WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
* Kaizer Chiefs will have both skipper Willard Katsande and Lebogang Manyama back for tomorrow’s revenge fixture against champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the start of the new DStv Premiership season. Leonardo Castro could also start after coming on as a substitute last weekend in the win over Maritzburg United in the MTN8 quarter-finals. Coach Gavin Hunt says Ramahlwe Mphahele will no longer play at full-back as age is catching up with him, but will be moved to centre-back with Mulomowandau Mathoho injured.
* Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick says the jampacked schedule is behind his decision to limit Alphonso Davies’ playing time in favour of Lucas Hernandez. Davies was one of the stars of Bayern’s treble-winning exploits in 2019-20, bolting down a regular place as the club’s first-choice left-back. The 19-year-old missed only one of 35 competitive matches after Flick replaced Niko Kovac as coach, but has played the full 90 minutes in three of Bayern’s six domestic and European assignments so far in 2020-21. Hernandez, by contrast, has made five starts. “For a young player like Alphonso Davies, it’s not easy due to the sheer number of games last season and the short pre-season,” Flick said.
* Baroka FC begin the new season without coach Dylan Kerr, who remains suspended after a fight with the club chairman. Kerr has been told he will face a hearing for insubordination, but no date has yet been set. It means Thoka Matsemela takes charge of the team for their first game of the new campaign at home to Maritzburg United tomorrow. He has previously served as caretaker coach.
* Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow should be fit to play against Wolves on Sunday after a scan revealed no serious damage following a heavy collision with Marcus Rashford in the 1-4 loss to Manchester United last weekend. Darlow remains sore and has bone bruising in the pelvic area, but has been cleared to play.
* Kalvin Phillips does not require surgery on a shoulder injury suffered in Monday’s 1-0 defeat against Wolves, but the new England midfielder will be out for six weeks. It is a major setback for Phillips in what has otherwise been an exciting year following the club’s promotion to the EPL and the 24-year-old earning a senior England debut. The club said: “Kalvin began his rehab at Thorp Arch on Tuesday and will be working hard with the medical team to return to action as soon as possible.” Leeds were dealt a double injury blow over the international break as centre-backs Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente also reported back with issues.