Predicted Arsenal XI & team news vs Southampton

Arsenal return to Premier League action tonight, as they host Southampton in what is a must-win clash; although, with just seven games left as they battle for the title, every game has taken on such importance.

That is what makes their recent slips against West Ham United and Liverpool all the more frustrating, especially given they squandered leads in both.

Tonight, however, they face a wholly different challenge, as they welcome the 20th-placed team in the division with the hopes they can use it as a return to form. With a trip to face Manchester City on the horizon, tonight marks a fine opportunity to bolster confidence in preparation for such a monumental game.

However, they are to once again be without William Saliba, as Mikel Arteta admitted:

"He’s not progressing as quickly as we hoped and it is a bit delicate so we want to be certain that when we push him, he’s ready to absorb the load and the risk that we’ll take, and that’s not possible at the moment."

Whilst Oleksandr Zinchenko is at a more advanced stage in his recovery, a start tonight also seems unlikely given the risk it would pose in a fixture they should be able to win without. However, his absence could pose an interesting opportunity for a tactical shift.

How could Arsenal line up against Southampton

Arteta could make as many as three changes to the side that drew 2-2 at the London Stadium, with alterations made both due to necessity and with one eye on Wednesday's crunch match.

Aaron Ramsdale will be seeking to put aside his disappointment from last week with a fine showing tonight, but will have to remain sharp when his moment comes. The 24-year-old made just one save last game, yet shipped two goals.

The back four is expected to remain largely unchanged, but after his struggles to perform in the inverted full-back role, Kieran Tierney could drop out. Given Granit Xhaka deputised in his position after his substitution last time out, perhaps Arsenal could seek to add such a fine creative presence to the defence given their expected dominance of the ball.

Ben White will occupy the opposite flank, whilst Rob Holding and Gabriel Magalhaes retain their spots through the middle.

Seeing the Swiss general move into the back four opens up an opportunity for Fabio Vieira to take his chance beside Thomas Partey. They will offer a defensive foil to supplement the creativity of captain Martin Odegaard.

arsenal-west-ham-united-odegaard-goal

As mentioned, their dominance in tonight's clash should see them through without needing a full-strength side, especially when the likes of Leandro Trossard and Emile Smith-Rowe are the alternatives to replace Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

Seeking to keep the star men fresh, so they can truly wreak havoc next week, perhaps handing the 22-year-old his first league start of the season following a return from injury could be the injection of enthusiasm needed to put this game to bed early.

The Belgian's inclusion needs no explanation, with the £40k-per-week maestro having already garnered praise despite only joining in January. Journalist Richie Mills, who reports on Brighton and Hove Albion, will know more than most just what a "magic man" the 28-year-old can be.

These two will flank Gabriel Jesus, who has made a seamless return to first-team action after his own lengthy lay-off, scoring four in his last three.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Gabriel, Holding, Xhaka; Vieira, Odegaard, Partey; Smith-Rowe, Jesus, Trossard.

Romano admits this is a crucial time for Man United’s takeover

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that both Ineos and the Qatari group are preparing new bids to buy Manchester United.

The Lowdown: Takeover talks rumble on

It seems as though the Man United takeover took a big step forward last week as the two prominent bidders – Ineos and the Qatari consortium – both made the journey over to Manchester and visited both Old Trafford and the Carrington training base.

Following those visits last week it was reported that the Qatari group were lining up an imminent second bid to try and at least get closer to the £6 billion valuation the Glazers have slapped on Man United.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been a long-time admirer of Man United as even in 2022 it was being mooted about him wanting to take the club off the Glazer’s hands, although he thought they were unwilling sellers at the time.

The Latest: Both groups set for second Man United bid

Romano has admitted on his YouTube channel that both Ineos and the Qatari consortium are now planning and getting set to lodge second bids respectively, which may well be a sign of yet another step in the right direction.

He said: (3:30) “We can say that both groups, Ineos with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari group with, of course, Sheikh Al Thani both of them are preparing new bids for Manchester United.

“The Glazers want around £6-7 billion to sell Man United and both the Qatari group and Ineos group are really interested after talks last week and last few days were very positive.

