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Gabriel Martinelli was a last-minute withdrawal for Arsenal ahead of Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against Newcastle United after hurting himself in the warm-up, with manager Mikel Arteta saying the youngster's injury "didn't look good." 

Arsenal confirmed that the 19-year-old turned his ankle minutes before kick-off as he prepared for the match. 

Martinelli had been in line to start but was quickly removed from the starting line-up, with Reiss Nelson entering in his stead. 

Following a 2-0 win for his side in extra-time, manager Arteta provided an update and he was downbeat in his assessment of the problem.

"I am gutted," Arteta said. "I was in my office before the game and one of the coaches came in and said that Gabi hurt himself, that he twisted his ankle. 

"I went to the medical room and he was in tears. It didn't look good. 

"He was in a lot of pain and we're gonna have to see how he is. He was in pain so I imagine we're not gonna have good news with him."

Asked about when he expected an injury update, Arteta said: "I hope so [by Monday]. We really want to know what's going on. 

"He's a character that says he wants to play the next game, that he doesn't care that he can handle pain, but I don't know. 

"Hopefully there is nothing too serious but to start with it didn't look too good."

The Brazilian made his first-team return in December against Everton after missing six months of action due to a knee injury, which interrupted his promising start to life at the Emirates Stadium. 

He has since gone on to make three starts this season, although he sat out Arsenal's last Premier League clash against West Brom as an unused substitute. 

Speaking recently of the injury, which he incurred during a training session in June, Martinelli admitted that he wept upon hearing that it would require surgery and a long lay-off.

"I was about to receive the ball and felt a little pain on my knee. Not enough for me to stop practising, but, while we were on the finishing session, I told them that I was in pain," he explained to the Daily Mail.

"They told me to rest and, if I felt the pain the next day, to let them know.

"When I woke up, I felt it but I was able to walk. I thought it was nothing at first, but it was a pain I'd never felt before. I went to the club for the examinations and they said it was not good and I would need surgery. It broke me. I cried a lot."

Martinelli also paid tribute to manager Mikel Arteta for backing him throughout his absence, while pointing out he cannot afford to rush his return to regular first-team duties.

"Mikel talked to me during my recovery," Martinelli added.

"Always calling me to know how I was, even when I returned to Brazil for a time in August. When the club needed me, he talked to me again, asking if I was feeling ready to play.

"I said, yes. I still feel a bit of pain in the knee, but the doctors say that it is fine. I've not been able to play 90 minutes yet, but it also needs time. My focus is on getting better and helping Arsenal."

Paul Onuachu has set a new personal scoring record with his 19th league goal of the season as Genk suffered a 2-1 defeat to Kortrijk in Saturday's Belgian First Divison A encounter.

He has surpassed his previous scoring record of 18 goals in 36 games for Midtjylland during the 2016-17 Danish Superliga campaign, after 19 league matches this season

Onuachu's effort was not enough to help the Blue-White extend their three-game unbeaten run in the Belgian top-flight as Senegal's Habib Gueye scored a goal in each half of the encounter at the Guldensporen Stadion.

The Nigeria international, who scored a hat-trick against KAS Eupen on Wednesday, cancelled out Gueye's opener in the 41st minute as both teams went into the break level but the Senegalese striker restored Kortrijk's lead with his match-winning goal in the 54th minute.

Onuachu played the entire duration while his compatriot Cyriel Dessers came off the bench as a 60th-minute substitute for Ivory Coast's Eboue Kouassi.

Onuachu remains the highest scoring Nigerian player in Europe this season with 19 goals after 19 league matches and he leads the goalscorers chart in the First Division A.

Ghana's Eric Ocansey was in action from start to finish for Kortrijk while Gueye saw 83 minutes of action as he stretched his tally to four goals after 18 league appearances this term.

Despite the defeat, Genk remain second in the First Division A table with 38 points after 20 matches - a point behind leaders Club Brugge.

John van den Brom's men will be targeting a return to winning ways when they visit Royal Excel Mouscron for their next league outing next Saturday.

Jamshedpur is set to host Kerala Blasters at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco in the 2020-21 Indian Super League on Sunday evening. Chennaiyin and Odisha will be in action earlier the same day.

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL in India.

