There is no World Cup for Wales this summer but some members of Craig Bellamy’s squad will still be making headlines.

As the transfer window approaches – and some contracts expire – Bellamy will watch with interest to see where some of his players end up.

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Captain Ben Davies, for example, sees his Tottenham Hotspur contract run out in June, while Wales’ most influential player in recent times, Harry Wilson, will also become a free agent unless he agrees a new deal at Fulham.

There are others, too, who could be primed for a transfer this summer.

BBC Sport Wales looks at the players who could be on the move before the 2026-27 campaign.

Goalkeepers

Karl Darlow is among the frontline Wales players whose club future is uncertain as things stand.

The 35-year-old has handed Bellamy a welcome boost by playing a significant role at Leeds United this season despite the arrival of Lucas Perri for a reported £15.6m fee last summer.

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Perri started the season as Daniel Farke’s first choice in goal but Darlow has since claimed the number one shirt, making 20 Premier League appearances and winning praise for the part he has played in Leeds’ top-flight survival.

There have been suggestions that Darlow, Wales’ number one in recent times, will be offered a new Elland Road deal but there is no news of anything being finalised yet.

Of Wales’ other goalkeeping options, Danny Ward would seem likely to stay at Wrexham, particularly after reclaiming his place in Phil Parkinson’s side at the back-end of the Championship season.

Adam Davies, meanwhile, is out of contract at Sheffield United this summer, though there have been reports that he will be handed a new Bramall Lane contract.

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Defenders

The big question mark when it comes to Wales’ frontline defenders is alongside the name of Tottenham stalwart Davies.

The 33-year-old has made more than 350 appearances for Spurs since joining from Swansea City 12 years ago but how many more are there to come?

Last summer, Tottenham triggered a one-year extension in Davies’ contract to keep him at the club for the 2025-26 campaign but there is no word on yet on whether there will be a new deal on the table this time around.

There has been talk of Davies becoming a player-coach, or even switching his focus at some point to a role which is in football but away from the pitch.

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Certainly, Bellamy will be eager to see what happens to one of the key figures in his squad.

As for Bellamy’s other defenders, there could be question marks over Chris Mepham‘s future at West Brom.

Mepham joined the Baggies on a three-year deal last summer but has not played since February.

While Mepham’s absence was thanks in part to injury, the 28-year-old did not feature at the tail-end of the season despite boss James Morrison saying he was available.

Cardiff City’s Dylan Lawlor, meanwhile, may well be the subject of transfer speculation this summer despite the Bluebirds’ promotion to the Championship – and the fact that he signed a new deal running until 2028 last August.

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Lawlor has been tipped by many to play at the highest level, so transfer interest during the close season would be no surprise.

Rhys Norrington-Davies is another Wales international defender whose club future may come into focus.

Norrington-Davies made 39 appearances while on loan from Sheffield United at Queens Park Rangers in 2025-26, but he is under contract with the Blades until 2027.

Midfielders

What next for Jordan James? The midfielder was the brightest spark in an awful year for Leicester City, where he cleaned up at the end-of-season awards.

Still only 21, James is due to return to French club Rennes following his year-long loan spell with the Foxes but there are suggestions that another move to English football is likely.

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James’ contribution at Leicester suggests he would be an asset for any Championship club – while he may have earned a shot at the Premier League.

Ethan Ampadu is already shining at the highest level having enjoyed a fine season with Leeds, where he is under contract until the summer of 2027.

It has been reported that while the club have an option to extend the deal by 12 months, they are keen to tie Ampadu to a new longer-term deal to ward off any potential suitors.

There are other less prominent Wales players whose futures will also be on the agenda this summer, with Swansea City boss Vitor Matos revealing he will have a conversation with Ollie Cooper.

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Kai Andrews, meanwhile, may not be expecting much of an opportunity at Coventry City next season following their promotion to the top division.