“Now, it is time to make a new proposal and enter into a crucial moment of the process. So, keep an eye on the Manchester United situation in the next days and weeks because now we enter into crucial moments of  the conversation.”

The Verdict: Crucial period for Man United and the Glazers

It will be huge for Erik ten Hag to know who will be owning the club ahead of the summer transfer window as it’ll help him to determine how much money he’ll have to spend and thus, decide which targets are plausible to go out and sign.

Last week it was reported that everything was looking positive in terms of getting a sale done and dusted prior to the summer transfer window opening, although if these next bids don’t get near the £6 billion valuation, things could being to be drawn out.

The Glazers have indeed slapped a monster valuation on the club, however, they are said to still be willing sellers, as long as they get a fair price for the club, although it remains to be seen here or not the Qatari group of Ineos are open to meeting that valuation.

Takehiro Tomiyasu shines at left-back for Arsenal in Europe

A number of Arsenal fans online have all praised the substitute cameo made by Takehiro Tomiyasu last night in the Europa League as he came on and impressed at left-back.

What’s the latest on Takehiro Tomiyasu at Arsenal? The Gunners faced Sporting CP away from home in the first leg of their last-16 European match this week and found things pretty awkward in Portugal.Indeed, even though they took the lead thanks to William Saliba, they were pulled back level just 12 minutes later when Goncalo Inacio headed in from a corner.Then Sporting actually took the lead through Paulinho in the second half and it took a huge slice of luck when Granit Xhaka’s pass deflected off Hidemasa Morita and into the back of the net to draw Arsenal level at 2-2.With Kieran Tierney absent through illness, Tomiyasu was asked to come on at left-back for the last 27 minutes and he really helped steady the ship for Mikel Arteta’s men.As per SofaScore, he finished the game with a 7.3 match rating (the best of any substitute from either team). What’s more, he also made one interception, won one tackle, won five out of five ground duels and two out of three aerial duels, and also pulled off one key pass and completed three out of three successful dribbles.Clearly, he had a pretty impressive cameo and it’s safe to say the Arsenal fans enjoyed seeing him fill in at left-back. Here are some of the best responses online…[EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/_philcosta/status/1633908357756010499?s=46&t=hH2NiXoN5Q53lPpbpDhPRA[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/ltarsenal/status/1633930184188473348[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/Fragiie_Millz/status/1633930163372032003[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/Cgancgan/status/1633930005188165633[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/trickyreds14/status/1633937317458235393[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/goonernumber31/status/1633937505543176192[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/lolgoil/status/1633939280396468224[/EMBED_TWITTER]

أسطورة بايرن ميونخ ينتقد فينيسيوس: مثل نيمار

حقق جناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، فينيسيوس جونيور، لقب الأفضل في جوائز ذا بيست المقدمة من قبل الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا” يوم الثلاثاء الماضي.

ونجح فينيسيوس في التغلب على منافسه رودري الفائز بجائزة الكرة الذهبية لعام 2024، ولكن على الرغم من تألق البرازيلي إلا أن أسطورة بايرن ميونخ ومنتخب ألمانيا، لوثار ماتيوس، لديه بعض الانتقادات تجاه اللاعب.

اقرأ أيضًا.. شكوك حول إصابة بيلينجهام بعد نهائي كأس إنتركونتيننتال

وقال ماتيوس في تصريحات لصحيفة “بيلد” الألمانية: “فينيسيوس موهبة خارقة، لكنه مثل نيمار فهو يحرض الجماهير على بعض الأفعال ويتشاجر مع المنافسين ويستفزهم ببعض الحركات”.

وأضاف: “لديه إمكانات فنية رائعة خاصة في السرعة وتسديد الكرة، لكن سلوكه على المسار الخطأ، فهو يتخذ نيمار مثالًا أعلى وهو النموذج الخاطئ”.

وشارك فينيسيوس مع ريال مدريد في الموسم الحالي خلال 21 مباراة بجميع البطولات وسجل 14 هدفًا وصنع 10 أخرى في إجمالي 1729 دقيقة.

Could Xavi stay at Barcelona?! Sporting director Deco leaves door open to club legend continuing as manager despite resignation

Barcelona sporting director Deco has suggested that Xavi could stay at the club for another season – despite announcing his intent to resign in June.

