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Arsenal "may well look to strike a deal" for Manchester City's Joao Cancelo at a later stage in the transfer window, with the full-back "expected to leave" this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

It has been reported that Arsenal are keen to bring in two new right-backs this summer, having already brought in Jurrien Timber from Ajax in for an initial fee of £34.3m, with the defender being signed to play on the right of the back four.

Ivan Fresneda is another target for the Gunners in that area of the pitch, with the Real Valladolid defender's release clause dropping to €20m (£17m) after his side's relegation from La Liga last season.

Cancelo has also been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, and Jones has now dropped an update which indicates the Man City defender will be available.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, the transfer insider said:“The full-back situation is interesting because Cancelo is still expected to leave and there has also been all the uncertainty around Kyle Walker.

Before later adding:"But what we also know is that Guardiola has moved away from the model that Cancelo used to thrive in and further than that, seems content with the idea he doesn’t stay.

“The big question is, where will he go? Barcelona are primed if it is cheap enough or on loan so if there is to be something soon, it’s probably that. Arsenal has been touted and that case has been very quiet for now – but it may not stay that way.

“My information is that if Cancelo is still there for the taking later in the window, Arsenal may well look to strike a deal. It’s not been totally forgotten about, it’s just not a main priority. More of a luxury.”

Is Joao Cancelo going to Arsenal?

At the moment, the Gunners do not consider the Portugal international a major target, but they have recently been handed a potential boost in the race for his signature, as it has now emerged that Barca have pulled out of the race.

There are not a great deal of other potential suitors linked with moves for the full-back, which means a move to Arsenal could be a real possibility, and he could be a fantastic addition to Mikel Arteta's squad.

Hailed as "incredible" by members of the media, the £250k-per-week defender is proven at Champions League level, having been ranked as the third-best performing player in the competition by WhoScored, up until April 25th during the 2021-22 season.

Given that Timber has mainly been utilised as a centre-back throughout his career so far, Arteta may be keen to add a new right-back who could be capable of offering Arsenal some more attacking flair.

Cancelo would certainly fit the bill in that regard, ranking in the 99th percentile for assists per 90 in the past year, when compared to his positional peers, and so it is exciting news that Arsenal still have him on their list of targets for this summer.

كشف مصدر خاص بنادي الزمالك النقاب عن رد مسؤولي القلعة البيضاء على عقوبات رابطة الأندية المصرية.

وكانت رابطة الأندية قد أصدرت قرارتها بشأن عقوبات مباراة الزمالك والأهلي، ضمن مؤجلات الجولة العاشرة من عمر الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وقررت رابطة الأندية تغريم الزمالك مبلغ 50 ألف جنيه بسبب إخفاء الكرات خلال المباراة، مع إيقاف المدير الإداري عمرو أبو العز وعامل غرف خلع الملابس مصطفى حسين “ميلا”.

رابطة الأندية تفرض 3 عقوبات على الزمالك بسبب واقعة “الكرات” أمام الأهلي

وأكد المصدر لـ “بطولات: أن الزمالك قرر التقدم بتظلم ضد قرارات رابطة الأندية الخاصة بعقوبات مباراة الأهلي.

وأوضح المصدر أن الطعن سيأتي من أجل ايقاف عمرو أبو العز المدير الإداري على وجه الخصوص الذي تعرض للإيقاف بالرغم من عدم تواجده في موقف حاملي الكرات والذي يرفضه النادي من الأساس.

وكان الزمالك قد نجح في تحقيق الفوز على الأهلي بهدفين مقابل هدف على، سجلهما سيف الدين الجزيري، فيما سجل هدف الأهلي، أحمد عبد القادر.

Glamorgan secured back to back victories under new skipper Michael Hogan as they completed a nine wicket success over faltering Worcestershire with a day and a half to spare at New Road

ECB Reporters Network11-Jun-2017
ScorecardMichael Hogan’s captaincy of Glamorgan has begun in fine style•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

