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Paul Pogba has branded reports of his imminent retirement from international football as "unacceptable fake news".

Sources from the Middle East reported over the weekend that Pogba had decided to step down from his duties for France in the wake of comments from his country's president Emmanuel Macron following the murder of Samuel Partey.

After the beheading of 47-year-old teacher Samuel Paty just outside of Paris, Macron issued the following statement: “Unity and firmness are the only answers to the monstrosity of Islamist terrorism.”

Paty was attacked as he made his way home from the school he taught at in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, having been targeted for showing his students cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

It was suggested that as French Muslim, Pogba took offence to Macron's comments on Paty's death, and had subsequently decided to call time on his international career.

The Manchester United midfielder has, however, come out to dismiss those rumours on social medial, posting an image of an article published by The Sun on Twitter with "unacceptable fake news" emblazoned on the front.

Pogba has won 72 caps for France in total, scoring 10 goals, and played a key role in their run to World Cup glory in Russia in 2018.

The 27-year-old featured in Les Bleus' 7-1 friendly win over Ukraine at the start of the month, before also starring in a 0-0 draw with Portugal and a 2-1 win against Croatia in the UEFA Nation's League.

The Red Devils playmaker had been laid low with coronavirus prior to the international break, but has gradually started to build up his fitness again since returning to Old Trafford.

Pogba's latest outing came in a 0-0 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday, but he was unable to help Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side grab an all-important winner after coming on as second-half substitute.

Although the Frenchman has had to be content with a spot on the bench in three consecutive fixtures, he could be in line to regain his spot in the starting XI when United play host to RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Solskjaer told reporters of Pogba's progress after the stalemate against Chelsea: "He's been out for a while with coronavirus this summer, so he's getting better and better and maybe more his shape.

"Maybe I was unfair to him starting him that early in the first few games but he's coming on and he's done great when he's come on."

Lionel Messi remains the best footballer in the world and it is down to his Barcelona team-mates to play to the forward's strengths, according to midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner has yet to fully adapt to new boss Ronald Koeman's 4-2-3-1 system, failing to score from open play in six matches this season.

He has also created just one chance in La Liga this term, with young academy product Ansu Fati - five goals and one assist in all competitions - stealing the limelight, but De Jong, who has thrived in a deeper midfield role under Koeman, insists it is down to the others in Barca's squad to ensure Messi is in the right positions to work his magic.

"When you have Messi in your team, of course you have the best player in the world in your team," he told UEFA.com. 

"You try to get him into the best positions to make a difference and I think we need to adapt to him. When he is receiving the ball in a position where he can make the difference, he will make it for you, always."

De Jong struggled at times in his debut campaign at Camp Nou, but has been shifted into his favoured position by Koeman alongside Sergio Busquets.

The Netherlands international is averaging more successful dribbles this season (2.45) compared to the 2019-20 campaign (1.95) and, while he is touching the ball less often - down from 81.43 per game to 77.73 - he is happy with the tactical tweak.

"I think in my nature as a player, I want to receive the ball early in the play and to set up the play," he said. "I think that's more my style of play than waiting for the ball and receiving it up front, and touching the ball less. 

"I think I feel more comfortable in the pivot position than high up front, but I can also play high up front. It doesn't matter for me so much but, if I had to choose, I would rather play as a double pivot than, for example, as a 'mediapunta' (false nine)."

Former Premier League star Darren Bent said Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has not been at his best since he signed a new three-year contract with the Gunners.

Aubameyang is yet to score a Premier League goal after committing his future to the Emirates Stadium outfit last month in a deal that earns him around £250,000 per week at the club.

On Sunday, the 2015 African Footballer of the Year played from start to finish in Arsenal's 1-0 home loss to Leicester City but he failed to threaten goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with no shot on target.

His only league goal so far this campaign came against Fulham on the opening day, and Bent thinks Aubameyang’s form has dropped and he is not having the best time in Mikel Arteta’s team.

“There has been a drop-off,” Bent said on Talk Sport.

“You look at his form in the semi-final and the final of the FA Cup last season, the Community Shield and his performance against Fulham – he was arguably one of the best strikers in the Premier League, probably the best.

