Save the best till last, they like to say. So maybe it should come as no surprise that some of the best TV of the year has been packed into the final month of summer this August.

To start off, Ted Lasso, the tear-jerking show that made everyone ‘believe’, thanks to Jason Sudeikis’ unwavering optimism, Brett Goldstein’s endearing gruffness and Hannah Waddingham’s scene-stealing moments.

The reviews might be mixed, but there’s been an outpouring of adoration among fans who’ve watched season 4 episode 1. ‘This is the ONLY show on TV that makes us feel good again,’ one wrote, while another said: ‘The writing is still sharp and can’t wait where the story goes.’

Fans of the American drama Power will be ecstatic to tune in for 50 Cent’s latest TV show Fightland, a crime thriller set in London about a boxer who’s released from prison after eight years and is now vying for revenge against the man he believes betrayed him.

Meanwhile, as a longtime fan of Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s work, I’m gripped by the premise of her new Sky supernatural series Possession, which transitions from the present day to a plantation in Jamaica in the 18th century.

As TV Editor at Metro – and someone who spends most of their free time watching and rewatching TV – here are my seven top picks for shows to binge this August.

Ted Lasso

The most heartwarming TV show is back. At least, that’s how plenty of Ted Lasso fans describe the Apple TV series.

Read Metro’s four-star review of Ted Lasso season four here.

The comedy-drama about an American coach managing a British football team originally ended after season 3, but then co-creator and star Jason Sudeikis had an ‘epiphany’ to bring it back with a female football side leading the charge.

This might be the Ted Lasso we know and love, but it’s also not. ‘But football is life?’ Brendan Hunt’s Coach Beard asks one of the footballers, in a callback to Dani Rojas’ iconic catchphrase. ‘No,’ the new football star replies. ‘Life is so much more than football.’ True.

Ted Lasso might have had its dips, but it spreads unbridled joy in a way that few TV shows can master. I don’t know about you, but I need that cheesiness in my life.

Ted Lasso season 4 premiered on Wednesday August 5 on Apple TV, with new episodes being released weekly.

Lanterns

Aaron Pierre has been on a hot streak over the past few years.

Following Netflix’s Rebel Ridge, he voiced Mufasa in the Lion King spin-off movie, before joining the cast of Apple’s hit drama The Morning Show. Now, the 32-year-old is taking one of the world’s most popular superheroes – DC Comics legend John Stewart, aka Green Lantern.

There are some actors who ooze star quality, and Aaron is certainly one of them. He’s suave, talented to boot, and it’s clear that HBO Max’s Lanterns means a great deal to him.

‘If I had the choice to portray any character in the DC Universe, I would still choose John. I would choose John every time,’ he said at San Diego Comic Con. He deserves this, and as a major superhero geek, I can’t wait to see his star shine even more.

Lanterns premieres on Monday August 17 on HBO Max.

Fightland

50 Cent producing a crime drama set in London about a formerly incarcerated boxer vying for revenge and redemption? Sign me up.

Fightland follows Maduka ‘Dule’ Kilroy (The Musketeers star Howard Charles), a man who suffers a devastating fall from grace following the death of his brother.

After eight years behind bars, he returns to his hometown to infiltrate the criminal network of kingpin Kingsley Marshall (Nicholas Pinnock), a man who he believes betrayed him.

It has all the ingredients of a tantalisingly gritty thriller, and as a Londoner, I love that my city provides the backdrop for such a compelling piece of television. This is a London that feels real and authentic, sprinkled with some American flair.

According to 50, Fightland is even better than Power, which his fans vow is one of the best TV shows of all time. It’s a bold statement – I hope it’s true.

Fightland premieres on Thursday August 27 on Sky and NOW.

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Possession

I’ve followed Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s career avidly ever since her 2013 breakthrough role in Belle, a beautifully moving period piece that remains one of my favourite films of all time.

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She moved me to my core in one of the best Black Mirror episodes ever, San Junipero, before taking a villainous turn in Loki opposite Tom Hiddleston.

