Archive for March, 2007
Injury news from the International camps
It’s all gone quiet on the news front with players still away on international duty. There is some injury news coming out of the camps however. England apparently have a couple of minor knocks who remain nameless. Meanwhile there is some more definitive news from the Republic of Ireland and Welsh training grounds.
Both Shay Given and Stephen Ireland look likely to recover from injury and turn out for the Republic against Slovakia. Given didn’t train today after having stitches in his knee injury, but has been past fit. Ireland meanwhile, did train and providing there is no reaction tomorrow, will also take his place in the side having scored 3 goals in his last 4 international appearances [source]. Ironcially, they will both be on the opposite sides on Saturday when City travel to Newcastle. Both now look likely to play in that match.
It’s not such good news for Wales and Craig Bellamy. It was Bellamy who clashed with Given in Saturday’s game with the Republic and Bellamy appears to have come out worse from the clash. He is still doubtful for the San Marino game on Wednesday [source] and could therefore be a doubt for Liverpool’s game against Arsenal this weekend. With Peter Crouch an option for Rafa after his recovery from surgery on his broken nose, Bellamy could well miss out this weekend.
ContinuedVan der Sar returns
Edwin Van der Sar is back to fitness and will lineup for Holland in their game against Slovenia on Wednesday. He has recovered from the calf strain suffered in the warm-up for the Boro Cup game which should mean of course, that the big Dutchman will return to United’s goal for their game against Blackburn at the weekend. Without being too harsh on Kuszczak, United’s defence obviously looks more assured with Van der Sar behind them, making a clean sheet against Blackburn far more likely.
ContinuedIn search of clean sheets…
Ljungberg nursing ligament injury
Freddie Ljungberg is a doubt for Sweden’s tie with Northern Ireland on Wednesday after suffering knee ligament damage against Everton last weekend [source]. The scale of the damage is unknown right now but Freedie hopes to be fit for the international this week. It does however, look as though Ljungberg is likely to be a doubt for Arsenal’s game at Liverpool on Saturday.
ContinuedCity to welcome back trio
Man City have been boosted by the recovery of 3 long-term injury victims prior to their match at Newcastle next weekend. Trevor Sinclair, Danny Mills and Nedum Onuoha are all set to return to full training next week and could be considered for the game on Saturday [source]. In the same article, manager Pearce mentions his concerns over Micah Richards and Stephen Ireland. However, Richards does appear to be clear of injury after training with England earlier this week. Meanwhile, Ireland appeared for the Republic this afternoon but limped off with what reportedly was a groin injury. He will now be a doubt for the Newcastle game.
ContinuedKewell on the road to recovery
More good news for Liverpool - Rafa has been quoted today as saying that Harry Kewell could be just a few weeks away from a return. The Aussie will apparently go back to full training in around 10 days and could then return to first team action in 2-3 weeks time [source].
Kewell could feasibly come straight back into the side once fit, as the left of midfield remains a problem area for Liverpool. Aside from Riise, Gonzalez and Aurelio have also been tried there without claiming the spot as their own. This could therefore mean further uncertainty over the left-back position in the closing weeks of the season with Riise, Aurelio and Agger all vying for the shirt. In other words, Fantasy Managers should avoid all these players in the coming weeks.
ContinuedCrouch to return against Arsenal
Liverpool are set to have Peter Crouch back in action for their game against Arsenal next weekend. Crouch trained earlier this week after undergoing surgery on his broken nose, and is set to step up his training next week prior to the clash against Arsenal. Rafa is being cautious but apparently expects to be able to call on Crouch against the Gunners [source]. Crouch’s return is timely, with Liverpool currently struggling for goals. Liverpool are yet to find the net in March.
ContinuedBridge making good progress
Wayne Bridge is about to step up his recovery after undergoing an operation on his knee [source] . Bridge has targetted a three-week absence and so could come back into contention for Chelsea’s visit to West Ham in mid April. Despite losing his place to Ashley Cole, Bridge could well figure for Chelsea from late April, if they make it to the Champions League semis. There’s also a chance that, if United seal the title by his return to fitness, Jose could rotate his side more regularly as the season draws to an end.
ContinuedShevchenko injury scare
Andrei Shevchenko has been left our of the Ukraine squad for tomorrow’s game against the Faroe Islands. The injury is reportedly minor [source] with Shevchenko due to return for Ukraine’s match against Lithuania, however, the news means that Fantasy Managers should at least wait until Wednesday’s game before considering the striker as a potential signing. Chelsea face Watford next weekend, a game in which Shevchenko could easily be rested should Jose have doubts over the strikers fitness or energy levels following international week.
ContinuedRichards all clear for England
Micah Richards has been given the all-clear to lineup for England on Saturday after resuming full training. Richards was thought to be a doubt with the shin injury suffered in City’s win at Boro last weekend. Richards should now be a cert to figure in City’s next match at Newcastle next weekend.
ContinuedMore fixture changes to gameweek 33
Those Fantasy Managers playing the Fantasy Premier League game have had another fixture removed from gameweek 33. The Spurs vs Blackburn game is the latest game to move to May and gameweek 37.
This now means that Fantasy Managers must go into gameweek 33, beginning on April 9, without players from 8 clubs : Tottenham, Blackburn, Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Sheff Utd and West Ham. Successful negotiation through this gameweek is likely to be the deciding factor in many private leagues in this game.
ContinuedReserve Round-up
Scharner steps up his fitness, Moore scores again, Volz and Montella turn out for Fulham. Get the inside knowledge from this week’s reserve outings here…
ContinuedBoro lose Arca to injury
Boro’s Julio Arca has been ruled out for several weeks with a tear in his groin. The midfielder played 70 minutes of the recent Cup replay with United but a scan following that game, has revealed damage that will keep him out, at least until early April. Arca has targeted the game against Watford on April 7 as a possible comeback [source].
Arca now joins the suspended Cattermole and Morisson on the sidelines which could now mean starts for Euell and Rochemback in Boro’s game against West Ham. Arca was ranked high on my shortlist this month. Still employed in midfield but classed as a defender, he is a creative force for Boro and a decent target for Fantasy Managers.
ContinuedMcFadden close to a return
Everton could have James McFadden back in their side in by mid April. The Scot has been out since the New Year after breaking his fifth metatarsal, apparently during a game of head tennis of all things. McFadden has now stepped up his rehabilitation after scans showed the break has healed. Everton now expect him back in around 3-weeks.
With the injury to Cahill and the indifferent form of Everton’s partners to Johnson, McFadden could well find himself right back in the reckoning on his return. This could mean that those Fantasy Managers looking at the likes of Vaughan, Anichebe and Osman should consider the likelihood that McFadden will return to threaten those players for their place within the month.
Continued
