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West Bromwich Albion have now expressed an interest in an “insanely talented” manager, who could be brought in as a replacement for Ryan Mason.

Mason under pressure after Bristol City defeat

West Brom came up short in a 2-1 defeat at home against Bristol City on Boxing Day, which was their fourth loss in the last five Championship games, meaning they now sit just six points above the relegation zone.

In fact, the Baggies are now closer to the bottom three than they are to the top six, with sixth-placed Bristol City moving eight points clear courtesy of the result on Friday, and Mason has made it clear he understands the supporters’ anger.

Speaking after the latest defeat, the manager said: “I am not going to sit here and ask for patience. It’s normal. That’s football. I understand the emotion and the passion.

“If we score three of our five opportunities then the feeling, the momentum and the energy is different. We’ve lost too many games and with that comes frustration.”

Time may now be running out for the 34-year-old, with a report from Football Insider revealing he is under increasing pressure, which has led West Brom to search for alternatives, and they have now expressed an interest in appointing former Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick.

Carrick was dismissed by Boro back in the summer, but he is now on the radar of two Championship clubs, with Birmingham City also keen, given that Chris Davies is also fighting to keep his job.

The 44-year-old has experience transforming struggling sides into promotion chasers, taking over at Middlesbrough when they were just one point above the drop back in 2022, before going on to lead them to the play-off semi-final.

Related West Brom's £25k-per-week flop is a far bigger waste of money than Price

West Bromwich Albion must now ditch this £25k-per-week flop, who is a far bigger waste of money than Isaac Price.

Posts 1 ByKelan Sarson "Insanely talented" Carrick could be solid Mason replacement

Indeed, the ex-Boro boss did a fantastic job in the 2022-23 campaign, and he now has plenty of experience in management, winning 47%, drawing 18% and losing 35% of the games he’s overseen, including a three-game spell as caretaker manager of Man United.

Michael Carrick’s record as a manager

Games

139

Wins

65

Draws

25

Losses

49

Points per game

1.58

Former players have also spoken very fondly of the Englishman, with ex-Boro man Lukas Engel lauding him as “insanely talented”, while Tommy Smith has sung his praises.

Mason looks set to be given Monday’s game against Queens Park Rangers, but if he is unable to turn things around in the near future, Carrick could be a solid replacement, and West Brom should move swiftly to secure his signature before Birmingham.

New South Wales 281 (Katich 86, Haddin 63, Jaques 53, Siddle 5-66) & 0 for 23 lead Victoria 216 (Hodge 84, Lee 4-72) by 88 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

	Brad Hodge, the only Victorian with Test experience, was untroubled in making 84 until his fatal misjudgment to Stuart MacGill © Getty Images

None of New South Wales’ big stars were able to dominate individually until Brett Lee’s burst at the tail, but their collective brilliance proved too much for Victoria on the second day of the Pura Cup final. The Bushrangers, who trail by 88 after the Blues reached 0 for 23 in their second innings, promised they would not be over-awed by the talent in the opposition and they did a reasonable job until Brad Hodge departed for a well-crafted 84.From that moment Stuart MacGill started to look like Shane Warne and the appearance of Peter Siddle turned Lee into a fast-bowling monster. The men fielding in blue caps could have been wearing baggy green as Victoria lost 7 for 50 to be dismissed for 216. In a team with seven current internationals it has been hard for any of them to rise above their mates and excel. Instead they have come at the Bushrangers in waves.The initial surges were repelled but slowly, surely, the visitors took on too much water. Hodge held firm for the longest and, like Simon Katich on day one, seemed to be operating on a true surface instead of one full of challenges. That all changed when Hodge started to apply a pad-first technique to MacGill, making the batsman look like a baffled Englishman facing Warne.Coming around the wicket, MacGill was aiming for the footmarks in an effort to slow Hodge’s scoring. Hodge, the only Test player in Victoria’s side, was the key, but his lapse was not to let his bat follow his leg forward to a big-turning delivery. The ball missed Hodge’s pad but not off stump.MacGill, showing his wrist injury is no longer a concern, is hoping to get a trip to the West Indies with Australia in May, and he also helped his cause by catching Adam Crosthwaite’s edge behind. Victoria had tripped from the relative safety of 3 for 166 when Hodge and Cameron White were together to 6 for 188. Worse was to come.The sight of Siddle, who was sensational in grabbing 5 for 66 as New South Wales were shut down for 281, stirred Lee, who remembered the short pummeling he received late on the first day. Siddle had an aching mouth caused by an infected tooth when he bowled and Lee added two sore shoulders with frightening bouncers for a flat pitch. He was unlucky to be judged caught behind for 0 and will have a bruise at the top of his right arm as proof.