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  • Club would be open to Xavi staying
  • Search for a new manager not underway yet
  • Struggling boss announced resignation in January
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    In January, Xavi revealed that he would leave the club at the end of the season, citing a need for change as the reason for his impending departure. It has since emerged, though, that the Blaugrana board would be open to him staying and aren't undergoing a search for a new manager.

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    WHAT DECO SAID

    Deco, the Blaugrana's sporting director, told that Xavi might stay, saying: "We are not making any decision about the future coach because it is early and we have many things ahead of us. If something changes, I will not say that we cannot raise it. We have nothing against him. It is not a decision that the club or the sports management has made. At the moment, there is no such possibility; if it happens, we will discuss it."

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Barca have enjoyed a resurgence of late. The Blaugrana are undefeated in the six matches since the disgruntled manager announced his resignation, and would appear to have a good chance of advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals with their two-legged tie against Napoli balanced at 1-1.

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    WHAT NEXT FOR XAVI AND BARCELONA?

    Xavi, for his part, has suggested that his mind is made up; he will depart in June. Still, Barca are yet to start their search for a new coach – despite being linked with a number of high-profile managers.

Pujara's running issues reach Yorkshire but Ballance holds firm

ScorecardCheteshwar Pujara is just the sort of overseas player Yorkshire need this season as they attempt to instil first principles of safety and security into their Championship side. Except that Pujara is also India’s run out specialist. In his most accident prone moments, safety and security don’t really come into it.Pujara has been instrumental in six of India’s last eight run outs in Tests. He has run himself out on four of those occasions so at least nobody can accuse him of selfishness: the damage is largely to himself. Against South Africa in Centurion in January, he was run out twice in a Test, a misfortune not suffered for 18 years. To make it extra special, one of them was a first-ball duck.In the switch to Yorkshire, it appears that Pujara’s characteristics remain implanted. His ability to perform on English surfaces, and affinity for the long game, ensured his services are valued in county cricket, but his latest run out came at a critical juncture against Nottinghamshire at Headingley and without a measured response from Yorkshire’s captain Gary Ballance it could have had bad repercussions.As it was by the close of the second day, Yorkshire’s position was a commanding one. At 189 for 4, they lead by 257, a position built in the last two sessions after they bowled out Nottinghamshire on the stroke of lunch for 188. Ballance will resume the third day on 76, although there is little sense as yet that England are studying his form too closely.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Pujara’s brainstorm came in the 15th over. Yorkshire had already lost Alex Lees, lbw to Jake Ball playing no shot. Pujara had been dropped on nought, an edge against Ball flying through Riki Wessels’ hands at first slip, but thereafter he had reached 18 comfortably enough.Then Adam Lyth dropped a ball from Harry Gurney at his feet and, although he reacted to Pujara’s appetite for a quick single with a surprised yelp of rejection, he found a stately Indian batsman standing too close to comfort. Pujara turned, but his quest was safety was hopeless and Jake Libby completed the run out from backward point.Yorkshire have nicknamed him Steve because “Cheteshwar” is too much of a mouthful and, although unexplained, it should be linked to Steve McQueen, the American actor who was known as the King of Cool, but who was not short of a few hair-raising stunts when the mood took him. In his defence, however, he had a previously unblemished running record as far as county cricket is concerned.When Lyth was caught at the wicket and Harry Brook was cleaned up by Ball, so ending an impressive 36 from 41 balls, Yorkshire were 163 on with six wickets left, far from secure with the pitch settling a little.Ballance guided the match back into Yorkshire’s favour, spared a confident lbw appeal first ball from Gurney. He looked untroubled, as he did this time last season, a burst of form that won a Test recall, which failed to last the summer.But with Ed Smith’s elevation to national selector, study of data might be on trend and that would do Ballance no harm at all. No regular county cricketer has a better record when it comes to converting first-class innings into half-centuries (more than 35%) or for that matter centuries.If he can gen up on a few more erudite matters that might the attention of Smith, such as the culinary habits of Greek philosophers, the polarising political qualities of Jacob Rees-Mogg or whether cricket has reached peak left-handedness (note to Ballance: best to conclude “no” as you are one) and he might be within range of that recall after all.

