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Zambia women's head coach Bruce Nwape says Barbra Banda will be available for the country's regional campaign in next month's Cosafa Women's Cup in South Africa.

Banda has enjoyed an incredible year so far after she inspired Zambia to a maiden Olympic Games before helping Shanghai Shengli to a second place, clinching the golden boot with 18 goals in China.

Having ended her season in the Asian nation, fans are keen to watch her again at the Cosafa event since she missed out last year after inspiring the Copper Queens to a fourth-place finish in 2018.

After being pitted in Group A with Malawi and Lesotho in Thursday's draw, coach Mwape has given updates on his side's preparations.

“So far so good, of late they are looking fit," Nwape told FAZ media after Thursday evening training at Edwin Imboela Stadium.

"There are no injuries, they are all perfect. Somehow it will affect the game plan, although it will give room to the others that want to prove that they can play for the senior women national team."

On the possible involvement of the China-based forward, he said: “Barbara Banda is here with us. She was in the team that played Buffaloes. She did very well.”

Zambia will launch their campaign against Lesotho on November 4 before taking on Malawi five days later at Wolfson Stadium.

Nwape will count on the presence of Banda to guide the country to the first-ever regional title.

Nigeria international John Ogu has called on his teammates to boycott their upcoming games in protest against the government.

The three-time African champions will take on Sierra Leone in 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November.

Recently, there have been huge protests against the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious police unit in Nigeria.

The division has been accused of assaults, illegal detentions and the murder of Nigerian youths and although the unit was disbanded weeks ago, the protest continued unabated as protesters increased their demands, calling for an end to bad governance and poor economic conditions.

On Tuesday, men in military camouflage shot at protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos, killing 12 people, according to Amnesty International, which has generated wide condemnation across the world.

Ogu, who has 26 caps for the Super Eagles, has urged his teammates not to honour Nigeria’s upcoming matches in protest to the incident.

"What is the point in representing the country if this is what the politicians, the people we're representing, can do to us?" Ogu told the World Football show on BBC World Service radio.

"I feel like this is the best thing to do right now until they get back to their senses and listen to us.

"We want a good government, the police brutality to stop, we want the SARS to stop, we want the killings to stop, we want good laws, we want job opportunities. It's just crazy.

"I believe most of my colleagues understand where I am coming from, I wish we can do this. There are games coming up and if we boycott these games I'm sure they will know we've made a statement.

"I haven't really spoken to any of my team-mates about this. They feel for the people here, their loved ones, those that have died. I'm sure the players are aware."

Ogu is currently in Lagos after leaving Saudi Arabian club Al-Adalah in September and has been actively involved in the protest.

"In Lagos, it's brutal now. Burning banks, cars, police stations. It's dangerous to go out. The country is a shambles,” he continued.

"I've been in the protests six or seven times. It's always peaceful.

"I don't know [whether there will be a boycott]. I don't know what is in the heart of the other boys. I'm sure everyone is thinking about this now. We have a match next month. If this thing continues to next month we won't play.

"How can I go to the national team to represent my country to represent the government and the people when I think of the lost souls of those who have been killed?"

Ogu was part of the Nigeria national team that finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Simba SC have suffered another blow after defender Shomari Kapombe joined the growing list of injured players at the club.

Kapombe was stretchered off during their Mainland Premier League match against Tanzania Prisons as Simba went on to lose their first match of the season 1-0 and also relinquish second position to rivals Yanga SC on the 18-team table.

Goal can now reveal Kapombe has joined the list of injured players at the Wekundu wa Msimbazi, others being striker and captain John Bocco, Meddie Kagere, Chris Mugali, and Gerson Fraga.

With the league and Caf Champions League fixtures coming thick and fast, it is not clear when the four players will be able to return.

Against Tanzania Prisons, Samson Mbagula scored the only goal that separated the two sides in their first engagement after returning from the international break.

Simba coach Sven Vandenbroeck has maintained a brave face, insisting losing the match was not a big issue but all he wants to see is how his players will respond to the defeat.

“We have to accept and move on and I have already asked my players to shift focus to the next league match,” Vandenbroeck is quoted by the club’s official website.