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

TEAM NEWS

Jamshedpur Possible XI:   

Injured - None
Doubtful - Narender Gahlot, David Grande, Nick Fitzgerald, Laldinliana Renthlei
Suspended - None  

Key Players - Nerijus Valskis, Jackichand Singh

Kerala Blasters Possible XI: 

Injured - None
Doubtful - None
Suspended - None  

Key Players - Jordan Murray, Sahal Samad      

Real Madrid failed to take full advantage of Atletico Madrid's cancelled fixture with Athletic Bilbao as they played out a toothless 0-0 draw at lowly Osasuna.

LaLiga leaders Atleti saw their game called off as the snow from Storm Filomena battered the capital, which also delayed Madrid's flight for the clash at El Sadar.

Whether it was the disruption to the travel or the freezing conditions, Madrid put in a turgid display and failed to muster a single shot on target in 45 forgettable first-half minutes.

There was little improvement after the break - despite two disallowed goals - and Madrid could only move to within a point of Atleti, who now have three games in hand.

The falling snow was the biggest talking point of a dire opening period in which Madrid saw 72.3 per cent of the ball without mustering any effort of real meaning.

Indeed, the only action of note was when Thibaut Courtois smartly parried Oier's thumping header from Ruben Garcia's corner.

It took until the 49th minute for Madrid to test home keeper Sergio Herrera, who batted away Marco Asensio's bending effort with relative ease.

Karim Benzema did bundle home after Herrera brilliantly kept out his initial point-blank header, only for the offside flag to swiftly curtail the celebrations.

There was a sense of deja vu in the closing stages when Mariano Diaz squirmed home from Benzema's take down but both men were offside when the initial pass was played, as a poor game petered out into a draw.

What does it mean? Madrid feel the freeze

Admittedly, it is pretty rare to see such Baltic-looking conditions in Spain but that alone does not account for Madrid's insipid display. Zinedine Zidane's side had a great opportunity to put pressure on Atleti against a team struggling in the relegation zone but it was one they missed.

Madrid forwards go cold

Madrid's front three of Asensio, Benzema and Eden Hazard just did not click into gear. Asensio offered one shot on target and a key pass, but both he and Hazard - who provided neither a shot on target nor a key pass - were hauled off in the second half. Benzema created a sole chance in the final minute of the match.

Herrera does the job

He had little to do in truth but Herrera was a constant source of calm whenever Madrid posed a threat with a tricky cross into the area and marshalled a stern Osasuna defence throughout.

What's next?

Madrid's attentions now turn to Athletic Bilbao and the semi-finals of the Supercopa de Espana on Thursday, while Osasuna visit Granada on Tuesday.

Milan bounced back from their midweek defeat to Juventus by overcoming Torino 2-0 at San Siro to take a four-point lead at the top of Serie A. 

Stefano Pioli's team suffered their first loss of the season last time out but produced a response worthy of champions, turning in an accomplished display on Saturday. 

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic making a return off the bench following his recovery from injury, Rafael Leao opened the scoring before Franck Kessie's penalty made it 2-0. 

Torino had a penalty of their own overturned in the second half but Andrea Belotti's poor header to end a rare attack summed up a disappointing performance, meaning their long wait for a league win at Milan goes on.

The hosts managed four attempts by the 17th minute and their dominance told when Theo Hernandez found Brahim Diaz, whose slick first-time pass played in Leao to dispatch a finish which the watching Ibrahimovic would have been proud of.

Torino's frustration was compounded seven minutes later when Diaz drew a hefty, last-ditch tackle from Belotti.

Referee Fabio Maresca pointed to the spot and despite checking with VAR, found no reason to change his decision. Kessie calmly sent Salvatore Sirigu the wrong way.

The crossbar prevented Ricardo Rodriguez pulling one back against his former club with a superb free-kick – Torino's first shot – while Sirigu made a brilliant stop to deny Kessie on the stroke of half-time.

Torino thought they had a lifeline when Simone Verdi went down under pressure from Sandro Tonali but, after initially giving the penalty, referee Maresca overturned his decision following a check. Tonali came off worse from the collision too, the former Brescia midfielder having to be taken off on a stretcher.

Belotti wasted his first sight of goal by heading tamely at Gianluigi Donnarumma, who pulled off a fantastic 90th-minute stop to keep out Jacopo Segre's deflected attempt to stem any danger of a late Torino comeback.

Paris Saint-Germain saw off Brest 3-0 to collect their first victory under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino and close the gap on Ligue 1 leaders Lyon.

PSG were held to a 1-1 draw by Saint-Etienne in Pochettino's first game in charge on Wednesday but had too much quality for Brest in Saturday's encounter at the Parc des Princes.

