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Frank Lampard must be given time at Chelsea says Glenn Hoddle, who hopes Roman Abramovich understands that the current team is a "work in progress".

Chelsea looked well placed to fight for major honours across all competitions after embarking on a 16-game unbeaten run earlier this season.

Lampard seemed to be getting a tune out of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell and Edouard Mendy, with the Blues having forked out over £200 million ($301m) to bring in the five players in the summer transfer window.

However, results took a turn for the worse over the Christmas period as Chelsea suffered losses against Everton, Wolves and Arsenal, which allowed Liverpool and Manchester United to start pulling away at the top of the Premier League table.

The west London outfit suffered their fifth defeat of the season at home to Manchester City on Sunday, and they may now have a fight on their hands to finish in Champions League places unless Lampard can oversee a swift turnaround in fortunes.

It has been suggested that Chelsea owner Abramovich will pull the trigger on a club legend, but Hoddle is adamant that his old club should stick with their current manager as he tries to piece together a successful squad.

Asked if Lampard should be sacked ahead of the season half of the season, the former Blues player and coach told the Evening Standard: "I am not even going to contemplate that question. He has to be given time.

"It is a work in progress at Chelsea. They are falling short against the top teams and they have to find a way mentally to overcome that. They look better against the lesser teams but at the moment they look as if they are not quite ready to really win the league.

"They have talent in the squad but it is going to take some time, they are going to go through these rough patches. That is the process of building a side. You just hope the owner has that vision as well and understands that."

Chelsea will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Morecambe in an FA Cup third-round tie at the weekend, before their focus switches to a derby meeting with Fulham on January 15.

Manchester United have welcomed another familiar face into the first-team coaching ranks, with Darren Fletcher joining Michael Carrick in working alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Red Devils have had club legends in their dugout for some time, with Ryan Giggs being named interim manager when David Moyes was dismissed in 2014. He stayed on after the appointment of Louis van Gaal and has since become head coach of Wales.

In the wake of his departure from Old Trafford, ex-England international midfielder Carrick joined forces with Jose Mourinho. He took caretaker charge of the senior squad before 1999 Treble winner Solskjaer was returned to Manchester in December 2018.

Carrick has stayed on under the Norwegian and now has former team-mate Fletcher back at his side. The Scot, who made 342 appearances for United in his playing days, has been working with the Red Devils’ U16 side but will now fill a full-time role with the first team.

Fletcher, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League after stepping out of United’s academy system told the club’s official website of his comeback to the senior ranks: “I am delighted to be returning to the club as a first-team coach.

“It’s a very exciting time for this young team and I am looking forward to taking the next steps in my coaching career by working with Ole and his staff.”

Solskjaer said of adding more experience to his backroom staff: “Darren has the United DNA running through his veins and he knows exactly what it takes to be a Manchester United player. He is at the start of his coaching career and his experience both on and off the pitch along with his winning mentality, commitment and hard work will be a great addition to the staff.”

As well as promoting Fletcher, United have also appointed Robin Sadler as their head of rehabilitation and physiotherapy. He has previously spent time working with Derby and Manchester City and will oversee duties for the first-team, academy and women’s teams at Old Trafford.

United are on a strong run in the Premier League, and are level on points with leaders and reigning champions Liverpool.

Bruno Fernandes “looks like a Manchester United captain” says Phil Neville, with the Portuguese midfielder being charged with the task of delivering major silverware to Old Trafford.

The 26-year-old is doing all he can to rekindle former glories for the Red Devils with a regular stream of goals and assists since making his move to England from Sporting in January 2020.

Fernandes has been involved in 33 goals for United in just 30 Premier League appearances. Only former Red Devils striker Andy Cole can claim to have bettered that return after the same number of games at the start of a top-flight career in England, with the prolific frontman registering 37 involvements.

Fernandes sits above iconic names on that roll of honour, with the legendary Eric Cantona only managing to score or tee up 27 goals.

Neville thinks that the superstar playmaker has quickly become a “leader” for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the armband expected to come his way at some stage as United seek to get back on the trophy trail.