“In football, we have three results, you either win, lose or draw and it has happened that we lost our match, and it means we start preparations there and then for the next match and that is what I have told the boys, they should not cry over spilt milk, they should dust themselves up and focus.”

Vandenbroeck also dismissed reports that Simba lost the match because they were missing some of their key players, among them midfielder Clatous Chama and defender Pascal Wawa, but instead, said they are focusing on the next assignment.

“I will be lying if I say missing our key players led to the defeat, I don’t want to say that, Simba is a big team and we have players who can do the job if others are out, and as I said before, we lost in a fair way, and I don’t want to concentrate on the defeat, I have moved on and I also want my players to accept and move on," he continued.

The defeat also came after Simba had picked up a 4-0 win against JKT Tanzania before the break. Their next two matches will be against Ruvu Shooting and Mwadui FC before facing Yanga in the Kariakoo Derby on November 7.

Simba SC head coach Sven Vandenbroeck has revealed what style of play he wants the Mainland Premier League champions to adopt.

The tactician has stated he would like his players to keep the ball and create more chances with it in order to stifle the opponents. Wekundu wa Msimbazi were on a good run but it was stopped by Tanzania Prisons in Rukwa on Thursday when they suffered a 1-0 defeat in matchday six.

“You know my preference is always to play an attractive football where we have to enjoy ball possession more than our opponents and create more passes that will help us consequently create more goal-scoring chances,” Vandenbroeck told Mwanaspoti.

“This will ensure our opponents find it hard to deal with us and their primary target will always be getting a formula of stopping us.”

The former Zambia head coach stated his players are learning the art of the playing style and how it would help them deal with any opponent going forward.

“My players have been accustomed to the demands of such playing style,” he added.

“If one has been watching keenly, they will realise that passes created in a game are always fewer than in the subsequent games. This is what I want us to do whether we are playing away or at home.

“If we manage to possess the ball and create more passes, the opponents will always be thinking how to stop us and we will not be thinking much about them. We have been trying to work on this, every day during our training programmes.”

Even though he believes his students are learning and adapting fast, Vandenbroeck gave conditions under which the style will be implemented with ease.

“In order to manage this attractive and ball possession style of play, every player must be very fit because if one of the players will not be fit enough it means we will find it difficult to implement it,” he said.

“That is why we have been playing a number of friendlies and Mlandege FC recently gave us a real test on whether we are at a great competitive level.

“If we will get to possess the ball in every game, the way I want according to my philosophy, even defending will be easy because we would be having the ball in most cases. That is the best way of managing opponents by the way.”

Now sitting third behind arch-rivals Yanga and the impeccable Azam, Simba will host Ruvu Shooting and Mwadui FC for the last matches for October.

Former Leicester City stars Gerry Taggart and Matt Elliott have showered encomium on Kelechi Iheanacho for his heroic display against Zorya in Thursday’s Europa League game.

The forward’s efforts helped Brendan Rodgers’ men clinch a comfortable 3-0 victory at the King Power Stadium.

The 24-year-old set up James Maddison and Harvey Barnes before opening his account in the European competition with a fine strike.

Taggart has praised the Nigeria international for his performances and his ability to form a productive partnership with Barnes.

“Up until the first goal was scored, Kelechi and Harvey Barnes had some good inter-play in the box,” Taggart told the club website.

“The first goal all came from them two linking up, as did the second. What more do you want from your striker? He had a good all-round game.

“He made no mistakes and probably could have had another. He got a well-earned pat on the back from Brendan Rodgers.”

Iheanacho has struggled to establish himself at King Power Stadium since teaming up with the club from Manchester City in the summer of 2017.

The Super Eagles centre-forward is behind Jamie Vardy in the pecking order at the club but Elliott believes he will continue to play a key role for Leicester.

“He’s not had it all his way since joining, but he will be needed throughout the season and he’ll have a part to play, respective whether Jamie Vardy is fit or not,” Elliott said.

“He’ll be contributing regularly and hopefully, he can do so to a good level.”

Iheanacho has scored 21 goals in as many appearances across all competitions since joining the King Power Stadium outfit.

The attacker will hope to continue his fine form in front of goal when the Foxes take on Arsenal in a Premier League game on Sunday.

Ghana Premier League (GPL) giants Asante Kotoko have announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Fabio Dos Santos Gama.