Moise Kean's 11th goal of the campaign in all competitions set the reigning champions on their way with 16 minutes played and substitutes Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia each got on the scoresheet in the final 10 minutes.

The win - less emphatic than the scoreline may suggest - moved Pochettino's men within a point of pacesetters Lyon, who battled back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Rennes and retain top spot.

Keylor Navas pulled off a theatrical save to keep out Romain Faivre's curler and PSG were in front soon after thanks to Kean, who helped the ball over the line from a yard out after Marquinhos' header hit the inside of the post and landed in his path.

Marquinhos once again came close when guiding another header on target, but Gautier Larsonneur was equal to both that attempt and Idrissa Gueye's venomous long-ranger two minutes later. 

Brest are now without a win in 18 league meetings with PSG but troubled their opponents in a largely even first half, with Irvin Cardona let down by a poor first touch when clean through and Faivre seeing a free-kick pushed aside by Navas.

Larsonneur pulled off a fine save to frustrate Kylian Mbappe with an hour played and the forward curled a shot wide three minutes later as PSG - who lost Gueye to an apparent foot injury - pushed for a clinching second.

That goal arrived nine minutes from time courtesy of Icardi's composed finish following some superb play from Mbappe to get away from a pair of defenders in the opposition box.

And Icardi, making his first appearance since November after recovering from injury, teed up Sarabia to round off the scoring late on as PSG made a winning home start to Pochettino's tenure.
 

What does it mean? Lift-off for Poch

While Pochettino was keen to take positives from his first game earlier this week, a draw with Saint-Etienne was ultimately a disappointing result for the new man.

However, this third home win in a row without conceding means they are now breathing down the necks of Lyon, who dropped points for just a second time in 10 outings on Saturday.

Pochettino will be particularly pleased with the way his side turned possession (60.9 per cent) into shots on target (11 in total) and goals against a Brest side who had lost just two of their previous nine.

Kean to make his mark

The on-loan Everton striker was perfectly positioned to nod in from under the crossbar, making it nine goals in 13 Ligue 1 outings this season.

That is already as more than he managed in his previous two campaigns with Everton (two Premier League goals in 2019-20) and Juventus (six Serie A goals in 2018-19) combined.

Mbappe on the fringes

While Kean is in great goalscoring form, striker partner Mbappe is going through a bit of a difficult patch in front of goal.

He has now scored just once in his past four matches, failing to find a way through from any of his three efforts on target here, though he did set up Icardi with a brilliant assist.

What's next?

PSG have a chance to win their first piece of silverware of the season on Wednesday when they take on Marseille in the Trophee des Champions. Brest are back in Ligue 1 action in eight days' time with a home game against Rennes.

Scott McTominay scored the only goal of the game as Manchester United booked their spot in the FA Cup fourth round with a slender 1-0 win over Watford on Saturday. 

McTominay was one of only two survivors from the EFL Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday and the midfielder – captaining the Red Devils for the first time – headed his side in front after just five minutes.  

Eric Bailly and Juan Mata squandered good chances to extend United's lead before the interval, while Dean Henderson had to be alert to thwart Adam Masina.  

United rarely threatened a second during a dismal second half but they saw things out with the minimum of fuss to inflict a 10th straight defeat for the Hornets at Old Trafford.  

The hosts wasted little time stamping their authority on the tie, McTominay heading home his fourth goal of the season from Alex Telles' outswinging corner in the fifth minute.  

United goalkeeper Henderson was out quickly to deny Masina soon after, while Bailly flashed a header wide from another dangerous Telles ball into the penalty area.  

Mata fired straight at Daniel Bachmann following a superb flicked pass from Donny van de Beek as United ultimately failed to add to their advantage before half-time.  

Solskjaer brought on Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial with just over 20 minutes remaining in a desperate bid to inject some life into the home team’s stuttering attack.  

Rashford should have put the seal on the win, but his low effort after a fine run was too close to Bachmann.

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s notable FA Cup scoring form continued as Arsenal laboured to a 2-0 win over Newcastle United.

The Gabon ace lined up in attack alongside Reiss Nelson, Nicolas Pepe and Willian to halt the aspirations of Steve Bruce’s men towards reaching the fourth round.

As it proved a tough evening for Mikel Arteta’s men, scores stood at 0-0 after 90 minutes as the North London side put up a below par display.

