BRISBANE Roar are sweating on the fitness of attacking midfielder Stefan Mauk in their search for an A-League win. With just two points to show from their first three matches, the Roar travel to Mudgee to meet Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday. Mauk missed the Roar’s 2-1 weekend loss to the Glory in Perth due to a groin injury. His absence meant skipper Matt McKay started for the first time this season. Without Mauk, the balance of Brisbane’s midfield suffered, with Spaniard Alex Lopez pushed higher up the park, where he was less effective than in the previous two weeks. Mauk, who didn’t train on Tuesday, will be given every chance to prove his fitness this week, with McKay the likely casualty if the former Melbourne City man starts on Saturday. Even if Mauk is ruled out for a second week, veteran McKay is at long odds to keep his starting spot, with Lopez certain to revert to the deeper midfield role he successfully occupied for the opening two weeks of the season. Roar coach John Aloisi may elect to use livewire Henrique at the top of the midfield, while another option is Nick D’Agostino, who has been used off the bench for the past two weeks. Unfortunately for the Roar, former Socceroos playmaker Brett Holman remains sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury. Aloisi will demand a better start from the Roar this weekend against a Wanderers side coming off an impressive 3-0 away win over Wellington Phoenix. In their three games this season, Brisbane started slowly, and have twice conceded early goals. “We will learn our lesson and we’ll be ready for the next game,” he said. Off-season recruit Adam Taggart – who has scored twice in three matches this season – expressed his disappointment at Brisbane’s start to their 2018-19 campaign. “It’s not the standards that we want to set,” the former Glory marksman said. “It’s just not good enough, to be honest. We’re all disappointed. “We’re all working hard. It’s not as if we’re slackening off.”

WESTERN Sydney recruit Patrick Ziegler is back on the brink of full training and has a belated round-five A-League debut in his sights. The German centre-back was sidelined by untimely surgery after injuring his knee during the FFA Cup six weeks after joining the Wanderers. But coach Markus Babbel’s first signing rejoined the squad for non-contact training on Wednesday and is hoping he’ll be ready to play against Newcastle at Spotless Stadium on November 23. “It’s going well. I have a lot of fitness and extra work to do, like in the gym, but I am feeling confident,” Ziegler said. “Next week we will start with full training sessions, and I think round five will be the target.” By Ziegler’s own admission, it’s a little later than the initial prognosis which had him returning in round three. He revealed that during his meniscus operation the surgeon found another issue. “The problem was they saw a second thing in my knee so they cleaned it up,” he said. “It was something that rubs against my knee, against the bone. I had felt it before so I knew I had a problem, but I didn’t know this was the problem. “They said at some point I would need surgery for this second thing, so it’s better to do it now. That’s why it takes one or two more weeks. “I could push it, but we don’t want to because it’s a long season and it’s more important to be around later in the season. “It was bad luck because I was in good shape and we won against Melbourne City in the Cup and during this game it happened. I was very upset about being injured, but it is what it is, I don’t want to complain.” Ziegler has been waiting for news on his Australian citizenship application which, if successful, would give the Wanderers an extra foreign spot to play with. The 28-year-old’s father Francis was born and grew up in Adelaide. “To be honest I don’t know the status,” he said. “A few weeks ago they asked me questions about my father and I answered it, so I don’t know if it’s close or if it takes two months.” The Wanderers grabbed their first win in Wellington last weekend, in a promising 3-0 performance certain to boost confidence ahead of this Saturday’s home match against Brisbane in Mudgee. “If you win one game and get the confidence and everything is going well,” Ziegler said.

THE astonishing demands made by Kylian Mbappe before he joined Paris Saint-Germain have been revealed - including topping Neymar’s wages if he is crowned winner of the Ballon d’Or. The teenage wonderkid left Monaco for the mega-rich French champions on-loan last season but signed a permanent deal for A$292million in the summer. And in order to sign on the dotted line for PSG the 19-year-old wanted an $86 million net profit over his lucrative five-year contract. According to Football Leaks, the ex-Monaco man also asked for private jet flights so he can travel across the globe without attracting worldwide attention from fans. But PSG rejected the demand and instead agreed a $48,000-a-month salary to pay his personal staff, a caretaker, a driver and bodyguard. The report also claims he wanted to become the club’s highest paid player if he is crowned the world’s best footballer. That would mean he’d pocket more than Neymar, who earns a staggering $1.1m-a-week. But again PSG rejected this notion. Despite his age Mbappe is already fourth favourite to win this year’s Ballon d’Or. Although unlikely to claim football’s highest individual accolade in 2018, his staggering potential means it is almost inevitable that he will pick up his fair share in the future. But while the superstar has the world at his feet, Barcelona legend Xavi believes he still lacks “football maturity”. The veteran midfielder told Catalunya Radio: “He’s a very superior player physically. “It’s impressive that at his age he has those differences, but he could also get stuck, it’s very difficult to predict. “He still has no football maturity but, he could be one of the good ones. He is so strong, but that does not always work in elite football, he has to learn to think. “Neymar is the player that I have seen, if he manages to acquire that maturity, that might be more like Messi.”

