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Sunderland reporter for The Chronicle James Hunter has been left thrilled by some injury news involving Niall Huggins.

The Lowdown: Rarely seen

Having signed a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light from Leeds United back in the 2021 summer transfer window, with manager at the time Lee Johnson praising his versatility, physicality and speed, the youngster looked a really exciting capture.

However, his career on Wearside has been plagued by injuries so far, and he has only managed to make four senior appearances since joining, and none since September of last year.

The Latest: U21s comeback

Taking to Twitter, Hunter gave his reaction after Huggins played 45 minutes for the Black Cats’ U21s in a 3-1 loss to Reading on Friday night, calling it a ‘big positive’:

“Despite the result, big positive takeaway from the U21 game was Huggins’ comeback. Just played the first 45mins but looked pretty sharp – you wouldn’t have known he’d been out for 13 months. Needs more gametime, but this was a good first step.”

He of course won’t be involved in the first-team this week against Wigan, but getting minutes under his belt is the first major step in making that leap back into the senior squad.

The Verdict: Promising signs

The fact that Huggins looked ‘sharp’ upon his return is a positive sign that he can recover from his long-term injury quickly and hopefully get back to playing regular football without any more problems.

There was a lot of promise when he first joined, and there could still be a place for him in Tony Mowbray’s squad.

A player capable of playing at both right-back and left-back, Mowbray only has two other natural full-backs in his senior squad, and so the 21-year-old could yet play a key role in the rest of the season.

Sheffield Wednesday are having a look at free agent Owen Windsor, according to The Star’s Joe Crann.

The Lowdown: Windsor profiled

Windsor is 21 years of age and has been without a club since the summer after leaving West Brom.

Primarily a centre-forward, he can also play on the wing and has previous first-team experience on loan with Grimsby Town, Newport County and Carlisle United.

The left-footed forward netted three senior goals during those loan spells, and it looks as if Wednesday are eyeing a potential free move for Windsor.

The Latest: Wednesday links

Crann shared a story for The Star on Tuesday morning ahead of the Owls’ clash with Plymouth Argyle.

He claimed that Windsor was spotted in Sheffield Wednesday colours on Monday evening and was an unused substitute for Neil Thompson’s U21 side in a 3-0 defeat to local rivals Sheffield United.

Crann added that Wednesday are looking to bolster their ranks following a recent injury to youngster Luke Cook, who joined the club in the summer after previously playing non-league football.

The Verdict: One to watch

It’s good to see that Wednesday are still actively looking to bring in new players in the free agent market, although you’d expect Windsor would feature mainly for the U21s, should he earn a deal.

Wednesday’s U21s have four forwards on the books at this moment in time, so Windsor could become the fifth and would also provide an option out wide.

He already has 16 games of experience in League Two, so should he impress at Middlewood Road, he may well be on the fringes of Darren Moore’s first-team squad.

Former Burnley and Stoke City defender Erik Pieters is currently training with West Brom ahead of a possible free agent deal.

The Lowdown: Pieters profiled

The 34-year-old has enjoyed an impressive career, not necessarily being a standout player at his clubs but proving to be a consistently solid performer at a high level for over a decade.

Pieters has made 225 appearances in the Premier League, highlighting his experience and pedigree, as well as winning 18 caps for the Netherlands.

The veteran is currently without a club, however, and an interesting update has emerged regarding West Brom.

The Latest: Defender training with West Brom

According to The Express & Star, Pieters is training with the Baggies and has been for ‘some time’, although ‘talk of a contract’ has not yet been discussed.

A transfer certainly isn’t ruled out, however, and the fact that Steve Bruce is eyeing up free agents does suggest that a move could come to fruition.

The Verdict: Shrewd free transfer?

Should Pieters look fit enough in training, signing him on a free transfer could end up being a shrewd decision by West Brom, considering the know-how he possesses.

The Dutchman is capable of thriving at wing-back, left-back and centre-back, meaning his versatility would immediately give Bruce more squad depth, and he can be a senior teammate for younger players around him to learn from.

At 34, Pieters wouldn’t exactly be seen as a key starter every week, but his form in his last season at Burnley was still mightily impressive – according to FBRef, he ranks in the 96th percentile amongst full-backs in Europe for tackles and the 99th percentile for blocks (last 365 days).

