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Leeds United have been keeping tabs on AZ Alkmaar defender Milos Kerkez ahead of a potential move to the Championship, according to reports.

Who is Milos Kerkez?

Kerkez is primarily a left-back who currently plies his trade at the AFAS Stadium having moved there from AC Milan’s U19s back in January 2022. He’s since gone on to become a regular feature of the first-team having made 33 starts out of 34 Eredivisie matches last season.

The Hungary international’s contract isn’t set to expire for another three years, but after emerging as Pascal Jansen’s fourth best-performing defensive player during the previous term, he’s caught the eye of the 49ers, and not for the first time.

Back in April, Portuguese outlet Record reported that the Whites were applying pressure to sign the 19-year-old ahead of the ongoing window, and with Daniel Farke now in charge, it seems that they are still continuing to pursue a deal for their target.

In Yorkshire, Pascal Struijk, Junior Firpo and Leo Hjelde are the boss’ current options at left-back but it’s currently unknown as to which players will be departing over the coming weeks following relegation, so reinforcements may well be needed, which is where the teenager comes into play.

Are Leeds signing Kerkez?

According to The Daily Mail, Leeds have “checked on” Kerkez “over the past year” ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. Premier League high-flyers Newcastle United, fellow second-tier rivals Leicester City and Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund are also keeping tabs, but it’s Bournemouth who are the first club to have “opened discussions”.

The Cherries are “in talks” regarding a deal for the defender, who is valued at “over” £20m by AZ Alkmaar, so the Whites hierarchy will have to act fast should they want to beat their competitors in the race for his signature.

Could Kerkez be a good addition for Farke?

Leeds will know that Kerkez would be more of a signing for the long-term future of the club being just 19 years of age, but having been hailed a “high-quality” left-back by talent scout Jacek Kulig, he would be a promising acquisition for Farke to have at his disposal.

Sponsored by Adidas, the left-footed gem won 32 out of his 54 tackles made last season which was the second-highest success rate throughout the whole of his squad, as per FBRef, whilst also averaging 1.5 clearances each outing, so he’s obviously strong in the natural aspect of his game.

The youngster however equally contributed to efforts in the final third having ranked in the 92nd percentile for attacking touches in the opposition’s area by players in his position, which resulted in him clocking up 12 goal contributions (seven assists and five goals) across all competitions, showing his desire to burst down the flank.

Finally, Kerkez would provide the manager with some great versatility with his ability to operate slightly higher up on the left side of the midfield and even on the opposite wing at right-back alongside his usual role in the defensive backline which is yet another attribute that the hierarchy will be attracted to.

Islamabad United opener Sam Billings combined clean timing with explosive power-hitting to ensure the defending champions inflicted the season’s first defeat upon Quetta Gladiators

The Report by Danyal Rasool15-Feb-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsIn a nutshell
A blistering 78-run knock from Islamabad United opener Sam Billings neutralised Quetta Gladiators’ impressive spinners Mohammad Nawaz and Hasan Khan and ensured the defending champions inflicted the season’s first defeat upon Quetta. In the first game of this season’s PSL at the Sharjah Stadium, the 25-year-old England batsman combined clean timing with explosive power-hitting to keep his side on course throughout the chase.Quetta had earlier managed a slightly under-par 148, thanks to a disciplined bowling display from Misbah’s men. It centred around 18-year old legspinner Shadab Khan, who was extremely difficult to read as he spun the ball sharply both ways. Each of the bowlers bowled according to their strengths; Mohammad Sami consistently found the inswinging yorker – one of which accounted for Kevin Pietersen’s second successive golden duck – and Shane Watson’s short deliveries and pace variations were just as hard to dispatch as they have been all tournament. Quetta’s innings never really took off as wickets fell regularly and the scoring rate stayed below seven for much of the first 15 overs, before a late partnership between Mahmudullah and Thisara Perera took them near 150. It was to be competitive, but not match-winning.Where the match was won
Quetta’s middle-order pairing of Sarfraz Ahmed and Rilee Rossouw – the PSL’s top scorer thus far – got them over the line against Karachi in their last game. So when Ahmed Shehzad got off to a quick start with Pietersen and that duo lying in wait, Quetta might have looked set for a total nearer 200. However, they reckoned without a fiery Mohammad Sami having one of his better days. He beat Shehzad for pace, forcing him to pull right down midwicket’s throat, before a 146 kph yorker crashed into Pietersen’s pads and pinned him lbw.Shadab and Shane Watson then took charge of the middle overs, strangulating Quetta, and continuing to push the run rate down. In the ten overs that began with Shehzad’s dismissal, Quetta managed only 56 runs, and lost four wickets. Powerplays and death overs might make for better talking points, but these middle overs were what handed Islamabad the two points today.The men that won it
Billings seemed to be batting on a different surface to his fellow team-mates, finding the gaps regularly in the first six overs and clearing the ropes periodically thereafter. It wasn’t all guns blazing, either; he was content to show respect where it was due, taking the singles off left-arm spinners Nawaz and Hasan, while unleashing his ire on the pace attack. Perera bore the brunt of Billings’ buffeting, going for 40 in 3.1 overs. It was a mark of Billings’ dominance that by the end the 17th over of the Islamabad innings, no other batsman had a strike rate above 100. Billings, meanwhile, was coasting along at 150.Shane Watson removed Asad Shafiq and Rilee Rossouw•PCB