The teenager has spent the second half of 2025-26 on loan with Hibernian but has struggled for regular game-time with the Scottish Premiership club.

Fellow youngster Charlie Crew, of Leeds, is another player who could be looking for another move after his season-long loan spell at Doncaster Rovers was cut short.

Forwards

Should no new agreement with Fulham materialise, Wilson will be one of the most attractive options on the Premier League free-agent market this summer.

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The 29-year-old has enjoyed a spectacular season, with goals coming regularly and often in memorable fashion.

Wilson told BBC Sport Wales last June that he was in discussions over a new Craven Cottage contract but, with nothing agreed, various clubs are being linked with his signature.

Another man who could be in demand is Sorba Thomas, who was named player of the year after his fine debut season at Stoke City.

Winger Thomas, 27, scored 10 goals in 46 appearances for a Potters side who fell away after a promising start to their Championship campaign and has been linked with a move to the Premier League.

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When asked towards the end of the season whether he would still be a Stoke player next terms, Thomas set tongues wagging by declining to comment.

Of Wales’ other attacking players, Lewis Koumas looks the most likely to be on the move again following loan spells at Birmingham City and Hull City in 2025-26, unless of course Liverpool decide the 20-year-old is ready for a first-team chance at Anfield.

La Salle at George Mason — ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited

Clemson at Virginia Tech — ACCNX

Virginia at Louisville — ACCNX

Penn State at Maryland — Big Ten Plus

Baltimore at Washington — FS1

MLS: St. Louis City vs. D.C. United — Apple TV

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

In full fairness, this particular Vikings rumor made a ton of sense. After all, the player at the center of the purple dot connecting — WR DeAndre Hopkins — publicly expressed a desire to become a Minnesota Viking.

At this stage, though, a marriage between Minnesota and the veteran appears quite unlikely. Signing Jauan Jennings means that Minnesota sits atop arguably one of the best receiver groups in the NFL, if not the best crew (something they’ll look to prove on the grass, which is all that matters). Where does that leave Mr. Hopkins?

Vikings Rumor Now Far From Becoming Reality

As cruel as it sounds, Mr. Hopkins may need to wait for an injury to get a call.

The NFL is a league that’s constantly chasing cheap youth. Hopkins will come cheap, but he no longer has a claim on being youthful (at least within an NFL workplace; being in one’s early 30s means being downright ancient). Recent draftees and undrafted pickups will get a chance to show they belong in the big leagues during the coming months. If/when some of these young lads fail, then there will be a turn for an elder statesman.

Or, perhaps, there’s an injury, suspension, or retirement. Think some sort of extenuating circumstances. In these conditions, a team could be in need for an extra receiver.

Part of the problem, though, is that DeAndre Hopkins isn’t going to offer much on specials, if anything at all. In a career that goes back to 2013, Hopkins has played a whopping 10 special teams snaps. The last time he got onto specials was for a single play in 2023.

— READ MORE: More Leaks Arrive Thursday Morning for Vikings Schedule —
— READ MORE: Kevin O’Connell’s Other QB Draft Pick Announces Retirement —

Quite possibly, Hopkins could go out there for a hands team assignment for an onside kick, but a gunner he is not. That’s an issue.

Sitting in the WR4 or WR5 job generally means needing to contribute somehow other than with catching the ball. Sure, there could still be a target or two within that sort of role, but the league doesn’t often feature games where a fifth option at WR explodes for 10+ touches.

DeAndre Hopkins may therefore have to be patient.

— READ MORE: By Golly, The Vikings May Have Pulled it Off Again —
— READ MORE: A Fantastic Vikings Problem Keeps Getting Worse —

Before the Jennings development, the Vikings could have justified bringing the receiver to town. Doing so would help to ensure Tai Felton doesn’t get forced into a job he’s not ready for. Plus, he has built-in chemistry with Kyler Murray due to their time together as Cardinals. And then his size should allow him to still pull down contested catches for a 1st Down or a touchdown.