	MacGill showed he has recovered from wrist surgery and is ready for a trip to the West Indies in May © Getty Images

Lee’s roughing up of the tail continued and was scary enough to have Bryce McGain, the No. 9, stepping away, which is not a good look for a potential international. McGain’s off stump cartwheeled soon after, Shane Harwood took a hit on the body before guiding Lee to Beau Casson at gully and Dirk Nannes was lbw to end the damage. Lee walked off with 4 for 76 and MacGill had 2 for 36.There was no relief for Victoria from the moment Lee and a slightly distracted Stuart Clark accepted the new ball. Defending 281, they did not worry when the early breakthroughs did not come immediately and the bowlers were rotated calmly and unconventionally by Katich.Michael Clarke was used ahead of MacGill and Casson in the second session and the risk was successful, although David Hussey deserved to be upset when ruled to have edged to Katich at first slip. Hussey’s high-energy 59-run partnership with Hodge was over and the Bushrangers were never as comfortable again.While his team-mates struggled against the tight attack, Hodge looked at ease. The variable bounce did not stop him from pulling successfully and the productive shot was responsible for raising his half-century in 92 deliveries. Two offside drives in an over from Lee and a couple of boundaries wide of mid-on off Clark also showed his class and Victoria will wonder what could have happened without the MacGill misjudgment.Whenever a bowling change was called there was danger. Nathan Bracken did not take the new ball, but removed Lloyd Mash for 20 shortly before lunch when the batsman flirted at an off-cutter. Clark was tight and finally gained a reward with his reverse-swinging full ball bowling White for 19, the same score as the unbeaten Andrew McDonald.There was some room for New South Wales’ rank-and-file members to do things, but not much. Dominic Thornely’s under-armed run-out of Nick Jewell (26) made it 2 for 68, ending an innings of near misses. Jewell was not convinced by a caught-behind appeal off Clark, prompting MacGill, who was standing at mid-on, to chip in with: “Stop shaking your head, Jewelly, there are two umpires out here and you’re neither of them. You bat.”MacGill’s mood improved later in the day, but Casson, the wrist spinner, was left without an over. As the footmarks deepen on a surface that looks more like day four than two, he has a greater chance for employment. Unfortunately – for Casson and Victoria – the A-list provided the bulk of the entertainment. After two days the star quality is dominating this final.

There are reports of dissatisfaction within Pakistan over how the investigation was being handled © Getty Images

The Bob Woolmer murder investigation in Jamaica may get assistance from Pakistan, with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz clearing a three-member team to leave for the Caribbean. This was disclosed to Cricinfo by Nasim Ashraf, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, though he added that it depended on the response from the Jamaican authorities.”The Prime Minister has agreed to our request to send a three-member team to Jamaica to assist in investigations,” Ashraf said on Friday. “One diplomat, one PCB official and one senior investigative officer will go. No names have been decided yet.”The move follows reports of dissatisfaction within Pakistan over how the investigation was being handled. PCB officials have been quoted, anonymously, as saying that they believe Woolmer died a natural death. A senior legislator also pulled up the PCB for allowing the players and other officials to be questioned without the presence of lawyers from Pakistan.On Thursday, Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum, who led the probe into match-fixing in the 1990s, urged the Pakistan government to send investigators to Jamaica to help with the probe there. “Woolmer was our man. He was our coach and the government must send its own investigation team,” Qayyum told AFP.

Bob Woolmer: reported to the match referee © Getty Images

Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, has played down suggestions that he was interfering with the preparation of the pitch, after being reported to the match referee ahead of the second Test against Pakistan, at the Asgiriya Cricket Stadium in Kandy.Woolmer was reported to Alan Hurst, the ICC referee, for inserting a thin tent peg on the edge of the pitch to test moisture levels the day before the game, a practice he has followed for several years. He was spotted by Sri Lanka’s head curator, Anuruddha Polonowita, who asked him to leave the area.Polonowita was of the opinion that such actions were against ICC regulations and duly reported the incident to Hurst. But Woolmer told Cricinfo: “This incident has been blown out of all proportion.”I have been involved at first-class level since 1968,” he added, “and at no time would I attempt to interfere with any part of the pitch which would in any way affect the playing surface. I love the game too much.”

