Promising goalkeeper Matty Young has returned to Salford City FC for 2025/26 for a second loan stint following a successful first year last season.
The Sunderland academy product spent the previous campaign on loan at the Peninsula Stadium, enjoying a prolific spell over the festive period, keeping half a dozen consecutive clean sheets between December at the start of January.
Still just 18 years old and impressing plenty up and down the EFL, there was plenty of interest in the boyhood Black Cat (who’s been with the club since he was seven), but with the Tyneside outfit now back in the Premier League and having recently signed two new keepers themselves, minutes looked unlikely.
With that in mind, Salford City have dipped back into the loans market this summer transfer window to secure Matty Young for another 12 months.
Announcing the re-signing on Thursday, 24 July, Salford revealed Young in a series of social media posts, including a highlight reel from his standout showcase last term.
ADVERTISEMENT
He went on to register a total of eight shutouts in 20 league appearances, as well as another in their second-round FA Cup tie against Cheltenham, which they went on to win 2-0.
The England youngster has already represented the Three Lions at under-18, U19 and U21s level, with both Manchester City and Man United having reportedly been monitoring the growing prospect.
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking via the club website, he said: I think knowing what I am capable of and my ability on the pitch, I think there is more expectation now with what I can go and deliver on a match day. I have set very high expectations [for] myself to go and push on, and to be the best keeper in the league this year.
“I think the lads will be pushing for automatics this year, if not, the play-offs, so that is something that me and the team will be looking forward to, and that is the end goal at the end of the day.
“It has all come round very quickly, it feels like we only played Carlisle the other day; me and the team are very excited about that first game against Crewe [Alexandra]. Ideally, we want to come here and win, and I feel that will be the first stepping stone on this journey that we are hopefully going to have.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The Ammies take on Crewe in the opening round of this year’s League Two competition, and the ambitious young shot-stopper – pardon the pun – will no doubt be looking to lay down the gauntlet as the outright number one as soon as possible.
The ex-Wrexham AFC number, who has flirted with the first-choice spot plenty before, is technically returning to the team for the second time, too.
Now 38, Howard started his career in Arsenal’s youth set-up, going on to represent 13 different clubs, including Scottish side St Mirren, Bolton Wanderers here in Greater Manchester, Blackpool, Scunthorpe and Carlisle, making at least 30 appearances for all of them.
He spent most of his time at Sheffield United from 2012-2015, playing a total of 80 times for the Blades, before joining Wrexham, where he also reached half a century of games.
ADVERTISEMENT
It remains to be seen which of the two will push hardest for a spot in the starting XI. Here’s what Salford fans can expect/hope for more of:
Matty Young showed plenty of bright sparks at Salford City in 24/25.
Kyle Walker announces retirement from international football with England at 35
Danny Jones
Former Manchester City star and England defender has announced his retirement from international football at 35 years old.
He calls it a day for his country with nearly a century of appearances.
Kyle Walker, who has won six Premier Leagues, four Carabao trophies, a pair of FA Cups and a Champions League title with Man City, made his national team debut back in 2011.
Now, nearly a full decade and a half later, he is hanging up his boots on the biggest stage, retiring as England’s most capped right back in history.
As you can see, he confirmed the news in a highlight video looking back on her best moments with the Three Lions.
Sharing a lengthy and emotional statement in the caption, the Yorkshireman wrote: “After more than a decade representing my country, I have decided to retire from international football. Playing for England has always been the biggest honour of my career and something I will always be proud of.
“Thank you to every teammate, coach, manager, the 12th man, and everyone behind the scenes who has been part of the journey. Every roar from the fans pushed the team along, and I’m looking forward to joining them to support the lads in the World Cup.”
His last appearance in an England shirt came in June against Senegal, since dropping out of manager Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice team and future plans, with both form and age no doubt being factored into that decision.
Walker added: “The memories in an England shirt will stay with me forever.”
96 caps 🧢 Five major tournaments 🏴 A #ThreeLions legend ⭐
He went on to sign off by saying, “I also want to thank my family for their support every step of the way. They have made this journey even more special, and I will always be grateful to have shared it with them.”
The Sheffield-born fullback left Manchester last year following a loan spell at AC Milan, before joining fellow Premier League side Burnley FC permanently this past July.
Meanwhile, the Clarets are staring down relegation back to the Championship; however, this step will no doubt help Walker prolong his club career, whether or not he stays in Lancashire.
Where does Walker rank among the all-time England defenders in your mind?
Featured Images — Oleg Bkhambri (via Wikimedia Commons)/England (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Wigan Warriors’ Bevan French out for around four months with major muscle injury
Danny Jones
Wigan Warriors player Bevan French has unfortunately been ruled out for roughly four months following a fairly serious muscle injury.
An important playmaker and cog in the wider team, his absence will surely be felt.
French, 30, is said to have suffered a hamstring tear during the win over Toulouse Olympique this past weekend, and while not as severe as a full rupture, Bevan has now been told by the club he will be sidelined for approximately 16 weeks, according to head coach Matt Peet.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after learning the news, he provided a number of updates from the physio room, including the latest on Jai Field, who French had been filling in for at fullback.
While Wigan are currently leading the Super League once again, they will be without one of their key Warriors with just under a dozen games left in the season.
The Greater Manchester club’s quadruple-winning boss and former Coach of the Year admitted that, despite some obvious disappointments in the immediate aftermath, his “positive” and “philosophical” attitude has already kicked in.
He’s quite philosophical, Bevan. He quickly flips a switch.
“Now he knows the timeframe and the schedule for his recovery, like most professionals, he can get his head down now and focus on the present”, said the 41-year-old.
The Australian stand-off/fly-half has regularly run the show in red and white, and even amid periods out of the squad, he remains an understandable fan favourite and integral part of the team when fit.
You only need to hear pundits and peers alike describing him as a “special” talent to know how much of a big miss he’ll be.
As mentioned, Peet also shed more light on Field, who dropped out with appendicitis last week and is himself set for around four to five weeks away.
For now, youngster Noah Hodkinson is being given the chance to fill the void and work his way into the first team after regularly impressing in the reserves.
Nevertheless, they could have really done with him ahead of their upcoming games.
Domestically, all three of Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and St Helens aren’t far behind them in the table, so it could prove to be a tasty remainder of the 2026 campaign.
You can watch the highlights from the result against Toulouse on Saturday, 7 March, here.
Danny Jones -
24th July 2025 
