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Ghana’s Elvis Manu found the net thrice as Ludogorets Razgrad bowed 4-3 to LASK in Thursday’s Europa League showdown.

Manu was a second-half substitute as the Bulgarian First League side lost 2-1 to Royal Antwerp in their first game. Against the Austrians, however, he was handed a starter’s role and that paid off as he turned in three goals.

In the seven-goal thriller at the Linzer Stadium, the hosts began the party by scoring in the second minute through Petar Filipovic. Marko Raguz found the unmarked defender who dribbled his marker before unleashing a shot past goalkeeper Plamen Iliev.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 12th minute through Andreas Gruber who fired home a corner-kick from Peter Michorl.

In a goal-laden first-half that produced four goals, Manu pulled one back for the visitors three minutes later thanks to an assist from Alex Santana.

Marko Raguz restored LASK’s two-goal advantage in the 35th minute after acrobatically converting Andres Andrade’s cross as Dominik Thalhammer’s men went into the half-time break with a comfortable lead.

In the second half, the Austrians continued to push harder for more goals and that paid off in the 56th minute when Olivier Verdon deflected Husein Balic’s shot into his own net.

Ludogorets looked dead and buried, albeit, they almost produced a late comeback. Manu made it two for his side after darting into LASK’s defensive line before firing past goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.

16 minutes from full time, the Ghanaian completed his hat-trick from the penalty mark after he was upended by Lukas Grgic, who was dismissed by the referee Xavier Fernandez for a second caution.

That goal strengthened the Bulgarians but they tried in vain in search of an equaliser.

Alongside Manu, Madagascar’s Anicet Abel was in action from start to finish while Congo's Mavis Tchibota and Congo DR's Jordan Ikoko were introduced in the second half. For LASK, Nigeria’s Tobias Lawal was an unused substitute.

With this defeat, Stanislav Genchev’s side sits at the base of Group J with no point from two games. They would be eyeing their first win of their European campaign when they host Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur on November 5.

Manu has represented the Netherlands in the U16, U17, U19, U20 and U21 levels. However, on 24 June 2015, he switched his national allegiance to Ghana, whom he qualifies for through his Ghanaian heritage.

Jose Mourinho says that Tottenham's players made his future team selections "very easy" after struggling in a loss to Antwerp.

Spurs were undone by the Belgian side on Wednesday, with the Premier League side's second Europa League group-stage match ending in a surprise 1-0 defeat.

Mourinho deployed a reserve-heavy lineup, with the free-scoring duo of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son out of the starting XI for the day.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Toby Alderweireld, Moussa Sissoko, Lucas Moura and Matt Doherty were also left out after featuring against Burnley last weekend.

Mourinho turned to summer signings Carlos Vinicius and Gareth Bale alongside winger Steven Bergwijn in attack, while Dele Alli was also brought in to the midfield alongside Harry Winks and Giovani Lo Celso.

After the rotation Spurs struggled, failing to win Thursday's clash in Belgium despite entering as favourites.

And Mourinho said that there will be consequences for those that didn't play up to his expectations, declaring that Spurs players "let them win" with their performances.

"You know what our best team is. I always like to think the players deserve an opportunity. We have a big squad," he said, speaking at his post-match press conference.

"It's also their opportunity to catch the chance with both hands and ask for more. Tonight my future choices are going to be very easy.

"They got in a situation where we let them win. I don't want to take credit from them."

Mourinho also took to social media to express his frustration, posting from the team bus after the game: "Bad performances deserve bad results. Hope everyone in this bus is as upset as I am. Tomorrow 11 AM training."

Thursday saw Alli return to the team, having previously been excluded from all but two Premier League games so far.

Alli, however, has been involved in the Europa League, with Thursday being his fourth appearance of the season

Like several Spurs players, Alli struggled and was one of four players substituted at half-time.

"I don't want to analyse individually," Mourinho said. "It's fair to say that players with bad performances influence the team but also a team influence individual performances. 

"It's not for me to individualise and bring some names to the table."

Following Thursday's defeat, Spurs will now look to bounce back on Sunday as Mourinho's side hosts Brighton before then traveling to face Ludogorets in the Europa League next week.

Romelu Lukaku could miss Inter's Champions League clash with Real Madrid after suffering a thigh injury.

