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ESPNcricinfo’s preview of the first Test between Australia and New Zealand at the Gabba

The Preview by Brydon Coverdale30-Nov-2011Match factsIf James Pattinson makes his debut as expected, he and his brother Darren will become the first siblings in 112 years to play Test cricket for different nations•Getty ImagesDecember 1-5, Brisbane
Start time 1000 (0000 GMT, 1100 EDT)Big PictureFirst things first: Australia are still favourites in this Test and should win the series. But New Zealand have a sniff. They haven’t won a Test in Australia in 26 years, back when Richard Hadlee was at his peak and Allan Border’s Australians were struggling at the start of their rebuilding phase. New Zealand are far from their peak right now – they nearly lost to Zimbabwe a month ago and sit eighth on the Test rankings – but Australia are not far from their mid 1980s position. They are coming off a fine victory in Johannesburg less than a fortnight ago, but at least three of the men who played in that win are out of this Test, including the Man of the Match Pat Cummins.Australia will play at least three debutants at the Gabba. David Warner will open in the absence of Shane Watson; James Pattinson is expected to share the new ball with Peter Siddle; and either Mitchell Starc or Ben Cutting will come on at first change. The captain Michael Clarke even hinted that there was a chance all four fast men might play if the pitch looked as “green and juicy” on the morning of the match as it did two days before. That could mean a rest for the offspinner Nathan Lyon, who before this week had never even visited the Gabba, let alone played there. There is also a new coach, Mickey Arthur, who has spent barely a week in the job and is still finding his feet.Not that New Zealand are much more settled. This will be the second Test for the fast bowler Doug Bracewell and the batsman Dean Brownlie, while the wicketkeeper Reece Young is also in his first year of Test cricket. Like Australia, New Zealand have a new selection panel, installed by their director of cricket, John Buchanan, a man who coached four of the opposition players during his time in charge of Australia. Their bowling coach Damien Wright is also Australian, and the players will look for advice from him on working at the Gabba, which is expected to have extra bounce compared to Allan Border Field, where three of their batsmen scored centuries during the tour match.Yes, New Zealand have a chance, perhaps the best chance they’ve had in Australia for a decade, since Stephen Fleming led them to a 0-0 draw in 2001. But Ross Taylor’s side is still learning how to win – they have won only four of their past 28 Tests – and they need everything to go right to upset the hosts.Form guide (most recent first)
Australia: WLDDW
New Zealand: WDLLDIn the spotlightTwo years ago, the thought of David Warner in a baggy green cap seemed as far-fetched as Australia appointing a foreign coach. How times change. Warner will make his Test debut with less than 1000 first-class runs to his name, but importantly he is in form. All three of his first-class hundreds have come this calendar year and if he stays at the crease for a session, New Zealand’s bowlers will see the total tick over at a rapid rate. Significantly, if Warner succeeds in this series, he could contribute to squeezing Ricky Ponting out of the Test line-up when Shane Watson returns from injury.On the subject of powerful left-hand batsman, the inclusion of Jesse Ryder is a major boost to New Zealand. Ryder missed the Test against Zimbabwe due to a calf strain but showed his class in the warm-up match against Australia A in Brisbane, where he was one of three centurions. New Zealand look a much more dangerous side when Ryder is fit, and having scored three hundreds, all against India, in his past ten Tests, he will be keen to prove he can have the same impact against Australia.Pitch and conditionsEven in last year’s disastrous Ashes campaign, the Gabba remained impenetrable for Australia’s opponents. The hosts have not lost a Test in Brisbane since 1988, when Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Patrick Patterson bowled West Indies to victory. There is always plenty of seam and bounce at the Gabba, and captains can be tempted to send the opposition in. The forecast is for thunder and rain on the opening day, while showers could also fall on the final two days.Team newsAustralia’s only decision surrounds the make-up of their attack. Siddle will lead the pace group and is expected to be joined by the outswing bowler Pattinson and one of Cutting and Starc. However, on the day before the Test, Clarke wrote in his newspaper column that leaving out the offspinner Nathan Lyon in favour of a four-man pace attack was also a possibility. “I prefer playing a spinner and I like to bat first,” Clarke wrote, “but if conditions remain as they are, we will think very seriously about playing all four fast bowlers.”Australia (probable) 1 David Warner, 2 Phillip Hughes, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Ricky Ponting, 5 Michael Clarke (capt), 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Peter Siddle, 9 James Pattinson, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Mitchell Starc / Ben Cutting.New Zealand are likely to make just one change from the side that played in the tour match, with Daniel Vettori set to come in for Trent Boult.New Zealand (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Brendon McCullum, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor (capt), 5 Jesse Ryder, 6 Dean Brownlie, 7 Daniel Vettori, 8 Reece Young (wk), 9 Doug Bracewell, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Chris Martin.Stats & trivia Australia will have at least three Test debutants, bringing to at least nine the number of baggy greens handed out in 2011. The last time so many debutants played in a calendar year was during the World Series Cricket days, in 1978. If Pattinson debuts, he and his brother Darren, who represented England, will become the first siblings to play Test cricket for different nations in 112 years New Zealand’s tense recent win against Zimbabwe was their fourth victory in 28 Tests. The other wins in that time have come against Bangladesh (twice) and Pakistan. In their past four series against Ausralia, New Zealand have lost eight Tests and drawn one. Their last win against Australia came in 1993.Quotes”The extra pace, bounce and movement the Gabba can generate will give our fast bowlers every chance of making a significant impression”
“We’re just building quietly. I feel we’ve gathered a little bit of confidence from that first trip to Zimbabwe, when we were together nearly a month, then coming here after some good performances in first-class cricket at home.”