Glamorgan secured back to back victories under new skipper Michael Hogan as they completed a nine wicket success over faltering Worcestershire with a day and a half to spare at New Road.Hogan led from the front with the ball, claiming the first three wickets in Worcestershire’s second innings as they were bowled out for 129 after resuming on 34 for 1 to leave Glamorgan requiring just 16 to win.He finished with 5 for 38 from 14.2 overs to follow his 5 for 49 in the win over Durham – his initial match in charge – and also received excellent support from Timm van Gugten and Lukas Carey.It was the first time the Welsh County have won two Championship games in a row for two years since a sequence of four successive victories in June 2015.Hogan has replaced Jacques Rudolph as Glamorgan’s four-day captain until the end of the season and launched his tenure with a thrilling two wicket win at Swansea.But this was a more convincing triumph and all the more satisfactory against a side who had won their opening four Championship games and inflicted an eight wicket defeat on them inside seven sessions at the SWALEC Stadium.Rudolph also showed a welcome return to form after relinquishing the captaincy with his first Championship hundred for two years to lay the foundations of a Glamorgan recovery from 58 for 6 on the opening day.Worcestershire, in contrast, have suffered two defeats in a row after a quartet of victories to launch the campaign.It is not the ideal preparation for their Royal London One-Day Cup semi-final with Yorkshire Vikings or Surrey at New Road on Saturday.Several of their middle order batsmen are struggling for form and only 19-year-old Josh Tongue and skipper Joe Leach posed a major threat with the ball in this game.The big plus for them will be the return of all-rounder John Hastings after Australia’s exit from the ICC Trophy and the hope he can help galvanise the squad to reproduce their early season form.Hogan had sent back Daryl Mitchell yesterday evening and made the first two breakthroughs this morning as Brett D’Oliveira was trapped lbw and Joe Clarke departed to a head high catch by Will Bragg at cover.Ben Cox tried to cut Lukas Carey and Colin Ingram at first slip held onto a juggling catch before Tim van der Gugten struck in successive overs.The out of form Tom Fell battled away for 33 off 87 balls but then fell victim to a superb head high catch by Ingram and in the next over Ed Barnard nicked through to keeper Chris Cooke.The procession continued after lunch as the final four wickets fell to Hogan and Carey for 10 runs in 5.3 overs.Leach chopped Hogan onto his stumps, Whiteley steered Carey to gulley, Tongue nicked the same bowler through to keeper Chris Cooke and Nathan Lyon swung at Hogan and was bowled.Glamorgan lost Nick Selman – bowled by Barnard for three – in reaching their modest target.

Chelsea are not in talks with Paris Saint-Germain for striker Kylian Mbappe, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 24-year-old is in the final year of his PSG contract.

What is the latest Mbappe transfer news?

The Frenchman looks set to leave PSG this summer.

Last summer the French international signed a new deal that was reported to be a three-year deal. However, the deal wasn't a full three-year contract, but rather two guaranteed years with the option of a third that could only be activated by the player before July 31st 2023.

Mbappe released a letter in June detailing that he would not be taking up the option to extend his contract, with many inside the club believing that the forward had already set plans in motion for a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.

In response, PSG have told the forward that he will be sold, so the Parisians don't lose the player for free after spending £166m on the player in 2018. A number of clubs have reportedly registered interest in the Frenchman, with three Premier League sides submitting an enquiry, which were Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur.

Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal have submitted a world-record bid of £259m which has been accepted by the French side, with the deal said to be a one-year contract for Mbappe, which would allow him to leave for Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 on a free transfer. The deal also reportedly would net the French forward €700m (£600m) for one year, making him the highest paid sports star on the planet.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that despite rumours of a bid, Chelsea are not pursuing a deal for Mbappe due to three main factors: "Chelsea guys, we had rumours of a bid from Chelsea for Kylian Mbappe, but I’m told there is absolutely nothing at this point. This is about many reasons; Not having Champions League football, the financial fair play and also about the players will. At the moment sources from Chelsea believe there is nothing concrete with Mbappe. At the moment, Chelsea remain very quiet on this file, with the focus on Moises Caicedo

What positions should Chelsea sign instead?

The Blues have bigger problems that need to be addressed instead of buying Mbappe this summer.

Chelsea's midfield currently suffers from a real lack of experienced depth. According to reports, talks for Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo have stalled after the London club had a second bid rejected for the Ecuadorian worth £70m. Beyond Enzo Fernandez, the most experienced player is currently Conor Gallagher, who is heavily linked with a potential move away from the club this summer, with the likes of West Ham United and Tottenham interested. Carney Chukwuemeka would be the next option, however, he has only played 30 games of senior football. The club desperately need to bring in some midfielders ahead of the next campaign if they want to return to their normal standards.