SOCCEROOS boss Graham Arnold has named a 23-man squad to take on South Korea in Brisbane next week, with an additional four players selected as ‘train-on’ additions to the group. Austria-based midfielder James Jeggo is a surprise addition who will be looking to grab his first senior cap despite making a number of squads under Ange Postecoglou. The FK Austria Wien star last appeared in an Aussie squad in October last year. Meanwhile, Hibernian forward Martin Boyle has been included again and is now eligible to take to the field after receiving his international clearance. Club teammate Jamie Maclaren is also back in the mix in what could see a shake-up in the striker position. The additional four ‘train-on’ players all hail from A-League clubs with Craig Goodwin (Adelaide), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC), Dimi Petratos (Newcastle) and Thomas Deng (Victory) all rewarded for strong early season form. Meanwhile Andrew Nabbout rejoins the group after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained at the World Cup well ahead of time. Premier League stars Maty Ryan and Aaron Mooy also return after missing the recent clash against Kuwait. This squad is solely to take on South Korea, with Arnold to name a new squad for the clash against Lebanon on November 20 – with Tim Cahill to be included for one final hurrah in the green and gold. Young gun Daniel Arzani is not included after sustatining a devastating ACL tear on his debut for Celtic last week. “We made some great progress in Turkey in September, as well as in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait last month,” Arnold said. “However, this window will be exceptionally important for us as we have only had 15 days to work together as a team on the training pitch. In training, and in our friendlies against Korea Republic and Lebanon, we will be looking to introduce more players to the Socceroos system and reward a number of locally based players for their performances in the Hyundai A-League and FFA Cup.” “With limited opportunities and matches to prepare for next year’s AFC Asian Cup it is important that we make the most of every day that we have together, and by calling in additional train-on players from Hyundai A-League clubs this will ensure that more players are exposed to our style and standards as we edge towards the tournament. “Several players who have been in and around the squad over the past 12 months, such as Andrew Nabbout and James Jeggo, will also be reintroduced to the group as we continue to add depth to the national team player pool.” FULL SQUAD: Mustafa Amini, Aziz Behich, Martin Boyle, Milos Degenek, Alex Gersbach, Jackson Irvine, James Jeggo, Tomi Juric, Matthew Jurman, Robbie Kruse, Mitch Langerak, Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Andrew Nabbout, Josh Risdon, Tom Rogic, Mathew Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Danny Vukovic Train-on players: Thomas Deng, Craig Goodwin, Rhyan Grant, Dimi Petratos

AFTER 12 months away from the national team setup, Austria-based midfielder James Jeggo is back in the Socceroos mix. A consistently selected squad member under Ange Postecoglou, the 26-year-old is somehow still yet to see the field for Australia at senior level despite sitting on the bench seven times. So after his exile was ended by Graham Arnold, we take a look at the career of Australia’s latest - and perhaps unluckiest - bolter. WHO IS HE? Born in Vienna, Jeggo moved to Australia and played his youth football in Victoria with Green Gully and the Victorian Institute of Sport, before moving through Melbourne Victory’s youth teams. He also has a younger brother, Luc, who also spent time at the Victory, but currently plies his trade in Norway with Floro SK. Amazingly, the midfielder beat leukemia in his teenage years and battled on to forge a pro football career. “He had leukemia when he was about 16, 17 and that was a solid year,” Luc told The World Game. “He was obviously in the hospital for a long time and then he worked his way through it. He was training at Melbourne Knights with a bald head and then with Victory youth and worked his way up the ranks with Victory. “It’s a pretty crazy story. I remember when we were in the hospital it wasn’t even a matter for him, like life or death, it was always just: ‘OK I just need to get through this and then I’m playing football again’.” FORMED IN THE A-LEAGUE Like many of Australia’s current crop, Jeggo spent his formative years in the A-League. The midfielder signed his first professional deal at Melbourne Victory ahead of the 2011-12 season, making his senior debut for the club against the Central Coast Mariners in Round 6 - playing 16 minutes off the bench. Jeggo went on to rack up nine appearances that campaign, starting the final seven matches. The following season saw him manage just 10 matches in the A-League. The one after that was his last at Victory as he again managed just 10 appearances. Jeggo then moved to Adelaide United, where he quickly arose as an important part of a strong team, starting all but one of their A-League clashes in 2014-15. Jeggo retained his starting spot for the championship-winning campaign that followed, and snared a championship medal at its conclusion – but he didn’t see out the season with the Reds. In total he played 50 times for Adelaide, and also nabbed the NAB Young Footballer of the Year award during his time at the club. MOVE ABROAD After a strong season and a half in Adelaide, the midfielder signed for Austrian side Sturm Graz in January 2016. Jeggo suggested his Euro move wouldn’t have been possible without the opportunities afforded to him by the club.