Gugu now stars in Possession, a supernatural Sky thriller about a lawyer who travels from the UK to Jamaica to settle an inheritance dispute over a former slave plantation.

With the story flitting between the 18th century and present day, the actress told Metro how her character Claudia is a ‘warrior fighting for justice’. If the premise hadn’t already won me over, her passion for this project brought Possession to the top of my to-watch list.

All episodes of Possession are available from Thursday August 6 on Sky and NOW.

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Lion

I was born the year that The Lion King came out, the original animated Disney masterpiece. So obviously, my childhood was spent being traumatised by Mufasa’s tragic death.

Lion, a new docu-series coming out on National Geographic, is like a true-life version of Simba’s story – and trust me when I say you’ll be locked in straight away.

The visually stunning show marks a dream collaboration between director Jon Favreau (who directed the ‘live-action’ 2019 live-action Lion King), maestro composer Hans Zimmer and producer Mark Gunton, who’s spent decades as one of Sir David Attenborough’s closest collaborators.

What makes this show even more impressive is that the crew filmed a lion over the course of four years. I couldn’t believe it when I learnt that most male cubs don’t make it past the age of two, so I have a feeling this series is going to blow us all away.

Lion premieres Thursday August 20 on National Geographic, airing in two weekly double bills at 8pm and 9pm. All four episodes stream from August 20 on Disney Plus.

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Love Is Blind UK season 3

Love is in the air this summer – and no, it’s not because Love Island recently ended (a show that I used to watch religiously, and no just catch up with via Instagram reels)

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No – it’s the superior millennial-targeted dating show that’s finally returning to Netflix this month. Love Is Blind UK, the series where people date in pods without seeing one another, get engaged within a matter of days and then brace the real world to see if they can actually make it long-term as married couples.

Love Is Blind has been going for years now, spawning multiple international versions around the world. But the UK series has been highly praised for its stellar casting, for good reason.

‘UK version is so much better than US. Looks like such a good season,’ one fan commented underneath the trailer on Instagram, while another wrote: ‘LIB UK has better casting, so, fingers crossed 😁.’ Who else feels ready to be swept off their feet?

Love Is Blind UK season 3 premieres on Wednesday August 19 on Netflix.

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My Brilliant Career

I knew nothing about My Brilliant Career before Netflix released the trailer for the upcoming period drama – but the first look, and the excitement from fans already familiar with the story, sucked me right in.

The original novel, published in 1901 by Miles Franklin, follows a rebellious teenager called Sybylla Melvyn growing up in the Australian outback. It was adapted into a beloved 1979 film starring Judy Davis and the late Sam Neill, and now Netflix is reviving the story in a six-episode adaptation.

Philippa Northeast seems captivating as the ambitious protagonist, a young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a man called Harry, played by Slow Horses star Christopher Chung.

‘I’ve decided that I need to fully experience the world before I can write about it,’ Sybylla says in the trailer, fighting against the expectation to become a prim and proper lady of society. A woman after my own heart.

My Brilliant Career premieres on Thursday August 13 on Netflix.

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MORE: What do Ricky Gervais fans think of Alley Cats on Netflix? The verdict is in

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Manchester United have been forced to turn to other targets in their attempts to sign a left-back this summer after Newcastle made it clear that Lewis Hall isn’t for sale

Manchester United have made little ground in their efforts to sign a left-back this summer, with top target Lewis Hall appearing to be out of reach.

Newcastle have made it clear to United that after selling Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, they are in no mood to offload Hall, too. It would take a bid way beyond United’s means to test that stance meaning that, with 24 days of the transfer window left, United must look elsewhere.

Michael Carrick is keen to add competition for places at left-back, where Luke Shaw remains the first choice. Harry Amass has featured in pre-season but could be sold or loaned out, while Noussair Mazraoui and Diego Dalot are more comfortable on the right side of defence, and Patrick Dorgu has shone further forward under Carrick’s management.

