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Luke Ayling’s injury layoff is “absolutely gutting” for Leeds United, according to former West Ham and Scotland striker Frank McAvennie.

The Lowdown: Ayling sidelined with injury

Ayling has been a fantastic servant for the Whites, making 198 appearances to date and proving to be a key player throughout Marcelo Bielsa’s reign.

Unfortunately, the 30-year-old is currently out with a knee injury and hasn’t featured for Leeds since the 1-1 draw at Newcastle United last month.

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The Latest: Pundit bemoans absence

Injury expert Ben Dinnery has claimed that Ayling may not return until after next month’s international break, which would be an undoubted blow for Leeds.

Speaking to Football Insider after that update emerged, McAvennie rued the news, given his importance to the team:

“Losing a stalwart like that is gutting, absolutely gutting. It upsets the rhythm of the team. He was never not there last season and we saw how good they were.

“Obviously, he scored a huge goal on the first day, we know how good he can be. Leeds have a few issues at the back and this is one they are going to have to fix. His absence is a massive blow.

“The mental side of it is a big one. Those players in the middle, like Phillips, won’t be as confident without Ayling behind them.

“They have a few big games to play, they need to get away from that bottom three as well. You need your best players for that so Ayling being ruled out, as I say, I’m gutted for him.”

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The Verdict: Time for Shackleton to shine

There is no denying that Ayling is a big miss for the Whites, not only possessing great character on the pitch but also providing constant energy and quality down the right flank.

If he is going to be absent for an extended period of time, Jamie Shackleton may be tasked with filling the void, instead of Stuart Dallas playing an auxiliary role.

The 22-year-old has managed two league starts already this season and did well in the 1-0 win over Watford last time around and it will be interesting to see how he fares at Southampton on Saturday, assuming he starts.

In other news, Phil Hay has provided a key update on one Leeds player. Find out who it is here.

Some Rangers supporters have laid into Jack Simpson’s performance in the first half at home to Motherwell.

After the disappointment of losing 2-0 to Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday evening, Steven Gerrard’s side returned to Scottish Premiership action on Sunday.

The Gers had a major incentive going into the game, with a draw enough to take them top of the table, but a victory clearly more preferable.

Gerrard’s men took an early lead through Fashion Sakala, as they took control of proceedings at Ibrox and largely outplayed their opponents.

One player who failed to convince in the opening 45 minutes however was Simpson, as he continues to adjust to life in Scotland.

Rangers fans react to Simpson performance

These Rangers fans were unhappy with the defender’s first-half showing, taking to Twitter to show their unhappiness.

“It’s impressive how often Jack Simpson has made me feel so unconfident with our back line”

Credit: @carsonritchie__

“I’m usually optimistic about players and give them time to settle etc but canny see Jack Simpson ever being good for us”

Credit: @GregMcBride_

“Would honestly have Marge Simpson over Jack Simpson”

Credit: @Grantmckay01

“I can’t keep defending Jack Simpson Homer would be more useful”

Credit: @willytoonsly

“Jack Simpson really does give me the fear”

Credit: @harricrowe

“Honestly think we would be better with homer than jack Simpson at centre half tbh”

Credit: @wmstirling_

In other news, a pundit is thrilled by an update regarding one Rangers player. Find out who it is here.

Former Premier League star Nigel Jemson does not believe that Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yves Bissouma has the right profile to play for Liverpool amid links with the star.

Bissouma has emerged as a star at the Amex Stadium, since his arrival from Lille in the summer of 2018.

Brighton paid a total of £15m to bring him in from the French club and he has become an undisputed starter under the management of Graham Potter.

The Mali international has gone on to play 101 times for Brighton in defensive midfield and he has recently claimed that he believes he is the best midfielder in the Premier League.

Liverpool have been linked with a potential swoop, as have a variety of top English clubs.

Bissouma’s contract expires in 2023 and he is valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, but Jemson does not think that he has the right profile to go into the Anfield squad.

Indeed, Liverpool already have a number of midfielders who could be termed as industrious, such as Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Fabinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “You look at Wijnaldum. For me, I think he was a very good player and very underrated because he could do both, he could break up play and score goals as well. I don’t think they need one of those sorts of players right now.”