SYDNEY FC striker Adam Le Fondre has backed himself to break Bobo’s record of 27 goals in an A-League season after netting four in his opening three games. A former English Premier League player, Le Fondre was brought to the club to replace the Brazilian striker and hasn’t missed a beat in the opening weeks for the unbeaten Sky Blues. “I don’t want to match (the scoring record). I want to better it,” Le Fondre said. “I don’t want to be the same. I’m a striker, I score goals, I look for things to push me on and give me an edge. “But I’m not worried about it. I think I will give it a good go.” Le Fondre is following a fine tradition of imports at Sydney FC after Austrian Marc Janko also claimed the competition’s golden boot in his only season at the club in 2014-15. Le Fondre scored 12 in 34 Premier League games for Reading in 2012-13. The 31-year-old noted of Bobo’s record-breaking 2017-18 season before he arrived from Bolton but said he never felt any external pressure to match it. Instead, that all came from within as he’s helped his new team to the top of the A-League ladder before Saturday’s away clash with last-placed Newcastle. Most impressive is his four goals have come from just nine strikes. He also scored another three in three games in the FFA Cup before Sydney FC lost the final to Adelaide. “The only pressure is what I apply to myself. I set myself high standards,” he said. “I know how many (Bobo) scored last season. When I came I obviously researched the team and researched what the striker did last season and looking at what I have to achieve. “It didn’t faze me that he scored that many goals. I look forward to it as a challenge and if I get anywhere near that many goals we’re going to be very successful.” But Le Fondre warns he’s not yet the complete product.

CRICKET Australia CEO Kevin Roberts has acknowledged his organisation has received a bid to lift the suspensions meted out to the banned trio due to the ball-tampering scandal, saying “the board will be respecting that submission and giving it due consideration.” Steve Smith and David warner still have five months to run on their 12-month bans, while Cameron Bancroft has two months left on his nine-month sanction. They were all punished by Cricket Australia for their involvement in using sandpaper to alter the surface of the ball in the Cape Town Test in South Africa in March. However, the release of the Longstaff Review in which failures at a governance level were identified as having contributed to the scandal led the Australian Cricketers’ Association to claim that amounted to new evidence, and thus the bans should be cut short or rescinded. “Given there is now independent verification that CA’s system and culture were contributing factors, the ACA Executive calls for the lifting of the Board imposed penalties on Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft,” ACA president Greg Dyer said last week. “We note that the Board of CA has both the power and in our view the moral obligation to do so. “With this new information; common sense, common decency, basic fairness, proportionality which we have talked about from the outset, and natural justice demand that the punishment is reduced. The players have already lost time in the game, chances to play for Australia, endured public humiliation and faced massive financial penalties. They are contrite. “My message to Cricket Australia is a simple one: these contrite men have been punished enough. Let them play. I add that the ACA will be relentless in pursuing this end.” Roberts, who took over as CA chief executive officer after David Peever stood down recently, said the proposal would be considered on its merits. “The ACA’s submission around the player sanctions was received by the board a few days ago,” Roberts said on Wednesday. “It was addressed by the board rather than to me or management, so it’s not for me to comment on a board matter other than to say the board will be respecting that submission and giving it due consideration.”

The sacking of senior executives Pat Howard and Ben Amarfio could finally bring an end to bloodletting at Cricket Australia, with the board likely to appoint a new chairman by the end of this week. An overhaul of the governing body, triggered by the independent report that was commissioned by CA's board in response to the Cape Town cheating crisis, claimed two more scalps on Wednesday. Howard, who was in charge of CA's high-performance unit and intended to depart when his contract expired after the 2019 Ashes, will leave next week and be replaced on an interim basis by former Australia captain Belinda Clark. Amarfio, CA's general manager of broadcasting, digital media and commercial, is already out the door. New CA chief executive Kevin Roberts, under pressure to enact cultural change after The Ethics Centre's scathing assessment, suggested there would be no more "significant change at an executive level in the months ahead". Roberts, appointed by deposed chairman David Peever, could yet be tossed out by CA's board. But that is unlikely to happen. Especially after making two "tough decisions" that shocked many, including players preparing in Adelaide for Friday's ODI. "That's a fair question," Roberts said, when asked why he isn't joining the exodus. "(The independent review detailed) three key positive involvements I've had in various areas and one that wasn't so positive. "My key learning out of that is to really build the ACA (players' union) relationship. "We've all made mistakes that we reflect on. "Everyone at CA is focused on rebuilding and moving forward after what has been a turbulent year." Coach Darren Lehmann, chief executive James Sutherland, Peever and two other directors have left since the sandpaper scandal, while Steve Smith and David Warner were sacked as captain and vice-captain. CA's board is expected to settle on its new chairman before new directors replace Peever and Mark Taylor. Earl Eddings, who is already serving as interim chairman, is considered favourite. Jacquie Hey, CA's first female director who also sits on the board of ASX top-50 companies Qantas and AGL Energy, and 2015 World Cup chief executive John Harnden have been floated as contenders but it's unclear whether they actually want the job. The independent report condemned the high-performance environment that former Wallabies five-eighth Howard oversaw, suggesting it was "winning without counting the costs". The creation of Howard's senior role, which involved responsibilities including the hiring and firing of senior coaches plus helping conduct a formal investigation of the ball-tampering saga, was one of the key recommendations of the Argus review. Roberts defended Howard's record, arguing "Pat has brought high performance in cricket into the 21st century". Australia's one-day vice-captain Alex Carey admitted players were surprised at the latest axings. "We talk openly and honestly and obviously today's news was a shock," Carey told reporters in Adelaide. "I don't think it's a distraction ... it's all a bit of white noise for us."

