Manchester United Under-21 coach Warren Joyce has admitted that Nick Powell is ready to make a return to the first team following an extended spell on the sidelines, Manchester Evening News reports.

The 21-year-old was out of action for about nine months after suffering a serious hamstring injury when featuring for the reserve squad.

He last featured for the senior squad when United suffered a devastating 4-0 loss to MK Dons last season as his contract is set to expire at the end of the current campaign.

However, Joyce revealed that the midfielder is currently in the best condition of his life as he believes Powell is ready to play regular football either under manager Louis van Gaal or at a Championship club.

WANT MORE? >> Manchester United Transfer News | Latest Transfer News

“He’s certainly put in the hours in the gym and on the training pitch and, like I’ve said, is probably in the best condition physically he has ever been in his life,” he said.

“We’re hoping he will be able to push himself forward – either in the first-team or out in the league again. He’s had that already and is really too good for Reserves football.”

Depending on whether he can impress Van Gaal for another shot at first team football, Powell could be loaned out to a Championship club once the transfer window reopens in January.

“He has proved he can play in the Championship but, if he’s got ambition, which I’m sure he has, then he’d want to prove to himself he can play in the Premier League.”

He completed the move to Manchester from Crewe Alexandra back in July of 2012 for an estimated fee of £6million, but is yet to make a major impact for the Red Devils.

[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]

Regardless of the crazy amounts of cash that have been spent down at Old Trafford in recent seasons, Manchester United are a club never seemingly far from the next big transfer head-line or suspicious newspaper story linking them with yet another young, up and coming Premier League star.

Louis van Gaal’s side are currently swimming along casually in the English top-flight without a great deal to concern them at the moment. The Red Devils are just about achieving some form of balance within a starting XI clearly hampered by a lack of top level experience and differing playing styles – but once again – the club will nonetheless be reportedly looking to improve their situation come the January transfer window just a few months down the line.

This latest exciting name to be linked with Manchester United may serve to surprise some of the Old Trafford faithful however, for Newcastle United’s Ayoze Perez isn’t exactly the most established striking option the Premier League has ever paid witness to. Quite the opposite actually – this is a player who has undoubtedly shown promise, but ultimately not a great deal more than that in what can still be considered the very early stages of his career.

[ffc-gal cat=”premier-league” no=”5″]

So then, is there actually any more to this story than pure speculation and heresy, or will Manchester United eventually move for the 22-year-old Spaniard as soon as the chance presents itself for Louis van Gaal?

Well, although most Premier League sides looking to make a name for themselves in the modern era wouldn’t give up a player like Ayoze Perez lightly, Newcastle United may well yet prove the anomaly in such a usually reliable trend.

The club’s chairman on Tyneside – the controversial and much disliked figure of Mike Ashley – very rarely sees fit to build upon what he already has at St. James’, often selling on certain assets just when his side finally look to be going places.

The likes of Andy Carroll, Yohan Cabaye and Demba Ba have all left the club in differing circumstances in recent years, with the sale of each player subsequently contributing to the current predicament Steve McClaren’s team find themselves in near the bottom of the Premier League table.

Although a fair amount was in-fact spent at the club this summer, the timing of such a huge injection of cash has hardly been ideal for Newcastle when they certainly could have used some of that money throughout the course of last season instead.

The Magpies could therefore easily see fit to cash in on Ayoze Perez should the time come this January, even if the club’s loyal fan-base would likely express a vastly opposing attitude on the matter.

The 22-year-old Spanish U21 international has proved one of the shining lights for Newcastle so far this season, successfully registering himself on the score-sheet on a couple of different occasions and certainly looking decent out on the pitch whilst doing so.

The former Tenerife man has a fair amount of technical ability to count upon within his locker, he can link-up effectively with each of his attacking teammates in the final third – and when it comes to taking on shots from anywhere just outside the opposition’s penalty box – Ayoze Perez has been far more impressive than most English football fans were initially expecting of the striker.

Manchester United have arguably proven themselves to be rather shrewd in reportedly targeting Perez for his services later on down the line. He wouldn’t likely cost the Red Devils an extortionate amount at this stage in the proceedings and he could easily improve among the Premier League with just a bit more top-flight experience firmly locked under his belt.

However, one question seemingly remains for Louis van Gaal within this whole discussion – do Manchester United actually need Ayoze Perez this January with all things considered?

