?

As per Sky Sports, Middlesbrough striker Akpom is a player “on the radar” of Premier League clubs this summer.

The former Arsenal forward’s contract expires next summer, as Boro extended his stay to an additional 12 months at the start of this season.

Wolves are currently 'leading the race' to sign fellow Championship forward Gyokeres, via the same report.

However, if a deal can't be concluded there then Akpom simply has to become an option for Lopetegui as he bids to steal him away from other top-flight sides.

What could Chuba Akpom bring to Wolves?

The 27-year-old Boro forward scored 28 goals in 40 appearances in the Championship this season, making him the top scorer just ahead of Gyokeres who registered 21 in eight more games.

Hailed as “incredible” by journalist Chris Wheatley after netting his 19th goal, the London-born striker was integral to getting Michael Carrick’s side to the play-off semi-finals.

Despite falling at the final hurdle to Coventry City, the campaign has been an unforgettable one personally for the Englishman, being named in WhoScored’s Championship team of the season – as per Sky Sports.

Boro’s near miss in the play-off semis has sparked rumours as to whether the forward will remain in the second-tier next term.

Wolves have been crying out for a goalscorer this campaign, and Akpom could be the missing piece to getting Lopetegui’s side firing in the Premier League.

By sealing aa deal, the former Real Madrid coach could sign his answer to the top-flight's most feared strikers, with Spurs star Harry Kane perhaps being the pick of the bunch considering he also learnt his trade for a while in the Football League.

The 27-year-old is actually averaging more goals per 90 than the impeccable Spurs talisman, with 0.7 per 90 minutes – as per FBref.

Although not boasting the assist count (2) of someone like Kane, Akpom's ability to drop deeper and play as an attacking midfielder shows there are further similarities. The former does that with great regularity in north London, having since become a “complete player”, as lauded by Zinedine Zidane.

Solving the lack of goals is the primary requirement for Lopetegui to tackle however natural goal-scorers are hard to find, and in the Boro star the Midlands club could retrieve a talent at the peak of his career and hungry for a breakthrough.

Only time will tell if Wolves will make a move for the 27-year-old, however with 28 goals this term, there’s no denying the club could land a much-needed talisman.

New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly requested that the Blues sign Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer.

On Sunday, Sky Sports reported that Chelsea have agreed a deal with Pochettino to become the club's new manager.

Frank Lampard became the club's interim boss after Graham Potter was fired but the board will now hope that the managerial turbulence that has rocked the club in the last year is finally over.

Pochettino will get straight to work building his Chelsea side and it appears he might raid his former side to get things started.

What are Chelsea's transfer plans for this summer?

According to one Spanish news outlet, Todd Boehly "is willing to invest" further into this Chelsea side and will work with Pochettino to take the Blues back to the top of English football.

The report from Spain claims the former Spurs boss has requested that Hojbjerg joins the club this summer as plans are put in place to improve the Chelsea midfield. The 27-year-old has been hailed a "warrior" by some in the media and it's no surprise that Pochettino would want to work with him again.

It's suggested that part of why he is of interest to the Stamford Bridge outfit is that he is physically imposing, has Premier League experience and is technically astute. It will be interesting to see how kindly Spurs chairman Daniel Levy takes to the news that Pochettino wants to poach Hojbjerg.

Would Hojbjerg be a good signing for Chelsea?

There is no doubt that Hojbjerg is a good player but he isn't a necessity for Chelsea. After signing Enzo Fernandez for £106.8m, it seems unlikely that the Blues will prioritise signing another deep-lying midfielder before addressing other concerns in the squad.

If a new midfielder is what Pochettino wants, it would be wiser to target a box-to-box midfielder especially if both Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount leave the club as speculated.

Given Pochettino's preferred style of play, it wouldn't come as a surprise if he wants Mount to stay at the club although his head may have already been turned by the recent reports linking him with a potential move to Liverpool.

After spending so much money on transfers since buying the club, Boehly must be careful that the signings made this summer are the right ones.

If Chelsea struggle again last season, the pressure will increase on all involved at Stamford Bridge.

The West Indies Cricket Board has signed a new agreement with telecom sponsor Digicel for the next four years

ESPNcricinfo staff25-May-2016The West Indies Cricket Board has signed a new agreement with telecom sponsor Digicel for the next four years. Along with the men’s team, Digicel will also sponsor the women’s and the Under-19 teams this time.In addition, Digicel will help the Caribbean islands develop their coaching clinics to find and nurture players for the future. In a move to further develop the longer format in West Indies, the mobile phone network provider will also help the WICB broadcast the Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Competition, their domestic first-class competition, later this year.”The new partnership meets a number of our strategic commercial goals, and we are delighted to be continuing our long association with Digicel,” Michael Muirhead, WICB’s chief executive officer said. “This new era sees an expanded level of support for all of our teams and a focus on growing the next wave of Caribbean cricket champions in all formats.”John Delves, chief commercial officer at Digicel Group, said: “The stunning recent successes of the men, women’s and U19s teams have once again broadened the appeal of the game and excited new audiences. We are delighted to be involved now with all of the WICB teams and particularly pleased to be partnering on the coaching clinics which will help to nurture future champions from the Caribbean.”Despite ongoing issues with the WICB, West Indies have already won three ICC titles this year – the Under-19 World Cup, the men’s World T20 and the women’s World T20.

Journalist Craig Hope has claimed that Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe may have proven he wants Declan Rice this summer with his latest quotes.

What's the latest transfer news for Newcastle and Declan Rice?

The Premier League club will no doubt be in the market for some exciting new players in the upcoming transfer window – especially if they can finish in the top four and land a Champions League spot.

With that in mind, the Magpies manager was asked specifically about trying to land someone like West Ham United midfielder Rice.