Off the field and in the locker room, Mr. Hopkins could reasonably be a mentor for Justin Jefferson. Basically nobody out there knows what it’s like to operate within the same stratosphere as Jefferson. Hopkins is one of the few who gets it since he has been a superstar.

Is there an intangible element where Hopkins can help on the sidelines in the same way a veteran QB2 helps a stud at QB1? Hopkins understands what it’s like to face double teams on a constant basis. He may even have some helpful pointers for how to beat those double teams.

Now, that’s not to say that the veteran has soared as high as Jefferson or that Jefferson needs a shepherd to guide him. Still, though, there’s very little downside in boasting a well-respected vet who was an All Pro five times and a Pro Bowler as many times (which is to say nothing of being in the running for Offensive Player of the Year, the award Jefferson has won).

As things stand, Jefferson is the second-oldest player in that Vikings receiver room. Jennings is the old fella at 28; Jefferson will turn 27 later this summer. Each got into the NFL in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Going into the 2026 season, the Vikings will be rallying around a top receiver trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. Very few teams boast the necessary talent to run with those three.

Next up would appear to be Tai Felton alongside Myles Price, both of whom boast impressive abilities on special teams but who have yet to break through on offense. Making room for one more receiver isn’t impossible, though it’s no sure thing the team carries six WRs.

DeAndre Hopkins will turn 34 in June. Drafted at No. 27 in the 2013 NFL Draft, Hopkins is likely to get into the Hall of Fame.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Mumbai Indians returned to winning ways, registering their fourth victory of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign after a thrilling win over the Punjab Kings on Thursday. The victory came under the captaincy of Jasprit Bumrah after both Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav missed the fixture. While MI have suggested that Hardik’s absence is due to a back spasm, rumours suggest there is more to the story than meets the eye. Former India opener Virender Sehwag feels Hardik should be released by the franchise if these rumours are true.

As Hardik remains absent from the Mumbai Indians squad, reports of dressing-room discord between him and certain players have emerged. Though Sehwag does not believe all these rumours are true, he feels the franchise should let Hardik go if that is indeed the case.

“If you just talk about cricket, then retain him. But then you have all these rumours, which I’m not sure are true, about some dressing-room tension or off-field issues. If that is true, release him. If false, based on cricket, he must be retained because he is a top-quality player,” he said during a discussion on Cricbuzz. He also mentioned that, personally, he would like to retain Hardik.

“Irrespective of the rumours, I will retain him. You can always put an end to that. Those dressing-room differences, if true, can be settled. Because you have to play as a team. And Hardik is more valuable as a player. Mumbai Indians need him,” he said.

At present, the most expensive player in the IPL is Rishabh Pant, having been bought for Rs 27 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. Sehwag feels Hardik is a player whose actual value is the figure Pant received, and not his current salary of Rs 16 crore.

“Remember, he used to play well even when he was not the captain of Mumbai Indians. There were rumours even then. But I would still retain him. In fact, Rs 16.35 crore is very little. He is a Rs 27 crore player,” he added.

Mumbai Indians have two more matches to go before their IPL 2026 season concludes. It will be interesting to see if Hardik makes a comeback to feature in either of the remaining matches.

Featured Video Of The Day

Delhi vs Mumbai IPL 2026: Fans Flood Arun Jaitley Stadium for High-Voltage Clash

The July 19 World Cup final in New Jersey will be the first to include a Superbowl-inspired “Halftime Show,” with performances from American veteran Madonna, the Colombian voice of the 2010 and now 2026 World Cup Shakira, and South Korean boyband BTS. 

The curator is Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who announced the lineup in a promotional video featuring characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets on Thursday. 

What did FIFA say about the event? 

FIFA says the event aims to raise money for its FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. A promotional poster visible on the video carried the motto: “The world’s biggest stage, an even bigger purpose.” 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino also shared news of the lineup for the event, which he first announced would take place this March, online. 