The ICC has revealed that Namibia will host the semi-finals and final of the ICC Intercontinental Cup in October.The semi-finals will take place between October 23 and 25 with the final taking place from October 27 to 30. All matches will be staged in the capital Windhoek with the final scheduled to take place at the Wanderers Club.Namibia Cricket Board President, Laurie Pieters, said that the preparations for the finals were already underway. “The awarding of the finals of this prestigious ICC event to our country is a major boost for cricket and those that love the sport in Namibia. We already have the grounds and facilities required and preparations have now begun to ensure that we are ready to welcome the regional winners.”The second season of the Intercontinental Cup will begin later this month. The reigning champions, Scotland, will begin their title defence with a difficult away tie against Holland on July 29. Scotland won the inaugural competition last year without losing a match, but Holland ran the winners closer than any other side in a keenly-contested draw at Aberdeen. With home advantage in 2005, Holland will be looking to inflict a first defeat on the holders.Hong Kong are the only new side in the 12-team tournament. They replace Malaysia in the Asia regional qualifiers and will begin their campaign in Nepal on 24 April.The Americas region looks set to produce an intense contest with the three qualifying matches scheduled for Toronto in Canada between August 23 and September 2.The competition format remains unchanged. The top team from each of the four regions will progress to the semi-finals and final in Namibia.There have been minor changes to the points structure with more rewards available for first innings runs. Full details of the tournament rules and playing conditions can be found at www.icc-intercontinentalcup.com.

Sachin Tendulkar has revealed that 14 years of international cricket have taken a heavy toll on his body, but that he does not let that affect his cricket. His injured toe, he told India Today, will never heal. And his performance at the World Cup this year was achieved through the pain barrier, as he struggled with a finger injury that eventually required surgery."My toe injury is not going to heal," he said. "The bone there is broken into pieces." The bodypart in question is the sesamoid bone in his right toe, which had forced him to skip India’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2001.Tendulkar also revealed that a finger injury he picked up last season had threatened his participation in the World Cup. “I couldn’t straighten my hand,” he said. “While batting, I couldn’t flex my fingers comfortably, couldn’t pick up a cup of tea easily. Injections had not worked earlier. The only option was to live with whatever pain was there and to be on pain killers. It was a matter of only six weeks, so I wore a big plaster."He made 673 runs in the event, the most ever in a single World Cup, and helped India reach the final. Then, he went to the US for surgery. And what kept him playing through all that pain? He hates to lose."The only people I have to lose to are my son and daughter," he said. "When they box me, I have to fall down. Otherwise I don’t like losing against anyone in any sport."On a philosophical note, he added, “I’ve been happy on various occasions, but never completely happy. I think it is a good sign. The moment I start sitting back, saying “well done”, that’s probably the end of things.”Tendulkar spoke of how his batsmanship and his role in the team had changed over the years. "Earlier someone else took the responsibility and I just went after the bowling," he said. "Today, being the seniormost means [I have to play] a different role. It is the youngsters who go after the bowling and play their shots."He also said that he had not started thinging about life after cricket yet. "It is hard to imagine my life away from cricket. From the age of 10, for the last 20 years its been only cricket. It is not easy to keep playing, you have to maintain your fitness level. I … just keep trying, not look at how many years are left in me. I have no target. I just want to play.”He was intent on India winning the forthcoming series against New Zealand, he said. “We have to beat New Zealand for sure. In New Zealand last year, there were some wickets where everything washappening. It gave false confidence to the fast bowlers and demoralised the batsmen, who began to look for technical flaws which didn’t exist. It didn’t disturb me because I knew we were playing on tracks that were not of international standards."And what of the tour to Australia later this winter? "We all know what’s in store for us," said Tendulkar. "It’s going to be a tough series andtough men are going to survive there." Despite his broken toe and the ailments that keep cropping up, there is no doubt that Tendulkar is as tough as they come.

©CricInfo

Bangladesh-A is taking on a mighty Pakistan squad for a three-day match inBKSP starting from January 5. Pakistan, one of the super powers of the game, isnot taking this first class match lightly. They will be on the field with theirprobable best eleven – disclosed Mudassar Nazar, the coach.

In absence of Saeed Anwar the opening slots are lacking flair, but Mudassarhardly agrees with this idea. He is thinking of giving a break to Shadab Kabirand Taufeeq Umar as openers in the BKSP match. Among the three openers in thesquad left-handed Shahdab is back in the team after almost five years. He wasdropped after his disappointing performance in England followed by a streak offailures against India in Sahara Cup 1996.