“But since he signed that new contract, it might be a coincidence, but he’s looked a shadow of himself.

“He’s missed big opportunities in games, he’s not working with the same intensity, he doesn’t look like he’s enjoying it as much.

“Listen, confidence is massive in a striker. It is with any player, but particularly with a centre-forward, when you’re used to scoring as many goals as he is and then you suddenly stop scoring, it can be a little bit of a concern.

“But I think it’s even the work rate as well.

“You remember, he was putting shifts up and down, he was all over the place, but he’s been nowhere near that level recently.”

Aubameyang came off the bench to secure Arsenal's 2-1 comeback win over Rapid Wien in their Uefa Europa League opener last Thursday.

He will be expected to play a part when the Gunners host Dundalk for their next European fixture on Thursday before they battle Manchester United in the Premier League on November 1.

Alessandro Del Piero thinks Juventus should switch to a 4-2-4 formation for their Champions League clash with Barcelona.

Juve will welcome Barca to Allianz Stadium on Wednesday for a crucial encounter which could have a huge bearing on who ends up finishing top of Group G.

The Italian giants picked up a comfortable 2-0 victory at Dynamo Kiev in their opening European fixture of the 2020-21 campaign, while the Blaugrana thrashed Ferencvaros 5-1 at Camp Nou.

Sparks are expected to fly when the two teams meet in Turin, with supporters and experts alike relishing the clash. However, Juve missed the chance to build up extra confidence for the game as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Hellas Verona in Serie A on Sunday.

That result leaves the reigning Italian champions sitting fifth in the table, three points behind leaders Milan having played a game more.

Bianconeri legend Del Piero thinks Andrea Pirlo should change his system against Barca, with it his belief they could even play with four men upfront given the plethora of attacking options at the manager's disposal.

"Pirlo is looking for solutions, he will change the team also according to the opponents and it is not excluded that he will also change form," the ex-Juve striker told Sky Sports after the draw with Verona.

"Juve on the outside with [Dejan] Kulusevski and [Federico] Chiesa has great potential for pushing, one on one, of the leg. I also see the possibility of playing with two central midfielders, even for a possible 4-2-4. 

"If you have a lot of potential in attack you have to exploit it: a 4-2-4 at this moment could give the four in front who are strong enough freedom."

Del Piero went on to insist that Juve don't necessarily have to rely on Ronaldo in their latest European outing, as he suggested the combination of Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata may work better in terms of an overall balance across the pitch.

"Kulusevki on the right, Chiesa on the left and Dybala-Ronaldo or Dybala-Morata. In Europe certainly like that," he added. "The purchase of [Alvaro] Morata is to be taken into consideration, if we then remember Ronaldo in Madrid had [Karim] Benzema doing a lot of dirty work." 

Ayub Timbe has assured his fans he will be back in action soon, just eight days after he confirmed parting ways with Beijing Renhe.

The speedy winger confirmed last week he had left the Chinese club but he could not reveal his next destination.

The 28-year-old has now confirmed on his official social media pages he will return to action soon, though he could not confirm which league or team he will be signing for.

“I’ll be back on these actions soon,” Timbe wrote on his social media pages.

On leaving Renhe last week, Timbe wrote: “Thanks for the three beautiful years Beijing Renhe,” Timbe wrote on his Twitter handle. “I wish the club and everyone behind it good luck for the rest of the season.”

Timbe joined Beijing Renhe in February 2017 and managed to score eight goals in his first season to help the team win promotion to the Chinese Super League.

The following season, he was loaned back to the second tier to play for Heilongjiang Lava Spring, though he scored seven goals in 14 games in the top-flight for Beijing Renhe, and on January 31, 2020 - transfer deadline day in England – he joined English Championship side Reading on loan until the end of the season.

However, his stay at the Berkshire-based club did not last more than six months after the club decided against pursuing a further deal.

On leaving Reading Timbe explained: “My short journey at Reading is finished,” Timbe, 27, confirmed in a Facebook post. “I want to thank the club, the staff, my mates, and definitely every supporter who was with me through this half-season. It was a pleasure to be at Reading.