Central defence is another problem area for the Blues. Currently, Wesley Fofana will be out for the foreseeable future after suffering a major ACL injury, whilst fellow French defender Benoit Badiashille is also recovering from a long-term injury and will miss the start of the season. That leaves Chelsea with just Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill available, however, Chalobah could be departing this summer with Champions League finalists interested in adding the Englishman to their squad. Should that move go through, then Chelsea would have just two senior centre-backs for the start of the season, with one being 38 years old and unable to play week in and week out like in previous years.

Ultimately, whilst Mbappe would be an incredible signing, Chelsea simply have to address other areas in the squad first, making the outlay required for the Frenchman unattainable.

Journalist Dean Jones believes Aston Villa are building towards something "hugely exciting" under Unai Emery and has hailed the atmosphere the manager has created during pre-season.

What's the latest news on Aston Villa?

When Emery arrived at Villa Park last October, few supporters would have believed that the club would be embarking on their first European campaign since 2010/11 come the end of the season.

The club finished seventh following their victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on the final day of last season and subsequently qualified for the Europa Conference League.

What the Spaniard has managed to achieve in such a short space of time is truly outstanding, having transformed every aspect of the Villa side since taking over from Steven Gerrard.

Given Emery's European pedigree – a four-time Europa League winner with Sevilla and Villarreal – the Villans will be hoping to emulate the same kind of success that West Ham United managed in the Conference League last term.

According to journalist Jones, Emery is building on the success of last season and is creating a wonderful project in the Midlands, helped by a great atmosphere created in pre-season.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones stated: "For Aston Villa, in terms of where they've been in the last few years, to be at this moment is hugely exciting.

"European football is coming up, but the team is becoming much stronger. In pre-season, I'm told Emery is also creating a really good atmosphere within the squad."

Crucially, Emery made a number of Villa's underperformers significantly better upon his arrival last season. The likes of Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and Emi Buendia all improved dramatically towards the latter part of the campaign, showcasing a level of consistency and quality that had disappeared under Gerrard.

However, the Spanish coach is not averse to spending big in the transfer market either. While the brilliant Alex Moreno was the 51-year-old's only January signing last season that made an immediate impact in the team, Emery has been very active in the summer transfer window so far.

Villa had already brought in Youri Tielemans on a free transfer from Leicester City and signed Pau Torres from Emery's old side Villarreal for approximately £35m – two major coups for the clubs – but they have since finalised a deal for the impressive Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby.

Emery is assembling a mouthwatering squad ahead of next season, adding the quality and depth that will allow Villa to compete on multiple fronts next year. For the club's supporters it really is an exciting adventure that lies in wait.

Who are Aston Villa signing?

Given Villa's hierarchy have loosened the purse strings for Emery, more signings are likely to come this window. The slog of playing Thursdays and Sundays due to European commitments next season means rotation is key and the former Arsenal manager will be keen on reinforcing his squad further.

Despite Diaby's arrival, Villa are still being linked with several wingers this window, one of which is Rennes' Jeremy Doku. The Belgian attacker is still only 21-years-old but has already earned 14 caps for the national side, but does occupy a similar role to Diaby.

Similarly, Juventus' Federico Chiesa has been touted with a potential switch to the Premier League with Villa one of the clubs monitoring the Italian's situation. The 25-year-old occupies the left wing meaning he could co-exist with Diaby and the thought of both wingers providing service for Watkins next season is an exciting one.

Departures could help fund such moves, with the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Bertrand Traore potentially leaving Villa Park this summer as Emery moulds his squad ahead of an interesting campaign.

تعرض المدير الفني لفريق برشلونة، تشافي هيرنانديز، للطرد في المباراة الجارية حاليًا ضد باريس سان جيرمان في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويستضيف ملعب “مونتجويك” مباراة الفريقين في إطار منافسات إياب ربع نهائي البطولة، موسم 2023/24.

وحصل مدرب برشلونة، تشافي، على بطاقة حمراء في الدقيقة 56 من عمر المباراة.

جاء طرد تشافي بعد اعتراضه الشديد على القرارات التحكيمية، حيث قام بركل شيء أمامه، مما أدى إلى إشهار البطاقة الحمراء ضده. طرد تشافي أمام باريس سان جيرمان

وتشير النتيجة في الوقت الحالي إلى تفوق باريس سان جيرمان في مباراة الإياب بنتيجة 3-1.