In response, he told the press: “That is a difficult question to answer. We are trying to build the best squad we can,” he said in a press conference on Friday.

“I think a lot will probably depend on what competitions we are playing in next year as to what we can and can’t do.”

While talking about this on his own YouTube channel, Hope noted that it was "interesting" that Howe refused to rule out the possibility of chasing Rice.

He also noted that Champions League football could change the club's past transfer strategy, saying: "I thought it was a very telling answer. Eddie Howe was asked if players, such as Declan Rice – and Declan Rice was named – if they will be on the list of targets this summer, if Newcastle do qualify for the Champions League.

"And Eddie's answer was interesting in that he didn't shut it down. Now, previously, all the conversations I've had around Newcastle recruitment, various sources have always said the likes of Declan Rice – you know, Premier League players at a premium – that's just not their model."

He went on, however, to say: "Their number one priority this summer is, what insiders call a number six – someone who's got physicality, who's got stamina, can shield the back four, but can also play it.

"Now, if you're going for the very, very best in the land, who's going to be on the market in the coming months, that is Declan Rice. And that is why the name was put to Eddie. And where this might change is if Newcastle do qualify for the Champions League."

How much would Newcastle need to pay for Rice?

If Newcastle were to go out and chase Rice, it might take a club-record transfer fee to land him from West Ham. Indeed, manager David Moyes has been on the record as saying the player will require a fee of well over £100m to move.

Seeing as the Magpies completed the club-record signing of Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad for £59m last summer, it would represent a pretty huge deal to go and smash that fee by paying a further £40m+ to land Rice.

That said, the player has admitted that he wants to soon be playing in Europe at the highest level, with Rice saying (via The Guardian): "One hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League. For the last two or three years I’ve been saying that.

"I’ve been playing consistently well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing. I see my friends here who are playing Champions League and for big trophies."

So while such a deal might not have seemed realistic in the past, if Newcastle can finish in the top four, perhaps this transfer wouldn't be out of their reach.

Arsenal are one of a number of Premier League clubs who could consider a summer move for Mason Mount, with the Gunners "aware" of his quality.

Mount to leave Chelsea in the summer?

The England international could possibly leave Chelsea at the end of the season, having failed to agree a new contract there for a number of months. He and the club can't reach an agreement that suits all parties, and for that reason, a summer exit appears to be increasingly likely.

Mount's current Blues contract expires in the summer of 2024, and in order to avoid losing him on a free transfer at that point, thet west Londoners could decide to sell him in the coming months. A host of top teams have been linked with a move for the 24-year-old and he is unlikely to be without suitors if a Chelsea exit does materialise.

Mikel Arteta will clearly already be eyeing up potential summer signings at Arsenal, in order to sign make his squad even better ahead of next season, with midfield an area of the pitch where more depth is required. That's where Mount comes into play, with the Chelsea and England man seen as a possible addition at the Emirates.

Could Arsenal snap up midfielder?

According to The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Raphael Honigstein, Arsenal "may well seek to strengthen their options at No 8 in the summer and will be well aware of Mount’s pedigree — even if, at present, that is as far as their ‘interest’ has extended to date."

The report states that Liverpool look to be the front-runners to acquire Mount's signature during the summer transfer window, although the Gunners do seem to be eyeing him as an option.

The 36-time capped England international could be an excellent signing by Arsenal at the end of the season – he has 70 goal contributions for Chelsea – possessing so many of the attributes that Arteta admires in a player. He is hugely switched in a tactical sense, with Jose Mourinho once describing him as a "very, very intelligent" footballer, while Danny Murphy has called him as "terrific talent".

At 24, Mount is also at a great age to come in and be an instant hit in the Gunners' midfield, with his peak years still likely to be ahead of him, whether than be physically or in terms of maturity. It looks as though others are ahead Arsenal in the pecking order currently, but they are clearly an attractive proposition at the moment and he could like the idea of joining the Arteta revolution.

West Ham could now sign Torino defender Ola Aina for nothing, coming after a failed summer deadline day bid last year.

The Lowdown: Hammers’ busy summer…

Manager David Moyes and the Irons board oversaw one of the busiest summers in their history last year, sealing deals for Alphonse Areola, Nayef Aguerd, Flynn Downes, Gianluca Scamacca, Maxwel Cornet, Thilo Kehrer, Emerson Palmieri and club record signing Lucas Paqueta.

Their plethora of transfer activity totalled £162 million, not including the winter addition of Danny Ings from Aston Villa, but unfortunately West Ham’s performances on the pitch haven’t reflected this series of investments.

The Premier League relegation-battlers are currently just one point off the bottom three and face a crunch last few months of the campaign.

The Latest: West Ham gifted opportunity…

In some good news for West Ham, allnigeriasoccer report that they could now have an opportunity to seal a missed summer target at zero cost.

The African news outlet claims Moyes’ side lodged a summer deadline day bid for Aina of Torino last year but were knocked back.

West Ham are still eyeing a move now, and according to allnigeria, the east Londoners ‘could be saving transfer funds’ by signing the right-back ‘for nothing’ this year.

Contract talks with Torino have apparently stalled and Aina’s current deal is set to expire at the end of this season.

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The Verdict: Great player?

Called ‘unbelievable’ by sections of the press, Aina has experience starring for Fulham in England and has even been praised for his versatility.

According to WhoScored, over his 14 Serie A appearances this season, the 26-year-old has won their joint-most Man of the Match awards whilst ranking as their second-best performer overall.

Aina, going by the numbers, is a highly attack-minded player – having registered Torino’s joint-highest rate of successful take-ons per 90 (WhoScored).

Indeed, the Nigerian could be an asset at West Ham, especially as an alternative to Vladimir Coufal or the out-of-form Ben Johnson.