Leeds United have made a good start to the season under Uwe Rosler, with the club only a point behind the play-off pack.

A good feeling has surrounded the club for the first time in years, after previous instability under much talked about owner Massimo Cellino. However, with academy graduates Sam Byram and Alex Mowatt so prominent in the side, the Elland Road outfit are looking up.

After so many years out of the top flight, Leeds must be aiming for a return. A club their size should be plying their trade in the country’s top division, and a return is not out of the question.

A strong core of players is now in place, and the club have made their most expensive signing since Robbie Fowler back in 2001.

£3m New Zealand hitman Chris Wood arrived from Leicester earlier in the summer, adding to the good feeling around the club.

Here are six additions they should consider in January to secure a valiant return to the Premier League…

JERMAINE PENNANT

The 32-year old is available on a free after leaving Wigan, and should be considered. It would be fitting for him to return to Elland Road, where he previously broke on to the scene over a decade ago.

He went on to play for Liverpool, Stoke and Real Zaragoza amongst a host of other clubs, and could easily do a job in the Championship.

Wages might be an issue, but it’s hard to imagine he was on huge amounts of money at Wigan. You’re unlikely to find a player with such quality crossing free of charge.

STEVE SIDWELL

The former Chelsea Number 9 (yes, you’re reading that correctly) is now lost behind the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Ibrahim Affellay and Marco van Ginkel in Stoke’s continental engine room.

At 32-years old, the ex-Reading man could offer a cool head in midfield, as well some drive and determination. An astute addition over an exciting one, he could mix well with young Sam Byram next to him in the middle of the park.

YOAN GOUFFRAN

The Newcastle United man would represent an absolute steal for a club like Leeds.

At 29-years old, the Frenchman is in the prime of his life and would most likely tear Championship defences up. While he’s struggling to get a game under Steve McClaren, a move away could be a realistic possibility.

Sam Byram has been linked with a move away, so the coffers could be swelled. A pacey wide forward in the mould of Gouffran would shoot Leeds up the league.

SHOLA AMEOBI

Former Newcastle United man Shola Ameobi has recently seen a move to Wolves break down, and would be an astute addition for Uwe Rosler.

The Nigerian forward has been without a club since leaving Crystal Palace, and is on the lookout. Linked with a host of Championship clubs, the 31-year old would represent a decent signing.

Never the most prolific, he has a knack of popping up with vital goals. Having been a top flight player for well over a decade, the striker brings with him a wealth of experience.

Able to hold the ball up, he could be a viable alternative to Wood, as well as a decent partner. It was only last summer he was playing at the World Cup finals, and a big side such as Leeds may be a good fit.

KIERAN RICHARDSON

With Byram constantly linked with a move away, it could be wise to bring in another utility man.

Forgetting his Manchester United roots, Richardson and Leeds are a good mix. He can play either in defence or midfield, on the left or centrally in both roles. His ability to move around the pitch is coupled with a dead-ball prowess to be envied.

Not as exciting as a young academy graduate, he would provide stability to a club striving to steady the ship. Again, Leeds are a huge club and not the biggest step down for a Premier League player.

DEAN HAMMOND

The Leceister man has fallen down the pecking order under Claudio Ranieri, having seen likes of Gokhan Inler arrive at the club.

As the Foxes continue to prowl around the upper echelons of the Premier League, they could be leaving the former Southampton man behind.

Previously a fixture of solid second tier sides, the 32-year old former Colchester ace is a figure of stability. His calming influence, leadership quality and all round drive are exactly the right type of attributes to aid any promotion push.

Yet another weekend of misery for Chelsea has precipitated a lot of discussion about Jose Mourinho’s future. The madness, the changes, the indiscipline and above all the defeats are surely worth a lot of column inches, but what about West Ham?

Amidst the despair at Chelsea after losing a London derby, what about the euphoria at West Ham? After all, they clinched their sixth win of the season to bring them to third in the table, only two points behind Manchester City and Arsenal. Only City have scored more goals than Slaven Bilic’s side.