كشف المدير الرياضي لنادي يوفنتوس الإيطالي، كريستيانو جيونتولي، عن موقف النادي الإيطالي من الاستغناء عن خدمات أليجري بنهاية الموسم الكروي.

وسينتهي عقد المدرب الإيطالي ماسيمليانو أليجري رفقة نادي يوفنتوس في صيف 2025، حيث توجد اقتراحات بإمكانية إقالة أليجري عقب نهاية العام الحالي.

ويحتل يوفنتوس المركز الثالث في سلم الترتيب العام للدوري الإيطالي برصيد، 46 نقطة.

اقرأ ايضاً.. شكوك حول مستقبل أليجري مع يوفنتوس

وقال جيونتولي لـ Sport Mediaset:”أهدافنا في بداية الموسم كانت واضحة للغاية. أردنا العودة إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا والتركيز على كأس إيطاليا. نحن نتنافس لتحقيق هذين اللقبين”.

وعن مستقبل أليجري مع يوفنتوس أوضح جيونتولي: “هذا هو الاعتبار الذي سنأخذه مع المدرب بعد نهاية الموسم، سوف نلتقي ونواجه أفكارنا بشأن سوق الانتقالات والخيارات المستقبلية”.

وأكمل جيونتولي: “لقد شهدنا بالتأكيد تراجعًا في مستوانا في الدوري، ربما لأننا كنا نحلم بحلم السكوديتو وكان الجميع يقدمون 140%، لكن ذلك لم يكن كافيًا أيضًا بسبب بعض الأخطاء التحكيمية”.

وواصل: “تظهر الإحصائيات أننا الفريق الوحيد الذي لم يتدخل فيه حكم الفيديو المساعد لصالحنا مطلقًا”.

A random Championship round in the middle of the NatWest T20 Blast had a predictable outcome as Lancashire’s batsmen failed to equip themselves for the task

Paul Edwards at the Ageas Bowl06-Aug-2017
1:14

County Championship round-up: Yorkshire crumble against Essex

Nothing if not courteous, Lancashire’s batsmen left it to each other to score runs on the first day of this game; nothing, if not careless, most of the recipients turned down their invitations.Ryan McLaren’s team thus surrendered the opportunity afforded them by winning the toss and having first use of a sanded pitch. Hampshire’s bowlers, whether seam, swing or spin, seized their own opportunities gleefully and Lancashire’s total of 149 looked insufficient well before James Vince made 40 off 46 balls in the evening sunlight.But if Vince’s cover drives and glides are pleasing on the eye, his batting does not always suggest permanence and Hampshire’s No 4 perished an hour before the close when he skied a pull off Kyle Jarvis to Stephen Parry at midwicket. Indeed, Vince was one of five batsmen removed by Lancashire’s bowlers in a long evening session at the end of which the home side’s deficit was only two runs.Everyone was left to reflect on a day in which a total of eight top-five batsmen had reached double figures but only two had made more than 30, none passing 50. A rather short game is thus in prospect and perhaps a close one but hardly a contest which suggests that four-day batting is flourishing at present.Such an assessment probably takes insufficient account of a Rose Bowl pitch which is already offering bounce and turn and it certainly pays miserly credit to the bowlers on each side.Yet perhaps the batsmen’s problems are also a consequence of the fact that they have played no first-class cricket over the past month. Some have played only T20 and Liam Livingstone’s heave across the line to Kyle Abbott just after lunch certainly seemed more like one of the desperate remedies required by the short form.But Livingstone was by no means the only occupant of Glen Chapple’s crowded naughty step; Dane Vilas’s wild cut to a ball from Ian Holland and Jos Buttler’s loose push to a delivery from Fidel Edwards which snaked through the gate were also out of keeping with the requirements of the day. Indeed they were lowlights of a long period either side of lunch in which Lancashire lost all their wickets for 110 runs.But the impact of T20’s placement in the current schedule is wider than that; it should be noted that 53 wickets fell on the opening day of the three current Division One games. Helpful pitches and fine bowling may explain some of them but the impact of spending a month manufacturing weird but effective shots to good balls may also have a part to play. Perhaps the proper role for the glorious entertainment that T20 often has yet to be found.Haseeb Hameed found no release from an unproductive season•Getty Images