The drop v the missed stumping
When Rilee Rossouw was on 5 in the first innings, he charged down the track to the young Shadab, missing the ball completely. Haddin, however, fluffed an easy stumping chance, and must have feared the worst after reprieving the South African. Next over, however, Rossouw holed out to deep midwicket. In contrast, when Watson joined Billings with their side wobbling at 72 for 3, he nicked Mohammad Nawaz behind before he had got off the mark. It popped right out of Sarfraz’s hands, and from thereon, Quetta’s fate was sealed. The pair combined for what turned out to be a match-winning 63-run partnership, Watson contributing 36 in 27 balls. He, unlike Rossouw, made the opposition pay.The moment of the match
Hasan, singled out by Moin Khan as the most promising of Quetta’s youngsters, might have been on the losing side, but there was a moment the 18-year old is unlikely to forget. He had been bowling a tight line to opposition captain Misbah-ul-Haq, not hesitating to follow him when he attempted to make room. So when Misbah stepped inside the line to sweep the teenager over fine leg for four, Hasan appeared to be under pressure. Two balls later, he bowled a similar delivery, except he had slid it in with the arm. Misbah attempted the same shot, but he was too late. The ball struck him on the thigh and the umpire raised the finger. Hasan, more than 24 years his junior, had out-thought Pakistan’s most successful Test captain.Where they stand
This result means both Quetta and Islamabad now have two wins from three games. They occupy second and third position respectively on four points each, with Quetta ahead on net run rate.

West Ham United are keen on making a move for Nottingham Forest talisman Brennan Johnson this summer, according to Simon Jones of the Daily Mail.

Who is Brennan Johnson?

Johnson is one of Nottingham Forest’s own. Born in Nottingham, the forward entered the academy and hasn’t looked back ever since.

The Englishman was a crucial part of Forest’s shock promotion from the Championship in the 2021/22 season, with 19 goals in all competitions, including two in the play-offs.

Is Brennan Johnson leaving Nottingham Forest?

Whilst Johnson’s Nottingham Forest exit is far from a guarantee this summer, given their Premier League status, the Wales youngster has reportedly attracted plenty of interest.

This comes as little surprise, too, given the exceptional campaign that the "unbelievable" forward – as once hailed by former boss Sabri Lamouchi – had in the Premier League for the first time – scoring eight goals and assisting a further three to help keep Forest afloat.

Still young, Johnson has plenty of time for improvement, meaning that any club that did swoop in this summer would have themselves a player for both the present and the future.

As per Jones, West Ham are interested in the forward, though do face competition from Everton. Both clubs could battle it out for Johnson, who is reportedly valued at £40m by Forest.

The Hammers could certainly do with the goals that the Forest man could bring, that’s for sure – last summer’s £30.5m flop – Gianluca Scamacca – found the back of the net just three times in a total of 16 Premier League appearances.

Meanwhile, Michail Anontio’s form began to spiral slightly when it came to domestic action, only scoring on three occasions, despite making 33 appearances in the league last season.

Their lack of goalscorer very nearly cost the Hammers the ultimate price of relegation, before David Moyes guided them to safety. But, nonetheless, this is a precarious feeling they won’t want to face again, meaning that reinforcements are a must this summer.

With Forest’s valuation of Johnson reportedly as high as £40m, however, West Ham may need the financial boost of potentially winning the Europa Conference League if they are to consider pursuing the deal further.