SHE’S a standout in any team she’s in, but it is Isabelle Kelly’s efforts for Australia that have earned her the first ever women’s Golden Boot. Kelly wasn’t even aware the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) had decided to add a women’s gong to the men’s one that’s been awarded since 1984. She only found out she was nominated when a friend text her while she was on holiday in Bali to say congratulations and she had to look up what it was for. Being the first female winner made it extra special, but she’s glad there’s one more goal for female players to try to achieve now. “I’m only 22 and it’s a bit weird to hear that I’m the first ever Golden Boot winner,” Kelly said. “It’s really exciting and I think it’s such a good thing for years to come for young girls to aspire to be in the Jillaroos jersey or the Kiwi jersey or the England jersey. “Strive to try to get this award because it’s going be around for a long time now with the women’s game growing so rapidly. I think it’s a really great thing to now have for the women.” Kelly was up against a tough field including teammates Ali Brigginshaw and Brittany Breayley along with New Zealand’s Honey Hireme and England’s Georgia Roche. But her on-field performances spoke for themselves over the past year. She crossed for the match-winner in last month’s trans-Tasman Test and scored twice in last year’s World Cup final. Now she has the top international player prize to put alongside her state one, after she claimed players of the match in this year’s State of Origin. Her celebrations will be short-lived though. Kelly recently returned from off-season holidays in the Top End (where she became engaged to partner Jake Callister) and Bali and is back to work as an NRL development officer and into training for season 2019. “I’m blessed to be in that opportunity and still get to do footy in the off-season and help younger people in coaching clinics,” Kelly said. “I’m back training. You have your little break but then you need to get back into it to continue to be a great player and continue to push your spot in the future.” The men’s award went to England’s Tommy Makinson.

SERENA Williams “went too far” with her controversial rant at an umpire during the US Open final, according to Roger Federer. Williams received a code violation for coaching, a penalty point for racquet abuse and a game penalty for calling the umpire a “liar” and a “thief” during her defeat by Naomi Osaka, with her outburst overshadowing the biggest win of her opponent’s career. “I feel like Serena should have walked away,” Federer told Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper. “She did, but she went too far. She should have walked earlier.” Nevertheless the Swiss star did have some sympathy for Williams, adding: “The umpire maybe should not have pushed her there. It’s unfortunate, but an incredible case study.” Osaka’s 6-2, 6-4 win over Williams quickly became infamous for the American’s flare-up in the second set. Williams, 37, was given a first code violation after umpire Carlos Ramos judged her coach Patrick Mouratoglou to be coaching -- something that is prohibited under Grand Slam rules -- as he watched the match courtside. Mouratoglou later admitted he had indeed been coaching as he criticised the rule. Following the code violation, Williams told Ramos she would “never cheat to win and would rather lose”. Ramos, however, was required under the rules to impose a code violation on the player, not the coach, if he believed coaching had taken place. Williams received another code violation for smashing her racquet, leading to Ramos docking her a point. When the game finished, she called the experienced official “a liar” and “a thief”. That led to Ramos docking her the next game -- leaving Osaka needing just one for victory. Williams later suggested it was “sexist” to have been penalised a game. She was fined $17,000 (£13,100) by the United States Tennis Association for the code violations. In the Sunday Times interview, Federer also spoke about the issue of female players’ on-court attire. In September it was announced that Williams would be banned from wearing her black catsuit at future French Opens, with the tournament set to introduce a stricter dress code.

Novak Djokovic reclaimed the world No.1 ranking on Monday after a two-year absence and is assured of finishing the year there. That's because the man he overtook, Rafael Nadal, is done for 2018. Nadal withdrew from next week's ATP Finals citing an abdominal injury and announced he was having arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle. Djokovic will be the ATP's year-ending No.1 for the fifth time, pulling even with Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors for the second most since the computer rankings began in 1973. Pete Sampras holds the record of six. "Reflecting on what I've been through in the last year, it's quite a phenomenal achievement," Djokovic said. "And, of course, I'm very, very happy and proud about it. "Five months ago, if you told me that ... it was highly improbable at that time, considering my ranking and the way I played and felt on the court." The 31-year-old from Serbia was No.22 as late as June after beginning the year with a 6-6 record while recovering from surgery on his right elbow. Djokovic has since gone 43-5, including Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon and the US Open to join Sampras with 14 majors - tied third behind Federer (20) and Nadal (17). Nadal said on Twitter on Monday that he was still bothered by the stomach muscle issue that forced him to withdraw from last week's Paris Masters and opted to have ankle surgery now in preparation for 2019. "This way I hope to be in full condition for next season," the Spaniard tweeted. Nadal's spot in the ATP Finals will be taken by John Isner, who has been drawn in the same group a Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Marin Cilic.

US captain Kathy Rinaldi has had a winning formula since taking over the Fed Cup team, and she's not expected to change anything in this year's final against the Czech Republic. Under her charge since 2017, the US has won five straight matches, including last year's final against Belarus. "Being a captain for last year and this year, every match you go into it you never underestimate any team," Rinaldi said Wednesday ahead of the weekend final on an indoor hard court at the O2 Arena in Prague. "These are the two teams with most history in Fed Cup, the best record, so it's very exciting. We're honoured and humble to be here. For me as a captain to be in the second final is absolutely incredible." However, after four of the top five US women in the WTA singles rankings - the Williams sisters, Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys - decided to skip the final, three players on the team have yet to play a Fed Cup match. The 18-time champions have Danielle Collins as the highest-ranked player at No.36, along with 52nd-ranked Sofia Kenin and 63rd-ranked Alison Riske. Nicole Melichar is ranked 15th in doubles. The Czechs have more reasons to worry about their sixth final in eight years. After No.8 Karolina Pliskova was ruled out of the final with calf muscle and wrist injuries on Saturday, Czech Republic captain Petr Pala had some more bad news to announce on Wednesday about Petra Kvitova. "Petra had a fever," Pala said. "After an agreement with the doctors we decided she wouldn't be training (today)." However, Pala added: "Nothing suggests she wouldn't be available for the weekend." Missing Kvitova would be a blow for the Czech hopes. She contributed to all five previous titles, reaching fourth place among players with the most Fed Cup trophies.

