Friday news round up

**Michael Morris** · 24-03-23, 15:43

Further Wales Online round up of stories posted online

Kieron Evans 'loving every minute' at Torquay

Kieron Evans is 'loving every minute' of life at Torquay United as he begins he hit top form in the National League.

The relegation strugglers hope the former Wales youth international can help turn their form around as they bid for survival in the final throes of the season.

And Evans has really hit his straps of late, scoring two in his last two outings, the latter of which earned the Seagulls a point against Gateshead.

Speaking about his loan stint at Torquay, he said: "I've enjoyed it - but I don't think my legs have enjoyed it as much!

"It's my first (full) season and I've loved every minute of it, really. It's the first year I've played as many games as I have in men's football. I've loved it.

"It's completely different game to under-23s football. When I first joined I thought it would be similar or a bit more physical, but it's totally different. You've got to run more, keep the ball more and there are three points you've got to win.

"The physical demand, the mental demand, everything is way more."

On the back of two goals in two games, Evans hopes the shackles are now released.

"I've always had that thing where when I get one I keep scoring," he said. "I've always had that. As soon as I get one out of the way, that's the hardest, they'll keep coming now."

Sawyers bags on international duty

Romaine Sawyers continued his impressive form at club level by scoring while on international duty.

Yesterday, St Kitts and Nevis took on French Saint Martin in the Concacaf Nations League and came out 3-1 victors.

Sawyers popped up just after the half-hour mark to slot home his sixth goal in 32 appearances for the Sugar Boyz on their way to victory.

Villa starlet being monitored

Three teams from across Europe are reportedly interested in signing Cardiff City winger Jaden Philogene from Aston Villa this summer.

After a relatively slow start to life in south Wales, Philogene has been in white-hot form, especially since the arrival of Sabri Lamouchi, having played in a wing-back role as well as a No.10.

Reports in the Midlands recently have suggested the former England youth international could be heading for the Villa Park exit door this summer, with Unai Emery keen to clear the decks and start afresh.

There is no doubt Cardiff would want him back, but Villa's price tag would likely be prohibitive, plus the Bluebirds are currently unable to pay a transfer fee for any player owing to an EFL embargo, although they are fighting to get that overturned in time for the summer window.

It is unsurprising, though, that other teams are registering an interest in the 21-year-old trickster.

According to Football Insider, French club RC Lens, Belgian giants Anderlecht and German outfit Union Berlin are all keen on landing Philogene's signature in the summer.

The report adds that representatives from clubs across the UK and the continent have been in attendance for Cardiff's matches in recent weeks in order to run the rule over Philogene ahead of a potential summer acquisition.

Relegation rivals in turmoil

Wigan players were absent from training on Friday after not receiving their wages on time for the fourth time this season.

It is understood training has been "pushed back to Monday" with a collective decision made by players and coach Shaun Maloney. The players are apparently not in the right mental state following the late payment of wages.

The Sky Bet Championship's bottom club and Cardiff's relegation rivals have not paid players or staff on time on four occasions this season, which has already resulted in a three-point deduction by the EFL for breaching an agreement the club had with the governing body in January, where they accepted a suspended penalty.

The Latics are currently eight points from safety in the Championship with only eight games left to play.

Wigan have continued to play and train despite the disruptive off-pitch news throughout the season but both players and coach collectively took the decision not to train on Friday morning.

A Wigan spokesperson said: "We are still waiting on the players' wages and that's no secret. Naturally from a coach's point of view it's the correct decision and today's training session has been pushed back to Monday. The players are not going to be in the right mental state, given they are still waiting on wages.

"The fact there is no game this week with the international break and then we play QPR next Saturday...in my opinion it is the correct decision.

"The session has been postponed given the difficulties over the last week and from a mentality point of view, it is the right decision. It was the coach's decision and clearly the players are not in the right frame of mind.

"If there was a game on Saturday, would training have been called off? Probably not. We are hoping today we might have a bit more clarity."