The 28-year-old has joined the Porcupine Warriors on a free transfer, having been without a club since parting ways with Swedish second-tier outfit Jonkoping Sodra in March.

A former Brazil youth star, having represented the South American nation at U17 and U20 level, he becomes the eighth Kotoko signing ahead of the 2020-21 Ghana football season.

"Asante Kotoko is delighted to announce the acquisition of Brazilian international midfielder Fabio Dos Santos Gama," the Kumasi-based side announced on Friday.

"The former Brazilian U17, U20 and Jonkiping Sodra (Sweden) baller has joined us on a two-year contract."

Kotoko are Gama's third club outside Brazil, having also featured for Swedish fold Varnomo before moving on to Jonkoping.

In his homeland, he has previously been on the books of Bahia, Botafago-SP, Botafago, Serrano-BA, Operario-MS, SE Gama and ABC FC.

His most recent clubs in Brazil, however, are Itabaiana-SE and UR Trabalhadore.

The midfielder is the third Brazilian to sign for Kotoko in the last 15 years following Gleisson de Souza Ferreira in 2005 and Hermes da Silva in 2013.

Gama is Kotoko's latest acquisition ahead of the upcoming 2020-21 season, following the signing of former Ashanti Gold defender Yussif Mubarik, Karela United midfielder Emmanuel Keyekeh, former Atalanta of Italy player Patrick Asmah and Ghana goalkeeper Razak Abalora.

Ashanti Gold midfielder Latif Anabila, Evans Adomako of lower-tier club Phar Rangers and Andrews Kwadwo Appau from Tano Bofoakwa are the Porcupine Warriors' other new stars.

Kotoko are not just preparing for the Ghana football season but also for the 2020-21 Caf Champions League.

In Ghana, they are the most successful club in the history of the Premier League but have struggled for honours in recent times, their last title coming in 2014.

In continental football, the Kumasi-based outfit have won the Caf Champions League on two occasions, in 1970 and in 1983.

In the 2004 Caf Confederation Cup, Maxwell Konadu’s outfit placed second in the Caf Confederation Cup, losing on penalties to country rivals Hearts of Oak in the final.

Former Arsenal and West Ham midfielder Jack Wilshere feels he has plenty left to give as he searches for a new club following his exit from the Hammers earlier this month. 

West Ham ended Wilshere's £100,000-a-week contract early, allowing him to become a free agent after he made just 19 appearances over two seasons with the club.

Injuries have badly damaged Wilshere's career after he initially burst onto the scene as a teenager with the Gunners and England. 

Wilshere has said leaving West Ham was the right move for him as his prospects for playing time this season were far from certain.

"People will say what they want and footballers get paid well, but there is nothing more draining and saps your confidence more than when you know you are not going to play, that no matter what you do in training, or what the other players are doing, even if you lose 3-0, you are not going to get an opportunity," Wilshere told the BBC.

"I didn't want to be around that and in that environment."

Wilshere is currently training with friends in a local park as he searches for his next team, which the midfielder said could be located in any number of places.

"It is important to find a club where I am going to play, be an important player and be happy. I don't want to rush into anything. It has to be the right team in the right country," Wilshere added.

"I am open to Europe or wherever."

No matter where he ends up, Wilshere is confident that can still make a major impact if he stays fit and gets a run of games.

"People forget I am 28. Everyone thinks I am 30 or 31, probably because I started when I was 16. That is 12 years ago, which is a long time in football," Wilshere said.

"In my head, I have been fit for ages but at the same time, I haven't played games. People probably have forgotten. But there is a difference between fully fit and playing games.

"I have been fully fit for a while but, without games, you don't get up to speed or get the minutes you need. In a year's time, I would like to have 20-25 games behind me at a new club and be looking forward to the future.

"I feel I have much more to give. I just want to be given the opportunity to show it."

The first Revierderby of the season can still go ahead despite Borussia Dortmund midfielder Emre Can testing positive for coronavirus. 

Dortmund announced on Friday that Can had returned a positive result prior to their meeting with arch-rivals Schalke at Signal Iduna Park in the Bundesliga on Saturday. 

However, with the Germany international isolating at home and the rest of the team and staff testing negative, BVB assured their meeting with Schalke can go ahead. 