Emile Smith Rowe gave the reigning FA Cup kings the lead in the 109th-minute, before the 31-year-old doubled the advantage with a simple finish thanks to Kieran Tierney’s assist.

With his effort against Steve Bruce’s side, the former Borussia Dortmund star has now scored in all four of his appearances in the competition, finding the net on six occasions.

Last season, Aubameyang scored 25 times for the Emirates Stadium giants, including a brace in the FA Cup win over Chelsea, buttressing his status as one of the best strikers in English football in process.

Nevertheless, he has been unable to replicate that form in the 2020-21 campaign with his loss of form concurring with Arsenal’s disturbing position in the Premier League.

This led to former club’s defender Lee Dixon suggesting that the 2015 African Player of the Year should be given a break to rediscover his best.

“It might just do him [Aubameyang] a bit of good to have a little step out of the team and just look from the sidelines,” he told talkSPORT.

“When you watch a game from the sidelines you can sometimes learn more than you do when you’re on the pitch. Your brain is so full of information when you’re playing; you don’t always see everything, you don’t always feel everything.

“He’s obviously a hugely talented footballer and we need his goals, but it might be a time for him just to look and assess the team.

“You can actually see little ways of improving your own game when you’re sitting on the bench, because you’re watching other people and you’re seeing gaps appear from a different angle.”

Arsenal will back in action against Crystal Palace on January 14, before their focus shifts to a meeting with Newcastle United again four days later.

Manchester United have faced plenty of “unfair” criticism in recent times, says Tom Cleverley, with the former Red Devils midfielder hoping to see the likes of Harry Maguire and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer get the credit they deserve after helping to deliver a reversal in fortune.

The Red Devils have become an easy target for doubters since Sir Alex Ferguson headed into retirement on the back of a 13th Premier League title triumph in 2013.

David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have all failed to recapture former glories at Old Trafford, with serious regression endured at certain points as a once dominant force have been forced to make peace with a standing as also-rans.

The tide has started to turn under Solskjaer, despite four semi-final defeats in cup competition, with United still in the hunt for major silverware this season – with the English top-flight crown back in their sights.

Cleverley, who formed part of United’s last title-winning squad, is pleased to see a fallen giant getting back to its feet.

He hopes those who have been quick to write the Red Devils off, and prominent figures within their ranks, will start to change their tune as hard work in Manchester is recognised.

A man who made 79 appearances for United told the Manchester Evening News: “I think the criticism that they've got in the last year or so is very unfair at times, I mean especially their individual players.

“They're doing a fantastic job and sometimes it'd be nice to see like praise for people like Harry Maguire, who plays every game, he's to a high level but when he does have that one bad game everyone seems to jump on it.

“So, I think against all the adversity they're doing a great job and, yeah, like I said before it's, it's good for English football if Man United are contenders, which it looks like they could be this year.”

Cleverley added on the exploits of Solskjaer, who has seen his future called into question on a regular basis during struggles for consistency: “If when I left the club you'd have said there's not going to be a title challenge until 2021 then that'd have been hard to believe, especially with the money invested.

“But a lot of credit has got to go to Ole. You need time to develop a title-contending team and he's looking like he's got that now and I wish all the best to them.”

Solskjaer is now readying his side for an FA Cup third-round meeting with Cleverley and Watford, with the former frontman considered to have made United a fearsome prospect once more, particularly going forward.

“I don’t know the work on the training pitch but their attacking unit is fantastic," said Cleverley.

“Even watching [Marcus] Rashford’s movement on Wednesday [in a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City], he didn’t receive a lot of the balls but he’s running in behind and looking to hurt teams at all times and I’m sure that Ole has got that in his game.

“They have a frightening attacking unit and it looks like Ole is coaching them well.”

Kenya international Ismael Dunga has joined Michael Olunga after moving from Vllaznia Shkoder of Albania to Sagan Tosu.

The Albanian club has confirmed the striker is all but set to move to Japan after successful negotiations between all the concerned parties.

“In the recent days, the talks over the sale of Ismael Dunga to Sagan Tosu – a club where Fernando Torres was a player before - of Japan have been ongoing,” Vllaznia Shkoder announced.

“The talks between the parties have been successful and are finally concluded. Vllaznia Shkoder are convinced to let Dunga go in exchange of $90,000 and the striker’s move is expected to be made official in the coming hours.

“Success, Dunga.”

Dunga is among the Kenyan stars who moved to Europe and has additionally played for three Albanian sides in his career.