Writing on his Patreon, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has shared news on which strikers are being eyed by West Ham as he makes a claim involving Lille star Jonathan David.

The Lowdown: West Ham cast watch over France…

As reported by the trusted Irons source, France’s top flight is seen by manager David Moyes and recruitment chief Rob Newman as a real potential pool for talent.

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It is no coincidence that links to some of Ligue 1’s brightest stars have come out of the woodwork recently, with West Ham apparently in talks for Reims sensation Hugo Ekitike according to Sky Sports.

90min claim that the Hammers are also discussing a double-loan with Marseille which would include promising forward Bamba Dieng and defender Duje Caleta-Car.

Now, in more news on who West Ham have got their eye on across the channel, Ex says that they are keeping tabs on rising Lille star David.

The Latest: West Ham eye David…

Writing on his Patreon, backing interest in both Dieng and Ekitike, the Hammers insider claims that Moyes is also eyeing the in-demand Canada striker.

David has attracted plenty of attention across Europe, thanks in part to his stunning form at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, with the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, Man United, Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid also watching on (TSN).

The Verdict: Get it done…

A move for the scintillating 22-year-old would undoubtedly turn heads at Rush Green and signal West Ham’s intent to back Moyes into a golden era.

However, it is a transfer riddled with challenges, most notably the intense interest across Europe and his possible asking price – with Transfermarkt estimating it at around £45 million.

One advantage that Newman and co could hold in the race is David’s alleged openness to signing for West Ham, with Calciomercato previously revealing he ‘likes’ the idea of joining Moyes.

If West Ham do win the race, though, there is little denying he is a statement signing, with commentator Maximiliano Bretos calling David ‘phenomenal’ due to his international exploits.

At such a young age, he has racked up 16 goals in all competitions at club level so far over 2021/2022 and an even more impressive 18 in 24 caps total for his national team (Transfermarkt).

Numbers like these certainly point to what would be a real upgrade to Moyes’ striker line.

In other news: ‘Another new one emerging’…Sky Sports reporter has exciting news for West Ham fans, find out more here.

Ricky Ponting knows his batsmen let the team down in both innings at Headingley, but he is not yet considering the idea of Steven Smith taking Marcus North’s position at No. 6