The answer could well be, no. LVG already has a bit of a selection dilemma on his hands in keeping each of Memphis Depay, Anthony Martial, Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney all happy throughout the 2015/16 campaign. The Red Devils’ Dutch boss has failed to integrate all of those aforementioned names at the same time within his current ranks so far this term, so how he expects to include Ayoze Perez on top of that remains anyone’s guess…

Without guaranteed game time, the current Newcastle United star is never going to fulfill his potential among the English top-flight. Manchester United would therefore be better served looking elsewhere this winter – not just to do themselves a favour, but simply to do the right thing for every different party involved in this surprising, yet albeit equally unlikely, transfer story.

[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]

A surprise name has been on the lips of Chelsea fans this afternoon as they lead an impressive Crystal Palace away at Selhurst Park in today’s early game.

Despite the illustrious names of attacking talent on show such as; Diego Costa, Oscar, Willian, Pedro and Cesc Fabregas, a shock figure has emerged as today’s lynchpin.

Nigerian holding midfielder John Obi Mikel has been singled out for his solid performance in the engine room by fans on social media.

The 28-year old has been selected over Nemanja Matic next to the aforementioned Fabregas in the middle of the park and has proved solid in the role so far.

Despite being a Blues player for over a decade, the Nigeria international has often been utilised as a squad option under a number of different managers.

However, fans all over the world have been waxing poetic over his efforts in today’s London derby.

The former Lyn youngster has come in for some VERY high praise.

Chelsea face Newcastle in the Premier League’s late kick-off on Saturday, and Newcastle must be licking their lips at this game in that case.

The Magpies do markedly better when their game is on TV, and indeed they have done quite well against Chelsea over the last few years. Chelsea are harder to beat than they were under Jose Mourinho at other points this season and they are still unbeaten under Guus Hiddink this season.

The prize this time will, as always, be three points. But on Saturday there could be a little bit more to play for. Newcastle, for all their investment in their playing squad over the last two transfer windows still find themselves in a real relegation scrap. Chelsea, on the other hand, are still only seven points above the relegation zone, and defeat to Newcastle would leave them only three points above the Magpies. If, after a victory on Saturday evening, Newcastle are still considered to be in a relegation battle, then surely the same would have to be said for Chelsea, too.

This, it turns out, is a big game. And here are some stats to whet the appetite.

Harbinger of Doom

Newcastle United have taken more points off Chelsea (13) than any other team in the last five seasons.

Hard to Beat

Guus Hiddink has still only lost one of his 21 matches as a Premier League manager (W13 D7 L1) and is unbeaten in his last 16.

Talisman

Chelsea haven’t won any of the four Premier League games that Kurt Zouma hasn’t started in this season (W0 D2 L2) and have conceded 10 goals in these matches.

Hot Streak

The Blues are on the current longest unbeaten run in the Premier League; nine games (W3 D6 L0).

Bogey Team

Steve McClaren has collected just one win and seven points in 11 Premier League games as a manager against Chelsea (W1 D4 L6) – this was a 3-0 home win for Middlesbrough in February 2006.

There are just 10 games remaining for Newcastle United to pull themselves out of the relegation zone and retain their Premier League status.

Though they only managed to secure survival on the very last day of last season, the current campaign is far more disappointing due to the hefty player investment across the last two windows.

It’s currently unclear whether manager Steve McClaren will continue in his role for much longer, though what is painfully evident is the fact the Tynesiders face a defining couple of months. If they slip out of the top flight, the utter lack of characters within their ranks could see the Magpies tumble down the leagues at an alarming rate.

A scary thought for all those involved with the North East giants, though they are currently just a single point off fierce rivals Sunderland with so much still to play for.

Whoever ends up in charge, they will face 10 cup finals. A cliche perhaps, but the sentiment rings true around the corridors of St. James’ Park.

Upon closer examination, the relegation run in does offer some winnable games for the club. It’s just the fact that very little of what this expensively assembled side have shown so far provides any sort of hope for disgruntled fans.

Suggesting that the team should make their home a fortress may be a touch too radical after just a torrid campaign. Still, there are some favourable fixtures coming up at home.

Due to their absolutely comical away form, it may just be their performances on home soil that keep them in the Premier League.

With all this in mind, here are FIVE fixtures that will make or break Newcastle United’s survival chances.

SUNDERLAND (HOME) 20TH MARCH

The Tyne-Wear derby is always one of the showpieces of the season, despite the fact both contestants are usually towards the bottom of the league.

In recent campaigns it’s a fixture that has been dominated with Sunderland victories. Particularly at St. James’ Park. Particularly by a scoreline of 3-0.

Put simply, if the Toon lose this game, it’s hard to see them staying up. A win over their arch rivals can lift the beleaguered Magpies in both a mathematical and a symbolic sense.