The Nerazzurri striker went for an MRI scan after feeling discomfort during the goalless draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Inter confirmed the Belgium international has strained a muscle in his left thigh and would continue to be assessed.

“Romelu Lukaku underwent an MRI scan at the Humanitas Institute in Rozzano this morning following a problem that arose during Tuesday's Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk,” read a statement on the club’s website.

“The scans showed that he has suffered a strain in his left thigh. His condition will be monitored daily.”

Lukaku is expected to sit out the Serie A match against Parma on Saturday and could also miss next Wednesday's visit to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The news is a blow to head coach Antonio Conte, whose side have drawn each of their opening Group B matches against Borussia Monchengladbach and Shakhtar.

That leaves them third in the table ahead of next week’s clash with Real, who are bottom having collected just one point from their opening two group-stage matches.

Lukaku has scored nine goals in 11 appearances in all competitions this season, picking up where he left off after a record-breaking debut campaign at the San Siro following his €80 million (£74m/$90m) move from Manchester United.

The 27-year-old scored 34 goals in all competitions to equal the record held by Brazilian legend Ronaldo for most goals scored in their debut season for the Serie A club.

Nine of those goals came in the Europa League as Inter reached the final before losing 3-2 Sevilla.

Lukaku found the net in that game and in doing so extended his own record by scoring in 11 consecutive matches in the competition, a run stretching all the way back to November 2014 when he was still at Everton.

Meanwhile, his 23 league goals helped Inter finish runners-up in Serie A, just one point behind champions Juventus. It was their highest finish in nine years and best points tally since their treble-winning season in 2009-10 under Jose Mourinho.

Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has revealed that team-mates Mesut Ozil and Bernd Leno's Bundesliga praises helped convince him to accept a loan move to Hertha Berlin, with the 21-year-old implying that the door is shut on his Gunners future.

The former Lorient youth graduate, a Europa League finalist under Unai Emery in 2019, has made the move from England to Germany this season in search of more minutes after struggling for regular game-time under Mikel Arteta.

The midfielder joined the north London outfit in 2018, and emerged as a solid presence in his first Premier League season, but will now try his fortunes with Bruno Labbadia's side.

Speaking out on his move to mainland Europe, France youth international Guendouzi has now revealed that Ozil and Leno - both German internationals at various points throughout their career and veterans of the Bundesliga - helped convince him to make the switch.

"I had a very good relationship with Mesut Ozil and Bernd Leno," the 21-year-old told Kicker. “Both of them told me a lot of good things about the Bundesliga.”

Further reflecting on his time at the Emirates Stadium, Guendouzi suggested that his long-term future appears to be away from Arsenal, indicating that he may move on to new pastures at the conclusion of his loan spell.

“I played over 80 games there and had a good, intense time there,” he added. “I learned a lot there in terms of sport and grew up there. It was two good years for me.”

Guendouzi spent the majority of his youth career at Paris Saint-Germain before making the switch to Lorient in 2014, emerging into the club's senior ranks two years later.

His form in France caught the eye of the Gunners, and he became one of former manager Emery's key purchases during his first transfer window, proceeding to feature in over 30 top-flight games in his first season in charge.

However, he slipped out of contention under subsequent boss Arteta and was reportedly excluded from group training at the club as recently as July due to alleged attitude and conduct issues.

Guendouzi is not the only player to have found themselves on the outs at Arsenal, with Ozil likely searching for a new home after he was snubbed for this season's Premier League and Europa League squads.

PSG star Kylian Mbappe has joined a number of Cameroon players including Stephane Mbia and goalkeeper Andre Onana in calling for an end to the Anglophone crisis in the Central African country.

Kumba, a city in the Southwest region of Cameroon, was thrown into mourning on Saturday after gunmen stormed a school - Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy, and opened fire on children with at least eight confirmed dead while 12 others were injured.

Cameroon is dominated by Francophone and Anglophone citizens with the Northwest and Southwest regions of the country seen as home to the English speakers.

The Anglophone crisis, however, started in 2016 when the English-speaking minority protested against the Francophone-dominated government but it turned violent a year later after the government's use of force to stop their demonstrations.

Following PSG's 2-0 win over Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League, Mbappe took to social media to show his support for the African country after some Indomitable Lions players expressed their concern.