Those at the London Stadium showed last summer that they are willing to break the bank for quality, though, having hit a new transfer record with the deal for Lucas Paqueta, which saw them splash out a record £51.3m.

Johnson may well find himself amongst West Ham’s most expensive signings, if the Hammers continue their interest in the forward and complete a deal.

The batting frailties that have dogged England’s women throughout their tour of the Caribbean resurfaced with a vengeance once again in the fourth ODI at Sabina Park

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Oct-2016West Indies Women 223 for 6 (Taylor 85, Quintyne 41) beat England Women 181 (Beaumont 57, Winfield 51, Taylor 3-29) by 42 runs
ScorecardStafanie Taylor produced a superb all-round performance to defeat England•Getty Images/ICCThe batting frailties that have dogged England’s women throughout their tour of the Caribbean resurfaced with a vengeance once again in the fourth ODI at Sabina Park, as West Indies squared the five-match series at 2-2 with the decider to come at the same venue on Wednesday.Chasing 224 to win after Stafanie Taylor’s 85 from 129 balls had laid a strong total for the hosts, England appeared to be well placed on 133 for 1 in the 29th over. However, they lost their next nine wickets for 48 runs in 16 overs, five of them to run-outs, to slump to defeat by 42 runs.England’s chase could hardly have started with more intent, as Lauren Winfield and Tammy Beaumont added 95 for the first wicket in 19 overs to break the back of the run-chase.However, Beaumont was caught and bowled for 57 by Taylor to inject a hint of anxiety, and when Winfield followed nine overs later, run out for 51, England’s momentum shuddered to a halt.Nat Sciver departed six balls later to become Taylor’s second victim, and before the over was out, England had lost their third wicket for four runs in the space of 10 balls.After a brief rally through Heather Knight and Georgia Elwiss, the second wave of England’s collapse was even more dramatic – four wickets for four runs in 19 balls – with Taylor’s second caught-and-bowled accounting for Knight for 36 and ending England’s meagre hopes.Hayley Matthews chipped in with two wickets to account for Amy Jones and Jenny Gunn, and fittingly it was left to Taylor to wrap up an astounding allround performance with her second run-out of the innings to remove Laura Marsh for 13.Earlier Taylor’s innings of 85 had featured six fours and two sixes, and included a second-wicket stand of 69 with Shaquana Quintyne, who made 41.

Celtic could turn to Manchester City assistant coach Enzo Maresca as an alternative to Ange Postecoglou if the latter is appointed as Tottenham Hotspur manager amid speculation over his future, journalist Dean Jones has suggested.

What's the latest on the manager situation at Celtic?

As per The Independent, Postecoglou is said to be under 'strong' consideration for the vacant managerial position at Tottenham following the Lilywhites' failure to land Feyenoord's Arne Slot as their new manager.

Sky Sports cite that Postecoglou has commented on speculation linking him with a move to N17, stating: "I think anyone who knows me – and I've been asked about this kind of things plenty of times – knows that what's important for me is the here and now."

Celtic have just sealed back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles under the Australian boss and have the chance to secure a historic eighth treble in their history against Inverness Caledonian Thistle this weekend, something that the 57-year-old has indicated he is fully focused on, saying: "It's not every year you get the opportunity to win a treble and if anyone thinks I'm thinking anything other than that, they don't know me."

Football Insider have claimed that Celtic are 'keeping tabs' on Manchester City assistant manager Enzo Maresca in case Postecoglou does choose to seek a new challenge south of the border.

The 43-year-old Italian was previously linked to the managerial role at Celtic back in 2021 before Postecoglou was eventually appointed later in the year while both men have well-publicised links to the City Football Group.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones reacted to the rumours involving the Man City man and thinks that Maresca may be a rout that Celtic would consider going down if they were faced with the challenge of having to replace Postecoglou.

Jones told FFC: "Maresca is definitely an interesting option for them to look at and I think from a fan point of view, they'll be keen to explore more of that profile of manager."

Will Celtic be able to keep hold of Ange Postecoglou?

Celtic will hope they can keep Postecoglou at Parkhead for as long as possible and will take hope from his words following their 2-1 Viaplay Cup final victory over Rangers earlier this year.

As per KeepUp AU, the former Australia boss stated: “I am still here even though people have been getting me out the door and I think you will be surprised how long I am here. All that I do when I am here is just be consumed by what I do and try to make this football club the best it can be and enjoy every minute of it."

