Newcastle fans expect to welcome back their saviour this Easter

Paul Okey
31 March 2021

Wilson seen as Magpies’ only hope of redemption; Stones no longer in Pole position?

SOCCER: There hasn't been much to smile about for Newcastle United fans recently.

However, news that Callum Wilson is hoping to play in an 11-a-side practice match this week has sparked delight among the Magpies faithful.

Wilson is stepping up his recovery from a hamstring injury and could even be in contention to face Tottenham on Sunday.

The ten-goal striker will be joined in the practice match by Allan Saint-Maximin, according to the Newcastle Chronicle.

Saint-Maximin has been sidelined with a groin injury.

Everything I mean everything could depend on him. https://t.co/5fa1pMleM8
— Relegated Ramprakash (@ajaw_) March 30, 2021

Wilson certainly has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. The Magpies are 8/11 to go down with Sky Bet.

They are also 19/4 to beat Tottenham at the weekend, with Wilson, despite doubts over whether he will even start, their 11/2 favourite to score first.

Three and easy for England, says Southgate

Gareth Southgate is expected to revert to a back three for England's World Cup qualifier against Poland this evening.

According to the Daily Mirror, the return to form of John Stones will not alter the thinking of the England boss despite him using a back four in the opening two qualifiers.

Southgate said: "Of course it's always good to have different options and players to be flexible in the way they play.

"But equally you can't build formation or team just on the availability of one or two players because what happens if they get injured a night before the game?"

Nevertheless, Stones is still as short as 1/5 with Sky Bet to make England's starting line-up against Croatia in their opening European Championship match on June 13.

A return to 3-5-2 certainly looks to have improved the prospects of Kalvin Phillips kicking off the Euros in a midfield holding role.

When England went into their World Cup qualifying campaign the Leeds United player was 14/1 with Sky Bet to start against Croatia. He is now 2/1.

Giles: IPL expansion is a danger to England

Cricket: England fear their leading players will quit international cricket if they are not given permission to play in the lucrative Indian Premier League.

Ashley Giles, the England managing director, voiced his concerns after criticism of England's rotation policy. This winter has seen players miss Test matches in Sri Lanka and India while still committed to a full IPL season.

With the IPL set to expand in 2022, there is the prospect of more England players getting deals and the season encroaching further on the English summer.

Giles told the BBC's Tuffers and Vaughan show. "I don't want that to be a kiss of death. I think we have to understand that it could be a danger in the future. We don't particularly want to go toe-to-toe with our players over IPL participation in the long run because we may face losing some of our best players."

The IPL starts next week, with Moeen Ali, Sam Curran (both Chennai Super Kings), Eoin Morgan (Kolkata Knight Raiders), Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes (both Rajasthan Royals) expected to feature heavily for their sides.

All three franchises are rated outsiders for the crown, however, with Kolkata and Rajasthan both 8/1 with Bet365 and Super Kings 9/1.

Mumbai Indians are 5/2 favourites ahead of Delhi Capitals (5/1).

Buttler is 10/1 to be the tournament top scorer with Paddy Power. Virat Kohil leads the betting at 7/1.

Kagiso Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah (both 8/1) head the leading wicket-taker market. Chris Jordan, who may struggle for game time at Punjab Kings, is the shortest-priced England player at 22/1, while concerns remain over the fitness of Rajasthan Royals' Jofra Archer.

* All odds correct at time of publication