Archive for October, 2007
Van Persie crocked for a month
Arsenal have lost Robin Van Persie for at least a month after the striker suffered a knee injury in Holland’s game with Slovenia last night. The full extent of the injury is not yet known with although Arsenal have already ruled him out for at least four weeks.
“We will know later today how bad it is but the early signs are that he will not be able to perform for us in the next four weeks” remarked Wenger today.
This comes as a massive blow to Arsenal and Fantasy Managers. Van Persie has emerged as a key Fantasy player, and has hit the form to justify his price tag in recent weeks. That has doubtless lead to thousands of Fantasy Managers scrambling to sign him up. The only plus side to his absence is that he’ll miss games against United and Liverpool, fixtures that perhaps may not have offered a massive points return. That’s little compensation however to the thousands who will now be seemingly forced to look elsewhere for Fantasy firepower at a time when it looks pretty thin in the ground. Let’s take a brief look at some of the options, it really won’t take long…
ContinuedCole out until the New Year?
The news on Ashley Cole doesn’t look good. The facts are still cloudy, although we do know that the left-back has not suffered a break to his ankle - this was confirmed in a report earlier today. However, rumour has it that scans have revealed extensive muscle and ligament damage that is likely to sideline Cole until the New Year.
We’ll wait for confirmation but such an injury is likely to create a decent amount of Fantasy interest in Wayne Bridge, his obvious replacement. Bridge emerged as a bargain purchase last season, benefiting from a lowly price tag and prolonged run in the side due to Cole’s injuries. However, having returned to Chelsea’s reserves against Fulham on October 2, he received a red card in that match and a 3-match suspension. Bridge is therefore unable to make a Premiership appearance until the game with Wigan on November 3. Up until then Avram Grant will have to look to Alex, Ben-Haim or possibly Ferreira to provide a left-back solution.
ContinuedCity sweating on Petrov injury
There are major concerns surrounding the fitness of City’s Martin Petrov after the winger suffered a blow to his ankle during a friendly for Bulgaria. Petrov felt the full force of a tackle from a Brazilian defender and was immediately carted off to hospital. It is suggested that he may have suffered a dislocation and/or ligament damage on his left ankle, news that could result in a lengthy absence.
City and Fantasy Managers everywhere will be nervously awaiting the results of a scan which we can expect in the next 24-hours. Petrov has been a massive hit in the City side and in Fantasy terms so far this season and many managers have bought in the midfielder over recent weeks following his early season form.
ContinuedTogo defeat offers Adebayor boost
Togo have failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations meaning that Emmanuel Adebayor will now be available to Arsenal and Fantasy Managers when the tournament kicks off in January.The striker, a vastly popular Fantasy pick this season, was due to be absent from January 20 and February 10. During this period Eduardo was being earmarked as the likely partner to Van Persie but Togo’s failure to qualify after a 2-0 defeat to Mali, will likely put pay to that and come as much relief to thousands of Fantasy Managers who have invested in him in the early season.
Arsenal will still be without Eboue and Toure for the tournament as the Ivory Coast have qualified. Indeed all sixteen qualifiers are now known so I’ll be updating my list of Premiership players likely to be taking part, and therefore absent during the tournament, later this evening. You can find this latest table here.
ContinuedLehmann confident of recall
Jens Lehmann has declared that he expects to return to the Arsenal lineup for the weekend clash with Bolton. The German keeper starred in his nations 0-0 draw with the Republic and, having returned to fitness, clearly takes it for granted that he’ll make a rapid return to the Arsenal eleven.
“I am fully fit and I expect to be back against Bolton,” remarked Lehmann. “[Wenger] has not told me anything but I am here now and I expect him to play me, so no worries”.
Lehmann has been out of the side for the last 10 matches, reportedly due to Achilles and elbow injuries. However, interestingly, Lehmann lined up for Germany against Wales on September 8 without earning a recall for Arsenal. Manuel Almunia has not let Arsenal down in that time and may well have attracted the attention of Fantasy Managers. It remains to be seen how Wenger will react to Lehmann’s declaration. My bet is that Lehmann could well be disappointed.
ContinuedAnelka doubt for Emirates visit
Nicolas Anelka is a doubt for Bolton’s clash with Arsenal on Saturday after picking up a knock for France against the Faroe’s at the weekend. Anelka was subbed at half-time and has been ruled out of his nations game with Lithuania. Details on the injury are scarce although Bolton’s official line right now is that it is a minor knock. The club have issued a statement that announces that Anelka will be examined by their medical staff on his return to their training ground. More details will doubtless follow so I’ll keep you updated.
Anelka has been one of this season’s Fantasy success stories and always seems to fair well against his former club. It won’t just be Sammy Lee sweating over Anelka’s fitness then, although, unlike the dimunitive Bolton boss, the jobs of thousands of Fantasy Managers should be safe with or without Anelka at the weekend.
ContinuedTerry trains as Cole returns to Bridge
There was contrasting news for Chelsea’s England pairing John Terry and Ashley Cole today. Terry training with his England colleagues as they prepared for Wednesday’s clash with Russia. Ashley Cole meanwhile returned to Chelsea for further treatment on the ankle injury picked up against Estonia at the weekend.