West Ham United defender Ben Johnson was visibly ‘struggling’ with injury in the first half against Aston Villa this afternoon.

The lowdown: Johnson injury

The Hammers gave as good as they got for the most part in the first 45 minutes against Villa as David Moyes’ side went in search of a first point, and goal of the Premier League season.

However, the Irons were forced into an early change when young full-back Johnson seemed to injure a hamstring midway through the half.

Watching on, one journalist had his say on the incident and the potential problem facing the right-back…

The latest: Johnson ‘struggling’

Taking to Twitter, Jonty Colman noticed the 22-year-old “struggling” with the injury shortly prior to his 23rd-minute withdrawal in place of Vladimir Coufal.

The football.london writer noticed: ”Ben Johnson struggling with an injury of some form. Likely a straight swap.”

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The verdict: Fingers crossed

Injuries have very much begun to take hold at the London Stadium, particularly at the back, with Craig Dawson and Nayef Aguerd both already missing from Moyes’ defensive options.

The West Ham manager will be hoping that the problem suffered by Johnson doesn’t rule him out for too long, despite having a very experienced operator in Coufal to call upon off the bench.

Johnson was having a decent start to the game before his enforced withdrawal, completing five of his nine passes, making two interceptions and winning one tackle (Sofascore).

Should the severity of the issue mean that the England under-21 ace is ruled out for a prolonged period, GSB and Moyes could well be forced back into the transfer market before the September 1 deadline passes.

A move for Manchester United target Cody Gakpo could be done this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones. 

The lowdown: Gakpo targeted

The Red Devils have been heavily linked with a move for PSV Eindhoven winger Gakpo recently as Erik ten Hag attempts to strengthen the Old Trafford ranks following a humbling opening day defeat.

With the saga surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo continuing to rumble on and after a promising pre-season was curtailed by an injury to Anthony Martial, United are in need of dependable attacking reinforcements.

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Both Arsenal and Leeds have also been indexed to Gakpo this summer, however, one well-informed onlooker believes a move to Manchester could be possible…

The latest: ‘It wouldn’t surprise me…’

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones – a journalist for Eurosport – claimed that Manchester United could land the seven-cap Holland ace.

He said: “I have seen Leroy Sane linked, but they don’t feel like he’s that gettable at the moment.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if United do try and get Gakpo, though, because there could be something to be done there.”

The verdict: No brainer

Available for £35million according to Sky Sports, signing Gakpo would be an exciting piece of business from the Old Trafford hierarchy.

Linked elsewhere to Ismaila Sarr, there is clearly a desire for versatile and direct attacking options in the ongoing window, with Gakpo described as ‘outstanding’ by Football Oranje editor Michael Bell.

Last season, the dazzling Dutchman – who was dubbed a ‘wizard’ by reputable statistician source OptaJohan – scored a remarkable 21 goals and provided 15 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions for PSV.

Predominantly operating from the left wing in his career to date, Gakpo would provide competition for Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga, although an ability to play on the opposite side and in central areas could also prove imperative.

Former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson has been reacting to Newcastle United’s attempts to sign Brentford star Ivan Toney this summer. 

The lowdown: Magpies interested

A report from iNews claims that the Toon are among the suitors for Toney during the ongoing window after failing to sign Alexander Isak, although Brentford will be holding out for offers in excess of £40million for their prized asset.

Formerly a member of the youth system in the North East, the 26-year-old marksman has forged a prolific career for himself including fruitful spells at Peterborough, Northampton Town and Scunthorpe prior to finding a permanent Premier League home in London.

Upon hearing about the interest in bringing Toney back to St James’ Park, one intrigued onlooker has suggested that it could be the ideal option for all parties…

The latest: Robinson reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, ex-Tottenham and England stopper turned Sky Sports pundit Robinson endorsed the potential transfer swoop from the Magpies.

He said: “Toney is a very good player. He is yet to take the Premier League by storm but his opportunities were limited last season. He did not get the amount of chances he did in the Championship.

“In the Championship you get more games and the level of opposition was not as good so he was getting more chances. He is a top player though and I have no doubt that he can do it at the top level. If Newcastle are looking at him, he would be a great signing for them.

“The players they have in behind. They could create chances for him. Toney is a finisher. He knows where the goal is. He could do a job with quality players around him.”