Wayne Rooney off to Saudi Arabia? Ex-Man Utd star ready to follow Steven Gerrard and continue coaching career in Middle East just a month after Birmingham sacking

Wayne Rooney could follow Steven Gerrard's footsteps and manage a Saudi Pro League club in the near future.

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Rooney to follow Gerrard in Saudi ArabiaBirmingham sacked ex-striker last monthWants return to football managementWHAT HAPPENED?

According to , the former England international, who was sacked by Birmingham City just a month back, is ready to come back to management and could head to the Saudi Pro League following the footsteps of his former Three Lions colleague Gerrard, who is currently in charge of Al-Ettifaq.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Tom Brady-owned Championship side parted ways with the English coach just 13 weeks after his appointment as the club's manager. Under his tutelage, the Blues managed to win just two matches out of the 15 they played. But the 38-year-old remains positive even after his brutal sacking and is reportedly ready to take up a new challenge.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

The Sun also quoted a source saying Rooney "believes he learned a lot of skills which he thinks will hold him in good stead in the future" during his disastrous time at Birmingham. It is said that he "would love the chance to manage a team in Saudi Arabia".

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Rooney, along with his wife Coleen, was recently seen holidaying in the warm weather of Dubai. He is currently enjoying a break and it remains to be seen if a Saudi Arabian club comes up with an offer for the Manchester United legend in the future.

Bruised attacks seek respite as teams scrap for advantage

Sri Lanka would still be hurting after the hiding their bowlers were handed by Bangladesh, but their in-form top-order is capable of testing India’s resolve

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando11-Mar-20182:07

Chopra: Pant needs to develop another gear

Big PictureFlags have been planted, intents have been declared, early momentum has been divided up, and now, with one win apiece for each competitor, a little tension has built. It has been a more high-scoring first round than many expected, given the Khettarama pitch’s reputation for spin-aligned treachery. As the square wears through the course of the tournament, perhaps the scoring will slow. But for now, bowlers from all three sides are nursing bruised economy rates.The diagnosis for both the Sri Lanka and India attacks is roughly the same: a shortage of international experience. Where the likes of Lasith Malinga (in his pomp) or Jasprit Bumrah are capable of reacting swiftly to a batting onslaught, and moving to an effective Plan B or C, these bowlers have tended to wilt under duress. A boundary early in an over has often drawn mistakes soon after. Powerplays and death overs have proved unusually productive for adventurous batsmen. Only legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been both economical and penetrative. He has gone at seven an over, when rates of around 10 have been the norm so far among the frontline bowlers.Such was the beating Sri Lanka’s bowlers received at the hands of Bangladesh that it is their attack that arrives a little more bruised into Monday’s encounter. Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep and Akila Dananjaya were all attacked at the top of the innings and at the death. Thisara Perera had initially fared better, but his own figures were not much prettier than the frontliners’ by the end. India’s bowlers, meanwhile, have at least one strong performance behind them in the tournament, but that was against a Bangladesh side that was batting some distance below their best (by their own admission). Sri Lanka’s top order, which has been impressive in four successive T20s, may again test India’s resolve.Form guideSri LankaLWWWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
India WLWLWIn the spotlightIt was against India that Akila Dananjaya had reignited his career. His 6 for 54 in an ODI in Pallekele almost won the match for Sri Lanka, in what was otherwise a dispiriting two months. Though he has not been quite as menacing since, he has had the knack of routinely keeping tidy figures – rarely could he be said to have had a bad day. In the first two matches of this tournament, though, he has gone wicketless, and has conceded 73 runs off seven overs. With the tracks at Khettarama taking less turn that usual, this match will be a test of his fortitude.In ODIs, Rohit Sharma has been excellent in Sri Lanka, but in T20s, his record on the island is a little thin. In eight innings at Khettarama, he has breached 30 only once – and that was against a modest England outfit in the 2012 World T20. Against Sri Lanka, however – and though the hosts will come with a closely-deliberated plan against him – Rohit is rarely down for long.Team newsWith captain Dinesh Chandimal suspended for two games due to a serious over-rate offence, Thisara Perera will lead the side. Dhananjaya de Silva is likely to slot into Chandimal’s position. There is also a chance of Suranga Lakmal replacing either Dushmantha Chameera or Nuwan Pradeep.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Kusal Mendis, 2 Danushka Gunathilaka, 3 Kusal Perera (wk), 4 Dananjaya de Silva, 5 Upul Tharanga, 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Thisara Perera (capt), 8 Jeevan Mendis, 9 Akila Dananjaya, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Nuwan PradeepIndia are likely to retain the XI that won them the game against Bangladesh.India (possible): 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Rohit Sharma (capt), 3 Suresh Raina, 4 Manish Pandey, 5 Rishabh Pant, 6 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 7 Vijay Shankar, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Shardul Thakur, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 10 Jaydev UnadkatPitch and conditionsThere is a chance that evening showers could interrupt play. A pitch favourable for batting is expected.Stats and trivia Chasing sides have won all three games so far. The two highest successful pursuits at this venue are now Bangladesh’s chase of 215 on Saturday, and Sri Lanka’s chase of 175 against India, in the tournament opener. Both sides have a batsman who has made half-centuries in each game so far. Shikhar Dhawan has hit 90 off 49 balls and 55 off 43; Kusal Perera has made 66 off 37 and 74 off 48.Quotes”Guys who have come in to the team have got the experience in the IPL. They are not nervous and look settled. We didn’t really execute well in the first game, but we got better in the second game. It is going to get better from here.”India seam bowler Jaydev Unadkat believes IPL experience is valuable, even if the India bowlers have not played many internationals