Nevertheless, Hoops fans will be aware that the lure of the Premier League is always there when managers succeed in Scotland, which is a path that Brendan Rodgers chose to go down in 2019 when he swapped the Glasgow giants for Leicester City.

Postecoglou will have a big choice to make if he is earmarked as the man to take Tottenham forward by Daniel Levy; however, it doesn't look like too much will be given away surrounding his future until after the Scottish Cup final this weekend.

Everton failed to move further clear of the relegation zone as they lost 3-0 to Manchester City at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Sunday.

The visitors found the opener as Ilkay Gundogan exceptionally controlled the ball with his back to goal in the box before flicking it backwards and into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

One quickly became two, as the German international this time turned provider.

He burst down the left wing before producing an inch-perfect cross for Erling Haaland to power a header past Jordan Pickford.

It did not take long for the away side to make it 3-0 after the break as Gundogan scored his second as he curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner from the edge of the box.

The third goal prompted Toffees boss Sean Dyche to make two alterations to his team by subbing on Conor Coady and Amadou Onana for Mason Holgate and Idrissa Gueye, with the former of those coming off, having put in a particularly disappointing display.

How did Mason Holgate perform against Manchester City?

Everton were forced to take Vitaliy Mykolenko out of their side due to an injury in the build-up to the match and his replacement did his long-term hopes of nailing down a position in the team no favours.

Holgate looked lost at left-back throughout his time on the pitch and was a liability to what the Toffees were trying to do on and off the ball.

The Englishman was caught out for City's second goal as Haaland got the run on him for the header and did not do enough to stop Riyad Mahrez from crossing for the opening strike from Gundogan.

In the 53rd minute of the match, Sky Sports analyst Andy Hinchcliffe noted on commentary that the defender was being "run ragged" by Mahrez throughout the game and Dyche replaced him with Coady just three minutes later.

As per Sofascore, he did not win a single duel as the 26-year-old was beaten in all four of his physical contests, which highlights just how weak he was against a player not known for his aerial or physical threat, whilst Holgate was also dribbled past twice and failed to make a single tackle, interception, or block.

Had he done so, then you'd imagine the left flank would've looked a lot more resolute and perhaps could have helped the Toffees build on an impressive opening spell.

The £70k-per-week full-back even struggled in possession as the 6-foot lightweight only completed three of his six attempted passes and missed one 'big chance' in the first half as he could not convert from James Tarkowski's knockdown.

Holgate, who was given a Sofascore rating of 5.5, which was the lowest of any starter for either team, did not step up and stake a claim for a regular place in the XI and this display should leave Dyche seriously considering whether to utilise the defender again in the battle against relegation.

With Wolverhampton Wanderers and then AFC Bournemouth, it would be a surprise to see the former Barnsley prospect in the starting lineup again, based on that performance alone.