“Sensational,” was former United star Neville’s verdict on Fernandes when assessing his efforts for Premier League Productions. “I think the thing about that list [of most goal involvements] that stands out is the need to start winning trophies, to go along with those assists, that impact and those goals that he is scoring.

“Thinking back to when he joined 12 months ago, thinking that United were probably nowhere near Man City and Liverpool and even Chelsea, to now be joint-top of the Premier League, I think that’s a lot to do with him. That’s the impact he’s had.

“What I like about him is that he looks like a Man United captain. He talks like one, he is a leader on the pitch and he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground, which I think is really important.”

United have moved level on points with defending champions Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table and still have a game in hand, but their attention is about to shift to Carabao Cup and FA Cup matters as they prepare for meetings with Manchester City and Watford.

Christian Pulisic has admitted that Chelsea "need to show character" and be "smarter" without the ball after their loss to Manchester City.

Pulisic played the full 90 minutes of Chelsea's 3-1 defeat to City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Frank Lampard's side found themselves three goals down at the interval after a devastating first-half display from the visitors, who were back to their fluent best after seeing their previous fixture against Everton called off due to a rise in coronavirus cases.

Ilkay Gundogan's thunderous strike from just outside the box gave City the lead, before Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne produced a pair of classy finishes to leave Chelsea with a mountain to climb.

The hosts toiled in vain to get back into the game in the second period and eventually pulled a goal back through Callum Hudson-Odoi in stoppage time, but a gulf in class between the two teams was evident throughout the contest.

The Blues have slipped to eighth in the Premier League standings after suffering a fourth loss in their last six games, and Pulisic has issued a rallying ahead of the second half of the season with their title challenge now seemingly up in smoke.

"We’re in a tough period," the USMNT international told Chelsea TV. "It’s going to happen to everyone at times and we’ve been in these situations ourselves before.

"We have a game next week where we need to start turning it around because we do need to start getting results quickly. We’ll watch this game back, look at it as a team and see what we can improve on. It’s not going to be easy but we need to show character now.

"We have some games coming up where we need to turn it around quickly and start putting together a run of results."

Pulisic added on Chelsea's overall display against City: "We conceded goals with a lot of counter situations and we weren’t prepared to stop that so the first half really let us down.

"They were able to beat us on some transitions where we needed to defend better and be a little smarter and then we allowed them to dictate the tempo of the game.

"We had to go back out and show character. We’re never going to give up, we know we have talented guys and a good team but we just need to show it, which is what we did in the second half.

"It’s not easy to come back from three goals down but it’s happened before so we gave it everything and managed to get one back. Unfortunately, it was just too little, too late."

Kaizer Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic could be set to play his first game of the season for the Glamour Boys in a Caf Champions League first round, second leg clash against Primeiro de Agosto at the Estadio 11 de Novembro Stadium in Luanda on Tuesday.

Nurkovic was top scorer for Amakhosi last season with 13 league goals but has not played a single match this season.

The reason for his absence was initially due to an injury, although it also transpired in December that the player had been pushing for a move away from the club, with Egyptian giants Al Ahly thought to be his preference.

However, Chiefs have seemingly ironed out the issue and Nurkovic has been named in the squad for Tuesday's Champions League showdown in Angola.

And with Chiefs having endured such a poor start to the season (just three wins from 14), the hope will be that Nurkovic can transform their fortunes, although as Ramahlwe Mphahlele says, he should not be put under undue pressure.

"We know what Samir is capable of but we are not going to put pressure on him to say you are back now and you have to score goals for us‚” Mphahlele was quoted saying by the Sowetan

The Amakhosi defender says it's important that other players also take up the burden of goal scoring, which has however largely not been the case so far this season.

“He can come in and create for other guys to score like Khama Billiat‚ Leonardo Castro‚ Lazarous Kambole and Dumisani Zuma who are capable of scoring goals," Rama elaborated.

"Tower (Eric Mathoho) also is capable of scoring goals‚ so we are not going to put too much burden on him.