"Borussia Dortmund player Emre Can, 26, tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday," a statement posted on Dortmund's website read.

"The Germany international, who was unable to travel with the team for the Champions League match in Rome due to suspension, is currently not experiencing any symptoms and is in quarantine at home.

"All the other test results for players and staff members came back negative on Friday.

"Following intensive discussions with the health authorities in Dortmund, the final training session prior to the Ruhr derby on Saturday was postponed at late notice from its original time of 17:00 CET to 18:30 CET. There is no reason for the game not to go ahead."

Dortmund are level on points with champions Bayern Munich in second place after winning three of their first four Bundesliga games, one point behind first-place RB Leipzig.

At the other end of the table, Schalke have taken just one point from their first four league matches are are second from bottom. 

In the derby Dortmund will look to recover from a 3-1 defeat to Lazio on Tuesday in their opening Champions League match of the season. 

Giovanni Reyna was a bright spot in the defeat after the American teenager came on as a half-time sub and provided an assist to Erling Haaland.

Speaking to CBS Sports after the game, Reyna said he was instructed to play between Lazio's midfield and defensive lines and give the team more of an attacking option than Jude Bellingham did.

"Just try to stay in between the lines a little bit," Reyna said of his instructions. "Jude came out and was a little more defensive and I had to go in and try to create with Erling and the guys in front. Just try to get between the lines and try to spark a comeback."

"It's Champions League, it's pretty self-explanatory," Reyna added. "Wherever you go and whoever you play, it's going to be a tough game. 

"I think we started a little bit slow. We still had some chances that we could have scored to make it a little more difficult for them. We could have played a little bit better but now we have to refuel and get ready for the weekend."

Manchester City's flight to London had to be rerouted after a technical issue on the plane meant that they could not land at their scheduled destination.

The first-team squad flew to the capital on Friday ahead of City's lunchtime Premier League clash with West Ham United.

But their flight had to redirected from City Airport to London Stansted more than 30 miles away.

Goal understands that there was a problem with the plane's anti-skid system which meant that it could not land at an airport with a short runway.

The team suffered a slight delay ahead of travelling to the hotel before Saturday's clash.

It is understood that there was no fault on the part of the airport but the flight would not have needed to be rerouted had it been scheduled to land at a major airport.

In 2016, a City team flight came off the runway during take-off from Norwich.

City travelled without injured players Gabriel Jesus, Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy.

Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte returned to training on Thursday and Pep Guardiola was remaining tight-lipped about whether they would be fit to return to face the Hammers.

“Some of them will be [involved],” he said at his pre-match press conference. “Some of them, no. You will know tomorrow.”

A victory could move City up to third in the Premier League and above Liverpool having played the same number of games.

City have won on every visit to the London Stadium, scoring 22 goals and conceding just once.

But Guardiola is expecting a tough game against a side buoyed by their comeback against Tottenham when they snatched a 3-3 draw after conceding three times in the opening 20 minutes.

“The past is the past, we have good results,” the City boss said. “What we saw against Tottenham, always West Ham have quality players. They play really well against Tottenham, not just the last minutes, even at 3-0 down they play with a lot of personality.

“They are in good form. Definitely, they are in a good moment.”

City have two more away games after their trip to West Ham, playing Marseille in the Champions League on Tuesday night followed by Sheffield United on Saturday.

“The schedule is completely crazy for everyone, especially the teams that play in Europe," Guardiola said.

“Right now I don’t know my selection. We play tomorrow at 12.30, so not much recovery. Today the guys trained really well and tonight we will decide.”

Inter Milan full-back Achraf Hakimi has tested negative for the coronavirus ahead of their Serie A game against Genoa on Saturday.

The versatile player tested positive for Covid-19 before his side’s Champions League draw with Borussia M'gladbach on Wednesday, which subsequently ruled him out of the game.

The defender has now been subjected to another test and the result confirmed he is negative and will be in contention for the San Siro outfit’s game against the Red and Blues.

“Inter Milan announces that Achraf Hakimi tested negative for the test carried out yesterday after the positive results found by the UEFA checks before the match against Borussia Monchengladbach,” read a stamen from the club website.

“The player, completely asymptomatic, was subjected to an additional test today to assess his actual situation.”