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“The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show will be a truly special moment, bringing together music, football and a shared commitment to improving the lives of children around the world,” Infantino wrote.

Asked at one point during the promotional video whether the show would also feature “surprises” beyond the three headline acts, the Coldplay singer Chris Martin answered in the affirmative. 

The video featured various characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets, including Elmo, the Cookie Monster, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and Animal on the drums. 

Does football have halftime shows? 

The length of the show is not confirmed but some reports suggest it could last around 11 minutes. This could lead either to a longer interval, or little or no chance for broadcasters to revisit the action or air commercials. 

Typically, the halftime break at a football match is only around 15 minutes long. The time is used for a combination of commercial breaks if required or desired, and analysis of the action. 

The Champions League final, for instance, has a pre-match concert, rather than eating into the brief break between the two halves when there is sporting business to discuss. 

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Halftime shows or songs are a rarity. Famously, German pop star Helene Fischer performed at half time at the 2017 German Cup (DFB Pokal) final, to audible whistles and boos from supporters in real time in Berlin, and weeks of criticism afterwards. The practice was subsequently abandoned. 

FIFA is striking an optimistic note, though, describing the event ahead of time as “a singular moment at the intersection of sport, culture and purpose, broadcast live around the world.”

Edited by: Wesley Dockery

The 2026 NFL schedule has arrived, and per usual, there’s a great slate of primetime matchups. It doesn’t get any more “primetime” than “Monday Night Football,” which has been bringing every regular-season week (except the last one) to a close since 1970. ABC owned the broadcast rights until 2006, when it shifted over to ESPN — both are part of the Disney company — and as you’ll see, this year, several games air on both channels.

In a welcome change in most fans’ eyes, there will be no “Monday Night Football” doubleheaders in 2026. The “MNF” slate begins with a bitter AFC West rivalry as the Broncos visit the Chiefs. It could be the first game back after major injuries for both quarterbacks; Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in December, and Bo Nix suffered a fractured ankle in the playoffs one month later.

Here’s a rundown of every Monday night game for the 2026 season. Each contest will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET:

Ranking 2026 ‘Monday Night Football’ Games

17. Falcons at Saints (Week 4)

In a loaded year, someone has to finish last. In this case, it’s the Falcons visiting the Saints. Atlanta presents an underwhelming offseason quarterback battle between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. Even if one of those two can improve upon underwhelming 2025 seasons, neither looks like a long-term answer at the moment. The Saints hope they have a long-term answer at the position in Tyler Shough, but that’s also TBD. Just like the NFC South as a whole, this matchup just isn’t quite up to par with its competitors.

16. Giants at Lions (Week 16)

The Giants are getting a lot of love with Jaxson Dart entering Year 2, John Harbaugh coming in and two top-10 draft picks (Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa). But Harbaugh will be the first to tell you building a contender doesn’t happen overnight. The Giants should be better than last year, but by Week 16, they might not be in the playoff picture. The Lions should be. Jahmyr Gibbs will be licking his lips considering what he did against the Giants last year.

15. Panthers at Buccaneers (Week 12)

The Panthers made big upgrades at edge rusher (Jaelan Phillips) and linebacker (Devin Lloyd), and if Bryce Young can take even a half-step forward, they’ll make a push to repeat as NFC South champions. The Buccaneers might be their stiffest competition. But this matchup ranks just 15th, mainly because it’s at the end of an absolutely loaded week: one game on Thanksgiving Eve, three on Thanksgiving, one on Black Friday and 10 on Sunday. I’ll never be football-ed out, but this will push even my limits.

— tier break —

14. Commanders at 49ers (Week 6)

The Commanders were the darling team entering 2025. Now, they’re one of the least discussed. That’s what an injury-riddled 5-12 season will do. The 49ers, meanwhile, will be a popular playoff pick, and for good reason, especially if healthy. Also, the Commanders will be on a brutal travel schedule: vs. the Colts in London in Week 4, back home for the Giants in Week 5, then off to the West Coast. After a Week 1 game in Australia, the 49ers don’t leave the West Coast until Week 7.

