Archive for April, 2007
Sheva out, Finnan returns
Chelsea will be without Shevchenko tomorrow night with an as yet unknown injury. Jose, as per usual, is keeping everyone guessing on the significance of the injury but we do know that Shevchenko will miss the Champions League semi second leg along with Carvalho and Ballack. All three must therefore be doubts for the Arsenal game at the weekend.
Meanwhile, in the Liverpool camp, Steve Finnan is set to return to the side after a 3-week absence with a neck injury. He’s likely to come in at right-back with Arbeloa moving to the left-back, as Rafa pushes Riise into midfield.
ContinuedOwen plays
Michael Owen is back in the Newcastle lineup at Reading tonight having missed the entire season through injury. Owen is part of a three-pronged attack for Newcastle with Martins and Sibierski also in the side. Butt is out after picking up an injury in training. Shola Ameobi, another long-term injury victim is on the bench. Elsewhere, Harper continues for the injured Given in goal. Reading meanwhile drop Sidwell from the 16 while James Harper is on the bench with Seol and Oster both starting in midfield.
ContinuedWeekend Results Round Up
All the goals, assists and bookings from Saturday’s, Sunday’s and Monday’s games…
ContinuedSeason over for Carvalho and Ballack?
Aside from the obvious blow of today’s results, Chelsea appear to have lost both Carvalho and Ballack from the Champions League semi second leg with Liverpool and both players may have played their final game this season. Carvalho left Stamford Bridge on crutches after suffering a knee injury against Bolton today while Ballack has undergone surgery on his ankle injury and is also definitely out of Tuesday’s tie. Both certainly appear to be serious doubts for the remaining games of the season.
ContinuedLampard, Drogba and Ronaldo all on the bench
As predicted, The Champions League has caused havoc for Fantasy Managers but it’s not just Rafa who’s caused the problems. Jose has chose to rest Lampard and Drogba for today’s game against Bolton while it’s been confirmed that United will rest Ronaldo. United bring in Solskjaer for Ronaldo while Chelsea bring in Kalou up front and Geremi in midfield.
As expected Wayne Bridge starts in place of Ashley Cole for Chelsea whilst Andy Johnson failed his fitness test for Everton and James Vaughan, who passed his own fitness test this morning, comes in.
ContinuedSaha back on the bench
Rosicky joins Freddie on the sidelines
Arsenal will be without Tomas Rosicky for the visit of Fulham tomorrow. Rosicky, like Freddie Ljungberg, has picked up a hamstring injury and will miss the game. Wenger commented that Rosicky is more likely to make a return to the side for the Chelsea game next weekend while he hinted the Ljungberg may have played his last game of the season having had a recurrence which could keep him out for a “few games”. Diaby and Baptista now seem set to start tomorrow.
ContinuedRafa to rest Gerrard, Carragher and Reina
Rafa has apparently left Gerrard, Carragher and Reina out of his squad that travels to Portsmouth for tomorrow’s game [source]. Finnan was also absent from the squad once more, presumably with the after effects of his recent neck injury. With Rafa quoted today that he will look to give some young players an opportunity in this game I’d expect both Paletta to start in central defence and Padelli to appear in goal, given Dudek’s recent outburts.
If correct, this at least provides a very obvious clue to Fantasy Managers just who to swap out of their sides and certainly makes the result at Portsmouth harder to predict. Harry must fancy his chances of grabbing something without those three on the pitch for Liverpool.
ContinuedVidic and Rio set for Europe return
The latest on the walking wounded amongst the United defence can be found in a report at Sky Sports where it’s suggested that both Ferdianand and Vidic will return for the Champions League semi second leg on Wednesday. Ferdinand has apparently made good progress with his groin injury while Vidic could be risked for the second leg having overcome his dislocated shoulder. Gary Neville however, is showing “no improvement” according to Fergie, so appears to be a doubt for at least another week to come.
ContinuedPark sent to the States for tests
United appear to have lost Ji-Sung Park for the season after the midfielder was sent to a US specialist for a series of tests on his knee injury. The renowned specialist is yet to give his prognosis on Park’s likely absence but some reports [source] are even suggesting that Park could be absent for up to a year.
Continued