THE NBA has fined Kyrie Irving $US25,000 for throwing the ball into the stands following Boston's 115-107 loss to Denver. The incident occurred after Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, sitting on a career-high 48 points with the game already decided, took a three-pointer at the final buzzer in an attempt to reach the 50-point mark. Irked by Murray's move, Irving grabbed the ball and air mailed it into the stands at Denver's Pepsi Centre. "I mean, what kind of competitor wouldn't it bother?" Irving said to reporters following the game. "I understand if we fouled him, going to the free throw line. "I don't want to make a big deal out of it. Obviously, I was pissed at the game, but it's time to decompress and move on. "Congratulations to him having 48 points. He did it in a great fashion against us. ... But the ball deserves to go in the crowd after a bulls*** move like that. So, I threw it in the crowd." Responded Murray, "I didn't mean no harm. I shouldn't have done it, but they understand I was trying to get 50." The Celtics, who have lost their last two games, play again Thursday at Phoenix.

Perth Wildcats captain Damian Martin is setting himself to return from a calf injury against Cairns next week after resuming running on Wednesday. Martin injured his right calf during Perth’s Pink Game overtime win against Melbourne last Saturday week. He sat out the recent win over New Zealand and won’t be available for this weekend’s games against Brisbane and Illawarra. Martin injured his left calf during the pre-season and couldn’t play during the NBL Blitz or in the NBA pre-season matches against Utah and Denver. “It’s a very, very minor tear,” Martin said. “But in saying that, the reality is a small tear can develop into a big one. “We’ll gauge how it feels every day, but we’re still 10 or 11 days from playing against Cairns. “It’s progressing nicely. It’s nice to be running up and down the court.” Martin turned 34 in September, but said injuries last year, and not his age, were the primary reason he had broken down twice in two months. Martin sustained knee and ankle injuries last season and those issues prevented him from doing the amount of training required to keep his body strong. “I’ve been rebuilding my body from last season,” Martin said. “I did a lot of damage to my left ankle in the second game of the year. Then I hurt my right knee while trying to compensate for my left ankle. “That meant I didn’t do anywhere near enough work in the weight room and rolled into surgery in the off-season. “I’m going to have minor setbacks, but in the games I have played so far this season, I’ve felt way better than last year.” Martin joined coach Trevor Gleeson yesterday to present Breast Cancer Care WA with a cheque for $24,279 as a result of the funds raised from the Pink Game. The final tally was almost $11,000 more than last season and will provide financial support for Breast Cancer Care WA’s clients for three months. Gleeson, whose wife Dawn beat breast cancer twice, said it was a significant result. “It’s fantastic,” Gleeson said.

ZLATAN Ibrahimovic has slammed the quality of the players in the Premier League as “overrated” and says he dominated in a “wheelchair”. The former Manchester United star, 37, has questioned the quality of the league, wondering how he would have performed ten years ago. The Swedish star joined United from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016, aged 35, with many wondering if it was the right decision so late in his career. But Ibrahimovic told FourFourTwo: “I’m super proud and super happy that I went to United – it was the right club. “We won, and I did what I did before I got injured. I had an excellent time – great memories. I’m attached to United forever. “The supporters are amazing; wherever I went, I saw red shirts, which was fantastic. It’s a very important moment in my career. “As I said when I was in England, you’re lucky I didn’t come ten years ago, because if I did what I did at 35-years-old, imagine it if I was 25. “Then it would have been a different story. I came there and they said I came in a wheelchair. “All the people that talked, in the whole Premier League, I put them in a wheelchair. That’s what I did.” Ibra went on to say people tried to put him off heading to England in the “twilight” of his career, as he went on to score 17 Prem goals in 33 games. He added: “I’d had a long career before I came – different kinds of countries, different kinds of clubs. “People said, ‘You don’t need to go to England, because if you fail in England, people will always say you weren’t good enough’. “Everybody was against it. And guess what? That made me motivated. That gave me adrenaline. I liked the Premier League. I found it very motivating and very exciting. “It gets a lot of attention, although I feel the quality is a little bit overrated – the individual quality, the technical part. “But the rhythm is high. Even if you are the best, if you can’t handle the rhythm, the pace, then you will not succeed, because the pace is very high.”