Brydon Coverdale24-Jul-2010Ricky Ponting knows his batsmen let the team down in both innings at Headingley, but he is not yet considering the idea of Steven Smith taking Marcus North’s position at No. 6. North was easily the most disappointing of the top six during the series, scoring 36 including two ducks, and only the No. 11 Doug Bollinger had a lower aggregate.North made a century and a 90 on the tour of New Zealand in March, but since the start of the Australian summer his big scores have become less frequent. Smith, on the other hand, lit up the Headingley stadium with a dazzling 77 on the third afternoon to keep Australia in the match, and in his 15 first-class appearances he has made four centuries.One of the main selection queries for Australia on their tour of India in October will be whether they can find a way to retain Smith when Nathan Hauritz returns from injury. However, Ponting does not believe Smith is ready to challenge for a more senior batting role and he said the conditions had made it difficult for North and the rest of the batsmen this month.”I don’t think Smith will put pressure on North,” Ponting said. “I thought the runs we got out of Smith yesterday were pretty entertaining and very valuable as far as the game is concerned. You can look at all of our batsmen through this tour, we’ve faced some pretty challenging conditions at different times. Both innings at Lord’s the ball went around a fair bit, the first innings here was probably the most challenging conditions that any of us have batted in.”Simon Katich was the only member of the team to average more than 35 during the series, as the Australians failed to find answers to Pakistan’s terrific swing bowling. The 349 they compiled with the help of Smith in the second innings in Leeds was their highest innings of the series, but Ponting also felt that in sunny conditions it was the time when they let themselves down.”I was a little bit disappointed with our batting yesterday,” Ponting said. “I thought we probably had the better of the batting conditions yesterday, and we had a chance to get a few more than 349 in the second innings. We let a little bit of an opportunity slip there. But the way we stuck at it late last night and this morning showed some character.”The ball won’t swing and seam as much during their two Tests in India, or for the Ashes back home, so the selectors might be hesitant to judge the batsmen on their tricky tour of England. Whatever they decide, Ponting believes the XI chosen for the first Test in India will not necessarily be a pointer to the team for the Gabba Ashes opener.”What the conditions probably do throw up over there [India] is the likelihood of maybe having to tinker with the setup in your team,” Ponting said. “We’ll wait and see who we’ve got that’s fit and ready to go for that tour and pick a squad of players we think can win a Test series over there and then worry about the start of the Ashes after that.”

Mark Pettini, the 26-year-old Essex batsman, has signed an extension to his contract that will keep him at Chelmsford until the end of the 2012 season

Cricinfo staff19-Jul-2010Mark Pettini, the 26-year-old Essex batsman, has signed an extension to his contract that will keep him at Chelmsford until the end of the 2012 season.Pettini has been at Essex throughout his county career, making his debut in 2001. In 2007 he took over as captain from Ronnie Irani and remained in the job until earlier this season, when wicketkeeper James Foster took over.Though he played for England Under-19s, the closest Pettini has come to full international colours was when he was named in England’s provisional squad for the 2007 World Twenty20 but he did not make the final 15. His form has tailed off recently but, freed from the captaincy, he hopes he can help Essex prosper in the coming years.”I am obviously delighted to have signed an extension with the club,” Pettini told www.essexcricket.org.uk. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far with Essex and the success that we have all achieved. I look forward to the next two years, we have a very strong dressing room and we are confident that we can achieve even more success in the coming seasons.”

Newcastle United transfer target Victor Osimhen is ‘more interested’ in joining Arsenal, according to journalist Freddie Paxton. 

The lowdown

Napoli shelled out £67.5m to sign Osimhen from Lille in September 2020, penning a five-year, £112,000-per-week contract on his arrival at the Serie A club. He has bagged 16 goals in 28 appearances this season, and 26 strikes in 58 matches for the Azzurri overall (via Transfermarkt).

Eddie Howe seems eager to sign a striker this summer, with the likes of Darwin Nunez (Benfica) and Hugo Ekitike (Reims) also linked with a move to St James’ Park.

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The latest

Shortly after 9pm on Monday night, Paxton took to social media with an update on where things stands with the Napoli striker regarding a potential €100m (£84.2m) move to the Premier League.

He tweeted: “I’m told Arsenal have been in contact with the agent of Victor Osimhen. The feeling is that the interest is serious, but Napoli will expect €100m+ this summer. Player wants to play in England and has previously been contacted by Newcastle. He is more interested in Arsenal.”

The verdict

Osimhen would be some signing for Newcastle based on his record of a goal every 127 minutes this season.

Journalist Zach Lowy believes that the 23-year-old has ‘everything it takes’ to become ‘one of the best strikers of his generation’, while Emmet Gates has billed the Nigerian’s potential ‘frightening’.

However, this report illustrates the issues that Newcastle might face this summer. Arsenal are currently fourth in the table and could therefore be able to offer him Champions League football next term.

While Newcastle might have the means to afford him and the ambition to reach Europe’s premier club competition, targets might be too impatient to wait for that opportunity if someone else is able to offer it sooner.