Hakimi teamed up with the Black and Blues this summer on a five-year deal from La Liga giants Real Madrid.

The Morocco international has made four league appearances for the San Siro outfit, scoring one goal since his arrival.

Hakimi spent 14 years with Real Madrid before his permanent departure from the side and also had loan spells at Borussia Dortmund, where he impressed.

The full-back played a prominent role for Dortmund as they won the 2019 DFL-Super Cup and the 21-year-old was also named Bundesliga Young Player of the Month for September and November 2018.

Hakimi is a key member of the Morocco national team and has made 30 appearances for the North African country.

He has twice won African Young Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019 and was part of Atlas Lions’ squad to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The versatile player will be expected to play a part in Morocco’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

After an engrossing midweek of continental action in the Champions League and Europa League, attention returns to Europe’s biggest domestic leagues this weekend—and another fascinating collection of fixtures.

In this feature, Goal pick out our five most mouth-watering matches to watch over the coming days.

The Hammers will enter this one with genuine belief that they can get a result, having demonstrated remarkable resolve to come from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 against a rampant Tottenham Hotspur side last weekend.

It was a sensational comeback from a side who have been accused of lacking character over the years, and was testament to the great work David Moyes is achieving in East London.

This weekend they face another tough assignment in Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola’s side having won this corresponding fixture 5-0 last season.

It’s unlikely to be the same this time around, even if the Hammers’ defence looked particularly vulnerable during that opening spell against Spurs.

An intriguing subplot here could be the Irons debut of Said Benrahma following his arrival from Brentford.

Could the Algeria maestro be the spark the Irons need to finally get to the next level and banish any relegation concerns for good?

After encouraging performances in the Champions League in midweek—against Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla—both United and Chelsea should have renewed confidence when they meet in Saturday’s showdown.

Domestically, they’ve been less than convincing recently, although the Red Devils did bounce back in style last weekend after falling behind to Newcastle United, eventually running out 4-1 winners.

Defensively, both have had their issues; Chelsea, latterly, when they shipped three in a 3-3 draw with Southampton to drop two valuable points.

Frank Lampard will hope that new arrival Edouard Mendy steps in between the sticks again—as he did against Sevilla—to continue his fine start to life in England, banishing all requirement for him to ever use the hapless Kepa Arrizabalaga again.

For Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and United, the return to form of Harry Maguire following a testing international break should be cause for optimism that the Red Devils can rediscover the excellent form they demonstrated during Project Restart.

Even in front of an empty stadium, the Clasico should still be a spectacle, as these two old rivals collide again in a meeting of the world’s biggest club sides.

Neither have been particularly convincing in recent months, as Barca pick themselves up after a horror 2019-20 and the Lionel Messi affair that utterly overshadowed their offseason.

Real Madrid won the last meeting between these two back in March, but their limitations and vulnerabilities were exposed in their 3-2 Champions League defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk.

Barcelona, by contrast riding high after a 5-1 thumping of Hungarian heavyweights Ferencvaros, will be in fine fettle, although they will still be without Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who missed out with a tendon injury.

Samuel Umtiti is another absentee, while Jordi Alba is in contention to feature.

Real, meanwhile, will be able to call upon fit-again Sergio Ramos, who will start alongside Raphael Varane.

There may not be much separating these two come the end of the season, with the Gunners looking like a revitalised force under Mikel Arteta, and Leicester going in the right direction under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers.

The last time these two played—in July—Jamie Vardy rescued a late point for the Foxes, but he’s a doubt due to injury, which may come as a major boost for the Londoners.

If he can’t play, Rodgers may well turn to Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho, who excelled in the Europa League, while James Maddison could make his return to the starting XI after playing over an hour in midweek.

The midfield battle could be key, and all eyes will be on new arrival Thomas Partey, who won’t have to worry about injured Wilfred Ndidi as he looks to feed the likes of Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Juventus vs Hellas Verona

On paper, this one should be a comfortable home victory for Juventus, but that is what was expected of the Old Lady last weekend, when they were held 1-1 at home against newly promoted Crotone.

While rookie coach will be concerned that his side weren’t able to swat away the Serie A minnows, he’ll perhaps be most worried about their inability to break down their lowly opponents to take all three points.