"Cameroon is bleeding. I think of the families broken up yesterday in Kumba by these odious and cowardly acts. Going to school is not a crime. It is the youth and the future of our country that have been affected," Mbia tweeted.

Kevin Akpoguma, Ishak Belfodil and Ihlas Bebou delivered impressive performances as Hoffenheim secured a 4-1 win over Gent in Thursday’s Europa League game.

Akpoguma was afforded his second start in the competition this season and shone in his defensive role. Belfodil found the back of the net while Bebou grabbed an assist in the encounter.

The Nigeria international formed a five-man defence for the Kraichgauer along with Ryan Sessegnon, Kevin Vogt, Stefan Posch and Robert Skov.

Belfodil led the attack along with Togo international Bebou and they played key roles to ensure Hoffenheim clinched their second win on the bounce in the European tournament.

Gent dominated the opening 15 minutes as they aimed to end their recent unimpressive run of form, having lost their last three games.

Hoffenheim’s defence rose to the challenge and kept the Buffalos’ attackers at bay as the opening 30 minutes ended without a goal, with Roman Yaremchuk missing a glorious chance to put Gent in front from the penalty spot.

In the 36th minute, Belfodil opened the scoring for the Kraichgauer when he fired home his penalty past goalkeeper Davy Roef.

Florian Grillitsch doubled the lead in the 52nd minute after receiving a timely pass from Bebou, Mijat Gacinovic made it three before Munas Dabbur sealed the victory to render Tim Kleindienst’s late effort a mere consolation.

Akpoguma had 62 touches on the ball, made two key passes, three tackles and had a 96% successful pass rate to ensure his side secured all three points.

The defender featured for the duration of the game along with Bebou while Belfodil played for 77 minutes before he was replaced by Joao Klauss.

The victory ensured Hoffenheim continued their lead at the top of Group L with six points from two games. The group also has FK Crvena Zvezda and Slovan Liberec.

Akpoguma has now featured eight times for Sebastian Hoeneb’s men across all competitions in the current campaign while Bebou has made seven appearances and Belfodil has played five times.

The African stars will hope to help Hoffenheim extend their unbeaten run when they take on Slovan Liberec in their next game in the tournament on November 5.

Before then, the Kraichgauer will square off against Union Berlin in a Bundesliga game and Akpoguma, Belfodil and Bebou could play a part in the game.

Akpoguma will be expected to replicate his solid defensive club performances for Nigeria in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Sierra Leone in November, having been handed a call-up for the outing.

If Pep Guardiola were to leave Manchester City in the summer of 2021, then RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann would be the perfect candidate to step in at the Etihad Stadium, says Shaun Goater.

The Blues are hoping that no movement will be made in their dugout for the foreseeable future.

They have, however, seen their current coach enter the final year of his current contract.

Guardiola, who is already taking in the longest reign of his distinguished coaching career to date with City, is famed for delivering success in relatively short bursts at any one club.

He has remained coy on his plans when it comes to a new deal in England, with the absence of his signature on fresh terms sparking inevitable speculation regarding possible successors.

Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has been talked up as the favoured option for many, as the Argentine remains out of work, but Goater believes 33-year-old Nagelsmann would be a better fit to carry on the work of Guardiola.

The former City striker told Gentingbet: “I really like Nagelsmann, he’s a young manager who is brave, offensive in his game and that’s Pep’s style.

“The brand of football that City play is possession based with creativity, full-backs going forward, full-backs also being inverted and you don't see wide players or wingers, you see both. Working with those front three, that’s a brand of football that Pep has created. 

“Nagelsmann is a sort of manager that is brave when I've seen his teams and I like that about him.

“He sort of says, ‘Right, we're coming to win this game’ and he does tactical moves that stretch the opposition and make them think differently, rather than playing a cagey game, so I really like some of the things I've seen his teams do.

“With Pochettino, we’ve seen how he operated at Tottenham and he was just starting to really build some good things as a good manager but he didn't quite win anything there, but again, played a great brand of football. So, both of them would be exciting managers.”

Pochettino has been without a club since severing ties with Spurs in November 2019, while Nagelsmann is tied to a contract at Leipzig until 2023.