In other news, Newcastle are also targeting this left-back

Australia are closing in on a series-levelling victory at the WACA after ripping out five England wickets during the final session to back up Michael Hussey’s 116 which continued his phenomenal series

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan18-Dec-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsJames Anderson can only look on as Ryan Harris celebrates Paul Collingwood’s last-ball dismissal•Getty ImagesAustralia are closing in on a series-levelling victory at the WACA after ripping out five England wickets during the final session to back up Michael Hussey’s 116 which continued his phenomenal series. Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris both struck in the final five minutes of play to finish with two apiece while other scalp, the key one of Kevin Pietersen for 3, went to the hardworking Ben Hilfenhaus as England lurched to stumps on 5 for 81.Those final few moments did huge damage to England who were already struggling. Jonathan Trott had played well for 31 before fencing at Johnson and, in a sign of how fortunes have changed, Ricky Ponting parried the ball at second slip only for Brad Haddin to snap up the chance. Ponting immediately left the field for treatment on a finger so missed the final-ball drama when the out-of-form Paul Collingwood edge Harris to third slip, the ball after nightwatchman James Anderson declined a single to take the strike off Collingwood.Hussey and Shane Watson, who fell five runs short of his hundred, were chiefly responsible for building Australia’s strong position as they extended their fourth-wicket stand to 113. After that, England staged a fightback with Chris Tremlett claiming his maiden five-wicket haul as the last six wickets fell for 55 but, despite the positive talk of a repeat of South Africa’s 414-run chase in 2008-09, history was always unlikely to repeat itself.Australia were mightily pumped up for the final session, knowing the quick bowlers could go full throttle. Ponting wasn’t afraid to switch the bowlers around and it was a change of ends for Harris that brought the first breakthrough when Alastair Cook was struck on the back leg. Cook asked Andrew Strauss if it was worth a review, but wasn’t supported by his captain. The ball would have clipped the bails.Smart Stats

Shane Watson’s 95 was the fourth time he has fallen in the nineties in his career. He has two centuries and 14 fifties.

Michael Hussey’s century was his second of the series and the 13th of his career. He averages almost 61 in home Tests but just over 39 in away Tests.

The 113 run partnership between Hussey and Watson was the third century stand for the fourth wicket for Australia against England in Test matches at Perth.

In 11 innings since June 2010, Kevin Pietersen has scored 477 runs with one century and two fifties. He has scored less than 10 in five of these innings.

Of the ten previous occasions that Australia have set a target over 300 at Perth, they have gone on to win on seven occasions and drawn twice. The only loss came against South Africa in 2008.

Johnson had been brought on in the sixth over and offered a couple of boundary balls, then tightened up to off stump and found Strauss’s edge which flew comfortably to Ponting at second slip. Whereas Hussey had given a lesson in what to leave, England’s batsmen were far less certain.Pietersen also chased a wide delivery that he poked to first slip to give Hilfenhaus his first wicket since the third ball of the series. Pietersen had escaped a pair with a pull to fine leg but hadn’t settled when he hung his bat out, although it was nothing less than Hilfenhaus deserved for a probing spell. For Pietersen it was his lowest contribution when he has batted twice in a Test. Like his team, it’s been quite a comedown from Adelaide.Throughout the match it has been tough for batsmen when they first come in, which emphasises the importance of the lone hundred so far from Hussey. His latest masterclass made him the first batsman to hit six consecutive fifty-plus scores in a Ashes Tests, a run dating back to his futile hundred at The Oval in 2009. He also became the leading run-scorer in the series, overtaking Cook, and made this the most prolific series of his career. Not bad for a player who nearly lost his place before it all started in Brisbane.He brought up his hundred with a crunching pull, the manner in which many of his boundaries arrived as England maintained the plan of feeding his strength. He was barely troubled by any of the short-pitched offerings, which although working against some of his team-mates were a futile and wasted effort to Hussey.Hussey has an impressive conversion rate of fifties to hundreds, but the same can’t yet be said of Watson. He’d barely put a foot wrong during his innings, unfurling some thumping drives against Steven Finn as he moved carefully to 95 and within sight of his third Test century. Tremlett then got one to hold its line on middle which Watson missed, but the batsman called for a review thinking he’d hit the ball.It was a small window for England, which looked to have become a little bigger when Steven Smith was given caught at slip off an inside edge by Billy Doctrove, but this time the UDRS worked in Australia’s favour when no nick was detected and the ball was also heading over the stumps. It was a skittish innings from Smith, who could also have been run out, before Tremlett’s move to round the wicket worked as Smith gloved down the leg sideHaddin began with a sweep for six over midwicket against Swann, who only bowled five overs in the day and struggled, but got an inside edge into the stumps to give Tremlett a fourth. The lower order couldn’t offer Hussey much support as Johnson drove to cover, Harris pulled to deep midwicket and Siddle edged to third to slip to hand Anderson his 200th Test wicket.Hussey finally departed to the pull, when he picked out deep square-leg to give Tremlett a deserved five-wicket haul, but his innings had set up victory that will arrive on Sunday. And from the position Australia were in on the first afternoon, that’s an astonishing turnaround.