To finally put an end to some many dismal derby day defeats could spark the momentum required to stave off the drop.

Yet another loss would only add to the feeling of discontent currently engulfing the club.

NORWICH (AWAY) 2ND APRIL

A series of comical away days is one of the major reasons as to why Newcastle find themselves in the position they are in. There have been just two victories on the road this season amid a plethora of capitulations.

A trip to East Anglia as April begins in earnest will be crucial. While many think the last relegation spot is reserved for one of the Toon or Sunderland, it is important not to write Norwich off.

Should the Canaries condemn their visitors to yet another away defeat, they could feasibly leapfrog them and battle the Black Cats for the last spot in next year’s Premier League.

Still, Alex Neil’s men conceded SIX goals to a Newcastle team struggling at all to score. Surely, the faltering frontline will be relishing the notion of lining up against Norwich once more.

SWANSEA (HOME) 16TH APRIL

When Swansea sacked Garry Monk and then sold Jonjo Shelvey to the Magpies, they looked to be heading into free fall.

However, their decisive action to sack Monk looks to have paid off, though it may have been a tad harsh and there was some dithering in appointing Francesco Guidolin.

Still, the Swans afforded themselves enough to time to make a change and now look likely to stay in the Premier League as a result.

When they travel to the North East in mid-April, they can show decision makers at the Toon exactly what they should have done.

Whether McClaren loses his job soon or not, the mere fact he has been in it so long is laughable. With so little of the season left, the club have brought such nervy times on themselves.

For the Magpies, it’s another home time in which they could feasibly earn all three points.

CRYSTAL PALACE (HOME) 30TH APRIL

April ends with the visit of Alan Pardew and his struggling Crystal Palace side to St. James’ Park. Earlier in the season, the Toon were humbled 5-1 by their former boss, though the Eagles have lost any trace of form since.

For many, it would poetic justice to see Pardew relegate the club at which he endured a turbulent relationship with a win at a stadium where he was so often booed.

However, the 54-year old has barely covered himself in glory over the last few months and the clash represents an ideal opportunity for Newcastle to scramble together as many points as possible.

ASTON VILLA (AWAY) 7TH MAY

When Newcastle last played Aston Villa, they were on their best run of the season after two successive wins over Liverpool and Spurs.

During the game at St. James’ Park, the home side missed a series of chances and were frustrated all the way to a 1-1 draw. That particular result takes on a certain level of poignance now. For since then, they’ve struggled to string together any sort of momentum.

Villa are currently the only side worse off than Newcastle, though only Manchester City invested more over the summer. They look dead and buried and heading for the Championship.

In order to have any hope of not joining the Midlands outfit in that regard, the Magpies simply have to win at Villa Park on the penultimate game of the season.

It was the scene of their last relegation under the stewardship of Alan Shearer, a desperate reminder of their continued struggles.

Following a 3-0 victory over relegation rivals Norwich City last weekend, the momentum is unquestionably with Sunderland in the Premier League’s race for survival.

Indeed, the Black Cats may be in 18th place but they boast a game in hand over the Canaries and local rivals Newcastle United – who are currently one point and one position below them in the league table.

In truth, Sunderland have made phenomenal progress under Sam Allardyce; it’s been long forgotten that the Stadium of Light outfit picked up just three points from the eight games before he was appointed in October; but the fight to maintain their top flight status isn’t over just yet.

If Sunderland are to beat the drop this year, the firepower of Jermain Defoe will likely be the pivotal factor. The veteran striker is currently seventh in the Premier League’s scoring charts with 13 goals in 29 appearances this season – including three from his last five outings.

And if Defoe’s attacking prowess leads Sunderland to score twice against Arsenal this weekend, you could be eating half-price pizza for the rest of the season courtesy of our good friends at Papa John’s. All you have to do is sign up to Papa John’s special offer, free of charge, select Sunderland as your team and hope they hit the net twice in Sunday’s 14.05pm kick-off.

What are the chances of that, I hear you ask? Well, Sunderland have scored two goals or more on 14 occasions from 33 games this season – giving you a near one-in-two chance of winning half-price pizza. They’re also facing an apathetic Arsenal side who won’t be too interested in matching Lee Cattermole in the tackle department – let alone chasing down Defoe as he hones in on another league goal!

With Everton set to miss out on any form of European qualification this season – unless they can win the FA Cup – the Merseyside club could well have a job on their hands holding onto some of their star names.