They dispatched Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 away in the Champions League in midweek, but now up against a stubborn Hellas Verona side—they’ve conceded just once in their first four matches—Juve will have to find some better solutions going forward.

Similarly, Pirlo will also have to find ways of replacing various key absentees.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Weston McKennie are both still isolating due to coronavirus, and Giorgio Chiellini will miss out after picking up an injury in the Ukraine.

Federico Chiesa is suspended after being dismissed against Crotone, while Alex Sandro and Matthijs de Ligt are also set to miss out due to fitness concerns.

Vinicius Junior has been hailed as an "extraordinary" player by Brazil boss Tite after the Real Madrid man returned to the international fold, with the Selecao supremo comparing the forward to a supercar in terms of his skill.

The Real Madrid forward missed out on a place in the last national squad for this month's CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

But with his coach vowing to rotate his less experienced players on the global stage, the 20-year-old - who has just one cap to date - has been recalled, at the expence of his Madrid teammate Rodrygo.

Speaking on the former Flamengo star's inclusion, Tite waxed lyrical on the attacker's attributes ahead of matches against Venezuela and Uruguay, conjuring up some automotive comparisons in poetic fashion.

"He is a player of openness, breadth, edge, outside [and] one on one [skills]," the 59-year-old stated. "He has extraordinary physical virtues.

"If a normal car has five gears, he has six or seven! The torque, the acceleration, the one against one - [it] is impressive."

Among the further changes made, Barcelona star Arthur has replaced Bruno Guimaraes, while Rodrigo Caio has kept his spot in the group and Felipe has made way for Eder Militao, who only made his first appearance of the season for Madrid last weekend. 

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus were included as expected after missing last month's matches through injury, with Santos and Matheus Cunha consequently left out.

"For the young players it's a matter of process, of maturity in their clubs," Tite added. "[Their selection depends on] the best moment, the degree of confidence they have. For this reason, I'll sometimes use Vinicius, Rodrygo or Bruno Guimaraes"

Brazil squad : Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras); Alex Telles (Manchester United), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Gabriel Menino (Palmeiras), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Rodrigo Caio (Flamengo), Thiago Silva (Chelsea); Arthur (Juventus), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo), Fabinho (Liverpool), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona); Everton (Benfica), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid). 

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has taken his fight for low-income children to Twitter, where he's building a coalition of vendors who will provide free school meals over the holidays.

Rashford hit out at the UK Government earlier this week as a vote to extend free school meals over the holidays until Easter 2021 was defeated.

Though the motion failed, a number of businesses vowed on Friday to step up and provide free meals over the holidays – with Rashford retweeting many of the offers and including the location of the businesses.

After a day spent amplifying the voices of those pledging to help, Rashford posted a message of gratitude on Twitter. 

"I’m signing off with a feeling [of] pride tonight. The superstars of this nation lie in local communities. Even after taking the biggest hits you have wrapped your arms around your community to catch [these] children as they fell. I really can’t thank you enough, you’re amazing," the forward wrote.

"To the Twitter community, keep sharing these posts via #endchildfoodpoverty[.] Every child should be going to bed tonight feeling like they DO matter. Overwhelmed and thankful."

Meanwhile, Conservative MP Ben Bradley continued to feud with Rashford on social media while insisting on a face-to-face meeting with the Red Devils forward.

Bradley has said that the head of one of the country's "most deprived schools" agrees that there's a better way to help underprivileged children than the government funding a free meal extension.

After saying his invitation wasn't answered, Bradley said: "No reply to this yet so far as I can see. You were very quick to reply to previous tweets... Would love to invite you to Oak Tree, to discuss the needs of the kids face to face, and why FSM is not the right approach."

Amid some criticism over Rashford's political intervention, Juan Mata backed his team-mate's fight on Friday.

"I'm very proud of what Marcus has been doing. On the pitch, of course, we know how good he is and he is still performing very well but off the pitch also, the work he's been doing over the last months has been great," Mata told the Pitch to Post Preview podcast.

"He has improved the quality of life for so many kids in this country, which I'm sure everyone is proud of. His family should be proud of him, me, as a team-mate, and the club are very proud of him."

Antonio Conte is confident he will be given time at Inter and highlighted the work of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp as an example of what can be achieved with the right backing.