On the contrary, Taufeeq Umar saw a debut success against Bangladesh in Multanwhere he hammered a scintillating century. Naved Latif, regarded as the mosttalented among the young stars, is a very good hitter of the ball. There arechances he may open too. These three are embarking on their career.

©CricInfo

Are Pakistanis touring here in a relaxing mood? The answer is a strict no.Waqar is not indulging himself with such thinking. They are here to get a cleansweep and anything less than a win would be very disappointing. The renownedsuper powers have missed two series due to security fear; first New Zealandpulled out of the October tour and now its West Indies, who are not coming nextFebruary. So, Bangladesh is going to face a hungry Pakistan.

Their net practice session today laid enough proofs that they are prettyserious about the baby Test nation Bangladesh. They came early in the morning,did some stretching for hours, played football to warm them up and ended up witha stern net session, which lasted almost three and half an hour. After threemonth’s lay-off from International cricket they were looking very positive toshake off the lethargy. In a word the tourists are not cynical about playingagainst a team that lost eight matches out of nine they have played so far.

Akram Khan, the skipper of Bangladesh-A is giving more stress on batting. Hisaim is plain and simple – to draw the 3-day match anyhow. The former Bangladeshcaptain is not unnerved to steer his team against Pakistanis as he hassubstantial experiences to lead the national side in International arena forfive years.

If someone from his team pulls off big success in BKSP match, will he get aseat in the national squad? Akram Khan said that this single match would hardlyprove one’s ability to cope up with bigger situations in Tests. If one scoresa hundred or a 80 or takes 6 wickets do not have anything to do with having aseat in the national side right this moment. This thing is applicable to him aswell.

“We are playing against them without having anything in our head about thenational team. We are playing for Bangladesh-A and looking to play as good aspossible. It would be creditable if we could end up with a draw. To do that wewill need quite a bit of good batting and at this moment we are aiming on thatonly.”

Tomorrow both teams will run their last net sessions in BNS in the morningbefore this first-class match.

A crowd of 17,500, most of them British Asians, basked in glorious sunshine at the Oval Saturday, to watch the Rest of the World edge out Asia in a tightly fought contest. The match, the brainchild of former Prime Minister and Surrey stalwart John Major, was an attempt to raise funds for further developments to the Oval. The capacity crowd did not just see an exhibition match: they saw a tightly fought contest go down to the wire, only for the World to triumph by 15 runs.Whilst many were disappointed that Sachin Tendulkar was ruled out of the Asian side due to an untimely bout of chicken-pox, those who watched the match will be delighted that they made the effort.The Rest of the World won the toss and elected to bat. Batting in England is a very different prospect to batting in Dhaka, and runs were always going to be hard to come by. The Asian openers, Wasim Akram and Javagal Srinath turned the screw, nipping out the World’s openers with the score on only 16. Nasser Hussain and Nathan Astle launched a recovery mission, putting on 97 in fine style. Both men looked intent on attacking, and both pulled square with a great deal of force. Hussain lost his head: having lofted Chopra into the stands for a big six, he tried to repeat the feat, only to see the ball drop into Kumble’s hands at long on. Astle reached his half century, but was removed by a brilliant Saqlain, mystifying the Kiwi batsman with his `magic ball.’With Thorpe going quickly, and a brief flurry between Stuart Law and Chris Cairns stopped by the Pakistani spin-wizard, it was left for Ben Hollioake and Heath Streak to put some respectability in the Rest of the World’s total. Hollioake crashed 23 from 16 balls, lofting his Surrey team mate Saqlain into the stands, whilst Streak’s cameo of 17 took 16 balls, as the World closed on 219.Asia set about the Rest of the World straight away. Though Courtney Walsh was impeccable as always, Streak struggled against an onslaught from Aravinda de Silva, which saw the little man pull and drive with such timing and apparent lack of effort that it leaves one to wonder just why he is not playing for the Lankans at the moment. De Silva made 35 when a leading edge saw him caught and bowled by the excellent Chris Cairns.Mohammad Azharuddin too gave a glimpse of old, and he worked the ball to the leg side with masterful skill, using the bat like a wand when he decided to change line and drive through the covers. Ajay Jadeja too, looked a picture, with three crafted off side fours.Sadly for Asia, these knocks were only cameos. Azhar was caught behind by Stewart, whilst Jadeja was run out thanks to a 70 metre direct hit from Streak’s catapult arm. Wickets were tumbling far too quickly for Asia’s liking. Wasim came and went, and it was left to Nikhil Chopra and Anil Kumble to try and see Asia home. Chopra was underway with a scorching hook, then lifted Neil Johnson straight for the biggest six of the day. With Kumble swinging merrily outside off, the pendulum swung toward Asia once more. Chris Cairns however, got rid of Chopra, and when Mullally rearranged the stumps of first Kumble then Saqlain, the game was all but gone. It was too tall an order for Prasad, and he missed a swipe at Cairns, the Rest of the World completed a 15 run victory. Saturday’s game was played in a terrific atmosphere, with a result that barely mattered. The crowd saw everything that is good in cricket, particularly ironic as three of the days star players have match fixing allegations hanging over them. A sobering thought to what was an otherwise very fine day.