Chelsea: Pochettino "will" move for "shining star" pending condition

Liverpool having been pursuing Romeo Lavia for a while now and it hasn’t been the easiest of transfer sagas. Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has now given an update on the future of the Southampton midfielder to GIVEMESPORT.

Where will Romeo Lavia move to?

Despite being relegated to the Championship, Southampton are remaining strong and holding out for mouth-watering fees regarding their most valuable assets.

At the heart of this is Romeo Lavia, who has Liverpool on red alert and has done for a while. The midfield turnover at Anfield is well and truly happening with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both having made the move to Saudi Arabia.

Chelsea have also been linked to the 19-year-old from Brussels, Belgium and if their pursuit of Brighton’s Moises Caicedo proves unsuccessful, then Liverpool could be presented with yet another headache.

Chelsea themselves are looking at wholesale changes in the middle of the park. Conor Gallagher has been linked with a move to fellow Londoners West Ham United as he goes in search of more regular playing time whilst Mason Mount has of course joined Manchester United.

Lavia, who has been hailed as a "shining star", would certainly be a welcome addition to the Chelsea side.

What has Ryan Taylor had to say?

“It's hard to say in the transfer window because as we've seen so many times in the past, something can happen out of the blue within the space of an hour.

"My personal opinion is that if Lavia is to leave Southampton, he's going to be joining Liverpool. I think negotiations are already, I don't want to say advanced as in they are at an advanced stage, but there has been a lot of dialogue between the two clubs.

"Two bids have gone in, both of them have been rejected. There have been talks on the player side with his representatives as well, and Lavia would be happy to move to Liverpool.

"So when I say advanced, I mean a lot more groundwork has been done on the deal, and obviously we know Liverpool have lost Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.

"I say this cautiously, but I don't think Liverpool have anything to fear with a hijack. The only way that becomes the case is if Chelsea categorically decide that Moises Caicedo is too expensive, and then I think Chelsea will move for Lavia.

"But I still see Chelsea getting Caicedo anyway, so I think those two are expected to materialise."

What else is going on at Chelsea?

Chelsea have been one of the most active Premier League teams so far in this summer window whether or not Romeo Lavia moves to Stamford Bridge.

Christopher Nkunku is one of those arrivals but injury may keep him out for a number of months, potentially leading to another attacking signing. Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic is one name in that conversation, having been linked with the Blues previously.

A huge name being tied to Chelsea in the headlines, as per The Guardian, is the one and only Neymar. The Brazilian superstar wants out of Paris Saint-Germain, meaning that the unstoppable triumvirate of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi could all be moved on this year. Neymar is also being linked with a famous return to Barcelona, but could the pull of the Premier League make the difference?