Inter have gone three games without a win heading into Saturday's league trip to Genoa, including a chastening 2-1 loss against bitter rivals Milan last weekend.

The Nerazzurri finished a point behind Serie A champions Juventus in Conte's first full season and lost to 3-2 to Sevilla in the Europa League final.

Conte is happy with the progress made by his side and hopes to take inspiration from "war machine" Liverpool, who were rewarded for constant improvement under Klopp with the Champions League title in 2019 and Premier League crown in 2020.

"We must always give 110 per cent to try to get a good result, in addition to the performance," Conte said at Friday's pre-match news conference.

"We need to work hard. As an example I take Klopp's Liverpool. It was four years without winning - now they are a war machine.

"We are building something important. I don't know if it will lead to winning something in the short term, but I know for sure that it is a right path. Even from the outside, seeing Inter, you get the idea of ​​a solid structure unlike in other years. This gives me happiness."

Inter have conceded eight goals at this stage of a Serie A campaign for the first time since 2011-12 and let in two more in Wednesday's 2-2 Champions League draw with Borussia Monchengladbach.

Conte accepts Inter have to shore up at the back but reiterated he is content with the overall performances of his players, arguing his side have yet to be second best in a game.

"If we look at what we are trying to do, how we are trying to involve the whole squad, then it's inevitable that the characteristics of some performers change from last year," he said.

"We scored many goals and could have scored more. We conceded avoidable goals and often due to individual situations that we can improve. We will continue to work, to play games. Up to now, there hasn't been a single team that has been superior to us."

Inter's trip to Genoa is their third match in eight days and they have a trip to Shakhtar Donetsk to come on Tuesday, before the visit of Parma four days later.

"It is important we manage the situation and preserve the players as best we can, while playing in the best possible way," Conte said. "The two things have to be combined. Some players are always playing so we need to protect them from a physical and phycological point of view."

Inter have won their last four Serie A meetings against Genoa by an overall score of 16-0, and only once in their Serie A history have they won five in a row without conceding against a single opponent - versus Atalanta from 1951 to 1953.

Frank Lampard thinks that all eyes will be on Manchester United versus Chelsea on Saturday, despite the two clubs having struggled to compete for the Premier League title in recent seasons.

Manchester City's dominance in recent years has only been matched by the current Premier League champions Liverpool as the two clubs have fought at the top of the division.

With Man City having got 100 points in 2018 and both they and Liverpool coming close to matching the feat since, there has been a huge gap between them and the chasing pack.

Lampard believes that his side will ultimately compete at the very top of the division and he regards Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side as a huge challenge ahead of their trip to Old Trafford on Saturday evening.

“It certainly does [mean a lot]," Lampard said in his pre-match press conference: "We have played them a lot, in two cup competitions as well as the league. They are a quality team, individuals and organisation.

"They went to Paris and got a fantastic result, and everything is very close in the league. It’s an opportunity to get some very hard-earned points, but it will be a tough match.

"I think the league's unpredictable, you can analyse all the games; you talk about certain games were big teams have conceded a lot of goals or there have been big turnarounds in games.

"We've been part of one of those, and so have others. So I'm not interested in that, I think Man United are a very good team, we've played them enough last year to know that and I'm not concerned about what might have happened in games before. We'll take them at face value."

Chelsea have won just two of their first five games but United, who have played a game less, have also won only two and suffered a 6-1 defeat at home to Tottenham.

From Lampard's perspective, he is still trying to get his team to gel after a disrupted pre-season due to the coronavirus pandemic has impacted his ability to mix in his group that saw six new players arrive at a combined cost of £220 million ($275m).

That includes both Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy who have only managed a few appearances apiece but look set to play key roles in the season.

"I certainly want to help grow the ideas of leaders within the group, personalities within the group of the course of long difficult seasons where we play so many games," Lampard said.

"There will be moments when you rely on them to help you in tough times and also to push the good times along and to try and improve every day. I don't think you can get on in elite sport, in any elite team sport, with people without any personality and character in your team.

"I have seen that with Hakim and I have seen it in Edou Mendy as soon as they came through the door. Hakim has confidence about him and his fitness is coming on individually and he still need time to get up his match fitness now his injury has cleared up.