For some the problem is of a rather different nature. Deprived of long-form first-class cricket and deemed surplus to requirements in the T20 stuff, some Lancashire and Hampshire batsmen have played second team or Premier League cricket; others may even have been reduced to asking their dads to bowl at them in the back garden but since this is how Haseeb Hameed learned the lessons that helped make him a Test batsman in the first place, perhaps no one should complain. It is rarely wise to mess with Boltonian legends.It was noticeable, however, that the most tranquil and productive period in Lancashire’s innings was the first hour of the morning when Hameed and Alex Davies, neither of whom have played T20, were adding 39 runs in 14.2 overs. That partnership ended when Hameed, having scored 6 off 39 balls, drove at a wide outswinger from Edwards and gave a waist-high catch to Jimmy Adams at second slip. The England opener has yet to rediscover the blissful rhythms of Rajkot and Mohali. The selectors will have to carry on watching him hopefully for a while yet.The similarly redoubtable Davies went on to make 36 before he was beaten by a fine ball from Liam Dawson and edged a catch to Sean Ervine at slip. The remainder of Lancashire’s innings suggested little but impermanence. Shiv Chanderpaul, the one batsman for whom adhesion is an article of faith, was run out by Buttler when called for a sharp single to Mason Crane at backward point.Lancashire then lost their last five wickets in 11 overs and their last three in eight balls. By mid-afternoon skipper Steven Croft may have been regretting his decision to drop himself for this game.Crane took three of the last five wickets but just as valuable to Hampshire’s effort was Dawson, who bowled 17 accurate, probing overs either side of lunch at a cost of only 42 runs. He, as much as Abbott, Edwards or Gareth Berg, deserved the applause of the home supporters in the Rod Bransgrove pavilion.Hampshire delight was quelled a little by the loss of both Jimmy Adams and Lewis McManus to Lancashire’s new ball bowlers inside the first nine overs of the home side’s innings. But Vince revived their spirits and Dawson – not needed by England but invaluable to his county – was still there to steady the ship after George Bailey had been caught at slip off Matt Parkinson for 22. It is advantage Hampshire but not by much.

Everton will need to continue to strengthen this summer after narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League last term, and Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho has been earmarked to bolster the attacking ranks.

What's the latest on Everton's move for Kelechi Iheanacho?

That's according to former editor-turned-scout Ignazio Genuardi, the Toffees are "active" on the case of the Nigerian striker after missing out on Almeria's El Bilal Toure, who is closing on a move to Atalanta.

Sean Dyche has already wrapped up moves for Ashley Young on a free transfer and Arnaut Danjuma on loan, and Iheanacho, who boasts a wealth of Premier League experience, could be another shrewd investment given his availability for just £10-15m following the Foxes' relegation.

Leeds United dynamo Wilfried Gnonto is also attracting attention, but the Whites have seemingly "closed the door" on his departure as they look to keep their most coveted attacking prospect tethered to Elland Road after relegation to the Championship.

Could Everton sign Kelechi Iheanacho?

Immediately, Iheanacho would offer something different for the Merseyside outfit in attack after a season that yielded fewer goals in the top-flight than all but Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the 26-year-old having scored eight goals and supplied five assists from just 13 starting appearances across all competitions.

Primarily a centre-forward, Iheanacho also finds success on the right wing, utilising his natural inclination to strike with his left foot to swerve in-field and bypass the opposing net, while also maintaining a creative flair that will no doubt have left Dyche eager to further negotiations.

Indeed, as per FBref, the £90k-per-week ace ranks among the top 2% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 9% for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive carries and the top 9% for successful take-ons per 90, which illustrates his dynamism and aptitude as a driving force, which strengthens the argument that he could find success marauding up the Goodison Park right flank.

While some may view him as an alternative to talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has been decimated by injury issues over the past two seasons and missed 30 matches, Iheancho's arrival could actually be the genesis of a slick new strike partnership.

Calvert-Lewin, also aged 26, is an imposing 6 foot 2 menace who ranks among the top 8% of positional peers for aerials won per 90, and his most fruitful fortunes are found through his expertise in serving as a focal point in the attacking box and a conduit through which his squad's flow can be channelled.

Deploying Iheanacho's versatility beside him could prove to be the formula for success under Dyche's leadership, creating a dynamic balance to avoid the team stagnating.