“Thank you all and I wish you good luck in the coming season.”

Timbe’s loan at Reading was the third such move the Kenyan has made in his career so far.

Between 2014 and 2016, the winger was loaned by Genk to Lierse and he went ahead to make 42 appearances and scored eight goals for the Belgian side.

The performance saw Lierse make his move permanent and the player stayed with them for one year between 2016 and 2017.

From Belgium, the Harambee Star joined Renhe where he enjoyed a good outing in 2017 as he scored 17 goals in 48 matches.

In 2018, he was loaned for the second time in his career to Heilongjiang Lava Spring, a Division One side in China. He played six games and scored two goals for the lower tier side.

South African officials have confirmed that five people have been arrested in the murder case of late Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, with more expected to follow.

The ex-Orlando Pirates captain was shot at the home of his former girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloors, East Rand in October 2014.

The incident was initially understood to be a robbery gone wrong, but the potential killer or killers had not been identified until the recent implementation of new cold-case techniques into the murder.

In Monday’s press briefing, National Commissioner General Khehla Sitole confirmed that five suspects had been arrested, including the man believed to have pulled the trigger, and that police had found the suspected murder weapon.

“The process has been backed up by forensic evidence,” he told journalists, “connected to the weapon and the scene.

“We suspect there will be more arrests as the investigation continues.”

Sitole acknowledged that police had used ‘different principles’ as they sought a breakthrough in the case, with this cold-case methodology ultimately leading to the alleged perpetrators.

“Some of these suspects were arrested while they were outside custody,” he added, “some were arrested or charged because they were already in custody on other cases on the cold-case strategic approach.”

Reports emerged in the local press on Sunday that police had finally made progress in the case, although contrary to those reports, Sitole noted that not all of the suspects were already in prison when they were arrested in connection to Meyiwa’s murder.

Also present at the briefing, Police Minister General Bheki Cele paid tribute to Meyiwa, who represented South Africa at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and would have started for Bafana at the 2015 Afcon had it not been for his murder.

“He was a national asset,” Cele noted. “We were at the funeral.

“It was one of the biggest funerals that took place, in the stadium, and we were there,” he continued. “We believe the nation will get the answers that they have always been expecting.

“Six years is a long time, yes, it would have been better if it was six weeks or six months.”

The breakthrough comes 15 months after the passing of Meyiwa’s father Sam, who had fought tirelessly and courageously for justice to be brought in the death of his son.

“Investigations are ongoing and more arrests cannot be ruled out,” Cele reiterated. “While six years have gone by, we remain confident that these arrests are the start of bringing closure.”

In addition, three members of first-team staff also returned positive tests for the virus, which has caused a global pandemic, infecting more than 40 million worldwide and costing over 1m lives.

Several high-profile footballers have caught the virus, perhaps most notably Juventus ace Cristiano Ronaldo, and on Monday it was confirmed the Milan pair were added to that growing list.

“AC Milan can announce that results determined from a series of swab tests conducted yesterday evening have returned from a laboratory with positive indications of Covid-19 for Gianluigi Donnarumma, Jens Petter Hauge and three other staff members," a statement on their official website reads.

“Whilst they are all asymptomatic, they have immediately entered isolation in their homes and the relevant local health authorities have been informed.

“Today, the players and staff were tested again for Covid-19, as is required by protocol, and there have been no other positive test results for the virus.”

The news comes as a blow to the Rossoneri, who have made an express start to their season and are due to face Roma in a Serie A encounter on Monday.

Stefano Pioli’s side currently lie top of Italy’s top flight, having won all four of their fixtures to date and having conceded just a single goal in their matches.

Furthermore, they have made a promising start to the Europa League group stage campaign, easing past Scottish champions Celtic 3-1 in their opening match of the competition, having qualified for it thanks to a thrilling 9-8 penalty win away to Rio Ave.

This is not the first time that the Milan squad has been touched by the virus. Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and defender Leo Duarte have both returned positive tests previously.

Indeed, the Swede took to Twitter to joke: “I tested negative to Covid yesterday and positive today. No symptoms whatsoever. Covid had the courage to challenge me. Bad idea.”