United have already landed Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos to address their most pressing need in central midfield but could find left-back a more difficult prospect. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at the other contenders.

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Antonee Robinson

Robinson had been a regular name in transfer reports, but fell off the radar somewhat last season due to a dip in form. But his 2024-25 campaign, in which he returned 10 assists in the Premier League, hasn’t faded from the memory of scouts and sporting directors yet.

The 28-year-old, who played for the United States at the World Cup in the summer, has eye-catching pace and loves to go forward – something that sets him apart from the more conservative (and much slower) Shaw. He has two years left on his Fulham contract, so could be affordable.

El Hadji Malick Diouf

Diouf was relegated with West Ham last season and is far from the finished article, but at 21 years old could be a player for the future. He contributed five assists in 32 Premier League matches for the Hammers last season and is a regular for Senegal.

West Ham don’t want to sell and, having shipped out Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville for big fees already, are under little pressure to do so. Signed from Slavia Prague for £19million last summer, he still has four years left on his contract and West Ham have already rejected one bid from Brentford for his services, with a second offer expected.

Jorge Salinas

Another one for the future, rather than a serious contender for Shaw’s place in the starting XI. The 19-year-old Racing Santander player is reportedly on United’s radar.

He is highly rated and has a €16m (£13.7m) release clause, making him very affordable. However, United could face competition from Barcelona, who often hoover up the best talent in Spain and are looking for a replacement for Joao Cancelo, who is set to make the move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

David Raum

The RB Leipzig captain is an energetic, durable and experienced player who is capable of displacing Shaw from the United team. He is much more mobile than Show, who is about to start his 13th season with the Red Devils.

Raum has a strong left foot, is not shy of crossing, and could link up nicely with Benjamin Sesko, who is a real aerial threat and knows the German from his time at Leipzig. The 28-year-old is settled at Leipzig, who have just sold Yan Diomande to Real Madrid for £120m, so are in no rush to cash in.

However, the Germany international recently revealed he is yet to hold talks about extending his contract, which has less than a year left to run. “It’s up to the club to decide when they approach me, what they offer, how much appreciation they show, what their plans are for me, and where they want to go in the coming years,” he said.

“Of course, I have to listen to that and make my own decision. I’m 28 now, and naturally I also have dreams and goals. You always have to see how that fits together with the club’s plans, ideas and objectives for the next few years.”

He added: “The club generally doesn’t like to let a player run down his contract. I don’t know what they have planned with me. At the moment, it doesn’t look like they want to sell me or get rid of me. I feel a lot of appreciation here.”

Depending on your interpretation, that is either a player trying to force the club to the negotiating table for a new deal, or a player issuing a come-get-me plea.

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The man was arrested after police were called to an address in the Langthorpe area of Boroughbridge on Monday, August 3.

North Yorkshire Police said the man was arrested “in connection with a number of offences” and taken into custody.

He was assessed by a mental health professional and detained under the Mental Health Act then transferred to hospital to receive further treatment and support, the force said.

A police spokesperson said its investigation into the incident remains ongoing but “there is no wider threat to the public, and officers would like to thank local residents for their patience and understanding during the police activity in the area”.

“The man was in possession of a knife and making threats to harm himself and others,” they said. “However, he was in the property on his own at the time of police attendance.

“Thank you to residents who gave their cooperation during this incident so we could safely resolve it.”

A TikToker who says he attended the same primary school as Professor Jason Arday has claimed the academic was not mute until he was 11 but would talk ‘all the time’.

Professor Arday, 41, this week resigned from the University of Cambridge following a storm of plagiarism allegations and claims he has embellished details of his personal life and achievements.

The university has launched an investigation following the furore, which has seen countless details of his biography – including his claims of charity fundraising and roles he has held at academic institutions – questioned.

Professor Arday has often told of his journey to academia after overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds – such as being diagnosed with autism and global development delay as a youngster, being non-verbal until he was 11 and illiterate until 18.