That might come as a bit of a shock. We all know about West Ham’s start to the season – they’ve beaten Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and now Chelsea, so they’re clearly on form. But throughout each of those games they’ve sat back for parts. They’re a team who like to play on the counter, drawing the opposition out before hitting them on the break. And with players like Victor Moses and Dimitri Payet you’re always going to be dangerous on the break.

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But it’s still worth remembering that the Irons have scored more goals than any other team aside from a Manchester City squad replete with arguably the best forward line outside of Barcelona and Madrid. Even without Aguero and Silva, City still have the ability to unlock defences – though not United’s, it seems.

So instead of speculating on Jose Mourinho’s future, let’s speculate a little bit on West Ham’s future.

But first a little bit about the past. The club that claims, partly with tongue in cheek and partly in morbid seriousness, to have won the World Cup in 1966 has always been thought of as one of the most stylish in English football. Up until the reign of Big Sam at any rate. Like impressionable Bond Girls, lots of fans who were converted to following the Irons in the 1960s and 70s were charmed by a side that were suave and sophisticated.

But, like James Bond, West Ham were taken more seriously back then than they have been for the past 20 years or so. Until now. Third in the Premier League is not to be sniffed at, of course, but I do wonder if West Ham can dream even higher than that.

Next season the Hammers will move into a new stadium. But not just any new stadium, the Olympic Stadium. One of the most iconic stadiums in Britain, no less. It’s a place stored away in the hearts of British sports fans who, at the very mention of the name, hark back to Mo Farah, Greg Rutherford and Jess Ennis. Some great British sporting moments happened there, so it’s an honour just to play there.

With the new TV deal for the Premier League, club owners aren’t afraid to spend some money. But looking at West Ham, what they’ve spent it on – Payet, Moses (on loan), Jelavic – and how they’re doing in the league so far, they look to have done some of the wisest business of the summer window.

But all of this is short-term. What matters is the long-term growth of the club. And that’s where it gets really exciting.

No one expects West Ham to qualify for the Champions League this season, no one even expects them to qualify for Europe. But their progress does look familiar.

Back in 2007 when Thaksin “Frank” Shinawatra took over at Manchester City it was the precursor to something great at the club, like the act of buying a lucky dip before actually winning the lottery. There was optimism, City went on a great run at the start of the season and were still in the top four by Christmas.

But results went sour and they tailed off, before sacking Sven Goran-Eriksson, being taken over by Abu Dhabi gazillionaires and becoming arguably the strongest side in English football.

None of that would have happened, though, if it weren’t for a perfect storm.

City’s fanbase has always been big (the highest ever attendance for an English domestic club game took place at Maine Road in 1934 for an FA Cup game against Stoke) and it’s always been passionate. So when the council had to decide what to do with the stadium for the Commonwealth Games, they ended up giving it to Division 1 City. It was by no means a straightforward call – City had to demonstrate that they could fill it sufficiently and it wasn’t an easy sell for a club in the lower divisions. Some may say they never have filled it!

Then the new owners came in. But it wasn’t just a random club they picked. The Abu Dhabi United Group picked a club with a great stadium, a large fanbase, a solid history, and a Premier League platform to build upon. City are also based in a deprived part of East Manchester and the new owners set about redeveloping, building facilities – including schools – which the local area’s residents can use, even giving the building contracts to local people. There was so much for the new owners to sink their teeth into, and it was a juicy bite.

The club ethos of City, the position they were in when they were taken over, and even the socio-economic area in which the club is based is very similar to that of West Ham. The prestige of owning a Premier League football club, if you’re super rich, hasn’t changed over the years, and the idea of owning a London club with the potential for such a wonderful future is surely something that must excite a billionaire somewhere. West Ham are an already much-loved club with a history, a style and a solid place in the hearts of the local community. And from next season they’ll have the stadium.