The former Sony Sugar and Tusker forward joined Vllaznia Shkoder from KF Tirana in 2020. He had joined KF Tirana in 2019 from another Albanian club Luftetari, where, from 2018 to mid-2019, he played in 24 matches and scored seven goals.

The 27-year-old forward played for Greek side Acharnaikos between 2016 and 2017, featured in seven matches, and scored three goals before he moved to Morocco and signed for Raja Beni Mellal.

From Raja Beni Mellal, Dunga signed for the City of Lusaka in 2017, and in 2018 he left for Napsa Stars FC, another Zambian side.

He has also played for Nakumatt and Congo United in Kenya before he started on a journey across foreign clubs in 2016.

His new club finished the concluded season 13th with 36 points after winning seven games, drew 15 and lost in 12 other matches. Eventual champions Kawasaki Frontale finished 47 points above Dunga’s club.

The move to Japan means that Kenya has two players in the Far East league although there are reports Olunga might leave for Al-Duhail SC of Qatar.

Olunga had a stellar season with Kashiwa Reysol as he had won the Golden Boot – after scoring 28 goals – and was also voted the Most Valuable Player becoming the first African to win both awards.

The former Gor Mahia striker had hoped that his success should inspire more Africans to join the Japanese league.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt refused to make any excuses for his side’s 0-2 league defeat against Maritzburg United on Saturday evening at the FNB Stadium.

After a goal-less first half, the visitors grew stronger after the break and took all three points courtesy of two goals from Judas Moseamedi in the final 25 minutes.

It was Amakhosi’s second match this week, and it came on the back of Tuesday’s trip to Angola where they had played a taxing Caf Champions League tie.

Hunt alluded to fatigue but also felt his men could have given him more on Saturday against a Maritzburg side who had gone into the game bottom-of-the-log.

“Disappointed with the result. I don’t think they had many chances, I think they had two chances and scored," Hunt told SuperSport TV after the match.

"That’s football for you, that’s what’s happening with us. I thought we had a lot of the play. Obviously a lack of energy. Only two centre midfielders [Njabulo Blom and Darrel Matsheke] available so we couldn’t make changes. It is what it is," he lamented.

"We had a big effort on Tuesday, but we couldn’t change [the starting line-up] because we didn’t have anyone else. There’s no excuse, everybody's got the same problems with Covid and things like that. You’ve got to be tougher, stronger, and I thought both goals we were a little bit weak," Hunt added.

The defeat leaves the Glamour Boys with just one league win all season and with seven points from nine matches, they are just one point above rock bottom Black Leopards.

In 16 games in all competitions they have won only four. Hunt's problems have been compounded by injuries and the club's transfer ban, which runs until the end of this season.

Next up for the Soweto giants is a league clash away at AmaZulu next week Wednesday.

Also still to come in January for a battle-worn Chiefs side are games against Cape Town City, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, Stellenbosch FC and Orlando Pirates.

David Moyes says West Ham did not expect to sell Sebastien Haller in the January transfer window and admits they are not ready to bring in new players.

The 26-year-old striker left the east London side after just 18 months at the club, returning to the Eredivisie to join Ajax in a deal worth €22.5 million (£20m/$28m).

The sale marks a significant loss for the Hammers, who bought Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt for a £35m ($48m) fee.

Haller scored 10 goals in 48 appearances in the Premier League, including just three in 16 this season, but Moyes says they did not plan on selling the Ivory Coast international until Ajax approached.

Despite making room in the squad, the manager feels it will take time for them to arrange new signings. 

"I think that the Seb Haller situation was simply that we got an offer, we didn't expect it, we weren’t planning to lose Seb this window," Moyes told reporters.

"He’s done great for us, he's won a few games recently with his goals, so we wish him well.

"I think it's a really good move for him to go to Ajax and it was something which maybe if we didn't take this offer now maybe we would not have got it at a later stage, so we just felt it was the right thing to do, but it certainly wasn't planned.

"You need to make sure that you have spaces to bring people in, if you don't have spaces then all you do is gather players and it becomes more difficult.

"So, part of the job is to create room for it, we have now created room that we can bring players in. Are we ready for that? No, not really. But we will go along and we'll do what we can and we will try and bring in what we think are the right players."

West Ham also allowed Robert Snodgrass to leave this month, seeing him join West Brom after making just three brief Premier League appearances this term.