“We want to give him (Nurkovic) space because he has been out for too long and we are not expecting miracles from him. He has been doing well at training and I just hope he continues in that vein during the games."

Chiefs need a score draw or an outright victory to advance, following a 0-0 home draw against Primeiro de Agosto just before Christmas.

Sevilla midfielder Joan Jordan has sparked talk of interest from Arsenal, but a man with a £55 million ($75m) release clause claims to feel “super comfortable” in his current surroundings.

The Gunners are said to be in the market for another creative midfielder after struggling for consistency in 2020-21.

Mesut Ozil has been frozen out of Mikel Arteta’s plans and 20-year-old academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe has only recently been given the chance to stake a serious claim for a regular role.

His form could see Arteta shelve any plans to acquire more playmaking talent, but options continue to be weighed up in north London.

Jordan is among those said to be on the recruitment radar at Emirates Stadium, with the 26-year-old impressing in La Liga and during the successful Europa League run for Sevilla in 2019-20.

It has been suggested that his signature could be secured for less than the asking price set out in his contract, but the Catalan native will not be pushing for a switch any time soon.

He told Estadio Deportivo when quizzed on transfer talk: “In the end, these are just things that come out, like the many things that were said, the rumours, when I was at Eibar.

“I have always been very clear about the present, the future does not feed me, it takes away from me and does not give me the energy I need.

“My mind is genuinely here in Sevilla. I am at a super ambitious club, and I have nothing more to say because I really am super comfortable here, like I was when I arrived here.

“Things can come out, but I tell you my mind today and the people that know me can back me up, it's not that I'm avoiding the question just that really, my mind is on the derby.”

Jordan’s latest outing for Sevilla came in their 1-1 derby draw with Andalusian neighbours Real Betis, with that result not enough to lift Julen Lopetegui’s side into La Liga’s top six.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have collected three successive victories in the Premier League and are now looking to move back into the top-half of the table.

Mozambique forward Lucia Jose grabbed a goal for Ovarense as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Clube Condeixa in a Portuguese Liga BPI tie on Sunday.

Before the festive break, Jose had scored twice for Ovarense in eight outings in the Portuguese topflight this season, with the two in her last appearances against Maritime and Amora.

Having gone three matches without a win, the 27-year-old was aiming to help her side return to winning ways and also clinch a top-four spot but her lone effort was not enough at Condeixa.

The Mozambican striker opened the scoring for the visitors with her superb finish after just 12 minutes in the encounter at Estádio Municipal de Condeixa.

After the restart, Ovarense held on to their narrow lead in the second half until they conceded a late penalty on the brink of full time.

The hosts, however, left it late to break the resilience of the visitors after they were gifted a chance and Catarina Lopes converted in style to force a stalemate. 

Jose lasted the entire duration of the match for the third time in three successive matches and has now scored three goals in nine appearances for Ovarense this season.

The draw means Ovarense are now without a win in four matches and are sixth on the southern log with 12 points from nine matches.  

Having finished in the bottom six, they will now feature in the 12-team playoff competition to preserve their topflight status.

Gor Mahia have been boosted by the return of captain Kenneth Muguna ahead of the crucial Caf Champions League game against CR Belouizdad at Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday. 

The former Western Stima player missed the first leg of the competition owing to a rib injury. But he has now healed and ready to help his team against the Great Chabab.

"It is a plus to me as a coach to have all the best players because it will make me prepare well for the game," stand-in coach Sammy Omollo told Goal on Monday after training.

"We welcome Muguna back, we all know he is our captain and having him back to the team is motivation. The preparations are going on well and we hope to play better against our North Africa opponents."

South Sudanese striker Tito Okello, midfielders Earnest Wendo and Bernard Ondiek and winger Nicholas Kipkirui were the only absentees.

Omalla is in school while seemingly, Ondiek has not healed from his ankle injury. Kipkirui has not yet reported back and rumours are rife that he is contemplating leaving in the current transfer window. 