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho says he “feels very hurt” when he cannot select Dele Alli, but has challenged the England international to grasp the opportunity when it is presented to him.

Alli's future at Spurs has been the subject of much speculation since he was substituted at half-time during the 1-0 defeat against Everton on the opening weekend of the new season.

The England international was subsequently dropped from Mourinho's squad for a Europa League qualifying meeting with Lokomotiv Plovdiv, and has made just two starts and three substitute appearances in all competitions since.

There were rumours suggesting French champions PSG were interested in signing Alli before the transfer deadline earlier this month, but no deal materialised.

Despite finding himself out of the side, Mourinho has praised Alli for his professional attitude in training and hinted that he could still have a long-term future at the club.

The former MK Dons youngster was given a rare chance to impress when he was named in the starting XI for Thursday’s Europa League clash away at Royal Antwerp.

Speaking ahead of kick-off, Mourinho once again praised Alli’s attitude and application, while saying his lack of regular action is simply down to the intense competition for places.

"Dele is working hard and I feel very hurt when I don't select him or even don't have him on the bench, but this is the consequence of the attacking players we have," Mourinho told BT Sport.

"Tonight [Dele and Steven Bergwijn] have to catch the opportunity with both hands.”

Alli was one of nine changes to the Tottenham side from Monday’s win at Burnley, with Gareth Bale also handed a start while free-scoring duo Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min dropped to the bench.

However, Alli was one of four players taken of at half-time as Spurs trailed the Belgian outfit 1-0 at the break.

Mourinho accepts it is a challenge trying to keep so many players happy, but admits it is a nice problem to have.

"I am happy. I have lots of good players and everyone is motivated,” he added. “Everyone wants to give everything on the pitch. 

“They show frustration when they are not playing in the right way when they are on the pitch. 

“You could say it is a risk to change so many players but I would say I accept the risk because I trust the players and the squad.”

Ghana and Crystal Palace attacker Jordan Ayew has recovered from the coronavirus, the Premier League club has announced.

The striker tested positive for the disease upon his return from international duty with Ghana who faced Mali and Asian champions Qatar in international friendly matches earlier this month.

His return boosts Palace ahead of Friday's English league clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers. It will help Ghana ahead of November's 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying double-header against Sudan.

"Roy Hodgson's pre-Wolverhampton Wanderers press conference was full of positives, with Hodgson confirming that five first-team players are now back available," Palace announced in team news on their official website on Tuesday ahead of Friday's match.

"After picking up an injury on international duty, James McCarthy has returned to training this week, plus Gary Cahill and James Tomkins are fully fit for tomorrow night’s game.

"Furthermore, following positive Covid-19 tests, Jordan Ayew and Jack Butland are both available and among the squad following their periods of self-isolation.

"The Eagles will be without the long-term injured players in Wayne Hennessey and Connor Wickham, whilst Hodgson also suggested that the trip to Molineux comes too soon for Joel Ward.

"Tyrick Mitchell will be subject to a late fitness test, and will be assessed tomorrow morning before the squad travel, after taking a knock in training yesterday."

Ghana succumbed to a 3-0 loss to Mali in their first friendly match before bouncing back with a 5-1 victory over Qatar.

Ayew sat out Palace’s league games against Brighton and Hove Albion and Fulham due to the infection, and was one of about seven Black Stars players confirmed positive for coronavirus upon their return from international duty. He is the second of the contingent to be announced recovered, following Guimaraes left-back Gideon Mensah.

Besiktas midfielder Bernard Mensah, Celta Vigo defender Joseph Aidoo, Hoffenheim centre-back Kasim Nuhu Adams and Trabzonspor forward Caleb Ekuban all also tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from the Ghana camp.

Ghana are hoping to have all the sick players recovered in time ahead of the back-to-back Afcon qualifying matches against Sudan.

Pep Guardiola may not have a history of sticking around in any one post, but Shaun Goater says the Catalan can make his spell at Manchester City even more successful than his stint with Barcelona.

After being promoted to the top job at Camp Nou in 2008, an unprecedented era of trophy-collecting was enjoyed by the Blaugrana and their home-grown coach.

Across four memorable years, Guardiola delivered 14 pieces of silverware – including three titles in La Liga, two Champions League crowns and a couple of Club World Cup triumphs.