West Ham are having the sort of revival that James Bond is having. Back on the big screen around the world, Bond is bigger than ever. West Ham may soon find themselves in the same situation. They’ve stirred interest and shaken up the Premier League.

Now if only they can charm a billionaire to back their hunt for glory…

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As the pressure has continued to mount on under-fire Man United manager Louis Van Gaal over the last few weeks, speculation has also risen about who could possibly become his successor if the time comes.

A host of big names have already been mentioned, with Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and even recently-sacked Jose Mourinho all having their names linked to the job. Ryan Giggs is another obvious candidate, a man who’s currently serving the club as assistant manager and seen by many as doing his apprenticeship before stepping into the main job in a year or two.

However, I think there’s another ex-United legend currently managing in the Premier League who deserves a mention – Mark Hughes, or ‘Sparky’, to the Old Trafford faithful.

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While the obvious criticism would be that Hughes has neither the managerial experience and medals, which seem to be a pre-requisite for taking over at one of the worlds biggest clubs, it should be remembered that neither does Giggs, who seems to be most people’s favourite for the job.

In fact, Hughes probably has more relevant experience of the league he would be managing in than any other prospective candidate, except Jose Mourinho.

In that scenario, it would be interesting to see whether Hughes’ previous Old Trafford connections would endear him to the United fans quicker than more than the slightly remote looking Mourinho, who is, in the nicest way possible, a mercenary manager.

Hughes has been managing in the Premier League for a good ten years now, and since that is where United play the majority of their matches, that experience should definitely count for something. This is where he could possibly have an edge over the likes of Guardiola. Hughes has managed every club he’s been at with a not insignificant degree of success, and many at Manchester City still believe his sacking there was harsh and somewhat unfortunate at the time.

At Fulham he did extremely well by their recent standards, leading them to eighth place in the league, and Europa League qualification through the Fair Play League. Considering Fulham are about as far removed from those heady days as it’s possible to get, it’s fair to say he should be remembered as a great success in those parts.

WANT MORE? >> Man United transfer news | Latest transfer news

He also did well in his first season at QPR, coming in and saving them from relegation in the final weeks of the season. Although he sacked in the autumn of his second season in charge, keeping them in the Premier League was a great achievement in itself.

His time at Stoke has also been a success so far, with the fans at the Britannia warming to his attacking, adventurous style of football, along with players like Bojan and Arnautovic, who regularly get the fans off their seats.

While there are of course a host of reasons to go abroad and hunt down the most internationally renowned managers in the game, maybe United would be just as well served by looking at one of their own, a man who came through their ranks, has learned his trade by moving steadily up the Premier League chain of management, and is now ready to take his chance at managing at the highest level of the domestic game.

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This weekend has thrown up a very super Sunday indeed. Whilst Leicester City and Arsenal slog it out in a potentially decisive match at the top of the Premier League table, Manchester City and Tottenham will also do battle to keep themselves in the title race, hoping to pounce on any slip up that might happen in Sunday’s early – very early – kick off.

Going into this game on the back of an emasculating defeat at home to Leicester last weekend, City need a big performance not just to show the others that they’re still a force in the title race, but actually to stay in the very title race itself.

Tottenham, on the other hand, are one of the league’s most consistent teams, plodding along nicely for most of the season, it’s almost as though they’ve found themselves in a title race by default. Slow and steady may win the race, but Pochettino’s young team is really starting to blossom now, and they may not be ‘slow and steady’ for the rest of the season if their youthful excellence can hit form just at the right time.

This is a game between two heavyweight title contenders, but as Manchester City have shown us throughout the course of this season, they do not like it when teams press them with intensity. That’s what they’re up against this weekend, and they’ll need to overcome that if they’re to prove that they are worthy of winning the title this season.