Donnarumma has been ever-present for Milan so far this season and his absence will open the door for summer signing Ciprian Tatarusanu to feature, while Hauge has made a strong impression after signing from Bodo/Glimt, returning one goal from three matches.

The group stage of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League got off to a start on October 20. 

Matchday 2 of the European competition has a mouth-watering tie between Juventus and Barcelona in store. And everyone must be waiting to watch Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi go head to head again for the first time since the Portuguese national left Real Madrid. The last time the two faced off was in the El Clasico on 6 May 2018 where both scored a goal in a 2-2 draw.

However, Ronaldo's participation in the game is still not confirmed as the star was stricken with the Coronavirus in the previous international break. But if he recovers in time, it should be a tasty battle. Here's how to watch the match in India. 
 

Contents

Where to watch or stream Juventus vs Barcelona

The UEFA Champions League clash between the two in India is available to be watched on the Sony Pictures Sports Network and may be streamed Live on SonyLIV app and website.
 

Preview: Juventus vs Barcelona

Cristiano Ronaldo missed Juventus' last match that ended in a 1-1 draw against Hellas Verona in the Serie A at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

The former Sporting Lisbon prodigy hasn't featured for the Old Lady since failing a Covid-19 test while in Portugal camp earlier this month and will need to pass a coronavirus test 24 hours before a match - meaning his participation in Wednesday's Champions League blockbuster against Barcelona is still in doubt.

However, a hopeful Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo spoke of his plans of using Ronaldo alongside Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata against Barcelona on the left of a front-three upon his return while Leonardo Bonucci has suffered an injury in the last outing.

"We are thinking to play them as a front-three," Pirlo told reporters post-match. "With Ronaldo in his classic centre-left position."

Bonucci came from the field under duress with 15 minutes to play and was replaced by young defender Gianluca Frabotta.

Meanwhile, Dejan Kulusevski has enjoyed a solid start to his Juve career, with the 20-year-old contributing two goals and one assist in his five appearances across all competitions.

On the other side, Philippe Coutinho is set to miss Barcelona's trip to Juventus after suffering a hamstring injury and Gerard Pique suspended after being sent off in the 5-1 win over Ferencvaros.

Whereas the Blaugrana are winless in their last three Liga matches following Saturday's 1-3 Clasico defeat to Real Madrid, with Lionel Messi failing to score from open play in six games - baring the only two penalties to his name - under new coach Ronald Koeman’s set up.

Jordi Alba fired in a low cut-back, as he so often does, and Ansu Fati made sure he got on the end of it to score Barca's consolation goal against Madrid while Messi hasn’t been getting as many scoring chances as he would have liked, which could be a concern for Koeman to address.

Barca will have to avoid a defeat at the Allianz Stadium to remain top of Group G, having won their opening game of their European campaign 5-1 against Ferencvaros on Tuesday.

UEFA Champions League fixtures

Matchday 2

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Marcus Rashford’s late goal consigned the Parisians to a shock opening night loss against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, and in the aftermath, they were forced to field questions over their desire and togetherness.

They responded at the weekend by sweeping past lowly Dijon 4-0 – a match in which Neymar caught the eye and Kylian Mbappe scored a quick-fire double after coming off the bench – but they now face a crunch encounter in Turkey against Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday.

Rafinha, who only arrived at the club late in the summer transfer window from Barcelona, is insistent that Thomas Tuchel’s side retain a high morale.

“The atmosphere inside the locker room is very good, with players who have known each other for years,” he told the club’s official site. “I adapted well during these first days, which were very pleasant because my new team-mates welcomed me very well.

“It all happened very quickly, and I have to thank the players and the coach for explaining to me how the club works in these first weeks.”

He was given a quick debut in Nimes due to injuries and unavailability, but it was something he was braced for.

“When I saw that the players were returning from the national teams on Wednesday or Thursday for the most part and that the game was on Friday, I understood that the coach would probably need the guys who had not been called up. So I was ready, and I was able to start the match,” he said.

Although PSG have typically used a 4-2-2-2 this season, when Rafinha has been called upon, they have switched to a 4-3-3, and it is a formation in which he feels at home.