After leaving Barca in 2012, an enviable CV was enhanced during another productive reign at Bayern Munich.

City snapped Guardiola up in 2016 and, after a trophyless debut campaign, have seen him land two Premier League titles and four successes in domestic cups.

European glory has remained elusive however, but as the 49-year-old tactician enters the final year of his current contract, Goater believes City can convince a proven winner to stay put.

The former Blues striker told Gentingbet: “Pep is the only one who knows whether he will leave Manchester City, but I like to think that Pep will stay.

“I know he's not known for being at clubs for five to eight years, but I really like to think that he has found a home at Manchester City.

“When I say at home, I think a home that will rival his time at Barcelona and the reason I think it can even surpass that is because his bosses are people that that he's known for years and worked with for years. I think that honesty and closeness will be good for him.

“For him to go to another club, that's the family that's also uprooted. And what I know is that his family are pretty settled and they get along with the hierarchy at the club as well because they've all been friends for years.

“So, I don't think it's just as easy as Pep saying, he’ll go back to work in Spain, Italy or some other country, I think it's a little bit more complicated than that. I think he is happy and he’s found the club that he can really build things and go on to go beyond the Champions League when that happens as well.”

Goater also believes that star turns on the field can be convinced to extend their association with City even if Guardiola were to walk away and seek out a new challenge in 2021.

He added: “I don’t think that players would necessarily leave if Pep would, but any player knows when you work with a manager, you know if you really love this manager because of how he is, how he treats you, his tactics, his knowledge and his day to day operations with players.

“If I was playing under Pep, I would be really enjoying working under him. He really challenges players with the demands but they know that with it comes trophies and being in finals.

“However, I think it's down to their individual relationships with Pep and how they get on. So it’s a tough one to say whether they'll follow him or not.”

Premier League clubs have launched the ‘Wear Your Local Jersey’ and 'Buy Uganda, Build Uganda' campaigns that are expected to help the teams improve on their financial health.

The initiative that was launched on Thursday at Lugogo Stadium is aimed at urging the supporters to buy merchandise belonging to their clubs in order to help increase revenues from the same materials.

The initiative ‘Buy Uganda, Build Uganda’ is purposely meant to promote the local football industry through urging the Ugandans to support local football through the initiative before and during the 2020/21 season.

It is also meant to have a collective voice as the Ugandan football clubs drive the same cause.

The aim is to generate revenue and grow the brand of Ugandan football through various stakeholders proudly purchasing the local apparel and wearing it to give visibility to the clubs in order to attract overall value.

Vipers SC, Police FC, URA FC, SC Villa, Express FC, and Wakiso Giants are the pioneer clubs that have so far agreed to push the goals of the initiative by rallying their fans around the call.

In a statement, former Premier League champions KCCA explained in detail the importance of the move that has been made public ahead of the new season.

“KCCA together with the other clubs in the Ugandan Premier League have championed a campaign called ‘Wear Your Local Jersey’ as a drive that will ensure local football stakeholders support and build the Ugandan football industry,” the club’s statement read as obtained by Goal.

“Uganda football fans are urged to buy local apparel from their various Premier League clubs and proudly wear them to promote and grow the Ugandan football.

“In challenging times like these where the Covid-19 pandemic has struck the local football industry hard since March 20 2020, where sports activities were suspended, merchandise is one of the ways that the clubs can generate funds.

“This comes at a time when fans will not be able to watch football live in stadiums but can extend their support to their clubs through buying merchandise.”

The Kampala club further explained how they intend to use funds that will be collected from their own fans.

“Additionally, 5% of KCCA club’s revenue from the sale of the jerseys will go towards supporting Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSRs) by the end of the 2020/21 season,” it concluded.

“This is one of the many campaigns that Ugandan clubs intend to do in driving a collective voice for a cause we believe will grow the local game and industry at large.”

The Ugandan leagues are expected to begin in mid-November after the conclusion of the playoffs.

Tusker FC have confirmed they have not contacted coach Francis Kimanzi regarding coaching his charges.

There were rumours indicating the 11-time champions were on the verge of appointing the immediate former Harambee Stars coach as their tactician. However, the Brewers have confirmed it is not true, that they are not keen on changing the technical bench.