But now a former classmate appears to have disputed the most often repeated details of his struggles, claiming that far from being mute, Professor Arday was actually a ‘chatty patty’.

The TikToker, who goes by the moniker ‘strictlyvibeswithga’, said he attended Heathbrook Primary School in Lambeth in the year below him and socialised with him at Sunday School and associated clubs.

Taking to the social media platform this week, he alleged: ‘I knew it was a joke thing and I knew it was fraud, man said he was a mute. 

‘What do you mean bro? I went school with you, I was in primary school with you.’

A TikToker who says he attended the same primary school as Professor Jason Arday has claimed the academic was not mute until he was 11 but would talk ‘all the time’

Heathbrook Primary School previously congratulated Professor Arday on his appointment to Cambridge

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He went on to claim Professor Arday had been a ‘class clown’ and a ‘chatty patty all the time’, adding: ‘It’s bait. You should have known it was going to be peak for you bruv, you should have known they were going to dig up.’

In a second video, he continued: ‘The brother [Professor Arday] was chatting, the brother was chatting all the time. And I didn’t just go school with him, I went Sunday school with him as well.’

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he added: ‘I would just stress I feel I’m making light of the situation and I’m playful [but] this is actually serious and people regardless of who they are should not be allowed take liberties.’

Representatives for Professor Arday have been contacted for comment. 

After Professor Arday’s appointment as Cambridge’s youngest black professor aged just 37 in 2023, Heathbrook Primary School publicly congratulated him.

A spokesman said: ‘Thrilled to see one of our ex-pupils Jason Arday become the youngest ever black professor at Cambridge.

‘We share his aim to inspire others from disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds’.

It’s understood that both Jason and his older brother attended Heathbrook, in Lambeth, London, and lived on the same estate as the TikToker.

It comes after Cambridge – and now Glasgow – launched an investigation following allegations of plagiarism by Professor Arday, who quit this week as Cambridge’s youngest black professor over the ‘personal cost’ of the furore.

He was accused of using passages of another academic’s work in his 2015 PhD thesis without proper credit.

An investigation by Liverpool John Moores University cleared him of plagiarism, but the allegations surfaced in recent weeks and put Professor Arday under the spotlight.

The anecdotes appeared in a 2024 proposal for Great and Unfortunate Things, which is due to be published next week, but not in the final version (pictured: Professor Jason Arday)

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Since then, other claims about his life have been called into question, including around his superhuman fundraising feats which he claimed in various talks saw him raise £5.5million for charity.

Professor Arday said as part of this effort he had run 600 miles in six days – a feat that would have been a near-world record-breaking achievement.

He later admitted this was actually undertaken in 12 days, and that the £5.5million was raised by multiple syndicates of more than 100 people. He could not name any of these contributors, Professor Arday said, because they had all signed non-disclosure agreements.

At least three universities have also disputed roles he claimed in his Cambridge biography on the Jesus College website.

It stated Professor Arday ‘is a Visiting Professor at The Ohio State University in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’ and at the ‘University of Glasgow in the School of Education’. Both denied he had ever held the roles. 

The profile also described him as an ‘honorary professor at Durham University in the Department of Sociology’. Although Professor Arday previously held several roles at Durham, the Daily Mail has been told he no longer has any ‘formal’ position there, contradicting his online biography.

Elsewhere, claims the academic made in a book proposal for his upcoming memoir due to be published next week, have mysteriously changed in the final work.

In the proposal he claimed he had locked-in syndrome and testicular cancer, in addition to his previous detailing of a brain tumour, epilepsy and muteness. 

In the proposal, Professor Arday recounted being struck by a car as a teenager and spending several months in a coma – whereas in the memoir he described simply finishing school and taking his exams at that time.

The proposal said he had locked-in syndrome during the coma, and witnessed doctors telling his parents that he would never recover and should be taken off life support ‘as an act of mercy’.

It read: ‘As I will describe to readers in the book, these months afforded me another profoundly different way of perceiving the world.’

