WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

* Valencia start the new La Liga campaign this weekend with a much-changed line-up after the exit of Italy international Cristiano Piccini, who has joined Atalanta on a season-long loan. Plus club captain Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin have moved to Villarreal, star winger Ferran Torres has gone to Manchester City and striker Rodrigo Moreno has joined Leeds.

* Denis Onyango has missed Sundowns’ last five games, but might have recovered from a quad injury in time for the Nedbank Cup final against Bloemfontein Celtic. Onyango returned to training this week, but coach Pitso Mosimane might be tempted to retain Kennedy Mweene in goal after he conceded a solitary goal and kept four clean sheets in his last five games.

* David Luiz could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after aggravating a neck injury which looks to have at least ruled him out of tomorrow’s season opener at Fulham. The Brazilian defender was in line to start Arsenal’s first fixture of the new campaign, but has been unable to participate in full training so far this week. Luiz’s injury could apparently keep him out for up to six weeks. Defender

Rob Holding’s proposed loan move to Newcastle is now likely to be cancelled because of Luiz’s potential absence.

* Cardiff City have terminated Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s contract with immediate effect. No reason has been given by the club for ending the 28-year-old’s deal, which was due to expire next year. Mendez-Laing joined from Rochdale in 2017 under Neil Warnock on a free transfer and played 92 times for the Bluebirds, scoring 14 goals. The former Wolves and Peterborough forward was part of the side that won promotion to the Premier League in 2018.