13. Giants at Rams (Week 2)

As I’ve already said, the Giants should be improved. I’ve also already said it doesn’t happen overnight, and it certainly doesn’t happen by Week 2. The Rams are the Super Bowl favorites, and this will be a really tall task for New York. Also, the Rams play in Australia on Thursday in Week 1, so they’ll have a rest advantage over New York, which opens its season on Sunday Night Football.

12. Steelers at Jaguars (Week 14)

There’s nothing “wrong” per se about this game. Both teams made the playoffs. It’s just not quite as exciting as the next games in these rankings. We still don’t know what’s happening with Aaron Rodgers, but even if we did, the Steelers present as a low-ceiling outfit. The Jaguars will hope their excellent second half of 2025 carries over after a quiet offseason.

11. Bills at Vikings (Week 9)

There’s a chance this game could rise. But “could” is a dangerous word when it comes to the talented-but-inconsistent, oft-injured Kyler Murray. There’s a chance the partnership between him, ace play caller Kevin O’Connell and superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson goes perfectly. There’s also a chance it doesn’t go well, or Murray can’t stay healthy. He didn’t play in Week 9 in 2021, 2023 or 2025. Maybe this is a great game, with Murray getting a chance to shine in the spotlight and Josh Allen facing defensive mastermind Brian Flores. But there are more sure things elsewhere on this list.

10. Bengals at Commanders (Week 10)

Let’s just watch the “Monday Night Football” highlights from Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow in 2024.

More of that, please. (Though both teams, after making major defensive investments this offseason, will hope for better defense.)

— tier break —

9. Texans at Packers (Week 17)

OK, here we go. From here on out, all of the teams included are projected playoff teams, and we’re pumped to see each and every one.

C.J. Stroud faces a hugely important year ahead, as the Texans look like a serious Super Bowl contender almost everywhere else. The defense is absurdly good. Houston made upgrades at running back (David Montgomery) and along the offensive line. The Packers should have their own elite defender, Micah Parsons, back with several games under his belt. How does Jordan Love do against Houston’s defense? Does weather play a factor? Green Bay winters can be … unpleasant. 

8. Eagles at Bears (Week 3)

Last year, the Bears entered their Black Friday showdown against the Eagles with an 8-3 record, but the perception was that they weren’t quite as good as their record. Then they hammered the Eagles with 281 yards on the ground and a 28-14 first downs advantage in a 24-15 win. Now, these two reigning division champs meet again in a standalone game. How will Jalen Hurts look in a new offense? How will Caleb Williams look in his second season under Ben Johnson?

7. Bears at Seahawks (Week 8)

The Seahawks feel like one of the least talked-about Super Bowl champions in recent memory. Give them some credit. This was an excellent team: third in scoring offense, first in scoring defense. That’s rare air. This game will feature one of the NFL’s premier offensive minds (Ben Johnson) vs. one of the NFL’s premier defensive minds (Mike Macdonald), two former USC star quarterbacks (Caleb Williams and Sam Darnold) and two teams looking to show last year was no fluke.

6. Cowboys at Seahawks (Week 13)

The Seahawks really flexed their muscle down the stretch of last season, winning their final seven regular-season games before their playoff run to the Super Bowl title. If all goes to plan, this will be a classic offense-vs.-defense showdown; there aren’t many passing-game triumvirates than Dak Prescott, George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. Will the Cowboys’ defense be improved enough for it to matter?

5. Chargers at Ravens (Week 10)

We get a mentor vs. mentee here, as Jim Harbaugh faces his longtime defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter. Minter did excellent work with Harbaugh at Michigan (2022-23) and with the Chargers (2024-25) before taking over in Baltimore this offseason. Lamar Jackson is looking for a bounce-back year. Justin Herbert has a new offensive coordinator (Mike McDaniel) and hopefully a much healthier offensive line. The only other time Jackson and Herbert met on “MNF,” Jackson threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in a 30-23 comeback win.