It added he awoke ‘miraculously’ from the coma, and spent a year ‘relearning everything—how to walk, to talk’.

The proposal also referred to a bout of testicular cancer, rather than the two brain tumours described in the final version of the memoir.

In an anecdote about a group of boys beating him up – an experience he says left him suffering with epilepsy – they were four years older in the proposal than in the book.

A suicide attempt was described in the proposal as happening before the pandemic – whereas in the memoir it happened during.

Today former students of Professor Arday at Cambridge have called for their grades to be reviewed after receiving lower than expected results.

They claimed supervision by him was ‘inadequate’, with some even reporting he told them they did not need it because they were so talented.

It emerged this week that when Times Higher Education magazine began investigating the academic’s record, Professor Arday made a complaint to the police, resulting in officers calling the journalist involved.

On Thursday, Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, admitted the force ‘dropped the ball’ when it spent four months investigating the journalist. 

The University of Glasgow has now said it will review its past appointment of Jason Arday as a professor following controversy over alleged plagiarism and claims made by the academic. 

A spokesman said on Friday evening: ‘Jason Arday was employed as Professor of Sociology of Education at the University of Glasgow, from January 2022 to March 2023.

‘He left the University to take up his role as Professorial Chair at the University of Cambridge.

‘The Principal has commissioned a review of the appointment with the aim of understanding all the facts and learning lessons for the future.’

Dozens of academics at the University of Cambridge have signed a letter calling for an independent inquiry into the processes around Mr Arday’s appointment.

In a statement earlier on Friday, Cambridge said: ‘As has been widely reported, Jason Arday has resigned from his post at the university with immediate effect.

‘Regardless of this, and for clarification, the university will continue to investigate the circumstances around Jason Arday’s appointment and tenure. The findings will feed into a review of the process for the appointment of senior academic roles.

‘In addition, and as previously stated, the university’s Research Policy Committee will review the misconduct in research policy.’

Professor Arday said in his open resignation letter that the ‘only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away’.

In the letter, addressed to colleagues and published on the Good Law Project’s website, he said: ‘This decision should not be interpreted as a loss of faith in scholarship or in the values that first brought me to Cambridge.

‘Nor should it be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me.

‘It is simply the decision of someone who has reached the limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endure.’

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators headed for the exits in the predawn hours Saturday, ending for now a crushing standoff over President Donald Trump’s demands that they stay in session to pass a strict proof-of-citizenship voting bill before the summer recess.

While they wrapped up many key priorities in the overnight votes, advancing Trump’s SAVE America Act was not among them.

Instead, Republican senators who had brought the chamber to a standstill spoke to Trump late in the evening about an alternative plan: They would try again to approve elements of the voting bill as part of a broader GOP budget package to fund the Iran war and replenish the Pentagon when they return to work in September.

“Obviously, with the president at his direction, this is what he wants to do,” said Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, the GOP budget committee chairman, flanked by Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rick Scott, R-Fla., after their phone call with the president.

The sudden wind-down after weeks of Trump ramping up his demands shows just how deeply the president is able to reach into the halls of Congress to set the agenda or disrupt it, the executive directing the affairs of the legislative branch. While Trump is often seen as a de facto speaker of the House, he is invariably trying his hand at mastering the Senate.

Trump had poked and prodded Senate Majority Leader John Thune for weeks to pass the SAVE America Act, a bill that does not have enough support from the Republicans who hold majority power, let alone the Democrats whose votes would be needed to advance it in the Senate.

The president has gone so far as to insist the Senate abandon its filibuster rules to jam the SAVE America Act past the 60-vote threshold that is typically needed to advance legislation in the chamber — something Thune and most senators have no interest in doing.

“John’s trying. He’s trying hard. I really believe that. But if he doesn’t get there, it would be unfortunate,” Trump said in an interview with Punchbowl News that posted Friday.