Express and Star journalist Luke Hatfield believes that a loan move is most likely for Aston Villa’s Wesley this summer.

The 24-year-old missed much of last season through injury, making his return to first-team action in Villa’s 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion in April.

Wesley was an unused substitute in Aston Villa’s opening Premier League match of the season against Watford, and Hatfield believes that a loan move will be most likely for the striker this summer.

“Yeah, I think a loan move is probably the most likely just because Villa at the time when they signed him, he was a club-record signing wasn’t he, and he was looking to finally get into gear before picking up what Dean Smith said was one of the worst injuries he’s ever seen, so yeah, I think a season on loan,” Hatfield told Transfer Tavern.

A source told Football Insider that manager Dean Smith was willing to offload both Anwar El Ghazi and Wesley, with the report stating that clubs in Belgium, Turkey and Holland were interested in Wesley.

Villa have been active in the transfer market this summer with incomings as Ashley Young, Axel Tuanzebe, Emi Buendia, Leon Bailey, Danny Ings and Caleb Chukwuemeka have all arrived at Villa Park.

Lee Gregory is the Sheffield Wednesday signing that has impressed former Owls midfielder Carlton Palmer the most.

Wednesday brought in a plethora of new recruits in the summer transfer window, with Gregory being one of them.

The 33-year-old striker joined from Stoke City at the start of August and has managed to hit the ground running at his new club.

In four League One outings, Gregory has scored twice to help take Darren Moore’s side to second in the table, two points behind Sunderland.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about Gregory and the rest of Wednesday’s summer business, Palmer said:

“All the signings he’s made have been good signings. He’s done really, really good business. I can’t speak highly enough of the business that he’s done, but I think the one that’s the most impressive is the lad Lee Gregory.

“I think he scores hatfuls in this league, he really does. If he gets the chances, he will do. And I think the way that Wednesday play with that high intensity that Darren likes to play, he’s going to get plenty of chances. He looks a very, very good player at this level.”

With signings such as Gregory, Wednesday look set for a promotion push based on the early signs.

If the Englishman can continue making an impact while the rest of Wednesday’s recent additions also deliver, then the Yorkshire club could be in for a really good season, which is just what they need after that extremely disappointing 2020/21 campaign.

La Liga expert Euan McTear has rubbished claims Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is wanted by Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Everton are heading into a new era this campaign, with Rafa Benitez now at the helm after Carlo Ancelotti quit in favour of a return to the Bernabeu.

Reports quickly suggested Ancelotti could return to Goodison Park to sign England international Calvert-Lewin in a £50million deal.

The speculation came after Calvert-Lewin shone under the Italian’s guidance on Merseyside, with the striker scoring 21 goals in 39 appearances last term.

Calvert-Lewin’s impressive form in front of goal resulted in him being selected in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2020, where he made two substitute appearances.

Everton are keen to hold onto Calvert-Lewin ahead of getting the new Premier League season underway by welcoming Southampton to Goodison Park.

McTear is adamant Toffees fans should not be fearing the 24-year-old is set to depart for Real Madrid.

He told The Transfer Tavern: “I think it’s English paper talk. There’s been no original reporting on the Spain side about that one.

“I find it really difficult because Calvert-Lewin would cost £50million or £60million. That’s pretty much the fee Real Madrid paid for Luka Jovic just a couple of years ago and that hasn’t really worked out, so if Real Madrid are to sign another striker it would be a top shelf striker.

“I think they’re going to wait for one of the very best if they are to sign someone else.”

Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips is still expected to leave Anfield in the summer transfer window, according to The Athletic’s James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Phillips down the pecking order

Phillips did an admirable job at an extremely difficult time last season – Jamie Redknapp hailed him as ‘unbelievable’ following his performance against Burnley in May – filling in when the Reds were without the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip through long-term injuries.

They are all fit again, however, and Ibrahima Konate has joined from RB Leipzig, so the 24-year-old is now arguably fifth-choice centre-back at Anfield.

Phillips has been linked with a summer exit, with West Ham and Bayer Leverkusen reportedly among those keen on signing him.