Wolves trio Jonny, Pedro Neto and Yerson Mosquera are all ‘on track to return’ from injury in the near future, according to journalist Tim Spiers.

The Lowdown: Wolves’ long-term absentees

Bruno Lage’s side may be doing well so far this season but they have missed a number of key players, potentially holding them back from a serious challenge for European football next term.

Jonny and Neto have both been absent since last season due to major knee problems, having been regular starters in 2020/21, while Mosquera has been out with a hamstring issue since September.

The hope is that all three players are back soon and that certainly appears to be the case.

The Latest: Spiers provides positive update

Taking to Twitter on Monday, Spiers confirmed that the trio are all nearing a welcome return to action in a 10-word verdict:

“Jonny, Neto and Mosquera all on track to return soon.”

The Verdict: Great news for Wolves

This is a huge boost for Wolves at a time when the fixtures are coming thick and fast and fatigue may set in as the season goes on.

Lage’s squad depth is going to need to come to the fore and having Jonny, Neto and Mosquera as options can only be a good thing, even if they need to treated carefully.

The severity of Jonny and Neto’s injuries means they cannot be rushed back but their importance cannot be denied, with the pair making 174 Wolves appearances between them, while Neto in particular shone last year with 11 Premier League goal contributions, averaging over two successful dribbles, shots and key passes per match (Whoscored).

The wing wizard was hailed as a ‘huge talent’ by Alan Shearer and the fans cannot wait to see him back in action.

In other news, Wolves have received a big boost ahead of their trip to Manchester United. Read more here.

Liverpool are willing to pay €40m (£33.3m) for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, according to a fresh transfer rumour which has emerged.

The Lowdown: Phillips on the move?

The 26-year-old has arguably been the standout player of the Marcelo Bielsa era at Elland Road, also becoming an important figure for England, winning their Player of the Year award in 2021.

Unsurprisingly, Phillips has been linked with a move away from Leeds numerous times in recent months as he potentially eyes up a fresh challenge.

The midfielder may believe that he belongs at a Champions League-playing club, and there is no sign that he will be signing a new Whites deal any time soon.

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The Latest: Liverpool keen on signing Phillips

According to El Nacional, Liverpool are interested in making a €40m (£33.3m) move for Phillips in the summer, with Leeds more keen for their star midfielder to move abroad.

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are all mentioned as potential suitors in the report, although a move to Anfield is thought to possibly appeal to the player himself.

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The Verdict: Higher bid required

There is surely no chance that Leeds would allow Phillips to join a Premier League rival for just £33.3m, considering what a formidable footballer he has become in recent years, being hailed as ‘excellent’ by England manager Gareth Southgate.

His current Whites deal doesn’t expire until 2024 so there is no rush to sell him yet, with a far higher bid surely required to prise him away from his boyhood club.

Leeds fans may needs to mentally prepare for the prospect of Phillips leaving in the summer but only if the right offer comes along, one which would see the Whites to receive a huge amount of money that would duly be put towards signing a replacement of equal or better quality.

In other news, Phil Hay has revealed his happiness at one key Leeds update. Read more here.

Aaron Finch played scored a nerveless 93 off 60 balls as pre-tournament favourites Victoria overcame a spirited effort by Central Districts, to chase 166 with two balls to spare