Trump’s pressure couldn’t overcome Thune’s reality

Thune himself has worked to carefully balance the often unusual demands of the president with the political reality of his slim GOP majority. Republicans are down one vote with the prolonged absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the former leader, who said this week he was released from a rehabilitation center and is recovering at home.

“I think everybody’s, for the most part, on the same page,” Thune, R-S.D., said about the trio’s call with Trump, adding that eventually the Senate would have to tackle another budget bill.

During a daylong session that dragged for nearly 20 hours, Thune successfully powered through a lengthy list of other Trump priorities. Senators confirmed the president’s pick of Todd Blanche as the attorney general, passed a sweeping Russian sanctions package to aid Ukraine, and approved a bipartisan package to fund the government into December in an early step toward avoiding a government shutdown.

The Republicans also tried to push forward a slimmer voting bill that would require people to show IDs before casting ballots for federal elections. It failed to advance, largely on a party-line vote with Democrats opposed.

But the failure to make progress on the SAVE America Act had erupted as an online crusade for Trump’s allies in Congress, amplified by activists urging them on.

Led by Lee, a growing group of senators was refusing to adjourn for the summer break without passing Trump’s priority voting bill.

At dinnertime, Thune gathered all the Republican senators for a meeting as the standoff deepened at the Capitol. There was no immediate way forward for the SAVE America Act or the broader budget bill. Thune encouraged the trio of senators to talk to the president, which they did, before regrouping back at Thune’s office.

“We had about a two-hour conference meeting trying to figure out, you know, what we need to do to, to come to an agreement, to accomplish what the president wanted,” Johnson said. “Then we had discussion with the president, he agrees.”

Lee acknowledged he was disappointed by the outcome, but said he understood the political reality of the situation.

“We are not in a position right now where we have the wherewithal to pass it,” Lee told reporters at the Capitol, after the three senators emerged from Thune’s office following their call with Trump.

Near daybreak, when the Senate did call for the vote to adjourn, Lee and others objected with hearty nos.

On the simple voice vote, the ayes had it, and the motion to adjourn was adopted.

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Levy, from Tottenham, north London, was found guilty at the Old Bailey on Friday of two counts of murder, two counts of rape, grievous bodily harm with intent, and non-fatal suffocation.

He was remanded into custody ahead of sentencing on 12 August.

The IOPC later confirmed its investigation began in January following a voluntary conduct referral from the Metropolitan Police and remains ongoing.

It added that issuing misconduct or gross misconduct notices does not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will follow.

The watchdog is examining the management of Levy over a four-year period, from his first conviction in September 2021 on sexual assault charges up to his arrest in September 2025.

Levy had been released from prison on licence in February 2023 and was briefly returned to prison in May 2024 after being accused of rape and breaching his licence conditions but was not charged.

On Friday, he was convicted at the Old Bailey of two murders, rape and other charges including grievous bodily harm with intent, and non-fatal suffocation against the surviving woman.

The jury, which was given a majority direction in the trial, found him guilty on all counts.

During his trial jurors heard Levy had a string of convictions for attacking women dating back to July 2018, including one carried out against a prison officer in 2022.

An IOPC spokesperson said: “We are examining whether action could or should have been taken to prevent his reoffending, and if all officers involved in his management followed policies, procedures, and training.

“We are also assessing whether any learning, whether individual, force-wide, or nationally, or other changes should be implemented in light of the events under investigation.”

Jota has returned to light first-team training at Celtic after a 16-month injury nightmare and Shaun Maloney has shared the club’s carefully managed plan for the winger’s comeback

Celtic may be poised to sanction the signing of a new wide player.

But Shaun Maloney believes Jota will be like a fresh acquisition when he eventually completes his much-anticipated return to action.

The Portuguese winger has made significant progress after resuming light training with the first-team squad following a gruelling 16-month spell on the sidelines through injury.

He may soon be accompanied by Real Oviedo’s Haissem Hassan, with the Hoops nearing an opening £6million agreement for the Egypt international who featured at the World Cup.

Jota has been absent since suffering a serious ACL injury back in April 2025 and faces several more weeks of rehabilitation before he’s ready for match action again, reports the Daily Record.

