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• Archer unlikely to play any red-ball cricket before the Ashes

  Should Jofra Archer be selected for this year's Ashes series, he will likely be playing his first red-ball cricket in over two years.

  Archer is set to represent Mumbai Indians in the IPL, which culminates on May 28, with the first Test between England and Australia taking place at Edgbaston on June 16.

  England have a Test scheduled against Ireland on June 1, but should Mumbai go far in the IPL, it is unlikely Archer would be available.

  The pace bowler, who turns 28 on Saturday, has not played a Test match for England since a 10-wicket defeat to India in Ahmedabad in February 2021, with his last first-class game for Sussex being in May 2021 against Kent.

  Elbow and back injuries kept him on the sidelines for 17 months, but he returned to white-ball cricket in January.

  Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace believes England's plan is for Archer to be ready for the Ashes after the end of the IPL.

  "I think all things being equal, he will go straight into the Ashes off the back of the IPL," Farbrace told BBC Radio Sussex.

  "The England plan for Jofra is he'll go and play in the IPL.

  "I think their plan is that between IPL games he'll then bowl some longer spells to get his overs up and make sure that he is match-ready.

  "That's the nature of international franchise cricket these days. I know there'll be a lot of people saying 'he should play at least two four-day games to be ready for a Test match', but the preparation and the work that the medical teams do around these players is exceptional."

  Archer dampened expectations of significant involvement against Australia in early March, telling reporters: "If I can play one [Test] this summer, I'll be happy. If I play more than one, that's just a bonus."

• Rumour Has It: Real Madrid plot sensational swoop for Chelsea's Reece James

  Chelsea have underwhelmed this season and may look to offload players to ensure they meet financial fair play requirements, but could Reece James really leave Stamford Bridge?

  The Blues have spent big money over the past 10 months since Todd Boehly took over ownership from Roman Abramovich.

  Enzo Fernandez, Wesley Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling, Benoit Badiashile, Kalidou Koulibaly, Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto were all signed in lucrative moves.

  TOP STORY – MADRID CONSIDER SHOCK MOVE FOR CHELSEA'S JAMES

  Real Madrid are plotting a shock swoop to sign Chelsea full-back Reece James as the Blues plan a clean-out, claims AS.

  James, 23, is contracted with the Blues until 2028, making any deal complicated, but Los Blancos are reportedly hoping Chelsea's need to balance the books can work in their favour.

  Madrid previously landed Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard from Chelsea, albeit in different circumstances with both only having shorter terms remaining on their contracts.

  AS claims Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham remains Real's priority signing.

  ROUND-UP

  – The Evening Standard claims Arsenal are making West Ham midfielder Declan Rice a transfer priority, amid plenty of interest from Premier League clubs. Rice is expected to leave the Hammers at the end of this season, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United also reportedly in the hunt.

  – Manchester United are keeping an eye on Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani and Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund should their advances for Tottenham's Harry Kane fail, claims the Manchester Evening News.

  – Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat is eager for a move to Barcelona, claims Footmercato. The Blaugrana had interest in the Moroccan during the last transfer window.

  – Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have lodged initial bids for 16-year-old Hajduk Split defender Luka Vuskovic, according to 90min.

  – Footmercato reports Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is set to sign a new five-year contract with Napoli, having been linked with PSG recently.

  – El Chiringuito claims Manchester City are eyeing a move for ex-Spain boss Luis Enrique amid talk Pep Guardiola could opt for a sabbatical at the end of the season.

• England keen 'to put it right' in Ashes as Robinson lays down Australia gauntlet

  England will seek revenge when they host Australia in the home Ashes series as Ollie Robinson prepares for an enticing battle with a "hunger to put it right".

  Pat Cummins' side thrashed England – then captained by Joe Root – 4-0 in the last meeting between two old foes Down Under across the end of 2021 and start of 2022.

  Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum's resurgent side pose a new threat now, though, winning 10 of their first 12 Tests under the stewardship of their new captain and coach combination.

  That run has included home series triumphs over New Zealand and South Africa, as well as a rare 3-0 red-ball victory in Pakistan, and Robinson says England are out to prove a point in the Ashes.

  "The way we're playing cricket, we feel like we can really stick one on them and win the series comfortably," said the bowler, who just weeks ago suggested England could give Australia a "good hiding".

  "There's definitely a desire there still, a hunger to put it right. I felt when I got back from that trip [the 2021-22 Ashes] I didn't leave it all out there and I'd let myself down and the side down a little bit.

  "So it's definitely something I want to put right and there are a few guys in that position as well. So there are a lot of hungry boys this summer to beat the Aussies again."

   

  Australia great Glenn McGrath has made a habit of suggesting the Baggy Greens will whitewash England 5-0 every time the pair clash for the old urn.

  When asked about his previous comments talking up England's chances, Robinson suggested his message was reported exactly how he wanted – aimed as a warning shot at Australia.

  The Sussex seamer added: "I was talking to local radio but I was happy that it got out. I mean it's been happening in every Ashes series for years – Glenn McGrath says 5-0 every Ashes.

  "We say 5-0 every Ashes. It's one of the biggest series we play, it only comes around every four years in England, so why not talk it up? Get it going, get it big and give the fans what they want."

  The free-flowing and fearless attacking style McCullum, aided by the brilliant Stokes, has instilled continues to thrill all involved with English cricket, including the players themselves.

  On past results, Robinson sees no reason why England cannot win their first Ashes since a 3-2 triumph at home in the British summer of 2015.

  "I think the cricket we're playing at the moment makes it such an exciting time to play them," he continued. "We've been dominating teams in all conditions for 12 months now.

  "In England we dominated, in Pakistan we dominated and in New Zealand we played most of the cricket for nine days and lost on the last day because we probably weren't quite there.

  "But I think the way we're playing cricket, we feel like we can really stick one on them and win the series comfortably."