John Stones, Ross Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu may all be in demand this summer, with clubs participating in the continent’s top tournaments sure to be alluring for these young stars.

However, arguably the most in-demand of Everton’s prized jewels will be Romelu Lukaku, who continues to impress on Merseyside.

The Belgium international has recently admitted that he wants to be playing Champions League football in the near future and his performances this season show that it is something of a travesty for him not to be. Lukaku has always been full of potential since he burst onto the scene as a fresh-faced teenager at Anderlecht, but this promise is starting to reap real dividends now.

The former Chelsea striker has scored 18 Premier League goals this season, but what has been more impressive has been the improvement of his hold-up play and all-round game. Unfathomably, Lukaku is still only 22, despite it feeling like he has been around for years, and as such he must be one of the most valuable centre forwards in the European game.

Although they will face stiff competition for his signature, Manchester United would be best advised to break the bank to land the former West Brom loanee. The Red Devils have been touted as one of the teams keeping tabs on the powerful attacker, and taking him to Old Trafford would be a real statement of intent.

United’s attacking play this season under Louis van Gaal has been largely uninspiring, with a lack of potency in front of goal. The Manchester outfit have been overly reliant on Anthony Martial in his debut campaign in English football, while 18-year-old schoolboy, Marcus Rashford, has provided a few moments of magic to keep the team in the top-four hunt.

However, if a player of Lukaku’s ilk were to arrive at Old Trafford to lead the line, United’s attack would strike fear into the hearts of opposition rearguards next season. Having the creativity of the likes of Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Ander Herrera providing chances to the Belgian would surely be a winning combination and offer Van Gaal’s side something they have lacked this term.

Rooney is getting older and lacks the same mobility in his game that was apparent in his youth, while Martial is more of a threat in behind defences and is still learning the finer details of holding the ball up.

Having a complete No.9 like Lukaku in their squad would make United’s attack more versatile, but more importantly it would add a physical and clinical edge to a unit that has been toothless at times in 2015/16.

Looking at the rate of the centre forward’s progression and the fact that Everton paid £28m for him two years ago, an astronomical fee will be needed to convince the Toffees to sell. Despite this potentially taking a large proportion of United’s available funds, it would be worth every penny.

[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]

This morning brought the news that Roberto Di Matteo was expected to become the new full time Aston Villa manager, with Sky Sports reporting that the deal is very close to becoming official.

A number of names were linked with the vacant managerial position last held by Remi Garde, with figures including David Moyes and Nigel Pearson mentioned in the search for new leadership.

However, now it looks like Di Matteo has emerged as the primary candidate, and Villa fans appear pleased with the proposed appointment.

Di Matteo certainly has the credentials for the role, having previously had the top job with Chelsea and Schalke respectively.

But what would the Italian offer the Villans? Let’s take a look…

He has experience at the top

There is no doubting that Roberto Di Matteo has the managerial quality to succeed. This was made clear during his stint at Chelsea, where he won both the Champions League and the FA cup.

Despite Roman Abramovich spending hundreds of millions of pounds firing and hiring new managers; it was the interim boss that won him the grandest prize of them all.

Of course his team during this period was of a much better quality than he will inherit at Villa, but it still takes managerial prowess and talent to mould a good team into a team of European champions.

Marketability

Because of his success with Chelsea, a club who are well known globally, Di Matteo is a hugely recognisable figure on both a national and global scale.

This is a particularly beneficial tool for the clubs prospective new owner, Tony Xia, who sees Aston Villa as a project that he seeks to extend throughout China and beyond.

Whilst this does not offer much to the Villa faithful immediately, it will likely increase funding for the club, which can only be a good thing.

Bringing in a manager as well known as Di Matteo will undoubtedly have benefits on the field, but his recognisability will be invaluable of it – especially as Villa look to rebuild their reputation globally.

Experience At All Levels

Although Di Matteo is mostly recognisable for his time with Chelsea in the Premier League, it is also significant to note that he has experience throughout a number of other leagues. In particular, he has experience at a lower level, which of course is important given that Villa will be competing in the Championship next season.

Between 2008 and 2009 Di Matteo was manager of MK Dons, leading the club to a League One play off semi final. This was a feat that he bettered one year later, obtaining automatic promotion to the Premier League with West Brom in 2010.

There are few managers with as much of a varied CV as the Italian, and this will certainly benefit Villa should he join the club, with experience at the highest and lowest levels of English football.

[ad_pod id=’classic-boots’ align=’center’]

A Fresh Manager For A New Look Villa

Despite his many accomplishments ,however, it is also important to note that Di Matteo is still a relatively young manager, who has experience beyond his years.