A round-up of all DPL matches played on June 1, 2016

Mohammad Isam01-Jun-2016

Ashok Menaria’s impressive all-round performance led Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club to the top of the DPL points table with a five-wicket win over Gazi Group Cricketers in Mirpur.Menaria’s unbeaten 61-ball 59 that included two fours and sixes steered Doleshwar’s chase of 214 after hostile opening spells from pacers Mohammad Sharif and Sajedul Islam had reduced them to 70 for 3 in the 24th over.Wicketkeeper Anamul Haque took a brilliant catch after opener Imtiaz Hossain top-edged a pull. Just as the ball was going over his head, Anamul leapt backwards and completed a one-handed catch to give Gazi Group an early breakthrough. Robiul Islam Robi and Raqibul Hasan added 42 runs in the next 11.4 overs before their wickets, in the space of five overs, tied Gazi Group down.Menaria lifted Doleshwar by first adding 64 runs for the fourth wicket with Nasir Hossain, who scored 40 off 56 balls, and then 70 runs for the fifth wicket with Rony Talukdar, who made 43 off 45 balls. Sharif and Sajedul’s efforts with the ball were undone by sloppy fielding. Gazi Group dropped as many as five catches, and both bowlers had to settle with one wicket each.Earlier, Gazi Group had slipped to 97 for 5 by the 33rd over, with both in-form openers Anamul and Shamsur Rahman falling cheaply. Elias Sunny’s 46 dragged his side past 150, after which a 51-run stand for the eighth wicket between Farhad Hossain and Sharif took them to 213 for 8. Menaria was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 29 in nine overs, including a maiden.Abahani Limited finally had their big players firing, in their five-wicket win over Prime Bank Cricket Club at the BKSP-3 ground. They are placed third in the points table, with 12 points from 10 matches.Yusuf Pathan, fresh off the IPL, slammed seven fours and two sixes in his 47-ball 60, but when he fell in the 28th over, Abahani still needed 89 to reach the 241-run target. Shakib Al Hasan was dismissed for 3 in the next over, but Mosaddek Hossain then anchored the chase with an unbeaten 64 off 49, his second successive half-century.Having been stuck in traffic at the Dhaka-Sarvar highway, Yusuf had arrived 41 minutes after scheduled start of play. But the opposition captain Shuvagata Hom and the match officials allowed him to take the field, despite being late.Mosaddek and Liton Das added an unbroken 87 runs for the sixth wicket as Abahani sealed the win with 33 balls to spare. Liton stayed unbeaten on 25 off 51 balls.Abahani captain Tamim Iqbal had laid the platform with 40 off 46 balls, before falling to Shuvagata in the 13th over. Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Yusuf then put on 94 runs for the third wicket to help Abahani eat into the target.Earlier, Prime Bank posted 240 for 9 in 50 overs with Nurul Hasan top-scoring with 46. Openers Mehedi Maruf (26) and Shanaj Ahmed (24) got starts, but they were dismissed in successive overs. Prime Bank were further pushed back when Sabbir Rahman and new Indian recruit Unmukt Chand exited for a duck and 2.Shakib led Abahani’s bowling surge with returns of 4 for 35, including the wickets of Sabbir, Chand and Mehedi. He was complemented by left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib who claimed 3 for 37. Shuvagata and Taibur Rahman added 50 for the sixth wicket to help Prime Bank recover from 79 for 4. After both batsmen fell, No.10 Monir Hussain scored a brisk 25 to take his team to 240.Kalabagan Cricket Academy beat Cricket Coaching School by five wickets (D/L method) in a bottom-of-the-table tussle in Fatullah.Having opted to bat, CCS managed only 185 for 9 in 50 overs as no batsman passed 38. As many as five batsmen got starts but none got a substantial score. Captain Mahmudul Hasan led KCA’s superb bowling effort with returns of 3 for 37.Then it was the turn of Jatin Saxena to play a match-winning hand. The Indian batsman struck 87 off 95 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. Jatin was assisted by Mahmudul who made 46 off 84 balls. Rain interrupted KCA’s innings but they reached the revised target of 184 with 53 balls to spare.Left-arm spinners Nasum Ahmed and Saleh Ahmed Shawon took two wickets each for CCS.

كشف مصدر مقرب من اللاعب الدولي محمد أشرف روقا لاعب خط وسط الزمالك، النقاب عن حقيقة وجود اتفاق مع الجونة للانتقال إليه خلال فترة الانتقالات الشتوية الجارية.

وأكد المصدر لـ بطولات أنه لا صحة لما تردد بشأن وجود اتفاق بينه وبين الجونة للانضمام إلى صفوفه.

خاص | فيوتشر يطلب ضم ثنائي الزمالك مقابل ناصر ماهر.. وعقبة وحيدة

وأوضح أن الزمالك لم يتحدث مع اللاعب بشأن رحيله في الوقت الحالي، بدليل أنه ضمن العناصر التي ستسافر فجر اليوم إلى الإمارات لخوض المعسكر مع الفريق.

وشدد على أن الجهاز الفني لفريق الزمالك بقيادة معتمد جمال، يتمسك باللاعب ولا تفكير في رحيله خلال المرحلة الحالية.

ويستعد الزمالك للمشاركة في بطولة نادي الوحدة الإماراتي الودية في أبو ظبي والمقرر إقامتها خلال الفترة من 18 وحتى 24 يناير الجاري بمشاركة أندية الوحدة الإماراتي والاتفاق السعودي وأم صلال القطري.

ويعقبها المشاركة في بطولة كأس دبي للتحدي، خلال الفترة من 26 وحتى 28 يناير، بجانب أندية الرجاء المغربي والأهلي السعودي ووهان ثري تاونز الصيني، على أن تقام المباريات على استاد آل مكتوم.

يقترب مسلسل مصير كيليان مبابي من نهايته، بحسب آخر التقارير الصحفية الواردة، والتي أفادت بتوصله لاتفاق للانتقال إلى ريال مدريد.