MANCHESTER City have reportedly enquired about a young gun attacker, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be set for a shock return to a former club. That and more in another edition of Rumour Mill! CITY ENQUIRE ABOUT PEPE Manchester City are reportedly keen on Lille forward Nicolas Pepe. The Times report Pep Guardiola is eyeing additions to his attacking options, with the Ivorian one option being targeted. City are said to have mane an ‘enquiry’ about the 23-year-old, who’s impressive from this season has caught the eye of Europe’s elite. Pep already boasts eight goals and seven assists in just 12 appearances this Ligue 1 campaign. The report suggests the attacker is valued at around £44m (A$79m), with Barcelona also said to be keeping an eye on the situation. City are thought to have had a bid rejected for Pepe last transfer window. UTD DEFENDER TO DEPART? Manchester United defender Eric Bailly will reportedly the target of a January move from AC Milan. According to ESPN FC, Bailly is disillusioned by his role at Old Trafford, having not appeared since being subbed off 19 minutes into the match against Newcastle on October 7. The defender’s contract expires at the end of the season, and negotiations over an extension are yet to go ahead. Milan is believed to have joined a group of teams interested in his services, with the European giants keen to add to their defensive stocks in January. However, they’ll face competition from within the Premier League for the Ivorian. AC MILAN EYE ZLATAN RETURN Speaking of AC Milan, the Serie A side are also reportedly in talks to bring a former star back to the club. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in ‘concrete talks’ with the club, according to CalcioMercato, with a view of bringing him back to the San Siro. Currently with LA Galaxy, the Swedish striker has played at a number of the continent’s biggest clubs including Manchester United, Barcelona and rivals Inter Milan. The report suggests Milan have initiated contact with his agent Mino Raiola. UTD V BARCA FOR 15YO Manchester United are keen on a move for Ronaldo… no not that one!

DARREN FLETCHER has lifted the lid on how Cristiano Ronaldo ignored the mocking of his Manchester United teammates in his quest to become the best player in the world. Former United star Fletcher shared a dressing room with Ronaldo for years when they were both making their way in the game from promising youngsters to seasoned regulars. And he admitted Juventus ace Ronaldo was a different breed from the rest in the Old Trafford squad with his focus on establishing himself as a footballing great. He was snapped up as an 18-year-old from Sporting Lisbon for A$22.5million, and despite his tender years he brought his own ideas to United training and didn’t care what others thought. Fletcher, speaking on Sky’s Monday night Football, said: “Ronaldo had a mindset that he was going to be the best player in the world from the first day he came into the club. “He ramped up training early on. At first people loved the desire but he did get stick for it. “People respected it and liked that mentality of wanting to be the best. “There were times he was putting ankle weights on for training, doing fast feet and the lads were laughing at him. But it didn’t deter him.” Fletcher, 34, also heaped praise on Wayne Rooney for the impact he made on the game for United. The midfielder watched Rooney settle in at Old Trafford and then go on to become their highest ever goalscorer - and is miffed by the criticism the former England captain gets. Fletcher added: “Wayne was fantastic. We were two of the youngest in the dressing room and we built up a good relationship early. “We had similar backgrounds and we clicked.

A-LEAGUE head Greg O’Rourke has indicated the planned expansion of the competition for next season might be delayed to the 2020-21 season. After last month’s rejection of bids from Wollongong Wolves and Ipswich Pride FC, the six remaining candidates are Southern Expansion (NSW), Macarthur South West Sydney (NSW), Western Melbourne (Victoria), Team 11 (Victoria), South Melbourne (Victoria) and Canberra (ACT). While O’Rourke hoped the new FFA board to be elected later this month could make a decision on the two successful bidders by the end of January, he said their entry might not happen until 2020-21. “A number of bidders have said if they were to know in December or January, that would still be viable for them to come in the 2019-20 season, but any later than that would probably be too short a run-up,” O’Rourke said on Monday. “Their view is the longer they have, the higher quality team they can put together in respect of not having too little time to build a team. “As a result of that, we would hope that by the end of December, the board would be in a position to make a call, if not at end of January at the latest.” Asked if that was the deadline for a decision for expansion in 2019-20, O’Rourke said “It’s not so much about the decision - it’s about actually the timing of the entry. “The decision itself could still be made (by then), but the timing of their entry could be delayed to give them an 18-month run up instead of a six-month run-up.” O’Rourke identified the political situation in Victoria as one potential stumbling block in sticking to the time frame. “There’s one or two Victorian bids that require government support and the state government of Victoria is currently in caretaker mode,” O’Rourke said. “So until that government election is held (on November 24) and we can talk to the incumbent sports minister, treasurer, premier, that’s something we can’t control.”