Here are five facts about this game that could be crucial come kick off:

There will be goals

The last nine Premier League games between these two sides have seen 41 goals scored

Something’s gotta give

Manchester City have scored the highest proportion of goals from outside the box in the Premier League this season (23%), whilst Tottenham have conceded a league-low one goal from outside the box in the Premier League in 2015-16.

Dominant return

Man City have won eight and lost two of the last 10 Premier League meetings with Spurs, including victories in the last five in a row at the Etihad Stadium.

Dismal failure

Manchester City have not beaten any side currently in the top six of the Premier League table this season (W0 D3 L4).

Bow to the master

Mauricio Pochettino has defeated a Manuel Pellegrini side just once in 12 meetings between the two in the Premier League or La Liga (W1 D2 L9)

Everton have joined Crystal Palace in putting their name in the hat for the FA Cup semi-finals. Unlike the Eagles, the Toffees had to take on opponents of the highest calibre in Chelsea (no disrespect to Reading), and came through in stunning style.The game itself was a drab affair until the last 15 minutes, when Romelu Lukaku sparked a fantastic finish with two quick-fire goals. Shortly after Diego Costa received a second yellow card, a feat which was swiftly matched by Gareth Barry. Quite the ending.So, Everton march on and Chelsea have a long drive back to London in which they can further pick apart the bones of what has been a dreadful season. But, what did we learn from the explosive 90 minutes at Goodison Park? Well, here are FIVE lessons…

Chelsea’s season is over

In the space of just a few days Chelsea have been eliminated from the Champions League and FA Cup. When this is rolled into the fact that it’s near impossible for them to qualify for any form of European competition via the league due to their poor form all season, it becomes clear that Chelsea have nine games left to play and nothing to play for.

Blues fans must be hoping that the coming few months will fly by!

Lukaku made a point

Okay, it’s all been said before… Chelsea must feel pretty silly for not giving Lukaku a chance. Granted, £28m for his signature from Everton in the summer of 2014 was excellent business, but with Diego Costa having struggled this term, it’s likely there have been some envious glances towards the blue half of Merseyside as the Belgian continues to plunder goal after goal.

Lukaku’s opening mazy effort showed all that he’s brilliant at, with the 22-year-old bulldozing in from near the touchline, bypassing defenders aplenty on his way, before drilling the ball low into the net. It wasn’t majestic, but it was effective, and minutes later he blasted another to seal the game. Point well and truly proven.

John Stones needs to improve

From being the talk of the transfer rumour mill last summer, Stones has been somewhat found out this season. In fairness, Everton’s open style of play doesn’t help their two centre-backs, but the England youngster has been below par in terms of form of late, and was dropped to the bench this evening by Roberto Martinez, even though it was, arguably, the Merseysiders’ biggest match of the season.

We’re certainly not writing off the starlet, but he needs to buck his ideas up.

Diego Costa embarrassed himself once again

Diego Costa spat at the refs feet and gets away with it. pic.twitter.com/nOO8dc2rFU

— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) March 12, 2016

All evening the Spaniard was playing on the ragged edge. We all know that what his game relies upon, but when he’s not performing well his actions are just embarrassing. From seemingly spitting towards referee Mike Oliver in the first half (above), Costa continued to stalk the pitch like a man possessed until just after the 80th minute it all boiled over as a clash with Gareth Barry resulted in a red card.

Considering he has such talent, it’s a shame to see the ex-Atletico Madrid man’s reputation eroded yet further.

Pato’s Chelsea future looks bleak

Alexandre Pato is yet to make an appearance for Chelsea. He signed on loan for them on the 2nd February… Even if he was, as we suspect, not fully fit upon his arrival from Corinthians, surely he should be ready to play now? Alas, the Brazilian was once again nowhere to be seen, with Guus Hiddink dropping him from his match-day squad altogether, even though Diego Costa is still nursing his own fitness problems after being forced off during Wednesday’s Champions League loss against PSG.

The clock is ticking, and with Chelsea set to have another manager in charge next season, Pato has little time to prove himself.