ويقضي مبابي السنة الأخيرة في عقده مع باريس سان جيرمان والذي ينتهي بنهاية الموسم الجاري في يونيو القادم، ولم يصل حتى الآن لاتفاق للتجديد، وهو حر في التفاوض مع أي نادٍ بالوقت الحالي.

وبحسب “فوت ميركاتو” كيليان مبابي توصل لاتفاق مع ريال مدريد في الأيام الأخيرة، ولم يوضح التقرير تفاصيل المفاوضات بين الطرفين.

ويأتي ذلك بعد أعوام من الشائعات حول مفاوضات مبابي مع ريال مدريد منذ عام 2017، حين كان لاعبًا لموناكو، والتي استمرت بصورة سنوية مع كل سوق انتقالات بعد انضمامه إلى باريس سان جيرمان.

وسبق وصرح مبابي بشأن مستقبله قبل أيام: “أنا متحمس جدًا لهذا العام، إنه مهم جدًا، لدينا ألقاب لنسعى وراءها وقد حصلنا على واحدة، لم أتخذ قراري”.

وأوضح: “لكن بالاتفاق الذي أبرمته مع الرئيس هذا الصيف، مهما كان قراري، تمكنا من حماية جميع الأطراف والحفاظ على هدوء النادي للتحديات المقبلة، والتي تظل الأهم، إذا كنت أعرف ما سأفعله، فلن يستغرق الأمر وقتًا طويلاً”.

وشارك مبابي مساء الأحد في فوز باريس سان جيرمان أمام ريفال بكأس فرنسا، حيث سجل هاتريك في انتصار فريقه بنتيجة 9-0.

Despite the current success under the PIF regime, prior to that Newcastle United had not always been astute operators with regard to transfer dealings, having notably moved on a handful of key figures somewhat prematurely.

Current Premier League stars Ivan Toney and Aleksandr Mitrovic are just two of those whom the Magpies have let slip from their grasp in the recent past, with the pair having particularly shone so far this season, scoring 18 and 11 top-flight goals, respectively, for Brentford and Fulham.

One other former St James' Park asset who is enduring a far more difficult campaign in the top tier, however, is Southampton's Adam Armstrong, with the Tynesiders having seemingly been vindicated in their decision to sell the 5 foot 8 marksman back in 2018.

How is Adam Armstrong getting on now?

The former Newcastle academy ace had been a highly-rated figure at the club during his time in the northeast, with the local lad having even been the subject of praise from then-England skipper Wayne Rooney back in 2015, after shining for the Three Lions at youth level.

The diminutive marksman had been handed a chance to impress during that 2014/15 campaign for the Magpies after making 15 appearances in all competitions, albeit with the young striker failing to find the back of the net in any of those outings.

That limited involvement ultimately saw Armstrong go on to join Coventry City for the following campaign, with the young Geordie making his mark after netting 20 League One goals, albeit while scoring just six times in the 2016/17 season for Barnsley in the Championship.

Another loan to second-tier side Bolton Wanderers failed to prove fruitful as the former England U21 international scored just once in the league in the first half of 2017/18, before again flourishing in League One at Blackburn Rovers, after netting nine league goals in the remainder of the campaign.

Having failed to truly show his worth above the third tier, the Tynesiders made the decision to allow Armstrong to depart that summer, with the emerging talent moving to Ewood Park on an initial £1.75m deal, after making just 21 appearances back at St James' Park – all of which ended without a goal to his name.

Toon legend Malcolm MacDonald suggested in 2021 that it had been a "crazy" decision to let the centre-forward leave the club, while lauding the striker with notable praise: “Adam is an out-and-out goalscorer who reminds me of Tony Cottee — on the small side but very quick, very agile, always facing the goal and ice-cool in one-on-one situations."

Armstrong initially lived up to MacDonald's billing after scoring 49 Championship goals across his first three full seasons with Rovers, with that subsequently earning him a £15m move to St Mary's in the summer of 2021.

Since then, however, Newcastle's decision to sell has looked far wiser as the £55k-per-week flop has been unable to deliver the goods back in the Premier League, scoring just three goals in the competition since the start of last term.

The current campaign, in particular, has proven rather disappointing for the 26-year-old as he has scored just once in the top-flight for the relegation-threatened outfit, with that a smaller tally than what ex-Newcastle dud Chris Wood has achieved this term, the New Zealand international netting three times for both the Magpies and new club, Nottingham Forest.

That is an indication of the extent of Armstrong's struggles for the Saints, with the St James' Park faithful likely to be no longer pining for their former youth asset with Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson now fit and firing.