K'Ogalo are on a tough mission of overturning the 6-0 loss suffered in the first leg in Algeria to make it to the group stage of the competition.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have confirmed no fans will be allowed to enter the venue of the Caf Champions League clash pitting Gor Mahia against CR Belouizdad on Wednesday.

The two teams will face off in the return leg at Nyayo Stadium with the Algerian giants carrying a 6-0 advantage from the first meet in Algiers.

FKF CEO Barry Otieno has confirmed to Goal like it was the case when Gor Mahia faced APR of Rwanda in the first round of the competition, no fans will be allowed to the venue as per Caf rules on Covid-19 pandemic.

"We will not have fans for the match at Nyayo Stadium and this is because Caf have requested for the same," Otieno told Goal on Monday.

Gor Mahia opponents CR Belouizdad arrived in the country on Sunday ahead of the fixture and will train at the match venue on Tuesday at 3 pm.

Manchester United have a "lot of match-winners" now, according to Gary Neville, who hopes the Red Devils can "tweak Liverpool's tail" in the coming weeks.

United have emerged as the closest challengers for Liverpool's Premier League crown in the first half of the 2020-21 campaign.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have won six of their last eight games, including a 2-1 home victory over Aston Villa on Friday which saw them move level on points with the defending champions at the top of the table.

Liverpool can restore their three-point advantage if they beat Southampton at St Mary's on Monday night, but United still have a game in hand to take in away at Burnley on January 12.

The two clubs currently setting the pace in the top-flight will meet at Anfield five days later, with Neville relishing the prospect of the heavyweight showdown after seeing his old club rediscover a consistent streak.

The Red Devils legend thinks Solskjaer has assembled a squad good enough to compete with the very best, and although he acknowledges there is still plenty of work to be done, the former defender is encouraged by the "spirit" the team has shown in recent weeks.

"It was a big, big win for United," Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast while assessing United's position following their win against Villa.

"I'm so looking forward to that [Liverpool game]. Not because I'm here thinking United can go to Anfield and win, but because United have become competitive out of nowhere.

"I remember sitting at Old Trafford after that Manchester derby [goalless draw], sat with Roy Keane and Micah Richards, saying that Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham were far ahead of the two Manchester clubs at this moment in time.

"If you'd have said at the start of the season, or even five weeks ago, that United would be level with Liverpool, I'd have said no chance, that can't happen.

"That shows how unusual this season is. What Manchester United have is a lot of match-winners - Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial, Daniel James, Mason Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford. Game-changers.

"They do it in moments, and they don't always have to be playing well when you have those players on the pitch.

"The performances are getting better, it's a work in progress, it's not by any stretch the finished article. At times in games they mesmerise you for 10 minutes, and then can turn into a nightmare for 10 minutes, but there's confidence building, something is growing, there's a spirit at the end of the game with the players celebrating was nice to see.

The 45-year-old pundit added: "I think a couple of years ago I said quite publicly at times there was a team I didn't like watching wearing those red shirts. I see them now, and I felt last season they looked a lot happier, and this season they seem happier again.

"Who knows? I don't think they'll win the league, I don't think they're quite there, but I didn't think they'd be anywhere near at this stage, and they are. For that, we'll look forward to that trip to Anfield with great glee - and hope we can tweak the tail of the tiger a little bit more!"

Lyon star Karl Toko Ekambi has reportedly tested positive for coronavirus ahead of Wednesday's Ligue 1 fixture against Lens.

According to L'Equipe, the 28-year-old Cameroonian initially tested positive for the virus on Friday upon his return from Christmas break and he got retested with another positive result on Sunday.

Toko Ekambi will be expected to miss Lyon's first game in 2021 as he continues his recovery from the illness.

His absence might come as a blow for Rudi Garcia's side as he is currently Lyon's leading top scorer with nine goals in 15 league matches this season.

Toko Ekambi is the second Lyon player to test positive for coronavirus this year after Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes announced his health status via Twitter on January 1.