4. Broncos at Chiefs (Week 1)

This one might be a few spots higher if both Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix weren’t coming off significant injuries. While both are expected to play, we can’t be 100% sure until it’s here, and even if they do play, both will be shaking off considerable rust. Even so, this is a terrific divisional rivalry to open “MNF.” The AFC West should be highly competitive once again.  

3. Patriots at Chiefs (Week 15)

This is the final “MNF” conference game of the year, with playoff implications for both teams. Mahomes will be over a year removed from his ACL tear and should be back in the swing of things. Kenneth Walker III, who dominated the Patriots to the tune of 161 yards in the Super Bowl, will look to have a repeat performance in his new home. The Patriots, meanwhile, will look not only to limit Walker but also to take advantage of an overhauled Chiefs’ secondary. Drake Maye vs. Patrick Mahomes? We’re here for it.

2. Cowboys at Eagles (Week 7)

Whenever these two meet, sparks fly and tempers flare. Remember Jalen Carter getting ejected for spitting on Dak Prescott before the first snap of the season opener last year? Jalen Hurts has never lost at home against Dallas. By the time we’re this far into the season, we’ll have a good inkling of how Hurts is adapting to the new offense and if the Cowboys’ defensive upgrades are enough.

1. Bills at Rams (Week 5)

When two teams this good meet up, it doesn’t matter that it’s not a conference game and not late in the season; it has to be at or near the top of any ranking. Two years ago, they produced a high-flying 44-42 Rams win that featured over 900 yards of combined offense. Matthew Stafford. Josh Allen. Puka Nacua. DJ Moore. Davante Adams. James Cook. Let’s sit back and enjoy this one.

Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to impress one and all with his batting heroics in the Indian Premier League 2026. Defying his age, the 15-year-old batter has been smashing even the fastest and most experienced pacers for massive sixes. Playing just his second season, Sooryavanshi has already broken several records. Amid his sensational run, a video of a father-son duo is going viral on social media. In the surfaced clip, a father forces his 10-year-old son to face senior fast bowlers in the nets despite the kid’s resistance.

Watch it here:

Dude… pic.twitter.com/6jFmNfrPSN

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— Haydos (@GovindIstOdraza) May 13, 2026

Teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was on Thursday named in the 15-member India A squad for the tri-nation 50-over series in Sri Lanka, starting June 9. Apart from the hosts, the other team in the tournament is Afghanistan A. The matches will be played in Dambulla.

India A will also play two multi-day (four-day) ‘Tests’ in Galle, but the squad for that will be announced later.

Sooryavanshi has been included as selectors wanted to give him a chance to assess him with the Pathways squad (India A) before he is picked for the senior team for the upcoming tour of the United Kingdom (Ireland and England), starting June 26, said a PTI report. The tri-nation series ends on June 21.

A look at the 15-member squad indicates that the average age of the team is around 23 years. Only the pace bowlers Arshad Khan, Yudhvir Singh and Yash Thakur are above 25 years of age. None of the players in the squad are above 30, and all have been performers in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (National One Day Championship), apart from being contracted with IPL squads.

Apart from Tilak and vice-captain Riyan Parag, who are the mainstays for MI and Rajasthan Royals respectively, Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals), Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Suryansh Shedge (both PBKS), Harsh Dubey (SRH), Nishant Sindhu, Arshad Khan (both GT), Badoni (LSG) have been first team regulars at various points during this edition of IPL.

In the squad, Anshul Kamboj (Test), Riyan Parag and Tilak Varma (T20Is and ODIs) have already played for the senior team while Ayush Badoni was picked in the Indian squad earlier this year although he didn’t get a game.