ENGLISH winger Tom Makinson is the shock winner of the 2018 Golden Boot Award, beating out James Tedesco, Elliott Whitehead and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak for the honour. The St Helens star got his opportunity to play for England during the three-Test series against New Zealand, impressing on the big stage with a hat-trick against the Kiwis at Anfield last week. The 27-year-old’s surprise selection for the award caps off a breakthrough season on the international scene. Makinson becomes the fifth English player to be awarded the Golden Boot since 1984 and first since former captain Kevin Sinfield in 2012. He’s also the first winger to win the award. In the lead up to the award, Australia, New South Wales and Roosters fullback Tedesco was considered favourite to land the accolade after winning a State of Origin series and an NRL premiership, as well as strong performances on debut for the Kangaroos. However, Tedesco was hurt by the judging criteria in 2018, with the award recognising the most outstanding performances in international football. It covers all international games played from the World Cup final in December to Sunday’s Test between the Kiwis and England. Tedesco made his debut for Australia in the Kangaroos loss to New Zealand last month before they bounced back to beat Tonga. He was also a part of Italy’s disappointing showing in the 2017 World Cup. Makinson made his debut for England off the bench in the mid-year Test in Denver, and was then called into Wayne Bennett’s starting team for the end of year series against the Kiwis, where he has starred. The announcement was met with mixed response on social media. Earlier, Roosters and Jillaroos centre Isabelle Kelly was awarded the inaugural women’s Golden Boot award. Kelly had a breakthrough season in 2018, starring for New South Wales in their State of Origin win and helping the Roosters to the historic Women’s NRL grand final. Kelly scored two tries in the World Cup final against the Kiwi Ferns last year, and a further two in the Jillaroos’ 26-24 win in the Trans-Tasman last month. The 22-year-old won the award over Jillaroos teammates Ali Brigginshaw and Brittany Breayley as well as Georgia Roche (England) and Honey Hireme (New Zealand). The Golden Boot awards are chosen by a panel of rugby league media across the world, comprising NRL.com’s Brad Walter, BBC commentator Dave Woods, journalist Steve Mascord, film maker and Pacific specialist Joanna Lester and League Express managing editor Martyn Sadler. Past 10 winners 2017: Cameron Smith 2016: Cooper Cronk 2015: Johnathan Thurston 2014: Shaun Johnson 2013: Johnathan Thurston 2012: Kevin Sinfield 2011: Johnathan Thurston 2010: Benji Marshall 2009: Greg Inglis 2008: Billy Slater

RABBITOHS coach Anthony Seibold has again rejected reports of a rift with players as rumours swirl of a swap with Broncos mentor Wayne Bennett for 2019. The two coaches will swap clubs in 2020, but many believe it should be brought forward a year to allow both clubs the opportunity to move on immediately. However Seibold has distanced himself from a possible early switch north ahead of the first day of Rabbitohs pre-season training. “Somebody has obviously got an agenda there by saying that stuff,” Seibold said. “I had a great evening with the guys at Damien Cook’s wedding on Friday night and I got some really lovely phone calls and texts from the guys over the last week. “Obviously they are disappointed with the fact I am going to move on in 2020, but they understand my reasons for wanting to go home. I’ve been on the road for 13 years.” Seibold maintains his decision to return home to his native Queensland was based on family. The decision to leave his current playing group was one he didn’t take lightly and he said he remains committed to the Rabbitohs for the remainder of his contract. “I’ve got a good relationship with the players and one of the things I did 12 months ago was put a lot of time into building relationships with the players,” Seibold said. “When I took over the players had come off the back of not such a great season, so I did a lot of work around relationships, so I’m keen to go to work. “It’s been a really positive 12 months here and the players have worked really hard and my love for the playing group and the club hasn’t diminished by people in the media having an agenda.” Seibold admitted it was a difficult decision to make to leave the club that gave him his first head coaching role in the NRL. Breaking the news to Rabbitohs owner Russell Crowe was one of the hardest phone calls Seibold has had to make. “Russell understood and he was the first person I told that I was going to the Broncos in 2020,” Seibold said. “It was a conversation that I didn’t like making because I didn’t want to let Russell down, but at the end of the day I did what was right for me.” The main sticking point for a potential early move to the Broncos appears to be the difference in wages between Seibold and Bennett. Bennett earns around 500,000 more per season and would likely request being paid out by the Broncos if they were to move him on a year early.

GOLD Coast Titans have announced their biggest signing of the 2019 season — Mal Meninga. The rugby league Immortal and Kangaroos coach has joined the club as head of performance and culture, in charge of building a winning environment with the Titans. It’s a huge appointment by the club who have battled to build a winning culture since their introduction to the NRL in 2007. NRL CEO Todd Greenberg gave the appointment his blessing under the proviso Meninga’s first priority would be his Kangaroos duties. “Mal is required throughout the year to promote the game, providing mentoring and assistance to young players and to assist with the elite level of the game,” Mr Greenberg said. “But since there are no Kangaroos matches until the end of the 2019 season he will have capacity to devote to the Titans’ role. “It is crucial that we do all we can to protect and develop rugby league in the heartland of the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales and I have no doubt Mal will help achieve that.” Meninga began his role on Wednesday and his family, wife Amanda and children Zach, 6, Elijah, 5 and Eva, 3, will move to the Gold Coast from Canberra. Meninga said he had jumped at the opportunity to join the Titans and to contribute to the growth and success of the club and to rugby league generally in northern New South Wales and Gold Coast. “I can feel there is something special building at the Titans. The NRL needs rugby league and the Titans to be strong in the area. It is one of the game’s heartlands and it is no secret that it is under threat from rival codes who are investing heavily to own the territory.’ “I want to see all young kids in the Titans’ catchment area — boys and girls — growing up aspiring to play for the Titans, for their respective states and their country.”

