Championship goal sensation’s future becomes clear as Arsenal join packed hunt for Middlesbrough man - news from Portsmouth’s league rivals
Here’s the latest news from across the Championship ahead of next week’s return to action.
He’s not Gunner leave yet
Middlesbrough are not interested in cashing on Will Lankshear after the hot property’s flying start to the season.
Premier League champions Arsenal have reportedly joined the long line of suitors on the trail of the Championship’s top scorer.
Manchester United, Brighton, Everton, Newcastle, Sunderland and Leeds are other sides also said to be following the striker who’s bagged 15 goals in 16 games this season.
Former club Spurs are also believed to have a ‘matching-right’ option on the 21-year-old, who moved to the Riverside in a deal which could reach an eventual £20m.
But, according to TeamTalk, Boro are not yet prepared to cash in on their asset as they push to reach the Premier League this term.
German side hopeful they’ll Nic striker
Niclas Füllkrug's future looks to be away from West Ham - after storming to the top of the Bundesliga goal charts.
Füllkrug has nine league goals to his name already this term for Werder Bremen, since leaving the Hammers for a loan return to Germany.
Now Werder Bremen coach Daniel Thioune is hopeful of keeping the striker at his club for the long term.
'I think the desire is there on all sides,' he told Transfermarkt.
'He doesn't feel under pressure to prove himself; rather, he is eager to show what he can do. Of course, it then becomes a question of what West Ham want and what they are willing and able to do. And we have to be equally honest about our own situation: What are we capable of, and what is Niclas willing to do?
'But we, as a club, I as a coach, and Niclas himself are all very interested in continuing to work together beyond the summer.’
Burrows back after Blades pain
Harrison Burrows is hopeful his injury struggles are behind him after returning to the heart of Sheffield United’s bid to push up the Championship.
The former Peterborough United left-back has missed two months of the season with a quad issue, after enduring a similar issue in pre-season.
Now he’s hopeful those concerns are in the past after playing the full 90 minutes in five games on the spin for the Blades.
He told the Sheffield Star: ‘When you're injured, you’re in the gym, doing your bits.
‘Looking out the window and all the lads are training. You're not neglected in a way, because all the lads are so good. They're obviously asking every day how you are and stuff.
‘But as a footballer, you just want to be out on the pitch playing football, which is all I've ever known, really. So that was a tough part. But like I said, all the people around the club were really helpful.
‘My body felt good, and I felt fit. Obviously, I had a really long rehab programme that I worked with, with the physios and stuff. That was getting my body ready for football matches, over a two or three-week period where I was training and getting up to match fitness.
‘To get injured was tough to take, especially when I’d come back into pre-season feeling really good. I came back, felt good again and then got the same knock. So the start of the season was a bit of a blur.
‘So now, I'm just playing my football. My body’s feeling good. And that’s what my focus is on now, winning games.’
For your next Pompey read: Transfer gossip: Sheffield United eye Chelsea starlet Kavuma-McQueen as status soars amid thriving Portsmouth stay