India A squad for the tri-series: Tilak Varma (Captain), Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Riyan Parag (Vice-Captain), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Harsh Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Kumar Kushagra (WK), Vipraj Nigam, Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Arshad Khan.

(With PTI Inputs)

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IPL 2026 | Delhi Capitals Wins By 6 Wickets Against Mumbai Indians: Redemption For Sameer Rizvi

In 2019 Bolton were not just relegated out of the Championship, but their very existence looked in doubt.

A takeover went through later that summer but the damage of an interrupted season had already taken hold and a second successive relegation in a Covid-interrupted campaign followed.

And then came the rebuild.

Ian Evatt led them back to the third tier and a pathway to the second could have followed in 2024, having narrowly missed out on automatic promotion to the Championship.

The League One play-off final beckoned and, off the back of an impressive campaign, perhaps they were destined to return to the second tier just five years after it had all gone wrong.

Bolton were, after all, a prolific play-off side, having twice won promotion to the Premier League via the nail biting end-of-season competition.

That day at Wembley two years ago felt like a step too far, however with a jaded Bolton looking off the pace. Opponents Oxford might not have been fancied before kick-off, but they controlled the game, scored twice, and earned their place in the Championship.

Fast forward two years and Oxford are down and face a return to League One, but could Bolton pull off a reverse in fortunes and take their place? Simons’ finish at Valley Parade means that dream moves a step closer.

“I couldn’t think of anyone better to score the goal to take us to Wembley. It’s been tough in the second half of the season for Xav,” Schumacher added.

“He’s found himself sometimes out of starting XIs or matchday squads but he’s a model pro, he’s done absolutely everything properly all the time, every single day.

“For him to come on and score the goal and take us to Wembley, I’m delighted for him.”

Remember the Lamar Jackson trade sweepstakes from a couple of offseasons ago that didn’t ultimately amount to much? That situation could be happening again, and the Minnesota Vikings would undoubtedly be a whispered destination for Jackson if so.

Minnesota’s quarterback room already has enough intrigue without another superstar trade rumor entering the picture.

SI.com‘s Jason La Canfora insinuated this week that an ugly holdout could be around the bend for Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, setting the stage for trade talks.

The Price Tag and QB Setup Make This Rumor Hard to Believe

The Vikings’ quarterback situation is pretty well set?

La Canfora’s Intel on Jackson

One of La Canfora’s sources, an NFL agent, recently told him about Jackson’s contract situation, “A trade demand would absolutely be on the table if I was advising Lamar. I’m not coming in with it, but I’m coming in with a very firm hand, and I’m not putting up with any of their bullsh!t. And if it’s not done before training camp, we’re done talking.”

“It’s pretty simple – and Lamar did a great job with this before, although the right agent could have earned that 1.5% commission and got it done sooner. You are giving us a significant increase on the Dak Prescott deal. That’s not even a discussion. We are asking for 100% guarantees again, and not wavering … And, yes, we are absolutely willing to play that trade-demand card.”

That sure sounds like the table-setting for an ugly summer.

Fansided’s Theory on Vikings + Jackson

In the fallout of La Canfora’s intel, Fansided‘s Alicia de Artola forecasted theoretical trade landing spots for Jackson, and somewhat unsurprisingly, the Vikings made the cut.

She explained, “The Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray to a one-year deal and look all set to continue their pattern of letting Kevin O’Connell work his magic on a distressed asset.”

“Murray isn’t Jackson though. Instead of restoring a piece of furniture they found in a back alley, Minnesota could try bringing in an actual star and reopening their Super Bowl window. O’Connell is too good a head coach to let the Vikings slip into one of the draft slots that could give them a franchise QB.”

Trading for Jackson this summer would be a truly bizarre outcome from a Vikings standpoint.

de Arotla added, “Going out and getting him a readymade one could actually give the team the boost they need to contend. If I’m Jackson, I’m looking at the Vikings and salivating. A QB whisperer like O’Connell?”