"No, we have not approached Kimanzi to take over as our head coach," Tusker FC chairman Daniel Aduda told Goal on Thursday. 

"We have a contract with [Robert] Matano and we are not intending to end it. So as it is, Matano is our coach and everything else, regarding the changes, is not true at all."

Meanwhile, the tactician has been discharged from the hospital after being admitted last weekend.

"Matano is okay now, he was discharged from hospital yesterday [Wednesday]," Aduda revealed.

"We believe he will recover fast enough to help us continue preparations for the new season."

The Brewers have so far signed Kevin Monyi and Christopher Oruchum from Western Stima Stima and AFC Leopards respectively in preparations for the 2020/21 campaign.

Monyi, a defender, is the latest to leave Western Stima and joins Robert Matano’s side for the next two years.  

He comes to help strengthen the whole playing unit for the local heavyweights, who last won a trophy four seasons ago.

Since then they have been chasing the league trophy unsuccessfully as Gor Mahia have won them in the subsequent seasons, and have sparingly participated in the domestic cup tournament.

With Monyi and Oruchum already at the club, Matano has moved with speed to strengthen the backline, especially with the recent contract extension of full-back Eugene Asike.

The Ruaraka-based charges and Sofapaka FC have been rumoured to be interested in Onduparaka FC striker Julius Malingumu. 

The Brewers, however, are in advanced talks with the Ugandan attacker even though Sofapaka and another unnamed KPL side have approached him.

Tusker will also need to find a replacement for their previous top scorer Timothy Otieno, who left to join Zambian Super League side Napsa Stars.

The Nairobi-based charges, who will be playing their home games at Kinoru Stadium in Meru, will be aiming at winning the league this season.  

Sebastian Osigwe has been handed his maiden Nigeria call up ahead of November’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with Sierra Leone, while Victor Osimhen and Joe Aribo return to the squad.

The Switzerland-born goalkeeper last represented the country at U20 level where he was part of John Obuh’s team to the 2013 Toulon tournament. However, he did not make the Flying Eagles’ cut to the U20 World Cup in Turkey.

In the 2020-21 Swiss Super League campaign, the 26-year-old has featured four times for Lugano, conceding six goals in the process. Nevertheless, he would be hoping to beat Daniel Akpeyi and Maduka Okoye to earn his maiden cap.

Elsewhere, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Rangers’ Joe Aribo are back to the team having missed last week’s game against Algeria and Tunisia. They join regular selections Ahmed Musa, William Troost-Ekong and Alex Iwobi in the 24-team squad.

APOEL goalkeeper Francis Uzoho headlines the seven players placed on standby. Others are Abdullahi Shehu, Ramon Azeez, Samson Tijani, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Nwakali and Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

The Super Eagles take on the Leone Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on November 13 before heading to Freetown for the return leg four days later.

With six points from two games, Nigeria lead Group L with six points and victory in both games will assure the three-time Africa champions a place at the 2022 Afcon in Cameroon.

FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Sebastian Osigwe (FC Lugano, Switzerland); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany)

Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, Netherlands); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Unattached); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure (Club Brugge, Belgium); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia)

Standby: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); Samson Tijani (TSV Hartberg, Austria); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus); Ramon Azeez (Granada CF, Spain); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium)

Mesut Ozil’s humbling fall from grace at Arsenal has former Gunners striker Kevin Campbell refusing to refer to the German by name, with those at Emirates Stadium being urged to move on from a distracting saga.

Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta has decided to leave the World Cup winner out of his plans for Europa League and Premier League competition.

Eyebrows have been raised by those bold selection calls, with questions being asked of why an experienced 32-year-old is being completely frozen out.

Many have suggested that Ozil could still have a role to play for the Gunners, given his undoubted ability, but he is now firmly stuck in the shadows at Emirates Stadium.

It appears likely, given that his contract is running down towards free agency in 2021, that he will never be seen again in an Arsenal shirt.

With that taken into account, Campbell wants a divisive character to be pushed out of sight and mind in north London, allowing focus to be narrowed on those who can still contribute to the collective cause.

The former Gunners striker told Gentingbet when asked if Arteta could find himself low on creativity with a player of Ozil’s ilk left kicking his heels on the sidelines: “Arsenal aren’t struggling for creativity at all and I'm not even going to mention that man's name.