“It's a system that I know well,” he said. “I grew up playing 4-3-3, I know the movements that we must do when we evolve in this system. I was able to adapt a lot more easily. When I take up the space, a team-mate takes my place, so you have to communicate well. It's important when you play in the middle in this formation.”

Rafinha will be seeking to make his first Champions League start with PSG on Wednesday, with Thomas Tuchel deprived of Marco Verratti, Leandro Paredes, Julian Draxler and Idrissa Gueye in midfield.

Yanga SC striker Waziri Junior has revealed he was sure of getting a goal for the team against KMC FC on Sunday.

The former Mbao FC striker scored the winning goal in the 2-1 triumph over their visitors to move second on the league table with 19 points from the seven matches they have played this season.

The Tanzania forward has also explained why the goal was special to him.

"On Sunday morning, I told my roommate Juma Makapu I will score," Makapu told reporters.

"I am glad it happened; it was my 60th game in the top tier and the goal I scored was number 34.  

"Another motivation, behind my goal, was the fact that I had not scored against Juma Kaseja and my target was to score him and realize my dream of scoring against the best goalkeepers who are playing or played for Tanzania [national team] at some point.

"I am happy that my objective is now realized."

The 24-year-old has also revealed he is going for the Golden Boot this season as Timu ya Wananchi pushes for their 28th league title. 

"We have a target of winning the league title this season and I am also targeting the golden boot," Juma continued. 

"It is very possible because remember when I was with Mbao, I was not involved in the first nine matches but still managed to finish as the second-best top scorer.  

"At Yanga, I have missed six matches, but I finally got my chance and scored. It is what I am aiming at maintaining and at the end of the season finish as the top scorer of the league."

In the 2020/21 season, the forward was playing for the now relegated Mbao FC and managed to get 13 goals, eventually finishing second behind top scorer Meddie Kagere of champions Simba SC.

Wananchi hope leaders Azam FC will slip away to Mtibwa Sugar on Monday. The Chamazi-based charges have so far won all the initial seven games played this season.

The 21-time champions Wekundu wa Msimbazi will be at home entertaining Ruvu Shooting while Dodoma Jiji FC will also be hosting Tanzania Prisons. 

Manchester United have "more than just" Jamie Vardy and can copy Leicester's plan to punish Arsenal, according to Ian Wright.

Arsenal suffered their third Premier League defeat of the season at the hands of Leicester at Emirates Stadium at the weekend.  An 80th minute Vardy goal was enough to give the Foxes a 1-0 victory as Arteta's side missed the chance to close the gap on league leaders Everton to just a point.

The Gunners will now have to pick themselves up quickly ahead of a Europa League meeting with Dundalk on Thursday, before their focus switches to a heavyweight clash against United on November 1.

The Red Devils are two points behind Arsenal having endured a miserable start to the campaign, but recent wins over Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain combined with a solid display in their draw against Chelsea on Saturday have somewhat lifted the mood of gloom at Old Trafford.

Wright has urged his old club to take a more direct route towards goal in Manchester, saying they have overplayed in the final third in recent weeks.

The Arsenal legend believes United will pose Arteta's men an even greater threat than Leicester next Sunday, as he told Premier League Productions : "You look at Manchester United as well who are another team that will want to play on the break. You're going to need to be able to pass through their team, be able to break them down.

"Manchester United will do the same thing [as Leicester] and they've got even better players going forward, more than just Vardy.

"It's a tough one, we knew Leicester were going to be tough and we know Manchester United are going to be tough. Arsenal are going to have to dig in and find a way of getting results without scoring the perfect goal."

The form of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also been a concern for Arsenal, with the Gabon frontman currently experiencing his worst league goal drought in six years .

He ultimately failed to get back on the scoresheet against Leicester after netting the winner as the Gunners beat Rapid Vienna 2-1 in the Europa League last week, after which Arteta jumped to his defence .

"The expectation for him is that he has to score a goal every game, so this comes with the nature of the big player that he is," said the Spanish boss. "He needs to handle that and we are here to support him when difficult times are around him." 

Crystal Palace ace Wilfried Zaha has cited Paul Ince and John Barnes as two of his idols growing up due to the way they handled themselves in the face of racism.