“A receiving corps led by Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison? Sign me up. Would the Vikings actually bite? Well, they have to actually hire a GM first, so Jackson may have to keep dreaming.”

Money Would Be Tricky

Aside from having a full quarterback room — Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer — trading for Jackson would present financial hurdles for Minnesota. The Ravens would eat about $32 million in dead cap with the maneuver — pretty doable on their end — while his cap numbers look like this through the end of 2028 with his next squad:

Jackson would not take a discount to play for the Vikings, and in fact, would expect an extension as part of the would-be trade. And these are the same Vikings who just conducted a quiet free agency to reset their salary cap standing for 2027 and beyond.

Minnesota would essentially make a deal for a quarterback by sending multiple 1st-Round picks to the Ravens and bowing to his contract demands of $60 million+ per season. Meanwhile, it would be doing trade business with the team that recently backed out of the Maxx Crosby deal with the Las Vegas Raiders in controversial fashion.

It’s a long way of saying that Jackson to Minnesota is pretty damn unlikely.

Probably a 2027 Talker if Anything

Pretend for a moment that the Vikings have a palpable interest in Jackson. They’ll likely want to see how the affordable solutions at quarterback — Murray and McCarthy — play out in 2026. It just doesn’t add up to trade gobs of draft picks for Jackson, who will want $60 million, when Jackson-lite (Murray) is ready and waiting to lead the franchise for $1.3 million in 2026. The pay gap is too vast.

However, if one assumes that the Murray + McCarthy experiment goes pear-shaped in 2026, Minnesota would be back at square one in the 2027 offseason, examining the quarterback-rich draft class of 2027 and all trade options, including Jackson, if he’s still in the trade rumor mill.

Therefore, reasonable Jackson trade rumors regarding the Vikings should be reserved for the 2027 offseason, if at all.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Harlem Queen’s path post-three hasn’t mirrored initial expectations, but trainer Nathan Doyle views her recent smooth prep positively for recapturing form steadiness.

Resuming Saturday at Scone’s Dark Jewel Classic (1400m), the mare suits longer journeys later yet barrier five bodes well per Doyle for an encouraging return.

“The 1400 is probably a perfect starting point,” Doyle said.

“I don’t want any less of a trip than that, she’d probably get run off her feet. But she’s on a big spacious track in Scone, she’s had two decent trials, and she’s as forward as we can get her first up.”

In 2024’s Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m), she placed before fourths in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and VRC Oaks (2500m) same year.

Follow-up outings proved inconsistent, standout being a Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) placing last year and Listed Ladies Day Cup (1600m) triumph at Hawkesbury in November.

Doyle explains previous niggling concerns shaped her schedule, contrasting this flawless run-up.

“She’s a horse that’s had a few little niggles along the way, so that’s why she didn’t have too long a preparation (last spring), and we just elected to pull up stumps and give her a break,” Doyle said.

“Touch wood, this time in everything’s been quite smooth sailing with her, and she seems in a good spot. I can’t fault her.

“If she’s anywhere near her best, she’ll be running well.”

Mercy Me tests stakes grade for Doyle in the 1100m Denise’s Joy Stakes among fillies, after her summer-ending treble.

Targeted fresh for Saturday, Doyle eyes continuation of her strong prior finish into this prep.

“She probably disappointed me earlier because I always said to the owners she was a filly with a stack of ability, and I didn’t expect her to get beaten at her first start and I didn’t expect her to be beaten first-up (in December),” he said.

“That was a bit of a head-scratcher, but obviously she’s now gone to the races and proven what I’ve said to the owners and what I’ve thought, which is a bit of a relief.

“She’s got two trials under her belt after a little bit of a freshen up, and 1100 at Scone is a perfect race for her. She deserves her chance at stakes class.”

Joining Harlem Queen and Mercy Me as Doyle stakes hopes is Churchill’s Choice in the Friday Scone Cup (1600m).

For the Dark Jewel Classic, punters can check betting sites offering competitive racing odds.