The Bulletin by Nitin Sundar15-Sep-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsThe pressure of a tight chase hardly showed on Aaron Finch•Associated PressAaron Finch scored a nerveless 93 off 60 balls as pre-tournament favourites Victoria overcame a spirited effort by Central Districts, to chase 166 with two balls to spare. Central Districts punched above their weight for a large part of the match, with their captain Jamie How scoring an equally memorable 77, but their bowlers wilted against Finch’s assault, which was aggressive and measured in equal parts.Central Districts had finished their innings on a high, How turning around a lacklustre beginning with a flurry of boundaries at the end. The pressure was on Victoria, desperate to live up to their pre-tournament billing. Their reply ran into rough weather early, Rob Quiney and Matthew Wade perishing before they could get off the blocks, raising visions of the failed chase against Warriors in their tournament opener. Finch, however, was reading from a different script.While David Hussey struggled to connect with the big hits, Finch kept Victoria ticking with some aggressive running and the odd four. Without taking risks, he stole four of the five boundaries that came in the six overs following Wade’s dismissal. A punch off George Worker through extra-cover in the 12th was followed by a mow off Kieran Noema-Barnett through midwicket to bring up his fifty in the 13th over, off 40 balls. Hussey’s fall in the next over once again gave Central Districts the upper hand, but Finch carried on as if nothing had happened.Fifty-seven were required off the last five, not your regular walk in the park, but Finch wore an air of calmness that belied the pressure of the situation. Worker was heaved over square-leg in the 16th over; Michael Mason was top-edged to fine-leg in the 17th. Andrew McDonald joined in the fun, cross-batting Mason over long off to reduce the equation to 36 off 18.Central Districts’ limitations were exposed towards the end, as Seth Rance struggled to land his yorkers. Finch tucked in with two boundaries towards fine-leg, before carting Mason inside-out for six more. Brad Patton dropped McDonald off the last ball of the 19th, more importantly conceding two runs and leaving Victoria needing 12 off the last over. The force was clearly with Victoria, and Finch sealed the deal, edging Doug Bracewell through third man before launching him out of the park to end the game.If Finch’s innings was an exercise in maintaining the momentum and staying in touch from start to finish, How’s knock showcased how to get used to the pace before exploding. Victoria had begun well, Peter Siddle striking twice in his opening over, coming back after seven-and-a-half months. Mathew Sinclair and Worker fell by the wayside after getting off to starts, leaving the innings rudderless at 83 for 4 in the 14th over.Luckily for them, How had managed to see off the attritional period and was primed for a late assault. He top-edged Siddle over third-man in the 15th over and followed it up next ball with a gorgeous pull into the midwicket stands. Bryce McGain was smashed down the ground for six more, and Dirk Nannes paddled to fine-leg as How warmed up for the final flourish.Brendon Diamanti set the tone, lofting the first ball of the 18th over over the long-off boundary before turning the strike to his captain. What followed was an exhibition of immaculate stroke-making as How picked his spots with precision. He drove the next two balls down the ground, and followed it up with a paddle-sweep and a tickle to third-man, all for fours. The last of those was above waist height and had to be rebowled. How cashed in, drilling the length offering over Hastings’ head as 28 came off the over.At that point it seemed Central Districts had done enough for their first win in the tournament. Finch, however did not flinch; even in the 17th over of the chase, when he was beaten outside the off stump, with the asking rate mounting out of control, he kept his cool. No wild, desperate swishes of the bat either – he simply popped a bubble in the gum he was chewing, and carried on. On this day, he could do no wrong. And he knew it.

West Ham have opened talks with Everton regarding a move for left-back Lucas Digne, according to The Daily Mail.

The Lowdown: Moyes after a left-back

David Moyes has been without first-choice left-back Aaron Cresswell for the club’s last seven Premier League games due to injury.

As a result, the Hammers are keen to bolster their left-back ranks, with head of recruitment Rob Newman also after a centre-back and a forward during the January transfer window.

Digne, labelled as ‘quality’ by pundit Paddy Kenny, appears to be a player surplus to requirements at Goodison Park following a reported disagreement with Rafa Benitez.

The Toffees have since brought in Vitaliy Mykolenko, and it seems as if West Ham are keen to take advantage of Digne’s situation.

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The Latest: West Ham discussions

The Daily Mail shared a story late on Wednesday evening, claiming the Hammers have begun talks with Everton for the French full-back.

Chelsea and Newcastle have also been name-checked with an interest, but it appears as if it’s Newman and West Ham who are making moves.

The Verdict: A gamble?

It may well be a one-off with Benítez, but it could be a gamble bringing a player to the club who has had previous when it comes to disagreements with managers.

Moyes is reportedly being cautious when it comes to winter window additions, so he may well have some worries when it comes to Digne following the recent fall out on Merseyside with a well-known and respected coach.

Everton also want around £30m, meaning he could be the club’s fourth-biggest signing of all time, so you could argue a move for the 28-year-old may be a risk.

Perhaps a younger target who can eventually succeed Cresswell full-time would be more fitting.

In other news: ‘Finally’ – Many West Ham fans buzzing over ‘very exciting’ transfer claim.