The Ivory Coast star, who had a spell at Manchester United earlier in his career, says that the black players of the modern era owe a debt of thanks to those who have blazed a trail before them.

Ince at Manchester United and Barnes at Liverpool were two particularly high-profile stars, and Zaha believes that would have simply made them more of a target for racists.

“Paul Ince and John Barnes played for top teams where there's so much scrutiny so I can imagine the abuse and racial abuse they had,” he told Sky Sports.

“People hide behind football to abuse you but then somehow they throw in your colour. Hats off to them - the abuse we get now we can report it and hopefully things happen - but to have gone through that every single day with no repercussions, it must have been the hardest thing ever.

“We have to thank those players. They stuck by it and gave us other black players the opportunity to come through as well.”

Zaha wants to be remembered in similar terms, stressing the importance that he feels that he must have outside of the footballing sphere.

“I'd like my legacy to be that your area doesn't define you. You're just willing to put the time in and sacrifice everything I think you need for a better tomorrow,” he said. “There were times when it felt like I was giving my utmost best but I wasn't getting a look in.

"I've tried twice as hard to get where I am now, I've got to training without having boots and I've been wearing trainers because I can't afford boots like everyone else.

"I've worked hard at training and being told I wasn't starting used to crush me, but it motivated me even more because of those moments. I want people to think that about my journey - don't let anyone tell you 'no' - you can only stop yourself.”

Newly-promoted Ugandan Premier League side Kitara FC are in search of a new head coach, the club’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joshua Atugonza has confirmed.

Outgoing coach Mark Twinamatisko opted not to renew his contract after helping the club earn a hard-fought promotion to the top-tier in October.

“We are in a formal process of hiring a new head coach and beefing up the technical area as well as key player additions,” Atugonza is quoted as saying by Kawowo Sports.

The Kitara top job is expected to attract a number of applicants ahead of the Premier League 2020/21 season that is set to begin in mid-November.

Reports had emerged Kitara administration convened a high-level meeting on Saturday to deliberate on the emerging coaching issue. Twinamatisko led the Hoima-based club to a 1-0 win against Kiboga Young at the Fufa Technical Centre in Njeru to seal their place in the top-tier.

The CEO also revealed the club will make some signings in order to strengthen the squad. Striker George Ssenkaaba and midfielder Jamil Nvule Kisitu signed for Express FC and Bright Stars FC respectively and that necessitated the need to bring in new players.

“Definitely, we have to make key additions to the team in the technical and playing wings,” Atugonza added.

They are also expected to shift base from Hoima to Masindi Municipality before the season begins. Kitara had eliminated Kataka FC by a 7-6 scoreline in the penultimate stage of the play-offs.

Fufa is yet roll out a complete 2020/21 season that had initially been planned to start on October 17.

Meanwhile, Gaddafi FC have been fined USh500,000 by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) for reported smuggling of fans into the Fufa Technical Centre.

The act occurred during their play-off tie against Admin FC which they won 4-0 but the presence of fans who wore military regalia against the Covid-19 safety protocols attracted Fufa’s attention.

Gaddafi President Edrine Ochieng was consequently summoned by Fufa and the communication on the fines was made according to Kawowo Sports.

Fufa rolled out the safety measures ahead of the play-offs that restricted the attendance of fans. Only coaches, referees, media personnel and Fufa administrators were only allowed stadium entry.

Bongani Zungu will have his first training session at Rangers this week after his quarantine, assistant manager Gary McAllister has disclosed.

Zungu was forced to go into self-isolation earlier this month, in line with the Scottish government guidelines to contain the spread of coronavirus following his loan signing from French Ligue 2 club Amiens.

After their comfortable 2-0 victory over Livingston on Sunday, McAllister said the South Africa international will be introduced into the team training before their Uefa Europa League outing against Lech Poznan on Thursday.

“Zungu is still in quarantine but I think he becomes available to train with us just prior to Poznan," McAllister was quoted as saying by Glasgow Times.

“So that’s very encouraging. It adds to our strength in the middle of the park."

Zungu's arrival provides more competition in the midfield with Nigeria international Joe Aribo currently taking the centre stage.