Steyn aims for November comeback

Dale Steyn aims to return to action after a year on the sidelines next month, most likely in South Africa’s franchise T20 competition which is expected to be played in the window created by the postponed T20 Global League. Steyn was set to play in the Global League and had been bought by the Cape Town Knight Riders, and his recovery remains on track.Following months of rest and rehabilitation after breaking a bone in his shoulder last November, Steyn started bowling again around three weeks ago, when the South African squad was preparing for the first home Test against Bangladesh. He spent a few days with them in camp in Potchefstroom and has since been working with trainers in Cape Town, bowling three time a week. Next week he will increase that to four times with a view to being back to his best in November.”It happens quite quickly. I go off three paces on the Monday, then Wednesday I go off five paces, but I bowl 26 balls. Then Friday, I bowl off five paces but I bowl 30 balls. At the moment, where I am at right now, I bowl Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and at about 70% or 80% of my full run-up, at about 60-70%,” Steyn told ESPNcricinfo at a sponsor event on Thursday. “Next week, I will move it to bowling on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday off and bowling again Thursday and Friday. And we just up the percentage every week so eventually when we play the T20s, I will going full run-up, full-pace.”After many months of not bowling at all, Steyn is finally finding the form and rhythm he needs to be match fit and, crucially, is not in any pain while doing it. “My arm is perfect, if anything its stronger than it was before because its reinforced with a pin,” he joked. “It’s 100% now. I’ve just got to start reminding myself how to bowl at high speeds because I haven’t done it for a year.”When Steyn was injured in Australia, he had only just recovered from a prior shoulder injury and a groin injury, all of which has limited his game time since the end of 2015. As a result, his recent list of injury concerns have caused questions over whether he could continue his career, the man himself wants to play “until either they don’t like me anymore, or I am not good enough”. He is confident he is fit enough to come back because it was not a case of poor conditioning but an unusually complicated problem that kept him off the field for so long.”There’s only ever been two of us that have ever broken this bone in cricket. To diagnose a time frame for how long it was going to take to come back was quite difficult. It’s not like a hamstring, where they’ve had ten billion people that have torn hamstrings and they say in six to eight weeks you will be up and running again. They can’t say three months and you will be up and running again, six months. I was kind of a guinea pig going through this whole process and the other guy never went back to playing cricket, he was a schoolboy,” Steyn said.”When I originally broke the bone, I also tore my bicep tendon, my pec and a muscle at the back called the infraspinatus. That’s three muscles that ruptured when I broke that bone. So the bone took a while to heal and strengthen but then those muscles took a long time to recover. That’s why it took so long and then when I started to bowl, typical me, I was trying to go from 0 to 100 quickly and I injured a pec. We are finally at a point where everything is strong, now it’s a case don’t do anything stupid. As cricketers we get injured all the time. I go for a run up the mountain and I could get a hamstring injury.”So does that mean Steyn is staying indoors for the next few weeks?Not quite. He confessed that he will still be surfing because “that’s fine” and enjoying an outdoor lifestyle, but knows the onus is on him to prove that he can cope with the workloads of international cricket. “It’s pretty tough bowling 150 kilometres normally. Now I’ve got to do it with a broken bone in my arm. It’s a tough ask but I think I am doing okay.”Steyn is also particularly “excited” to work under new coach Ottis Gibson, whom he met during the time he spent in Potchefstroom and whom he has had brief conversations with since.”It’s the first time in my career I have had a head coach who was a bowler. With all due respect to the previous coaches, they were all batters, they see the game differently to the way that bowlers see the game. When I sat in one or two meetings, I saw Ottis’ eyes light up when KG [Kagiso Rabada] was talking, I saw his eyes light up when Morne [Morkel] was talking; they didn’t light up so much when Hashim [Amla] was talking.It gets me excited because he is on the same wavelength as us. For the first time its also great to see that the head coach is out in the middle when the bowlers are bowling and not in the nets with the batters. The love is being shared a little and I think the bowlers will start to get taken a little bit more seriously when it comes to decision making. I do feel they have a lot of offer. It has been batter dominant for a long time, so I am quite excited about the head coach being an ex-bowler.”

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