The verdict: At the right price

At a reduced asking price from the currently mooted £40million valuation, Toney would be the ideal candidate to bolster the central attacking ranks at St James’ Park, offering support to Chris Wood and Callum Wilson as Dwight Gayle seemingly nears the exit door.

Strong, direct and capable of running in behind a defence, the workmanlike striker has been described as ‘exceptional’ by Peterborough icon Barry Fry in the past and took to life in the top-flight with apparent ease when netting 12 times and supplying five assists last season from 33 appearances.

Furthermore, boasting an enviable penalty record, having never missed a spot-kick since signing for Brentford, scoring all 17 efforts, the ever-bullish Toney – who has also been indexed to Manchester United this summer – would be a surefire option for Howe when it comes to choosing who is on duty from 12 yards.

Sharing similar stylistic traits to highly regarded Premier League names from the past and present such as Raul Jimenez, Che Adams and Alvaro Negredo (Fbref), the talented marksman certainly appears to have what it takes to make the next step in his career and a return to Tyneside, where there remains unfinished business, could be the ideal landing spot.

Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring Sergio Gomez to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Leeds Live, who claimed that, after Junior Firpo picked up a hip injury which will see the left-back sidelined for up to eight weeks, Victor Orta could now reignite his interest in the Anderlecht full-back. The 21-year-old is reported to have caught the eye of a number of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Aston Villa and Everton.

The report added that Gomez’s explosive attacking style would perfectly suit Jesse Marsch’s demands of his wide defenders, while it is also claimed that the Brussels club would be willing to part with the Spain under-21 international for a figure in the region of £15m this summer.

“King of assists”

Considering just how exciting a talent Gomez has proven himself to be since joining Anderlecht from Borussia Dortmund in a €1.5m (£1.3m) deal last summer, coupled with Firpo’s latest injury setback, it is not hard to see why Orta would be keen on a move for the Spaniard ahead of the Whites’ 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

Indeed, over his 39 Jupiler Pro League appearances last term, the £9m-rated left-back was in breathtaking form for Felice Mazzu’s side. He scored six goals, registered 12 assists and created 15 big chances for his team-mates, along with making 1.7 key passes, taking 1.2 shots and completing 0.7 dribbles per game.

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The £9k-per-week defender also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, helping Anderlecht to keep seven clean sheets, in addition to making 1.3 interceptions, 1.5 tackles and 0.9 clearances and winning 3.1 duels (at a success rate of 55%) per match.

These returns saw the 21-year-old – who Jacek Kulig dubbed a “playmaker”, the “king of assists” and a “superb footballer” – average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.38, ranking him as the sixth-best performer in the 2021/22 Belgian top flight.

As such, it is clear to see just what Gomez would add to Marsch’s squad next season, leading us to believe that Orta must do everything that he can to beat off the competition for the Spaniard’s signature this summer.

AND in other news: Phil Hay reveals behind-scenes transfer development, Leeds supporters will be buzzing

Leeds United have been dealt a blow in their bid to bring Takumi Minamino to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that Wolverhampton Wanderers are now leading the race to sign the Liverpool forward this summer, with the Molineux club said to have made contact with the Reds regarding a £17m move for the Japan international.

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The report added that the likes of Leeds, Fulham, Southampton and AS Monaco are all keeping a close eye on the winger’s situation ahead of a potential move of their own in the coming weeks, but it is clear that Wolves now hold an advantage in a deal for the former Red Bull Salzburg star.

Marsch will be gutted

While it is true that Minamino has not had the impact he would have hoped for after his £7.25m move to Liverpool in January 2020 – making just 55 appearances for the Reds, with only 21 of these coming as starts – the news that Wolves are now leading the race for the 27-year-old will nevertheless have left Jesse Marsch fuming.

Indeed, over his 22 outings under the American’s management at Salzburg, the £10.8m-rated winger proved just how clinical he can be in the final third when given the chance, scoring nine goals and registering 11 assists during the 48-year-old’s stint in Austria.

Furthermore, while the £72k-per-week attacker was not afforded a great deal of first-team minutes this season, he still managed to turn in some very impressive metrics. FBRef data showed that Minamino averaged 1.45 goals, 0.88 non-penalty xG, 0.25 xA and 1.13 npxG+xA and made 30.5 pressures per 90 minutes in 2021/22.