"Robert Snodgrass was going to be out of contract in the summer and with us having Andriy Yarmolenko and Jarrod Bowen playing in a similar position, it made it something which we wanted to help him with," Moyes said.

"Snoddy’s been fantastic for the club, he is a great character, he’s great around the club, we didn’t want to lose him for those reasons. But also at this moment in time, I couldn’t guarantee him that I was going to give him another contract for next year. So we felt the right thing to do, the fair thing to do, was to allow him to move on."

Four Asante Kotoko players have tested positive for coronavirus upon the team's arrival from the Caf Champions League trip to Sudan, the club have announced.

The Porcupine Warriors touched down in Accra on Friday following cancellation of the first round, second leg fixture against Al-Hilal Omdurman.

The game was called off when Kotoko were unable to present a minimum of 15 players required for the match, per Caf regulations, after seven members of their travelling squad tested positive for Covid-19 just before the fixture.

"Four players and four officials of Asante Kotoko tested positive for Covid-19 upon our arrival at Kotoko International Airport yesterday," Kotoko announced in a statement on Saturday.

"They are currently in isolation and are being treated by the Covid response team and supported by the Asante Kotoko medical team.

"It is however important to note that five players including Kwame Opoku and one official who was alleged to have tested positive from the first test in Sudan have all tested negative from the subsequent two tests in the Military Hospital in Sudan and at the Kotoko International Airport.

"The rest of the team with the addition of Danlad Ibrahim and fit-again Emmanuel Keyekeh, Mudasiru Salifu and Patrick Asmah are currently training at the Teshie Military Park in Accra as we prepare for our GPL encounter with Liberty Professionals on Monday, 11th January 2021."

With Kotoko unable to present enough men for the away tie, Al Hilal, per Caf rules, were declared winners of the game on a 2-0 scoreline, handing them a 3-0 victory on aggregate after the first leg fixture in Accra ended in a 1-0 away triumph for the visitors.

The Sudanese are, thus, through to the group stage of the Champions League while Kotoko have been relegated to the Caf Confederation Cup where they have been pitted against Algerian side ES Setif for a playoff showdown.

The Ghanaians, meanwhile, are contesting their elimination from the Champions League as they claim the positive Covid-19 results against their players in Sudan were falsified by Hilal authorities.

Having launched a protest at Caf, the 23-time Ghana Premier League champions are reportedly considering heading to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) should their protest prove unsuccessful at the continental level. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic could feature for AC Milan for the first time in seven weeks when the Serie A table-toppers host Torino on Saturday.

Ibrahimovic suffered a hamstring strain after netting a brace in a 3-1 win at Napoli on November 22, before a calf injury in training last month further delayed his return.

Milan coach Stefano Pioli told reporters on Friday that he did not expect the former Sweden international to return but he was listed in a 24-man squad published on Milan's website on the day of the game.

What's been said?

“He has done his programme, he has done some work, but I don’t think he will be available tomorrow," said Pioli at his pre-match press conference on Friday. 

“We will have to grit our teeth, if two more injuries were to be added, we would have many absentees. 

“We must resist, we must do well. If there were seven, eight, nine players missing, it would be normal to face difficulty. But the players will soon return and we can increase the rotations.”

Why does it matter?

The 39-year-old produced scintillating early-season form, scoring 10 goals in six top-flight matches following a bout of coronavirus to establish Pioli's side as the pacesetters in the Scudetto race.

However, the Rossoneri's lead at the Serie A summit is down to a point after they suffered a first league defeat of the season at home to Juventus in midweek - the reigning champions running out 3-1 winners as Federico Chiesa scored twice.

How have Milan performed with & without Zlatan?

Milan's form without Ibrahimovic this season has held up very well, with a 70 per cent win ratio in the matches without him edging 66.7% from four wins and two draws with him on the field in Serie A.

However, Pioli's men average slightly more goals (2.3 to 2.1), shots (17 to 15.6) and crosses (12.8 to 11.2) per 90 minutes with Ibrahimovic as their attacking spearhead.

What is the Milan squad to face Torino?

Goalkeepers: A Donnarumma, G Donnarumma, Tatarusanu.

Defenders: Calabria, Conti, Dalot, Duarte, Hernandez, Kalulu, Kjaer, Musacchio, Romagnoli.

Midfielders: Calhanoglu, Castillejo, Diaz, Frigerio, Hauge, Kessie, Olzer, Tonali.

