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• Messi headlines 23-player MLS MVP shortlist

  Lionel Messi is one of 23 players to be nominated for the 2024 MLS MVP award, being joined on the shortlist by Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez.

  Messi is considered the leading candidate to win the league's top individual prize after scoring 17 goals and contributing 10 assists in just 18 regular-season matches this year.

  The Argentina legend has missed large chunks of the campaign through injury, recently sitting out two months with an ankle problem he sustained while representing his country in the Copa America final.

  Yet only four players – D.C. United's Christian Benteke (23), Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga, the Columbus Crew's Cucho Hernandez (both 19) and Suarez (18) – have outscored him this term, and he also sits joint-eighth in the assist charts.

  Suarez is the other Miami player to be nominated for the prize, having put himself in Golden Boot contention in his first season in the United States.

  The Uruguayan's 18 league goals have come from chances with a total expected goals (xG) value of 12.04, giving him an overperformance of 5.96.

  Only New York City's Alonso Martinez (6.13, 16 goals from 9.87 xG) and Messi (6.08, 17 from 10.92 xG) have overperformed their underlying figures by a greater margin.

  Suarez is also up for the league's Newcomer of the Year award, alongside players including Hugo Lloris of LAFC and the Galaxy's leading scorer Gabriel Pec.

  Last season's MVP, FC Cincinnati's Luciano Acosta, is in the running for the top prize once more after providing more direct goal involvements (30, 14 goals, 16 assists) than any other player in the league.

  With Miami winning the Supporters' Shield and remaining on course to break the league's single-season points record (73 by the 2021 New England Revolution), head coach Gerardo Martino has been nominated for the Coach of the Year award.

  The Colorado Rapids' Chris Armas, Greg Vanney of the LA Galaxy and the Columbus Crew's Wilfried Nancy are considered among the other leading contenders.

• Mainoo one of three England players to pull out of Nations League squad

  England have been dealt a triple injury blow before their Nations League matches, with Kobbie Mainoo, Morgan Gibbs-White and Ezri Konsa pulling out of the squad.

  Earlier on Monday, the Three Lions were boosted by the confirmation that Harry Kane's injury against Eintracht Frankfurt was not serious, and he would be able to play a part in the October fixtures.

  However, the trio did not arrive with the rest of the squad at St. George's Park, and Lee Carsley is not expected to call up any replacements.

  Mainoo made his international debut earlier this year and has made 10 appearances for England, with one of those caps coming under Carsley against Ireland, but a knee injury that forced him off for Manchester United against Aston Villa will keep him out.

  Konsa was also forced off in the second half of that match, having suffered a hamstring injury in the 0-0 draw.

  Gibbs-White, who was handed his senior England debut by the manager last month, also sustained his issue on Sunday, in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea. At under-21 level, the midfielder made 15 appearances under Carsley, with only six players featuring more under him.

  England host Greece at Wembley on Thursday before travelling to Helsinki to face Finland on Sunday.

• Dixon settling nicely into life at Charlton Athletic; excited to represent Reggae Boyz once again

  Charlton Athletic and Jamaica striker Kaheim Dixon says he’s settling into life nicely in the English capital after his summer move from Arnett Gardens FC.

  Dixon, who turned 20 on October 4, recently recorded a goal and an assist on his debut for Charlton’s Under 21s against Watford Under 21s.

  “Settling in well. I’ve been getting support on and off the field. They’re treating me like family,” Dixon said of his time at Charlton so far in an interview with JFF Live on Monday.

  Dixon says he’s also getting support from fellow 20-year-old Reggae Boy Karoy Anderson who has been at Charlton Athletic since 2013 and broke into the first team in 2022.

  “Yes, that’s my guy as well. He’s looking out for me as a fellow Jamaican,” Dixon said.

  Dixon has been selected to represent the Reggae Boyz in their upcoming CONCACAF Nations League fixtures against Nicaragua and Honduras.

  “It’s a great feeling coming back to the national camp to represent my country once again,” Dixon said.

  “We’re looking to grab all six points from these games,” he added.

  Jamaica will first take on Nicaragua on the road on October 10 before returning home to host Honduras on October 14.

  The group held their first training session on Monday at Stadium East and will hold another one tomorrow.

  “It was good, high intensity. Everyone was happy and smiling so I thought it was good,” Dixon said of the session on Monday.

  Jamaica currently lead League A Group B of the Nations League with four points from two games, same as Nicaragua while Honduras are third on three.