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Haal be back

Erling Haaland has handed Manchester City a major boost by returning to first-team training.

The Norwegian superstar has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season despite not featuring since City's defeat to Aston Villa on December 6 due to a foot injury.

But the striker was pictured training with the City squad ahead of their FA Cup third-round clash with Huddersfield on Sunday.

Jeremy Doku, who has missed the last eight games, also trained with his team-mates.

The duo's return will send a warning shot to City's Premier League title rivals, with talisman Kevin De Bruyne also stepping up his return as they sit five points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.

Belgian maestro De Bruyne, 32, has been out of action since a hamstring injury on the opening day of the season but returned to the matchday squad against Sheffield United last weekend.

On the ball

Mitre have revealed their new winter edition balls ahead of the FA Cup third round weekend.

The yellow Ultimax Pro will be used across the board as Premier League sides enter the fray in the world's most famous domestic cup competition. 

It will be seen for the first time tonight when top-flight duo Crystal Palace and Everton kick off the action at Selhurst Park.

The release comes after Mitre extended their deal with the FA for the next three years in October, which will see them produce the tournament's balls until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Cowley back in Essex

League Two strugglers Colchester have appointed Danny Cowley as their new manager.

Cowley, who has managed the likes of Lincoln, Huddersfield and Portsmouth, replaces Matty Etherington following his dismissal on New Year's Day.

As he has done in all his previous roles, the 45-year-old will be assisted by his brother Nicky.

It is a return to their native Essex for the Cowley brothers, who began their managerial journey with non-league sides Concord Rangers and Braintree Town.

The U's currently sit just five points above the relegation zone in 22nd after eight defeats from their last nine games.

Donny looking forward

Donny van de Beek is convinced Eintracht Frankfurt is the right place to resurrect his career after joining on loan from Manchester United.

Dutch midfielder Van de Beek endured a torrid time at Old Trafford after joining from Ajax in 2020, failing to impress on a regular basis under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Erik ten Hag.

He said: "I had different managers over the last few years. I think there are different reasons [for why I struggled at Man Utd] but it's difficult to say. 

"Sometimes it's the wrong timing. I had a few injuries as well.

"But that's the past now and I am looking forward to this chapter and challenge and I am full of energy now."

On what he wants to achieve in Germany, the 26-year-old added: "Every player has his own goals but in the end, I am here to help the team and to play my best level.

"And I am sure I will help the team as well. Of course, every player wants to play as many games as possible but I am convinced this is a good place for me now."

Silva lining

Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has revealed he never envisaged himself playing in the Premier League because he believed English football favoured "lots of aerial balls".

The legendary Brazilian, 39, has now racked up more than 100 top-flight outings for the Blues and says he changed his mind after watching Pep Guardiola's Manchester City play.

The former AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain centre-back said: "I never imagined I would play in the Premier League one day. 

"It was one, with all due respect, [style of] football that I didn't like, if I am being honest.

"Because I thought it was a lot of aerial balls — get up here, fight there. I never really liked it. Even though I am good in the air and adapt well, I thought I would never play here.

"I think one of those responsible for this change, I think Guardiola, right? He plays more, the others don't try to copy but they look to play more because this is beautiful football to watch.

"From that moment on I became interested. I watched more at home, Chelsea's proposal came and I didn't think twice. I said this is the moment, here we go."

Ozil's praise

Former Real Madrid and Arsenal maestro Mesut Ozil believes countryman Antonio Rudiger is the "world's best defender" right now.

The centre-back, 30, sent Los Blancos to the top of LaLiga by scoring the only goal against Mallorca last night.

Rudiger has gone from strength to strength since leaving Chelsea in 2022 and Ozil highlighted the Blues' struggles since his departure as another sign of his class.

The former Germany midfielder wrote on X: "Prime Toni Rudiger is just the world's best defender at the moment. 

"Incredible season for my former club Real Madrid.

"You can also ask [Erling] Haaland or [Victor] Osimhen how good he is! Look what has happened with Chelsea after he left — they are missing his mentality every day."