Aston Villa’s official Twitter account spoilt what could have been a lovely day out for a fan today. The account had wished the fan good luck, but Steve went on to see his side get utterly humiliated by Liverpool at Villa Park and further increase the chances of Villa’s relegation.

Steve had tweeted to the club about his long journey, they were some torturous flights to watch a torturous game.

Other fans quickly bit back at the club and demanded some sort of compensation for the committed fan, would you travel that far for your club?

Randy Lerner doesn’t even splash the cash on players, so its hard to see that he will be putting much of his money in the pocket of a customer… (fan).

Unfortunately, not everyone was quite as sympathetic to our travelling friend.

Aston Villa are having one of the worst campaigns you could imagine and it looks like even their social media team needs upgrading.

The Championship is one of the most exciting and unpredictable leagues in Europe. Whilst many English fans mock the second division, supporters around the world watch it with a close eye, making it actually one of the most viewed leagues in Europe.

And this season has been particularly exciting with the race for promotion twisting and turning every week. Old Premier League favourites have struggled to get into gear, whilst some outfits have surprised, flirting with the prospect of the play-offs for most of the season before falling away entirely.

But the three front-runners Middlesbrough, Burnley and Brighton are currently leading the way and it looks like they are here to stay.

Whilst teams like Hull have fallen away, the three Bs have kept pace and are now leading the fight for automatic promotion as we head into the final crunch games of the season.

Middlesbrough are arguably the favourites as they sit top of the division, but with Burnley and Brighton both only two points behind, things could still change massively at the summit. One of these will end up in the play-offs, which is always a bitter blow if you’ve been in a title charge for the majority of the season, but that’s what makes the Championship so special.

Middlesbrough have been impressive for the entirety of the season, and were in the mainstream media not long ago after that bust-up between Aitor Karanka and his players a month or so ago. After a controversial defeat, the Argentine told his stars he didn’t want to manage them any longer, and a furious set of events ensued. But the club’s chiefs managed to calm the situation, he came back and they’ve been impressive since.

An intense 1-1 draw with Burnley on Tuesday halted their progress somewhat, but prior to that they’d won six on the spin – impressive stuff.

Burnley on the other hand haven’t been too bad either. Led my Sean Dyche, their immediate form hasn’t been as impressive as Boro’s, but they have a canny knack of being able to get out of a hole, and that was proved on Tuesday as they grabbed a last-gasp equaliser to stop Middlesbrough in their tracks.

Under Sean Dyche the Clarets have a manager that knows the league well and that can get them out and into the Premier League. It’s always tough but if you want anyone for the job, Dyche would be the man.

Nine goals in two games from Chris Hughton’s Brighton have also made certain teams stand up and take notice. The Seagulls are supported well at home week-after-week and have pushed their two rivals all the way. A 4-0 drubbing of QPR on Tuesday was needed in order to keep pace and they have every chance come the end of the season if they can keep pace.

Things will surely change as the season comes to an end, but this could be one of the most exciting Championship finales in years.

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GERMANY

Qualified as: Group D winner

Top scorer in Qualifying: Thomas Muller (13)

Key Player: Mesut Ozil

Manager: Joachim Lowe

The world champions will be determined to assert their dominance on the continental scene as well, possessing a squad as talented and experienced as any other involved in Euro 2016. Die Mannschaft have lost some key players since their World Cup triumph through retirement, most notably Phillip Lahm and Per Mertesacker, but still boast one of international football’s most potent goalscorers in Thomas Muller, who netted 13 times in qualifying, eleven during the last two World Cups and epitomises their supreme blend of technique, tactical awareness and physicality. Arsenal star Mesut Ozil and deep-lying playmaker Toni Kroos are the combined brains of the operation in midfield, whilst Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels offer world-class quality in defence.

