Morgan casts doubt upon Hales’ T20 recall chances
ALEX HALES’ chance of making an England return in time for this year’s Twenty20 World Cup appear to be receding, with captain Eoin Morgan insisting he is not in need of top-order reinforcements.
Hales has not played for his country since March 2019, exiled on the eve of the 50-over World Cup following a failed drugs test.
England went on to win that tournament without him but the issue of his potential reintegration has risen up the agenda due to the 32-yearold’s red-hot run of form.
He has become one of the most reliable players on the T20 franchise circuit and was superb for Sydney Thunder at the recent Big Bash League, topping the charts with 543 runs at a punishing strike-rate of 161.60 per hundred balls.
National selector Ed Smith has floated the idea of inviting Hales to train with the side this summer but Morgan is believed to hold the casting vote on such matters and appears steadfast. As he prepares for a five-match T20 series in India, he seems more than happy with a status quo that sees Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy and Dawid Malan heading up the England card.
‘I think our position on Alex still remains the same,’ said Morgan (pictured). ‘He’s not in the squad and the squad is very difficult to get back into. Alex’s situation is obviously unique. The quality of the player that he is has never been in doubt. Like I’ve said before, time is a great healer.
‘Only time will tell, but you look at the strength of our squad at the moment and areas that we’re trying to improve – one area we don’t struggle for players, it’s probably in the top three.’
MANCHESTER City brushed aside their derby disappointment to hammer Southampton and move a step closer to their fifth league title in a decade.
City saw their amazing 21-game winning run ended by neighbours United on Sunday, but normal service was resumed last night as they thumped the Saints 5-2 to move 14 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The hosts took the lead after 15 minutes, Oleksandr Zinchenko finding Phil Foden, whose shot was parried by goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, with Kevin De Bruyne on hand to thump home off the underside of the bar.
But Southampton soon drew level. Jannik Vestergaard tested Ederson with a powerful header and was fouled by Aymeric Laporte in the process. James Ward-Prowse converted the penalty. Controversy erupted soon after as City felt they should have had a spot-kick themselves. McCarthy went in feet first on Foden and appeared to catch him on the ankle, but nothing was given and VAR did not intervene. Riyad Mahrez (pictured) then changed the course of the game with two moments of brilliance. First he restored City’s lead as he cut in from the left and bent a shot around McCarthy and in.
The Algerian was then instrumental in making it 3-1 after weaving through the area and firing against the post. Ilkay Gundogan tapped in the rebound.
After the break, the Mahrez show continued as he scored City’s fourth – he turned in the area from a Foden pass and skipped round Ward-Prowse before beating McCarthy again.
Che Adams scored from close range to make it 4-2, before the ever-stylish De Bruyne placed a shot into the net.
That was the end of the scoring, with Adams having a late effort for Saints ruled out. Sergio Aguero then came on for a late cameo as City moved closer to their coronation.
OLE GUNNAR Solskjaer still hopes to convince Edinson Cavani to extend his Manchester United stay despite the striker’s father suggesting he is ready to quit the club this summer.
After leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the 34-year-old free agent moved to Old Trafford in October and signed a deal until the end of the season, with the option of a further year.
Cavani has scored seven goals in 25 appearances and Solskjaer has made no secret about his desire to keep him next season, although the player’s father has indicated that is unlikely.
Luis Cavani said there was a 60 per cent chance his son would return to South America as he ‘does not feel comfortable where he is’.
The Uruguayan then posted a photo on Instagram of him playing for United with the caption ‘proud to wear this shirt’ – a jersey Solskjaer hopes he will don for a while yet.
Cavani is set to miss another United match tonight, when AC Milan arrive at Old Trafford for a mouth-watering Europa League last-16, first-leg clash, but Solskjaer said: ‘Edinson’s fully focused on being available for us and working really hard to get fit.
‘From my bad Portuguese and his better English, he’s very proud to play for Man United. He’s always going to give his best as long as [he is here]. If it’s beyond this season as well, a decision hasn’t been made.
‘We’re just working on getting him back on the pitch and fit – and we’ll convince him when the weather in Manchester improves!
‘I can’t comment on what has been said. I can only say we’re very pleased with Edinson when he’s here.
‘He is working really hard to be available. Every day, day in, day out, he’s proving his personality, his professionalism. Even in his broken English, he’s really helping the young kids as we wanted him to.’
Marcus Rashford is set to join Cavani on the sidelines tonight, having been forced off towards the end of Sunday’s derby win at Manchester City with an ankle issue.
‘I’m not sure if anyone will be back, no,’ Solskjaer added. ‘David (De Gea) is not available. Donny (Van De Beek), no. Paul (Pogba), no. Edinson, maybe but probably not. Juan (Mata), no. And Marcus maybe but probably not.’
LIVERPOOL put their domestic woes behind them to reach the Champions League quarter-finals with a deserved 2-0 win over RB Leipzig in Budapest.
Second-half goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane handed the Reds a 4-0 aggregate victory, following their 2-0 first-leg triumph – also in the Hungarian capital – last month.
For Jurgen Klopp’s men this was only a third win in nine in all competitions having set a record of six consecutive home league defeats on Sunday.
The German side had won eight of their last nine games – the one blemish the first-leg defeat to Liverpool.
And it was Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi who was busier during the first half, denying Diogo Jota twice and Salah, while Mane fired over and Jota also hit the side-netting.
But it was far from one-way traffic and Alisson had to save from Dani Olmo at the other end while Emil Forsberg squandered Leipzig’s best opening, firing wide when well placed.
Needing two goals, Leipzig introduced former Crystal Palace striker
Alexander Sorloth at half-time and he struck the crossbar with a header.
But it was the Reds who broke the deadlock on 70 minutes. Mane set Jota away and he found Salah, who cut inside and drilled low past Gulacsi.
Less than four minutes later, the confidence-boosting job was complete as substitute Divock Origi crossed from the right for Mane to tuck home.