Aribo who recently returned from an injury, scored his second league of the season on Sunday as Steven Gerrard's side remain unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership this campaign.

“We are all big fans of Joe Aribo here. I think he has been missed. Visually, he looks in a good place as far as where his body shape is," McAllister continued.

“He is in great nick. He has probably put a wee bit of muscle on his upper body.

“We expect big things from Joe. He’s a very talented player. And he can play in two or three different positions. We are pleased to get him back on the pitch.”

Rangers sit at the top of the Scottish top-flight table with 32 points after 12 games, six points above second-placed Celtic.

Frenkie de Jong has revealed the advice he was given by Ronald Koeman prior to his move to Barcelona.

Barca reached an agreement to sign De Jong from Ajax for €75 million (£68m/$89m) in January 2019, having seen him emerge as one of the brightest talents in Europe at Johan Cruyff ArenA.

The 23-year-old joined up with his new team-mates at Camp Nou six months later, and has since become a regular in the Blaugrana starting XI.

The Dutch midfielder has now admitted that he sought Koeman's opinion after lining up a transfer to Barca, having already established himself in the 57-year-old's set up at international level with the Netherlands.

"I spoke to him [on the phone over a year ago] and he was really positive about Barcelona as a club as well as Barcelona as a city. So what he told me was almost all positive," De Jong told UEFA.com.

"He just told me I have to be careful, that I [shouldn't] go to restaurants too much or eat too much because life is really good in Barcelona and sometimes you can feel like you're on vacation the whole year.

"He just said, 'Be careful with that and, for the rest, everything is really good.' At the end of the day, football is the main part."

Koeman, who won four league titles and the European Cup at Barca during his playing career, inherited the managerial reigns at Camp Nou a year later, replacing Quique Setien in the hot seat following the team's 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

De Jong is pleased to have linked up with the experienced coach again at club level, and says he enjoys a good relationship with the Blaugrana legend which is based on respect.

"I think the communication between us, between the coach and me, is really good, and he tells [me] strictly what he demands from me in this position, and I think everything is really clear," he said of Koeman's managerial style.

"When he's talking, you are listening to him because he has this authority, this power – I don't know how to explain it – and, of course, he has a lot of knowledge about football because I think he understands the game and was a great player before.

"So, if he tries to teach you something, you're listening."

De Jong has taken up several different positions in the starting XI since his arrival at Barca, but he is pleased to be back in his natural role in holding midfield under Koeman's stewardship.

"I think in my nature as a player, I want to receive the ball early in the play and to set up the play. I think that's more my style of play than waiting for the ball and receiving it up front, and touching the ball less," he said.

"I think I feel more comfortable in the pivot position than high up front, but I can also play high up front. It doesn't matter for me so much but, if I had to choose, I would rather play as a double pivot than, for example, as a mediapunta (false nine)."

De Jong will be back in action with Barca when they take in a trip to Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, where they will be aiming to bounce back from a painful 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in El Clasico at the weekend.

Arthur Masuaku is buzzing after hitting 100 appearances for West Ham United on Saturday and he believes the Hammers' mentality has changed this season.

The DR Congo international reached the century of games at the London Stadium as they held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in a Premier League match.

He played the entire duration of Saturday's encounter as Phil Foden's second-half effort cancelled out Michail Antonio's overhead kick opener in the 18th minute.

Since his arrival from Olympiacos in 2016, Masuaku has played 85 matches in the English top-flight and he is looking to help the club continue their fine impressive run.

"I'm happy to reach 100 games for West Ham," Masuaku told the club website.

"Hopefully there's many more to come - I'm enjoying my time at the club and I just want to keep going and playing for West Ham.

West Ham are yet to lose a game since their 4-1 loss to Everton in September and the 26-year-old has urged his teammates to maintain their good form as they aim to extend their unbeaten streak to four matches when they visit Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

"I tried to do my job as much as I can to help the team. We didn't lose, it's a good point for us," he continued.

"We're in a good moment and hopefully we can keep it going against Liverpool next week.

"I do think we have a different mentality now. I can feel it. Last year I think we'd have lost this game, we didn't on Saturday and I'm glad.