Forwards: Colombo, Ibrahimovic, Leao, Maldini.

Further reading

AFC Leopards dropped to fifth on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League table after falling 1-0 to Wazito FC at Utalii Grounds on Saturday.

Former Mathare United midfielder Kevin Kimani scored the lone goal to hand his team maximum points.

The Francis Kimanzi-led charges came into the match aiming at making it two wins in a row after a morale-boosting 2-1 win in their previous win over Nairobi Stars.

Ingwe, on their part, were desperate to come back to winning ways after a shock 2-0 loss against Western Stima in their last outing.

The visitors came into the match on a high note and after just six minutes, Whyvonne Isuza almost punished his former team but his header missed the target.

Goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan had to be alert in the 10th minute when Musa Masika beat the defenders to set a one-on-one situation. The Ugandan, however, pulled off a fantastic save to deny him.

The 2018/19 National Super League champions were finally rewarded in the 20th minute when a defensive lapse allowed Kimani into the danger zone and Ochan had no chance of stopping him.

Marvin Nabwire was introduced five minutes to the break, taking the place of Musa Saad as the hosts tried their best to tame Wazito, who dominated the proceedings.

The substitute ended the first half on a high as Isaac Kipyegon's free-kick found him in a good area but his header missed the target.

Even after the resumption, there were no signs of Wazito slowing down and Ochan had to be at his best to deny Kimani his brace.

Dennis Ng'ang'a thought he had scored in the 49th minute but his effort hit the crossbar and bundled out for a goal-kick.

As the game petered out, neither of the two teams managed to create further clear scoring changed.

Wazito are now placed in the fourth position on the table with 11 points from seven games while Leopards drop to fifth with nine points from five games.

AFC Leopards XI: Benjamin Ochan, Yususph Mainge, Robinson Kamura, Collins Shichenje, Isaac Kipyegon, Fabrice Mugheni, Said Tsuma, Peter Thiong'o, Musa Saad, Jefari Owiti, Elvis Rupia

Subs: Jeff Oyemba, Washington Munene, Boniface Mukhekhe, Marvin Nabwire, Hansel Ochieng', Caleb Olilo, Bienvenue Shaka

Wazito FC XI: Fredrick Odhiambo, Dennis Ng'ang'a, Bernard Ochieng', Michael Owino, Boniface Omondi, Whyvonne Isuza, Fidel Origa, Dennis Sikhayi, Musa Masika, Kevin Kimani, Johnstone Omurwa

Subs: Bixente Otieno, David Otieno, Vincent Oburu, Joe Waithira, Joshua Nyatini, Amos Asembeka, Maurice Ojwang', Kevin Okumu, Ali Hassan.

Mesut Ozil could have been the “the best player ever to play for Arsenal” if he had the determination of Kieran Tierney, says Martin Keown, but a divisive figure at Emirates Stadium is considered to have been “conning” supporters across his time in England.

There have been flashes of brilliance from the World Cup winner during his spell in north London, with there never any doubting his ability.

Inconsistency has, however, proved to be a problem, with Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta struggling to bring the best out of the talented playmaker on a regular basis.

The latter, who has the reins at present, has taken to freezing Ozil out of his plans in 2020-21.

That has the former Germany international heading for the exits, as his lucrative contract continues to run down towards free agency, and Keown says a player snapped up from Real Madrid in 2013 will leave with his potential unfulfilled.

The former ex-Gunners defender told talkSPORT: “It hurts me that a player of that talent can’t get on the football pitch, it’s a crying shame.

“For me, he doesn’t go down as a legend, because he doesn’t match the energy and determination of legends that I’ve seen at that football club.

“If he had Tierney’s determination, coupled with that ability, he might’ve gone down as the best player ever to play for Arsenal.

“He’s become calculated in the way that he’s undermining the club with tweets, and I think it’s now time to go.”

Keown added on Ozil, having been critical of the 32-year-old throughout a seven-year stint at Arsenal: “Two-and-a-half years ago when Atletico Madrid knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League, I watched very closely and it felt like he was conning the fans.

“He wasn’t giving everything for the shirt; I accused him of crocodile tears, it felt like something was very wrong. That was two-and-a-half years ago, and my opinion hasn’t changed.

“There was a session of illnesses, a mystery back injury, away games he wasn’t available.

“Is there a problem with the player? Is he conning us? Eventually he’ll write a book and we’ll get to know the whole story.