Lyon are presently on a 14-game unbeaten run in the Ligue 1 and they lead the table with 36 points after 17 matches, and a superior goal difference above second-placed Lille.

In Toko Ekambi’s absence, Zimbabwe’s Tino Kadewere who is enjoying a fine debut campaign in the French top-flight, will be expected to lead Lyon's attack having returned seven goals in 16 league appearances so far.

Ivory Coast's Maxwel Cornet is another African star who might be given a chance to start at the Groupama Stadium on Wednesday.

Andy Robertson believes Liverpool will only require a points haul “in the 80s” to defend their Premier League title in 2020-21, saying Jurgen Klopp’s side have more margin for error than in recent seasons.

The Reds missed out on the English top-flight crown by a solitary point in 2018-19 despite collecting 97 and suffering only one defeat.

A 30-year wait for domestic glory was finally brought to a close last season, with Klopp’s side amassing 99 points.

They have been a dominant force at home and abroad for some time, but the playing field appears to have levelled out amid the many tests presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

Robertson admits as much with Liverpool seeing the chasing pack close in this term, and he expects the title race to more keenly contested this time around.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Scotland international – who has seen Liverpool held in their last two outings against West Brom and Newcastle – said: “Over the last two years or even three years - and no disrespect to those clubs - but last season we would have won those games.

“If you add two points to every one of those games then the league table is looking a lot different and we're sitting pretty happy, but you know, this season is going to be unique.

"I think there are seven or eight teams - once the games in hand have been played that are within three points of us at the top, and it's going to be a unique season as I said.

“I think I can comfortably say it's not going to be 97 or 98 points that is going to win the league this season, it's probably going to be in the 80s because it is that tight and everyone is taking points off each other. We need to stay in the race, and that's what we have done so far.

“Of course, the last two games have been disappointing, especially Newcastle [which ended 0-0]. We could have probably played all night the amount of chances we had, I think [Newcastle goalkeeper] Karl Darlow would have kept every one of them out the way he has playing. You sometimes get games like that.

"Thankfully, we haven't had too many like that in the last couple of years, but we had it the other night.

“It's just now we need to kick on in 2021. We need to go on a run of games where we win. We of course need to pick up more away points and keep picking up maximum points at home, and let's see where we end up. It's a unique season. Hopefully we end up on top.”

Robertson is determined to enhance to his medal collection this season, having added the Premier League crown to Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup prizes.

He said, heading into the meeting with Southampton at St Mary’s on Monday: “For 2021 as a whole, I hope it ends in success. The last two years we have been lucky enough to get our hands on a trophy, and of course we want to strive for more.

"We know the hard work and everything that needs to go to win any sort of trophy and we are determined to do so.

“Obviously we will get Virg [van Dijk] back in 2021 at some point. I'm not sure that will be any time this season, but he will get back and it's been great having him and Joe Gomez around the players and be able to see them and put a smile on their faces as well. Hopefully those boys and all of the injured boys are back on the pitch real soon.”

Tusker have confirmed the release of winger Kevin ‘Ade’ Omondi and Peter Nzuki.

According to the club’s chairman David Aduda, the duo were rendered free agents after their contracts with the Brewers expired on December 31, 2020.

Both players joined the FKF Premier League side at the start of the 2018 season and Aduda has now confirmed to Goal their contracts will not be renewed.

“I can confirm both Omondi and Nzuki have left the club after the expiry of their contracts,” Aduda told Goal on Monday. “We opted not to renew their contracts for various reasons and as a club, we wish them well in their next moves.”

Omondi joined Tusker from champions Gor Mahia but found the rather going tough at the Brewers after he underwent an operation to repair his knee which kept him out of action for the better part of the campaign while Nzuki arrived from the defunct Nakumatt.

Tusker are currently chasing for the 2020-21 league title and on Sunday managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Sofapaka in a match played at Kasarani Stadium.

Batoto ba Mungu had taken a deserved lead courtesy of Ellie Asieche before Luke Namanda levelled matters for the Brewers to ensure they keep their four-match unbeaten run intact.

