Archive for August, 2007
Chelsea and England lose Lampard
Frank Lampard is out of Chelsea’s visit to Villa Park this weekend. Lampard limped out of training earlier today with thigh injury and a scan has revealed a tear in the same leg as the broken toe he suffered in the summer.
There’s no details of a length of absence as yet, however he is set to miss England’s fixtures against Israel and Russia and is therefore a doubt for a return to action for Chelsea’s game against Blackburn on September 15. Steve Sidwell seems likely to benefit from Lampard’s injury, although Mikel is another option.
I’ll be updating my shortlist and scout picks in a moment with the likes of Arteta, Bentley and Gamst-Pedersen all getting promotion up the rankings for the weekend fixtures.
ContinuedBentley stars as Rovers go through
David Bentley hit a sweet volley to send Blackburn on their way to a 2-0 second leg UEFA Cup win over MyPa tonight. The midfielder smashed home the opener from a corss by Gamst-Pedersen , while Jason Roberts capped the night with a second from Matt Derbyshire’s knock down late on.
Mark Hughes rotated things bringing in Roberts and Rigters up front and Mokoena and Tugay in midfield. Interestingly he opted for a Nelson/Ooijer pairing in central defence which maybe hints that Samba’s place is now under threat or at least subject to rotation. Samba wasn’t even on the bench but there was no news of an injury on the night. McCarthy, Santa Cruz, Savage and Dunn should all return for the visit of City at the weekend however.
ContinuedGerrard and Carragher to miss Derby clash
Liverpool are set to prolong Steven Gerrard’s recuperation when Derby come to Anfield at the weekend. Gerrard is currently nursing a broken toe and has sat out of Liverpool’s last two matches. Rafa has commented that the Doctors may administer painkilling injections but his comments today indicate that he is unlikely to be risked. Jamie Carragher is also ruled out with his rib injury having only left hospital on Tuesday. Andriy Voronin will be available however, having missed this week’s Champions League tie with a knock.
Sissoko is likely to continue in midified in Gerrards absence while Carragher’s place will be filled by Hypia. Kuyt and Torres seem set to form the strike pairing, despite Voronins return - although you just never know with Rafa.
ContinuedLennon and Kaboul back for Spurs
Aaron Lennon is being lined up for a return to the Spurs lineup for the weekend’s clash with Fulham. The England man has been out of action since his operation at the end of last season. Spurs could also welcome back centre-back Younes Kaboul.
Lennon seems likely to start on the bench given the form of Malbranque and Bale’s performance at Old Trafford. Kaboul meanwhile, if fit, could come straight back into the side for Rocha.
ContinuedWednesday’s Cup Scout Notes
Three more Carling Cup ties were played out last night as the Premiership big boys all eased their way through. Arsenal meanwhile, cruised past the Spartans from Prague. Here’s my notes on the nights events…
ContinuedTonight’s Cup Scout Notes
It was Carling Cup action for some clubs tonight with some red faces amongst the Premiership “elite”. Liverpool meanwhile put some reserves out for a Champions League something or other. Read my notes from tonights games…
ContinuedCruel break for Dyer
Kieron Dyer has suffered a suspected broken leg in tonight’s Carling Cup tie against Bristol Rovers. The midfielder was subject to a crunching tackle after just 10 minutes and was duly stretchered off. It is feared that Dyer has broken both bones in his lower leg, although scans tomorrow will reveal the full extent of the injury.
The injury is the latest blow in what has been a long line of injuries to new Hammers signings. Dyer was making just his third appearance for West Ham tonight. Julien Faubert suffered a long-term injury in pre-season and is out until the New Year, while Scott Parker is yet to make his Premiership debut for the Hammers. Last season they suffered similar setbacks for new signings Lucas Neill and Matt Upson. I bet Adriano can’t wait to get on the plane.
ContinuedWeekend injury round-up
There’s a Sibierski scare, two knockout blows for Newcastle and broken bones in the Liverpool defence. Get the round-up of the weekend’s knocks…
ContinuedWeekend Scout Notes
Normal service is resumed then. I’m back from my week of absence and United are back winning games – although only just. It’s been a while since you soaked up some of my rambling nonsense so here’s a big dose of my notes from this weekend’s games…
ContinuedWhile the Scout’s away…
You may have mentioned a lull in updates in the last couple of days, something that might continue this week as I’m smack in the middle of the busiest two weeks of my working year right now (yep, I have a day job). I’m leaving for Germany tomorrow and while I’m away for the five days I may only have limited access to the net in order to provide some valuable updates. Totally outrageous I know, but I’m hoping you’ll let me off if and once I return at the weekend I’ll get things moving again.
For now I’ll update injuries, early team news and my Scout Picks tonight, although I’m sure I’d want to change these by the weekend - I may not be able to, so please let me off if my choices look slightly odd come Saturday.
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