UKRAINE

Qualified as: Play-off winners

Top scorer in Qualifying: Andiry Yarmolenko (4)

Key Player: Andriy Yarmolenko

Manager: Mkyhaylo Fomenko

Ukraine’s progression through Euro 2016 will depend on a defence that conceded just four times in qualifying and the efforts of their two stellar attacking threats at the other end of the pitch; Yevhen Koloplyanka, one of just four players in Mykhalo Fomenko’s squad not to ply his club trade in Ukrainian football, and in-demand Dynamo Kiev star Andriy Yarmolenko. They provide quality and long-range netting prowess from the flanks but if there’s one thing Ukraine worryingly lack, it’s a striker who scores goals regularly at international level.

POLAND

Qualified as: Group D runner-up

Top scorer in Qualifying: Robert Lewandowski (9)

Key Player: Robert Lewandowski

Manager: Adam Nawalka

Poland are unfortunate enough to find themselves once again in the same group as bitter rivals Germany, who finished above them in qualifying. Accordingly, Adam Nawalka’s boys can probably hope for a second-place finish at best but they are privy to a talismanic front-man in Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, who has bagged a career-best 42 goals across all competitions this season. Likewise, Grzegorz Krychowiak of Europa-League-winning Sevilla fame offers defensive protection in midfield, whilst Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski are famed for their partnership down the right flank.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Qualified as: Group F winners

Top scorer in Qualifying: Kyle Lafferty (7)

Key Player: Steven Davis

Manager: Michael O’Neill

Northern Ireland will be determined to prove they’re not at Euro 2016 simply to make up the numbers, especially after the limelight of qualifying as group winners was somehow eclipsed in the British media by Wales’ runner-up finish. But Michael O’Neill faces some difficult choices; Chris Brunt, an experienced international who brings real quality and experience to the side, is absent through injury, whilst top goalscorer Kyle Lafferty has spent the majority of the season rotting in Norwich’s reserves. Nonetheless, Northern Ireland boast a well-bonded and familiar squad, more than aware of where their strengths do and don’t lie.

KEY FIXTURE – POLAND VS UKRAINE (June 21st)

Considering Germany are likely to dispose of their Group C opposition rather comfortably and Northern Ireland could find themselves drastically out of their depth, second place appears to be a fight between Poland and Ukraine – two teams boasting a few top-class names but limited quality overall. So by the time they meet in the ultimate fixture of Group C, Ukraine and Poland could find themselves in a straight-up playoff for runner up. With political subplots aplenty, it’s shaping up to be a real firecracker of a match.

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Watching England’s performances over the past two weeks leaves you with the impression that some of those players in France just shouldn’t be there.

Roy Hodgson had a plethora of talent at his disposal for this tournament and although everyone understands that the England boss can only take so many with him, it is about time that Roy woke up to those that just aren’t performing.

It’s not that they are not performing in France, but they have struggled all season long with injury and/or a drop in form, which does make you wonder why Mr Hodgson decided to choose them.

Roy is a very dignified man of the old school and he’s obviously taken the majority of the players based on loyalty alone. How else could the likes of Henderson, Milner and Wilshere be out there when there are others more capable. Surely it’s about winning matches?

With this in mind, West Ham have four players who would have given heart and soul for the cause. They would have been eager, enthusiastic and better than some already wearing the Three Lions badge. Hodgson, however, is colour blind when it comes to claret and blue. For whatever reason, he can’t see those particular colours and persists in those that are, at times, truly awful.

Time to remind Roy Hodgson about West Ham’s England quartet because with them it could have been an easier ride to the last 16…

Mark Noble

A lot has been said about Mr West Ham’s omission from the final 23.

In his finest season yet, Noble led a successful West Ham side to seventh and broke record after record along the way.

Combative in midfield and capable of scoring goals, he is hands down better than Henderson.

Noble can pass, intercept and tackle better and anyone who has seen the lamentable Liverpool man last season must surely see that Mark Noble would have been the better choice.

Although Noble is three years older than Henderson, his performances should not have gone unnoticed, unless you are Roy Hodgson.