Tusker coach Robert Matano has admitted they were happy to snatch a draw from the fixture.

“We appreciate the one point gained, we played well although in the first half we were slow," Matano told Goal after the match. “[Sofapaka] started the match with a high tempo but ended up slowing down, but we expected it so we managed to contain them.

“We did not make any mistakes, if we would have done so most probably we would not have managed to get anything from the game. In the first half, they played without an established striker but they introduced them in the second half.

“We contained them, no striker scored, which means we tamed them.”

On his part, Sofapaka coach Ken Odhiambo, who was handling the team for the first time after joining the side from Bandari, said they had gifted Tusker with a cheap goal.

“I have seen some mistakes that need to be worked on,” Odhiambo told Goal after the match. “For example, the goal we conceded was more of a gift to them, we conceded an easy goal.

“We have lost two points; the kind of team we were playing against resorted to high balls which to me is old-fashioned. We needed to stick to our game. I have seen there are a few things that need to be changed but I will work with the players and we improve on it.

“It is about pushing them in training and ensuring we get goals. Getting one point away is not bad but we wanted maximum points.”

The Brewers are now in the third position with 11 points after six games while Sofapaka are 11th with four points from five games.

Anthony Martial needs to be hitting “10 to 15 goals a season” in order for Manchester United to sustain their challenge for the Premier League title, says Phil Neville.

The Red Devils have joined the frontrunners in what is shaping up to be an intriguing race for domestic supremacy in 2020-21.

In order for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side to remain in that hunt, inspiration is going to be required at both ends of the field. A settled defensive unit are offering cause for optimism, while Bruno Fernandes remains a talismanic presence in the middle of the park.

Firepower has been found in the final third, with Edinson Cavani’s addition aiding that cause, but more is being demanded of Martial with the France international hitting the net just five times this term.

Only two of those efforts have come in the Premier League, with his duck broken at Old Trafford in the narrow 2-1 win over Aston Villa last time out.

Questions have been asked on a regular basis of whether the 25-year-old is the right man to lead the line for United as their No 9, with Neville admitting that standards need to be raised.

The former United star told Premier League Productions: “I was actually surprised by that stat [of Martial's goal record this season], I didn't know that stat before it was said in the interview.

“He's someone that needs to score more goals, needs to score 10 to 15 goals a season, I think he needs to be up to that mark for United to have a chance of winning the league.

“He can't just rely on a [Marcus] Rashford or a Fernandes to score the goals. He needs to be hitting those types of figures. I'd like to see him be more ruthless.”

Martial did display predatory instincts when netting against Villa, with a clever run to the front post allowing him to glance in a cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Neville added: “This was a really good finish, it was a good ball from Wan-Bissaka, but the guide of the header was really good and hopefully now he can get a run of games, a run of form, a run of rhythm. He looks fitter and I want to see him go on a run now of scoring goals.”

Solskjaer has stated that he expects the floodgates to open for Martial now that he is back in the groove, with United looking for the Frenchman to replicate his efforts from 2019-20 that delivered a personal-best return of 23 goals across all competitions.

Tusker FC coach Robert Matano insists his team made no mistakes despite playing to a 1-1 draw with Sofapaka in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League game played on Sunday.

Batoto ba Mungu scored first after just six minutes. Titus Achesa was left unmarked in a good area and he put in a good cross which captain Elly Asieche tapped in. 

The 11-time champions equalized in the 25th minute. Kevin Okoth's shot was parried by the goalkeeper and the ball kindly fell to Namanda who did not hesitate to head it in.

"We appreciate the one point gained, we played well although in the first half we were slow," Matano told Goal. 

"[Sofapaka] started the match with a high tempo but ended up slowing down; but we expected it so we managed to contain them.

"We did not make any mistakes, if we would have done so most probably we would not have managed to get anything from the game. In the first half, they played without an established striker but they introduced them in the second half.

"We contained them, no striker scored, which means we tamed them."

However, Sofapaka coach Ken Odhiambo felt his charges gifted the Ruaraka-based side a goal.