"We have to keep going with this mentality to be hard to beat, and to win games."

Masuaku has played 40 games under David Moyes and has only missed one of their six Premier League matches this season.

Moyes returned to the London Stadium last December after his first stint at the club expired in May 2018.

When asked about his relationship with the Scotsman, Masuaku said; "He's a good manager. With me he talks a lot, he told me after the game how good I was and he says good things.

"That's very good when you know the manager likes you. I'm just trying to play my game and give the trust back.

"At this moment I'm playing, I just try to keep my place in the team and hopefully help the team as much as I can."

The management of Benjamin Mkapa Stadium has reassured Tanzanians that the Mainland Premier League derby pitting rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) and Simba SC will be staged at the venue.

This comes a few days after the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) moved to shift league matches from the national stadium to the adjacent Uhuru Stadium.

However, the stadium’s manager Godwin Nsajigwa has now clarified that the derby scheduled for November 7 will be played at the venue.

“It should be known that the Ministry for Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports wrote the TPLB that they should relocate all the matches meant at the venue to Uhuru Stadium from October 15th to November 5th,” Nsajigwa said as quoted by Daily News.

“As such, the upcoming Dar es Salaam derby game will happen at the arena as planned before, hence people should not be troubled about where the derby clash will be staged.”

On whether the stadium was closed for renovation, Nsajigwa explained: “The status of the pitch now is perfect even though it had some problems when Taifa Stars welcomed Burundi, and that was a normal problem but now, everything has been put in place.”

On shifting matches from Mkapa to Uhuru Stadium, TPLB, who did not give the exact reasons why the stadium had been closed, stated: “Tanzania Premier League Board would like to announce that all the league matches that were scheduled to be played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium will now be hosted at the Uhuru Stadium,” the board’s statement obtained by Goal read.

“The matches have been shifted until when the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium will be opened again.”

The board further announced Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma will also remain out of bounds for an unknown period.

“Further, all the Premier League and the First Division League matches that were scheduled to be played at Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma have been moved to Samora Stadium in Iringa City for the Premier League games,” it added.

“FDL matches have been moved to Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro until when the concerned facility will be opened again.”

The development saw Yanga, Simba, and Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC FC) will have to host their matches at either Uhuru Stadium or at Azam’s Chamazi Sports Complex that is situated outside Dar es Salaam.

Liverpool star Fabinho says there is no room for complacency if the Anfield side are to reclaim the Premier League title.

Jurgen Klopp’s men marched to success with ease in 2019-20, picking up their first domestic crown for 30 years, but the versatile Brazilian, who has recently filled in at centre-back, says that the ambition has to be to win it again.

Liverpool have made a promising start to the season – the anomaly of a 7-2 loss to Aston Villa aside – coming from behind to defeat Sheffield United at the weekend.

Fabinho says that the players need to stick together and maintain a high standard in order to keep producing results.

“Klopp said that what we've achieved at the club up until now is very important, but given the squad we've got, we can do a lot more,” he told the club’s official website.

“We need to forget and block out that people are saying: 'They've already won the Champions League and the Premier League', and aim to meet our objective, which is to continue winning and being one of the best teams in the world. 

“Our players and the leaders in the group are always pushing each other, helping each other out, not allowing anyone to relax. That's important at this moment in time. Even though we're a team that has been hugely successful, we need to be pushing each other on to win more things.”

He has welcomed the arrival of Thiago Alcantara, Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota, claiming they have added strength to the side, with the Portuguese netting his first for the club against the Blades to snatch a late winner.

“Our squad is very strong but we know that the signing of quality players is a plus for the team,” he said. “Thiago's arrival will be really positive and he's a player coming from an exceptional season at Bayern Munich last year. 

“He's an experienced player who inspires confidence given everything he has achieved. He can also add something to our team, something we didn't have before. 

“The quality of his passing is exceptional. He's someone that receives the ball really well between the lines. So I think his arrival, both his and Jota's, are going to be really important for us.”

Next up for Liverpool are Midtjylland on Tuesday in the Champions League, a competition they started last week with a 1-0 win over Ajax.