“For me, the key is that there are players there who can create, but they haven't been playing well.

“Now, there was no rush to call in the omitted name this season, but now that the team isn’t playing so well, his name gets keep keeps getting mentioned. So, I don’t buy into it all.

“I think that when the team are playing well, Arsenal will create and score goals. When they're not playing well, every team will struggle and that's the issue.”

Arsenal drew a blank in their last Premier League outing, as they were beaten 1-0 by Leicester at Emirates Stadium.

They have a Europa League meeting with Dundalk to try and get back into the groove on Thursday, before taking in another testing domestic encounter on Sunday when they head to Old Trafford to face arch-rivals Manchester United.

Samuel Chukwueze has been handed a starting role in Villarreal’s Europa League game against Qarabag on Thursday.

The 21-year-old winger made an impressive second-half appearance in his side’s goalless draw against Cadiz in a La Liga game on Sunday.

The Nigeria international has subsequently been rewarded for his stand-out performance in the encounter, having been included in the team to start against the Azerbaijani side.

Chukwueze has made 11 appearances in the European competition since making his debut against Rangers in 2018.

This season, the forward has featured in nine games across all competitions for Unai Emery’s men, including two in the Europa League.

Villarreal currently lead Group I with three points following their victory over Sivasspor in their opening Europa League game. 

In the 2019-20 campaign, Chukwueze made 41 appearances for the Yellow Submarine across all competitions to help them finish fifth in La Liga.

The forward has been with Villarreal since 2017 when he teamed up with the club from Diamond Football Academy following his eye-catching performances for Nigeria at the U17 World Cup in 2015.

Chukwueze will hope to help Villarreal secure their second win in the European competition at Tofiq Bakhramov Stadium.

Florent Indalecio says he is ready to grasp his “second opportunity” at Newcastle after previously playing in the Australian fourth division while working part-time as a bricklayer.

The 23-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the north east side after a successful trial and will initially link up with the club’s Under-23 squad.

He is close friends with Magpies winger Allan Saint-Maximin, who signed a new six-year contract earlier this month, though manager Steve Bruce insists he didn’t offer Indalecio a deal because of that friendship.

His arrival at St James’ Park marks a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for Indalecio, whose career was very nearly over before it began when he was diagnosed with a tumour in his knee shortly after his release by hometown club Saint-Etienne at the age of 15.

"It was hard for me, very difficult,” he told Newcastle's website. “I was in my house for a month and a half and I had a brace on my leg. After that, I was going to the physiotherapist everyday, doing rehabilitation work about two times a day for maybe six to eight months.

"I was in the gym a lot because I lost most of the muscle in my leg when I stayed at home. I put on about 13 kilograms in one year and I was coming back stronger to restart football."

After fully recovering, Indalecio had a short spell in America before attempting to revive his career in Australia, signing for semi-professional fourth-tier side Fraser Park FC in Sydney.

When not playing and training he worked part-time as a bricklayer, often in swelteringly hot conditions.

"I never worked in construction before I moved to Australia so I said 'OK, I will try it'. I never spoke any English either before I moved there so I just had to learn on the construction site with the people I met," he said.

"It was very tough because I would do that job first, then after to make more money and live better I had a second labouring job. The first one would be from 7am to 3pm. I would go back to my apartment, take a shower and then work at 6pm until 2am.

"I did this to help my family and my parents, especially my mum. It was hard because I would only sleep about three hours per day.

"All year in Australia it is hot and I would be working in 30-35 degree heat. Sometimes you had no time to drink because the bricklayers would be asking for cement or bricks. I had a very strict boss so I learnt a lot from Australia. I know the real life when you wake up at half five in the morning and you go to work.”

Now back in Europe, Indalecio says his experience in Australia has made him even more determined to succeed and has set his sights on earning a place in the Magpies first-team squad.

"I said to the club that I don't want to sign for fun or for the money. I really wanted to sign for Newcastle to prove that I can play one day at the highest level possible,” he said.

"I'm enjoying my time here. I appreciate all my teammates and already have good relationships with them and the staff too.

"I'm feeling good in Newcastle and I am very happy to be here. I'm just focused on playing football and I know the real work starts right now."