"I have seen some mistakes that need to be worked on," Odhiambo told Goal. 

"For example, the goal we conceded was more of a gift to them, we conceded an easy goal. 

"We have lost two points; the kind of team we were playing against resorted to high balls which to me is old-fashioned. We needed to stick to our game. I have seen there are a few things that need to be changed but I will work with the players and we improve on it. 

"It is about pushing them in training and ensuring we get goals. Getting one point away is not bad but we wanted maximum points."

After Sunday's game, Tusker FC are third on the table with 11 points from six games. They have managed to get three wins, two draws and a loss.

The 2009 champions are 11th with four points from the five games played. They have managed to get a win, a draw and three losses.

Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso said he will be meeting with Victor Osimhen after the Nigerian apologised for breaching coronavirus protocols at a party organised in Lagos.

The Nigeria international is yet to return to action since he dislocated his shoulder during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Sierra Leone on November 13.

Osimhen is still recovering from the injury but he was granted permission to travel to Nigeria for the winter break where he attended a party to celebrate his 22nd birthday on December 29.

Upon his return to Naples, the 22-year-old tested positive for coronavirus and a video of him surfaced on social media where he was seen without wearing a face mask and no social distancing observed in the party.

After Napoli’s 4-1 win over Cagliari on Sunday, Gattuso gave his opinion on the situation.

“He’s a young lad who gives his all in training,” the Italian manager told the club website. “He knows he’s made a mistake and he’s apologised.

“I’ll speak to him. I know how much he wants to get back onto the right track and get back playing.”

Osimhen, on his part, issued an apology to the club and his teammates for his ‘wrong’ decision which has delayed his return to training because of the compulsory two weeks he will spend in isolation.

“I am so sorry for what happened, I was wrong to go to Nigeria in this moment, even if I have many loved ones over there, including my brothers,” Osimhen wrote on his Instagram story.

“I was wrong to take part in the party I didn’t understand the severity of what I was doing. I apologise to the club, the coach, the team and the fans.”

The Nigeria forward completed a big-money move to Napoli in August after an outstanding 2019-20 campaign in the French Ligue 1 with Lille.

He has scored two goals so far in six Serie A matches for the Parthenopeans who sit fourth in the league table with 28 points from 14 matches.

Arsenal outcast William Saliba is set to join Nice on loan, Goal can confirm.

The Frenchman will undergo a medical at Allianz Riviera on Monday, before joining the Ligue 1 club until the end of the season.

No option to buy will be included in the final deal, with Arsenal adamant that Saliba still has a future at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are hoping the 19-year-old can start playing regular football again at Nice, who have agreed to cover his wages in full for the next six months.

Saliba signed for Arsenal Saint Etienne for £27 million ($37m) in July 2019 and was subsequently sent back to Geoffroy Stadium on a season-long loan.

The centre-back finally joined up with his new team-mates at Emirates Stadium last summer but has since been unable to force his way into Mikel Arteta's plans.

He has not made a single appearance for the Gunners in the first half of the 2020-21 campaign, with Rob Holding, Gabriel, Pablo Mari and David Luiz currently ahead of him in the squad.

Arteta was asked when supporters could expect to see Saliba in action at the start of December, to which he offered the frank response: "Whenever we have the spaces and we believe that he's ready to play with us."

Saliba appeared to express frustration over his situation in north London during a social media exchange with Matteo Guendouzi later in the month. He commented on one of Guendouzi's posts on Instagram saying he'd been "locked up" at the start of his career at the Emirates, and the midfielder, who is currently on loan at Hertha Berlin, replied: “We’re together, my little brother."

Should his transfer to Nice go through without a hitch, Saliba could be in line to make his debut for the club as early as Wednesday.

Adrian Ursea's side are due back in Ligue 1 action away at Brest, but their new signing may ultimately be saved until their next fixture against Metz on January 9.

Nice are currently languishing down in 12th in the French top flight, however they still have a game in hand on all four teams above them up to eighth, with European qualification still a realistic goal if they can put together a solid run of wins.