THE Rabbitohs face an uphill battle to retain the services of three of their top forwards in Tom and George Burgess and Damien Cook. The Daily Telegraph reported the Bulldogs see one or both of the Burgess twins as ideal replacements for David Klemmer, if as expected he joins the Knights. Meanwhile Cook will be chasing a massive pay increase after his stellar year for club, state and country and has attracted interest from a number of rival clubs. The Eels, Tigers and Knights are all understood to have expressed interest in signing Cook, who comes off contract at the end of next season. Cook is set to earn 300,000 next season and the Rabbitohs are looking to give him a well-deserved pay increase, as they aim to lock up the gun rake long term. The Rabbitohs have two places to fill in their 30 man squad for 2019 and are reportedly close to finalising a deal with club stalwart John Sutton to go around again next season. With Cook on a modest contract prior to his breakout year in representative footy, holding on to their star No.9 may cost the Rabbitohs one or both of the Burgess twins. Adding to the intrigue is the appointment of Wayne Bennett as coach for 2020, a deal that could yet be brought forward a year with a straight swap with Anthony Seibold. Bennett has been a staunch advocate of not paying overs for props and with both the Burgess twins on big money deals, they face being squeezed out as the club prioritises re-signing Cook. Bennett is also reportedly keen to bring star Tongan international Tevita Pangai Jr to the club in 2020, which would place further strain on the Rabbitohs’ salary cap beyond next season. The Burgess twins are contracted until the end of 2019, but could potentially be given the opportunity to negotiate with other clubs. Canterbury also have their sights set on the likes of Martin Taupau, Addin Fonua-Blake and Dylan Napa to replace Klemmer, if their bid for the Burgess twins fails.

Kurtley Beale is confident the Wallabies can extend their decade-long dominance over Wales this weekend despite the team's poor recent run of form. Australia haven't lost in 13 encounters to the Welsh - dating back to 2008 when the principality won a thrilling contest 21-18 in Cardiff. However, that record will be severely tested on Saturday (Sunday 0430 AEDT) against Warren Gatland's third-ranked team, who defeated Scotland last weekend. Only last month's miraculous comeback in Salta against Argentina prevented a first ever last-place finish in the Rugby Championship for the Wallabies who now sit sixth in the IRB rankings having lost eight of their last 11 Tests. Michael Cheika's side head into the game on the back of 38-20 defeat to the All Blacks in Yokohama. But Beale insists the team aren't far away from a strong performance against a team they'll face in the World Cup group stages next year. "As a group we are trying to look for that consistency and building on the game we want to play," Beale said. "Throughout the year there has been some inconsistency with our defence and attack and we are always striving for that 80-minute performance. "This is a great opportunity to test ourselves against the Welsh.They had a great result last week and will be on their feet ready to bounce and excited by the challenge." Beale has never lost against Wales and was outstanding in last year's 29-21 win at the Principality Stadium - the venue where he made his debut off the bench in 2009 - and said it's a ground he enjoys playing at. "That first cap is always special and you always remember those times but it is about the opposition you are up against," he said. "The Welsh always have an exciting brand of rugby to play and I guess it's someone I enjoy playing against. "There is a lot of scope there as an outside back or a playmaker to try and pick them off. I always look forward to an exciting match." Veteran outside back Adam Ashley-Cooper could be in line to win his 118th cap following his surprise recall to the squad after a two-year absence. Ashley-Cooper will become only the second Australian to play in four World Cups, behind George Gregan, if he makes the cut for Cheika's squad next year. The 34-year-old, who has been playing in Japan since 2016, said his hunger for success still burns and is hopeful a move back home to secure a Super Rugby contract can bolster his selection hopes. "There's been chats with a few teams ... but I didn't expect to come on the tour so those discussions are on hold," Ashley-Cooper said. "I certainly made it clear that the way I want to get to a World Cup is by playing in the Super Rugby competition for a Super Rugby team. "That's something I'm really excited by - the potential to play Super Rugby and get to a World Cup. "After three World Cups you get so far. You are obviously aware of that journey with the Wallabies (in 2015). "We got so close and it was a great campaign for us. "To get so far but pull up short always leaves you very unsatisfied."

Brad Shields came "very close" to New Zealand selection before opting to represent England, according to All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster. Openside flanker Shields will face the country of his birth in England colours this weekend when the All Blacks take on Eddie Jones' side at Twickenham. Shields was born in Masterton, near Wellington, to English parents and played for Super Rugby side Hurricanes before moving to Premiership side Wasps and tasting Test rugby with England. Foster said the 27-year-old knew how close he was to All Blacks honours when he headed to the northern hemisphere. "I guess the obvious answer, which really is the only answer, is that the selectors didn't pick him," said Foster. "It's like everything - when you're selecting a national team, there's a whole lot of good players that don't quite make it. "He knew he was knocking on the door; he's a fine player and he was very close. "So no, I'm not going to give you reasons why we didn't pick him. "But what we do know is that he is a quality person, he did a great job off the field in the Hurricanes and he was in the conversation a lot with us. "There will be a bit of banter (among the players) I'm assuming afterwards, but everyone's pretty focused on what we do. "I think we've got over the stage of seeing him in a white jersey now. And he's just a loosey (loose-forward) who plays for England." Shields represented New Zealand at Under-20s level but is now an integral part of Jones' England set-up. His decision to change tack and chase honours with England has previously polarised opinion in the game, but Foster remained personally phlegmatic about the issue. Asked if such moves are generally respected within the sport, Foster said: "I don't know; I think everyone's going to have mixed opinions on that. "So you'll probably find people that are close to those players and family that might support it, then you'd have others with a different view on players jumping into a national team from another country so quickly. "But look, it's an issue I don't really want to talk about. It is what it is; he's not alone, there's a few more in a few other teams. "So it is what it is, in the current laws."