Manager Martin O’Neill had previously cautioned supporters against expecting the 27-year-old’s availability until approximately Halloween.

Yet Maloney remains optimistic that Jota can surpass that projection – and recapture the dazzling performances that once commanded a £25m valuation.

He said: “Yeah, definitely. It might take a bit of time and hard work. He’s definitely putting in the hours. He looks really strong. He’s got every chance. I think it might take a bit of time.

“Cameron Carter-Vickers had a really bad injury. He was out for eight or nine months, but he had the full pre-season.

“So, we’ll have to try and do something similar with Jota to give him the best chance. There’s absolutely no doubt that he can do it.”

Regarding the possibility of bringing forward his comeback date, he said: “There is a fair bit to this. It’s one thing coming back to training this week with no contact.

“Then you have to become free in the next few weeks and build up that tolerance to it. We then have to create friendlies for him too.

“By the time you see him on the pitch for the first team, there will have been a few hurdles to get over.

“Hallowe’en or November might not be a million miles away. I would hope that it’s earlier for the guy’s sake, but I’m not really sure when it will be.

“Hopefully it will be quicker because he has accelerated in the last few weeks but I’m not really sure.”

While Jota’s return is being handled with caution, Celtic are pressing ahead with significant investment in reshaping their attacking options.

O’Neill has already committed £17m to an entirely refreshed forward line, bringing in record acquisition Kasper Hogh alongside Camilo Duran at Parkhead.

Hassan, aged 24, looks set to become the latest arrival as the Double-winners maintain their measured yet ambitious recruitment drive.

The thought of Jota linking up with these new signings in a formidable revamped attack will have supporters eagerly anticipating what’s to come.

However, Maloney suggested that right winger Hassan might complete the club’s business in the wide positions for this transfer window.

He said: “On that left side, when Jota comes back, you’ll have Tounekti and Yang. Yang obviously played there in the last game. I really like Yang off the left. Yeah, it’s really strong.

“So, on that left side, when Jota’s fit, we’re really good. On the right side, it’s slightly different.

“We need to replace the profile that we lost in Nicolas Kuhn or the club lost in Kuhn, because when you’ve got that sort of left-footed winger, you can attack differently.”

Maloney understands precisely what Jota is enduring, having sustained the same devastating knee injury during his playing days.

He acknowledges the club needs to exercise patience with the former Benfica academy player as he steadily rebuilds his fitness.

He said: “I think maybe from our side you have to just temper it slightly. I think for Jota himself, I wouldn’t want to stop any sort of positivity because it has been that difficult for him.

“I think it’s just really slowly building him into training. Today he did every drill, but not every drill was contact.

“So, it worked out for him. He’s still going to be a good few weeks, not two or three. It’s a matter of weeks for him to build up, get into training, full contact.

“But it is really positive. I know it’s positive for the boy, it’s positive for us and obviously his support. I’ve never worked with him, but when I’ve watched him, he is very, very good.”

Jota undertook most of his recovery work in his native Lisbon, though Maloney confirmed Celtic’s backroom staff have maintained consistent communication throughout his lengthy recuperation.

He also praised the medical personnel who have supported the winger through one of the most challenging chapters of his professional life. He continued: “The medical team are really important. As can happen in longer injuries, he’s got a really good connection with the physios.

“They’re probably the more important than us. I think constant communication with them has probably helped.

“And the boss as well. I think we’ve all been on Zooms with him when he’s been doing his rehab in Portugal. Fozzy is the most positive guy in the world. He’s been really, really good with him.

“But also Martin. Martin’s been really, really good with him in terms of constantly being in communication.

“That’s all peripheral stuff. I think the main guys that he’s relied on is the physical and the medical team. The medical team and him have really been inseparable.

“They have to take any sort of credit rather than us – every week or once a fortnight speaking to him. These guys have been on daily communication with him. I think the last couple of weeks have been really positive.”

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