Once praised as a "special talent" by pundit David Cottee, the 45-cap Nigerian could pay dividends for the Blues with his electric pace, direct and variegated approach when it comes to his attacking intent, and Premier League experience with both Leicester and Manchester City, having chalked up 70 direct contributions from 196 total appearances in the English top-flight.

And with Calvert-Lewin hoping to get back to his best to spearhead a desired resurgence, Iheanacho would be the perfect choice to ensure that the misfortune that has stained Goodison Park across recent years is irrevocably expunged.

The South Africa quick has been out of action since breaking a bone in his shoulder last November in Australia

Firdose Moonda11-Sep-2017

Dale Steyn is expected to put himself in contention for selection in South Africa’s Test side for the series against Bangladesh, if he plays in the opening round of first-class fixtures starting next Tuesday. Steyn, who is five wickets away from becoming South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in Tests, has been out of action since breaking a bone in his shoulder last November in Australia. His comeback was delayed several times over a lengthy rehabilitation period, which concluded last month.Domingo to coach A side

Former South Africa coach Russell Domingo has taken over the country’s A side and will oversee an Invitation XI against Bangladesh for a three-day match in Benoni, ahead of the two-Test series. Domingo’s tenure ended after South Africa’s unsuccessful tour of England.
Opening batsman Aiden Markram will captain the Invitation XI, that is made up of mostly academy players. Wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen, who was on South Africa’s Test tour to New Zealand as a back-up, Cobras batsman Zubayr Hamza, Lions batsman Yaseen Valli and Titans legspinner Shaun von Berg are the other four notable names in the side. These five players will not take part in the first-class fixtures that begin next Tuesday, because their match against Bangladesh begins on Thursday.
SA Invitation XI squad: Aiden Markram, Tladi Bokako, Okuhle Cele, Matthew Christensen, Michael Cohen, Isaac Dikgale, Zubayr Hamsa, Heinrich Klaasen, Migael Pretorius, Yaseen Valli, Shaun von Berg, Lwandiswa Zuma

On August 17, Steyn posted a photograph of himself in wicket-taking celebration mode on Instagram with the caption, “The wait is over.” It’s been almost a month since but Steyn is now ready to return, across all formats. Apart from his international ambitions, Steyn has also been bought by the Cape Town Knight Riders franchise in the Global T20 League, which starts in November.But before Steyn can participate in high-profile cricket, he will have to prove his fitness for his domestic franchise, starting next week. Selection convener Linda Zondi confirmed that any player participating in the matches, “will be considered for the Test side.” Since there is only one round of first-class matches before the Test series against Bangladesh begins, performances will have to be immediate and outstanding in order for players to force their way into the national side.Steyn has opted to represent Titans, the team where he started his career after six seasons at Cape Cobras, which means the team could have as many as five Test internationals in their XI to play against Dolphins next week. Steyn will be joined by Morne Morkel and Faf du Plessis, who are scheduled to return from the World XI matches in Pakistan during the weekend, along with opening batsmen Dean Elgar and Heino Kuhn, who had a wretched debut series in England.Kuhn is under pressure from team-mate Aiden Markram, who will be captaining the South Africa invitation side against the touring Bangladesh team but will not play in the franchise first-class matches since the fixtures clash, as well as from Stephen Cook, the man Kuhn replaced in the Test side. Cook, who was Player of the Series after averaging 106.67 in the recently-completed series against India A, has resolved to get his Test spot back.The opening position is perhaps the only one up for discussion ahead of the Bangladesh Tests. Other concerns around the batting line-up are only likely to be addressed later in the summer, when AB de Villiers makes himself available for selection. De Villiers has been on a Test sabbatical since suffering an elbow injury last August and though he has played limited-overs cricket for South Africa, he is only aiming for a longer-form comeback from mid-October. With the Bangladesh series scheduled to end on October 10, de Villiers’ Test return will only come later in this season, when South Africa are due to host India and Australia. As a result, de Villiers may not play in the opening round of first-class matches.South Africa’s new coach Ottis Gibson will arrive in the country next Monday, on the eve of the first-class fixtures. It is understood that on Gibson’s request all national players have had to avail themselves to their franchises for the week, in order to get some game time before the two Tests against Bangladesh.South Africa will announce their Test squad for the two-match series, which starts on September 28, at the conclusion of the first-class matches next Friday.