“But if you’ve got that much talent and you’re not getting picked, you can’t be giving 100 per cent, and that was happening two-and-a-half years ago.

“He [agent Dr Erkut Sogut] accused me of jealousy and not being worthy; I think the 449 games for Arsenal qualify me, I’m not sure how many the agent has played.

“My eyes don’t lie. Statistics tell you an amazing story about Ozil, which I don’t think is convincing.”

Ozil’s last outing for Arsenal came back on March 7, 2020, with a humbling fall from grace seeing him slip out of favour in Project Restart and fail to convince former team-mate Arteta of his worth.

KCB FC continued with their dream run in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League after defeating Bidco United by a solitary goal at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.

Ronald Reagan scored the only goal to ensure the Bankers maintained their 100% winning record.

The promoted side came into the match hoping to get a positive outcome against their hosts. The Anthony Akhulia-led team had registered their first win against Vihiga United and were hopeful of getting at least a point against their opponents.

After a goalless first half, the hosts, deservedly, scored in the 48th minute.

A good ball to Brian Ochieng' found the Thika-based side off guard. The midfielder cut the ball back for Reagan to score what turned out to be the winning goal.

It was the Banker's sixth win in as many matches, and they are now on 18 points while Bidco are ninth on the log with seven points after as many matches.

At Wundanyi Stadium, Mathare United started their league campaign with a 4-2 loss against Sofapaka.

It took Batoto ba Mungu 12 minutes to take the lead when former Gor Mahia midfielder Juma Lawrence beat Job Ochieng from close range.

Moments later, the 2009 champions doubled the advantage when Nixon Omondi opened his account with a fine finish to pile more pressure on the Slum Boys.

The Salim Ali-led charges looked lost and it was not surprising when they conceded the third goal in the 18th minute. Juma capitalised on a concentration lapse to score from a volley. 

The 2008 champions started the second half stronger. However, they had to wait until the 71st minute to get a goal courtesy of Daniel Otieno.

In the 83rd minute, the Slum Boys scored their second goal to set up a tense finale, when Chris Oduor was at the end of a good move to give his team hopes of getting at least a point. 

Batoto ba Mungu recollected themselves and in stoppage time, Juma completed his hat-trick to ensure his team won the game 4-2.  

Meanwhile, Bandari FC and Zoo FC settled for a 1-1 draw in another league game staged at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa.

Ugandan William Wadri scored first in favour of the Dockers after 22 minutes before the Kericho-based team struck back in the 66th minute through Sammy Ggolola.

Rene Weiler has emerged as the clear favourite to replace Sven Vandenbroeck as Simba SC coach.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi confirmed on Thursday they had parted ways with the Belgian tactician after he had guided them to the group stage of the Caf Champions League.

A source within the club has confirmed to Goal the 47-year-old tactician from Switzerland is likely to replace Vandenbroeck at the Tanzanian champions.

“Weiler has become the clear favourite to take over the reins at Simba,” the source, who did not want to be named, told Goal. “He is currently a free agent after leaving Al Ahly of Egypt and that puts him ahead of the rest of the coaches who have applied for the job.”

On Friday, Vandenbroeck took to his Instagram page to reveal why he had parted ways with the champions.

“I have amicably parted with Simba to find more balance between work and my family, and for personal development,” said Vandenbroeck. “I do so with a heavy heart because I became a part of Simba and Simba became a part of me.

“I thank all the players for their contributions to our success and fans for all the wonderful memories.

“I especially thank president Mo and CEO Barbara Gonzalez for their professionalism and for helping me do my job. They both tried to convince me to stay until the last second.

"I will always wish Simba great success.”

The Belgian came in to replace Patrick Aussems in December 2019 after the latter had failed to guide them further in the Champions League. The 1-1 home draw against UD Songo was one of the key factors that ended Aussems reign at Simba but Vandenbroeck came in and got the giants rejuvenated.

The former Zambia head coach won three titles in one year after stellar performances in the domestic competitions. He helped the Msimbazi side defend the league title for the third time in a row, won the Azam Shield Cup as well as the Community Shield Cup.

In 55 matches he oversaw, Vandenbroeck registered wins on 39 occasions, 10 draws were recorded and they got just six losses.

Vandenbroeck left Simba who are currently second to Yanga with 35 points but have three matches in hand. The champions, after dispatching FC Platinum, booked a group stage spot in the Champions League. They have travelled to Zanzibar where they are set to participate in the Mapinduzi Cup.