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The Latest: Pearce tips defender to leave

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic after Liverpool’s win at Norwich City on Saturday, Pearce gave his thoughts on Phillips’ Reds future.

He outlined: “Still no suitable offers on the table. I’m still expecting him to leave before the window shuts.”

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The Verdict: No Liverpool future

It is hard to see Phillips enjoying much playing time for Liverpool this season, unless another injury crisis occurs at the back.

While he did excellently in 2020/21, making 15 Premier League starts, he has his limitations and probably isn’t good enough to be a long-term squad player at Anfield. On the ball, he doesn’t have the quality and vision of Van Dijk, Gomez and Matip, and his lack of pace means that Liverpool can’t play with their usual high line.

Therefore, it would come as no surprise if the club accept an offer for him this month, particularly with Klopp’s centre-back options now nicely replenished.

In other news, Pearce has also provided an update on another aspect of Liverpool’s transfer business. Read more here.

Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey has told The Transfer Tavern that he would not have brought Mario Lemina to the club after the Magpies missed out on his signature.

Lemina recently joined Nice from Southampton after spending last season out on loan at Fulham.

However, prior, he had been strongly linked with a move to Newcastle, with the MailOnline claiming club staff managed to convince owner Mike Ashley to revive talks for the player after he initially pulled out due to concerns surrounding age.

Considering that, it appears that Lemina was a midfielder manager Steve Bruce really wanted. Howey, though, does not think the Magpies boss should be losing too much sleep over it.

“I didn’t think Lemina was a good buy if I’m being brutally honest,” the ex-Newcastle centre-back said. “No disrespect, but do you want to buy a player that’s not wanted by a club which you’re supposed to be a little bit better than?

“Listen, he’s very, very talented. But when you’re under the cosh and you need your players to dig in, and every single one of them, there is the accusation that he goes missing. I wouldn’t have brought him in.”

You would now expect Newcastle to quickly move on as they continue to be linked with a host of other midfielders.

According to The Athletic, the Tyneside outfit have an interest in the likes of Jens Cajuste and Hamza Choudhury.

Patrick Vieira’s first signing as Crystal Palace manager has been completed, with Michael Olise joining the Eagles from Reading in a deal worth £8m.

Is Olise a good signing for Palace?

Olise certainly looks to have a lot of potential, as his performances last season earned him the EFL Young Player of the Season award. Thus, to sign him for a measly price tag could represent great business by the Eagles if he can perform in the Premier League.

In the Championship last season, the teenage winger would appear in 44 out of 46 Reading fixtures, contributing an impressive seven goals and 12 assists, which earned him a superb average rating of 7.06/10 from WhoScored.

Only Wilfried Zaha (11) and Christian Benteke (10) would score more goals than that for Palace last year, whilst Olise’s 12 assists represent double that of any Palace player, with Zaha registering just six assists across the Premier League campaign.

This immediately suggests that he can add a real attacking impetus to Vieira’s side ahead of next season, something which they lacked on a number of occasions last season, as they managed just 41 goals in 38 top-flight fixtures.

What was said about his signing?

Vieira certainly seems excited about the prospect of having Olise in his squad for next season, as he said:

“We have the tools in our football club to make him a better player, and we’ve known him quite well because he’s a player the football club have been following for a long time. I think it is important to refresh the squad, to bring some new faces, to bring young talent here, and this is a really good signing for us.”Meanwhile, chairman Steve Parish also shared his enthusiasm with the signing of the teenage winger, saying:“I’m delighted that Michael has joined us at Crystal Palace. We have been monitoring him extremely closely for an extended period of time, and have been impressed by his consistent performances for Reading at such a young age.“He clearly has an abundance of talent that I’m sure will excite all of our supporters, and clearly shows our direction of travel for this window.”Palace had the oldest squad in the Premier League last season, so it is good to see them bringing in quality young talents such as Olise and Eberechi Eze, which will hopefully represent a new era under Vieira after there were signs of things going stale under Roy Hodgson at times last season.And, in other news… Vieira should seal CPFC swoop for 69-goal beast, he’s the “complete package”