England will no doubt face a penalty shoot-out, they always do. Who better to take a spot-kick?

Andy Carroll

Injury-prone, yes, but a definite handful for any defence.

It would have been interesting and mildly amusing to watch the unsuspecting European defences trying to contend with the 6ft 2in striker. His powerful heading ability is beyond any of the other forwards in France, his ability to cause chaos would have been a sheer joy to watch and for a big man, his footwork is very neat.

Although, Carroll would never have started a game, he would have been a great dice to roll in the last fifteen minutes. Against Slovakia, England needed a big man in the middle to mix it up and Carroll would have been perfect instead of the tired Kane and the ineffective Vardy and Sturridge.

Michail Antonio

At 26-years-old, Antonio player is nearing his peak. After transferring from Forest on the final day of the transfer window last summer, Antonio had to bide his time for a first team opportunity, but when his moment came, boy did he snatch it with both hands.

The flying winger scores goals as well as being a half decent right back when required. He must be an England player of the future and will need to keep up his performances to get that elusive first cap. Many will say that he only played one season.

True, but on the evidence of Marcus Rashford, you don’t need to play a whole season. Eight league goals, eleven in all matches and talent – come on Roy, what are you waiting for?

Aaron Cresswell

Despite Danny Rose’s inclusion in the final 23, Cresswell is a far better option.

An ever-present since Big Sam bought him from Ipswich, Hammer of the Year in first season and the left back delivers in every game.

He is a superb crosser of the ball and likes to link up with the forward play. He defends exceptionally well and there’s no one else at West Ham to touch him in that position.

At 26 he is still right for England and a replacement for Rose, who doesn’t start every game for Spurs. What more does Cresswell have to do Roy?

Yet again when England come calling, they bypass the claret and blue. It’s happened before and it’s disappointingly happening now. Hodgson obviously favours bigger clubs, but bigger isn’t always better.

The best thing any young player can hope for is to earn the respect of your first team manager. Imagine struggling away in the development squads for years to then be given the chance and to then reap the rewards after turning in a couple of decent pre-season performances.

And the latest man making waves at Anfield is lung-busting winger Sheyi Ojo, who is known around the area for his break-neck pace down the wing.

He’s had somewhat of a taste of senior football in the near past after he spent time with Wigan Athletic and Wolves but he’s expected to have much more of a senior role at Liverpool in the upcoming season, despite Sadio Mane’s arrival this summer.

But as hinted at above, he’s earned the praise of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during this pre-season, most notably for his impressive performance in the game against AC Milan, which the Reds won 2-0.

An impressive statistic also read this week that Ojo has been directly involved in 12 goals in his past 13 appearances for the Reds, showing just how much of an influence he can be when he is in-form. But it was his manager who backed up this statistic, with a glowing praise for his young starlet.

Klopp said of Ojo after the game: “Sheyi is a wonderful player that’s for sure and his future is 100 per cent at Liverpool. We don’t have to make decisions so early – we have time and we have to use the time”.

Praise indeed, but what does it mean for the immediate future and will Ojo be able to force his way into the first-team right away?

Perhaps not no, unless injuries play a serious part in the coming days. It seems unlikely that Jurgen Klopp would drop the likes of Mane, Firmino, Coutinho, Markovic and even Wijnaldum to give Ojo his chance. But we’ve seen stranger things in football and with the early rounds of the League Cup on the horizon, Ojo may be given the chance to shine on this smaller platform. And after that, who knows. He might be given some minutes in the league, if Klopp doesn’t have a loan move in mind.

But Ojo does have a particular strength over some of his fellow attackers in that he is naturally left-footed. Whether this is enough to earn him a starting berth on the wing is yet to be seen but if it’s something that sets him aside from some of his team-mates, then it gives him an added chance.

It’s always good to have plenty of options and with Liverpool set to have another busy campaign, the addition of Ojo as a first-team player could in fact feel like a new signing.

He has promise by the bucket-load.

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