Indeed, it is abundantly clear that, when he’s given the opportunity to impress, the Japanese forward often does so. It is also evident that Marsch is a coach who knows how to get the best out of the 27-year-old when looking at their mutual time in Salzburg.

As such, should Wolves go on to beat Leeds to the £17m signing of the player who Klopp dubbed an “outstanding” talent this summer, it would undoubtedly come as a gutting blow to the 48-year-old American. Therefore, we believe that Victor Orta simply must sanction a swoop for Minamino in the coming days.

AND in other news: Graham Smyth reveals Leeds transfer development now “seems likely”, supporters surely buzzing

Nottingham Forest are now looking to the transfer window to strengthen their team ahead of their new chapter in the Premier League, and a reliable journalist has given an update on the club’s pursuit of a potential target.

What’s the latest?

According to Sunday Mirror Sports news editor Darren Witcoop, Nottingham Forest are “leading the race” to sign Lucas Joao.

Witcoop tweeted:

“Reading resigned to losing star man Lucas Joao this summer. Nottingham Forest leading the race for the Portuguese striker. Watford also in the hunt for his signature.”

Keinan Davis upgrade

Nottingham Forest will be in the market for a striker this summer as loanee striker Keinan Davis will return to parent club Aston Villa, but they could be about to sign a massive upgrade on their current number nine as Joao has been much more prolific in front of goal.

Davis scored five goals and contributed two assists this season in 15 Championship appearances, but was only part of the team on a six-month loan.

Joao, however, has been a goal machine for Reading over the last three years scoring 38 times and contributing 14 assists in 83 appearances, with a goal contribution every 116 minutes, proving that he could add a real attacking threat for Forest in the striker role next season.

It’s not just his goals and assists that have caught the attention of Forest, as the 28-year-old has been a force in all areas of his game this season in the Championship winning 4.7 duels and proving successful in the large majority of his dribbles (63%), according to SofaScore.

The 6 foot 2 forward was hailed by former teammate Jose Semedo, who was full of praise for the striker after Joao’s international debut for Portugal.

Semedo told BBC Radio Sheffield: “He’s remarkable. I don’t remember any other player playing second division and getting picked by Portugal.”

“I love the way he plays. He combines power, pace, skill and he’s a big guy.”

With that being said, if Forest could secure the deal for the £5m striker it would be a major signing for the club ahead of next season in the Premier League and would give them more depth in terms of goal contributions.

AND in other news: In talks: NFFC plotting bid for “exceptional” £12.8m dynamo, he can be Cooper’s Tevez

Leeds United correspondent Phil Hay has relayed a key injury update regarding right-back Luke Ayling.

The Lowdown: Brentford showdown

The Whites head into the final day of the season in the relegation zone and need to better Burnley’s result to stay in the Premier League.

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Jesse Marsch is unable to call upon Ayling this afternoon for the final game of the season after he was sent off against Arsenal earlier this month.

The 30-year-old has made 26 league appearances this season, sitting out the defeat to Chelsea and draw with Brighton recently, and it doesn’t look as if he’ll be ready for the start of the 2022/23 campaign either.

The Latest: Hay’s post

Hay was present at Thorp Arch on Friday for Marsch’s pre-Brentford press conference.

As always, the Leeds manager began with an injury update, where he stated that Ayling has had knee surgery. Hay relayed the update on Twitter, claiming that the right-back is ‘looking at being out for two to four months’.

The Verdict: Final injury setback

Leeds have had multiple long-term injury setbacks this season, which hasn’t changed after Marsch came in for Marcelo Bielsa at the end of February.

Tyler Roberts, Junior Firpo, Patrick Bamford, Adam Forshaw and Stuart Dallas have all suffered serious issues under the American, with Ayling now the latest.

With the 30-year-old being a stalwart for Leeds for several seasons now, and posting the squad’s best tackling average of 2.8 per match, his absence not only today but potentially into the start of 2022/23 will come as a major injury setback for the Whites.

It seems as if the vice-captain has been playing through the pain since September and will now return to training in the autumn. Therefore, this appears to be the final injury blow for Marsch in a dreadful campaign, and one which could have a knock-on effect going into his first full season in charge at Elland Road.

In other news: Orta now eyeing transfer move for exciting winger even if Leeds are in the Championship.