Newcastle United journalist Dominic Scurr has given his reaction to some injury news that has now emerged involving Kieran Trippier.

The Lowdown: Gym work

Trippier recently posted a video of himself on Instagram, in which he is sitting on an exercise bike, wearing no protective boot.

He captioned it: ‘Stepping training up, can’t wait to be back!’

The right-back has also revealed that he is making ‘really good progress’ since joining up with the squad in Dubai, suggesting that he could now return perhaps earlier than first thought.

The Latest: Scurr reacts

Taking to Twitter, The Shields Gazette journalist Scurr has now given his reaction to Trippier’s progress, claiming that the fact that he is closing on a return is a ‘huge boost’ for the St. James’ Park faithful:

“Great to see Kieran Trippier stepping up his recovery back in the gym without a protective boot.

“Hasn’t been as big a miss for NUFC as expected but the fact he’s closing in on a return is a huge boost.

“Set to be back in contention next month.”

The Verdict: Big boost

The fact that Trippier could return to action as early as next month is a big boost for Eddie Howe and his side, as there were initially fears that he may not even play again this season following his injury.

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The former Tottenham Hotspur defender is currently ranking as their best player in the Premier League this term, while he has averaged more tackles, interceptions and crosses per game than any of his teammates so far (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, if the North East club are to make sure of their safety, then Trippier simply has to be in the team come next month’s fixtures.

In other news, find out what ‘big’ NUFC update Liam Kennedy has now reacted to here!

	Cameron White will be a senior member at the Centre of Excellence this winter © Getty Images

Five emerging men have been recalled to the Centre of Excellence as part of the 2008 intake, which includes a string of fringe national players on short-term deals. Cullen Bailey, the Cricket Australia-contracted legspinner, is on a part-time scholarship along with Cameron White and the talented allrounders Andrew McDonald and Luke Butterworth.Michael Hill, the Australia Under-19 captain, and the Queensland fast bowlers Ben Cutting and Grant Sullivan will return to the facility in Brisbane with Matthew Wade and David Warner after being part of the 2007 set-up. “It will provide them with an excellent opportunity to build on the skills they developed last year and during the recent season,” Andrew Hilditch, the national chairman of selectors, said. “There are a lot of players in the part-time squad that have quite a bit of first-class experience and this stint at the Centre of Excellence will help them further their development.”Bailey will get to work with Shane Warne and Terry Jenner, who will operate as guest coaches, as he tries to regain a spot in the South Australia team while the tuition will also be important for White, whose bowling has struggled while his batting has improved. The New South Wales pair of Steven Smith and Stephen O’Keefe join Victoria’s Jon Holland in the large group of spinners.The average age of the 13-man full-time squad is 21.2, which is almost 12 months younger than in 2007, and the 20-week programme begins on April 21. Ryan Broad, the Queensland opener, and the New South Wales allrounder Moises Henriques are also part of the full-time intake.Full-time scholars Ryan Broad (Qld), Ben Cutting (Qld), Theo Doropolous (WA), Peter Forrest (NSW), Moises Henriques (NSW), Michael Hill (Vic), Greg Moller (Qld), Stephen O’Keefe (NSW), Grant Sullivan (Qld), Matthew Wade (Vic), David Warner (NSW), Usman Khawaja (NSW), Jon Holland (Vic).
Part-time scholars Cullen Bailey (SA), Luke Butterworth (Tas), James Faulkner (Tas), Phillip Hughes (NSW), Andrew McDonald (Vic), James Pattinson (Vic), Steven Smith (NSW), Mark Cameron (NSW), Peter Siddle (Vic), John Hastings (Vic), Cameron White (Vic).
Development scholars Tom Brinsley (SA), Josh Hazelwood (NSW), Mitchell Marsh (WA).