Because of this, he offers a fresh outlook on the sport compared to many of those competing for the job.

This is particularly important given that Villa, as a club, are largely seeking a fresh start.

Not many young managers would be willing to take up the mantle at a club in so much danger that needs so much work, and Di Matteo’s credentials appear perfect for the club.

[ad_pod id=’classic-boots’ align=’center’]

Are There Any Better Alternatives?

To get a true perspective of Di Matteo as a candidate, you also have to look at who is competing with.

The first contender for the job was David Moyes, a manager who has been largely disappointing and uninspiring since leaving Everton to take up the Man United job, which was followed by a disappointing spell in Spain. On top of this, he falls short of the level of experience that Di Matteo has at the lower levels of league football.

Nigel Pearson was another name that was suggested for the role, but his controversial nature that led to the end of his tenure with Leicester is something that Villa will be looking to avoid.

Di Matteo is a low key, no nonsense candidate with the CV to back it up, something that none of the other proposed figures can match, meaning that Di Matteo is simply the best candidate for the role.

[ad_pod id=’classic-boots’ align=’center’]

West Ham target Simone Zaza took and missed one of the worst penalties in European Championship history on Saturday as Italy crashed out of the competition at the hands of Germany on penalties.

The £20million rated man would have been hoping that his Azzuri team-mates could have rescued him and convert the remaining penalties and ultimately render his awful spot-kick irreverent; but there was no such luck.

Further misses from Graziano Pelle, Leonardo Bonucci – who had converted a penalty during normal time – and Matteo Darmian sealed Antonio Conte’s side’s misery, as the Euro 2012 finalists were sent home in comedic shoot-out fashion.

The penalty was one the Juventus striker will remember himself for a long time to come, and he even took to his Instagram to apologise for a move that he will ‘live with for a lifetime’. And there is absolutely no chance the punishing world of social media will let him forget it either.

Here some of the best videos/memes and vines following Zaza’s atrocious spot-kick..

https://vine.co/v/5ab01gXgAt5/embed/simple

[ad_pod id=’plane-editorial’ align=’center’]

[ad_pod id=’prem-flops’ align=’center’]

For the second year in a row, Arsenal suffered a home defeat on the opening day of the Premier League season as the Gunners went down 4-3 to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool – a result that may force Arsene Wenger to re-think his transfer strategy ahead of deadline day. After a reasonable start, the North Londoners failed to inspire confidence for long spells and were well beaten by a dangerous looking Liverpool side.

However, Wenger has no excuses – Arsenal’s lack of investment this summer has hindered their chances of winning the title and the Gunners now face an anxious fight for a place in the top four. Arsenal signed Granit Xhaka earlier this summer but their transfer activity since has been sub-par at best. Whilst Liverpool and the two Manchester clubs have spent huge sums of money, Arsenal have been lackadaisical in the market and it WILL cost them.

On current form, it is hard to see Arsenal finishing ahead of United, City, Liverpool or even Chelsea this season; which would give the Gunners a fifth-place finish at best. And even then, the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and West Ham may give Wenger’s men a run for their money. Arsenal fans won’t exactly be optimistic ahead of the campaign, especially if Wenger fails to act before the transfer window slams shut later this month.

The Arsenal hierarchy need to take quick, effective action if the Gunners are to stand any chance of success this season. Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, who scored a hat-trick in their opening day victory at Nancy, is still available and Wenger must do everything in his power to sign the Frenchman before deadline day. In today’s day and age, Lacazette is an absolute bargain and he will score goals – that is a certainty. As of August 16th, Arsenal are 4/5 to finish in the top four in bet365’s football betting odds and the 25-year-old could be the difference-maker if Arsenal manage to sign him in the next few weeks.

via GIPHY

But the Gunners are also plagued by defensive issues and it would be foolish to head into the new campaign with just a few fit defenders. Arsenal have been missing a commanding central defender for quite some time and Germany international Shkodran Mustafi is just one of the players to be linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium. The Valencia man was decent at Euro 2016 and most Arsenal fans would be happy if the 24-year-old joined the club in the coming weeks.

Right now, Arsenal are in big trouble. The Gunners are struggling to inspire confidence on the pitch and their fans are divided off it. Arsene Wenger’s incompetence and inability to act in the transfer market has split supporters once again and it is only a matter of time before the Frenchman has to bear the brunt of their anger. And unless the side improves in their upcoming fixtures, Wenger may be under severe pressure when the transfer window slams shut on August 31st.

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]