"Both of those will be great additions on that front and I encourage personality and communication between players. We need more of that."

Aside from the need to regain match rhythm for Ziyech, Chelsea have almost a clean bill of health ahead of their trip to Manchester with just Kepa Arrizabalaga on the injured list alongside long-term absentee Billy Gilmour.

A number of Premier League games for the coming weeks will now be pay-per-view after clubs agreed to what has been described as an "interim solution".

Sky Sports and BT Sport will be providing the PPV service and, despite some opposition from figures within the game and fans, it looks like it is here to stay for now.

So, which Premier League matches are being shown on pay-per-view this weekend then? Goal has the details, as well as other games, including channels and kick-off times.

*Games in bold are pay-per-view

Click here for the full TV guide for football on TV in the UK this week

Which matches are pay-per-view this weekend?

The late kick-off on Friday evening between Aston Villa and Leeds United is available to watch live on BT Sport Box Office in the only pay-per-view game of the day.

There are two games on pay-per-view on Saturday. BT Sport Box Office has Fulham versus Crystal Palace at 3pm and Sky Sports Box Office is showing Liverpool against Sheffield United at 8pm.

Arsenal's game against Leicester City is the only pay-per-view match live on TV on Sunday, with Sky Sports Box Office broadcasting - that is a 7:15pm kick-off.

Sky Sports Box Office is showing Brighton versus West Brom, which kicks off at 5:30pm on Monday afternoon.

How do I get pay-per-view games and how much does it cost?

Pay-per-view Premier League matches will only be available to watch through the Sky Sports Box Office and BT Sport Box Office platforms.

Each PPV game will cost £14.95 and access will be granted for coverage of that event only.

Those with a BT Sport subscription on BT TV can purchase games through their TV box on the BT Player or Channel 495. If you have a BT Sport subscription on Sky TV, go to channel 494. It can also be done online at the BT website.

Ordering a Sky Sports Box Office can be done directly through your Sky box or online at sports.skyboxoffice.com.

Five out of the 10 games in each matchday will be pay-per-view, but the situation could change and the Premier League will be monitoring the situation.

It is set to be "regularly reviewed in consultation with clubs" and decisions made by the UK government with respect to allowing supporters to attend games will be taken into account.

Profits from the pay-per-view system will go directly to the Premier League clubs after broadcasters Sky Sports and BT Sport have covered their costs.

Leroy Sane could make his return from injury when Bayern Munich face Eintracht Frankfurt this weekend, Hansi Flick has confirmed.

Germany winger Sane has made just three appearances for Bayern since arriving from Manchester City in July in a deal potentially worth €60 million (£55m/$70m).

The 24-year-old has been sidelined since being forced off in the second half of the 4-1 defeat to Hoffenheim on September 27 having suffered a right knee injury.

While Sane returned to team training on Thursday and is available for selection, Serge Gnabry will sit out Saturday's game at the Allianz Arena following his positive coronavirus test.

"Everyone is fit. Leroy Sane is in the squad. We are on the right track," said Flick on Friday. "We're not planning to start him; we have to go step by step. We have to wait for the game, but he is an option. We are happy about it.

"Gnabry will be out at the weekend. We have to wait and see [when he can return]. We are focused on Frankfurt with the players who are available to us."

Flick will be forced into a change in midfield with Corentin Tolisso suspended due to his red card in last weekend's 4-1 victory over Arminia Bielefeld.

In four Bundesliga appearances this season, Tolisso has already had as many shots on target (three) as he managed in 13 league outings last term. The France international is also averaging four more duels (up to 13 from nine) and duels won (up to eight from four) per 90 minutes than he did in 2019-20.

"You can feel that he's enjoying his football," said Flick. "Last season, he had problems with injuries and then didn't play too much.

"We sat down at the end of last season and talked. How he's playing now is how he played for Lyon. A weight has fallen off his shoulders; he's enjoying football.

"I'm glad he scored the goal; it gives him confidence. He has quality and good results shooting from long distance, but also in the box. He's also very strong."

Frankfurt are unbeaten in their past eight Bundesliga games, avoiding defeat in their opening four matches in a season for the first time since 2012-13. However, Adi Hutter's side have lost each of their past 12 competitive away matches against Bayern, conceding 40 goals and scoring just seven.