Terry is by no means fit for Wednesday’s game after picking up a knee injury in training, the latest of a series of knocks that have inflicted the England and Chelsea skipper. Steve McClaren is still being cautious as to his chances of making the game. Terry apparently has a small piece of cartilage floating inside the knee that may have to be removed. Currently, he is not reporting an discomfort but England will apparently consult the Chelsea medical team before making a decision. Chelsea travel to Boro on Saturday and Terry does appear to have a chance of making that game. Ashley Cole is another story.
His ankle injury looked pretty nasty and McClaren was quick to rule him out of the Russia game today. Cole is now back at Stamford Bridge for treatment by the Chelsea medical staff and, although there is no confirmed news on the extent of the injury, it appears Cole is a major doubt for the weekend. That could see a return to first team action for Wayne Bridge who has recovered speedily from a hip injury. Bridge is back in training and has lined up for the reserves earlier in the month. Avram Grant however, could feel that it is too early for a return so Alex, Ben-Haim or Ferreira are alternatives, depending on the availability of Terry.
ContinuedTorres going all out to make Derby clash
Seemingly, the atmosphere of a Merseyside Derby is providing enough impetus for Fernando Torres to push himself to the limit to make the weekend clash with Everton. Following yesterday’s news that he had suffered a thigh injury whilst on International duty with Spain, Torres has today expressed his burning ambition to be fit for the clash with Everton.
“I intend to be fit for Saturday,” Torres told Spanish radio earlier today.
“I don’t want to miss out on the derby against Everton. I’ve been told how special the game is and I need to be ready in time”.
Torres was expected to be out for up to 10-days after examination by the Spanish national team’s medical staff. So, despite today’s claims, he’s likely to remain a doubt right up until Saturday’s midday kick-off. If fit however, it seems certain that Rafa will select his compatriot to partner Kuyt up front, although with Rafa, nothing is certain.
ContinuedTorres a doubt for Merseyside clash
Fernando Torres is a major doubt for the weekend clash with Everton after suffering a torn a muscle in his thigh whilst away on International duty with Spain. The striker pulled up in training and the Spanish doctors have since confirmed that he is due to be out of action for up to 10 days. So, just when a game crops up that we’re 92% sure Rafa wouldn’t dare rest Torres for, the striker goes and rules himself out with an injury.
Without Torres, Rafa would have choose between Voronin and Crouch to partner Kuyt for the derby clash with Voronin perhaps the preferred option.
Elsewhere at Anfield, Fantasy Managers will be pleased to hear that Rafa’s rotation options are likely to be expanded by the return of Harry Kewell. He’s nearing a return to fitness and will return to full training this week after suffering a groin injury whilst on International duty in the Summer. Kewell’s return would give him Rafa all kinds of options on the left where he’d have Babel, Riise, Aurellio and perhaps even Benayoun to shuffle around, selection options that are likely to have a ripple effect throughout the entire lineup. Great news eh?
ContinuedKoumas out for Wales. A doubt for Wigan?
Jason Koumas is out of the Wales squad for their forthcoming games with San Marino and Cyprus, but not before Wales boss, John Toshack, got a second opinion. Koumas has missed the last few away Internationals for Wales and the frustration of his numerous bouts of absence have raised questions over the midfielder’s commitment to the cause. In this latest case, Toshack called upon a FIFA directive that allowed him to get Wales’ own medical staff to examine Koumas’ thigh injury. After confirming the injury Toshack remarked:
“Jason has had a scan because he has been having discomfort in his thigh. He will need at least 10 days’ rest with what is a hip and muscle problem that has been worrying him for some while.”
That could put some doubt over Koumas’ availability for their home game with Portsmouth on October 20. It wouldn’t look too good for the midfielder should he shake off the knock over the next week or so, although, when quizzed on his feelings on Koumas turning out for his club in a fortnight, Toshack replied:
“Of course I would be happy if he played in Wigan’s next match, it would show that he is fit again.”
Koumas is beginning to live up to his Fantasy potential, particularly in the Fantasy Premier League game where a steady flow of Bonus points have seen him offer a decent return for his 6.0 million price tag. His possible absence from Wigan’s next home game will be a concern to those who have persevered with the playmaker.
ContinuedBellamy returns to soften Ashton blow
West Ham got the news they were dreading today when they learned that Dean Ashton would be absent for at least six weeks with the knee injury suffered at Villa at the weekend. Ashton had a scan today which confirmed he had sprained medial knee ligaments. According to the Hammers physio, George Cooper (I’m all for raising the profile of backroom staff), Ashton won’t be expected back until the end of November at least.
‘In the majority of cases it will take up to six weeks for full recovery’. Remarked the magic sponge merchant.
That bitter pill was somewhat sweetened by the news that Craig Bellamy has been passed fit to turn out for Wales in their two forthcoming games against Cyprus and San Marino. With Zamora still out and Carlton Cole and Henri Camara struggling for form, Curbishley will be sweating on Bellamy getting through those games to face Sunderland on October 21st. Cole is likely to lineup alongside him should he emerge unscathed but doesn’t appear to offer value to Fantasy Managers despite his modest price tag.
ContinuedSanta delivers nasty surprise for Rovers
Blackburn have been rocked today by the news that Roque Santa Cruz could be facing surgery on a knee injury suffered after their victory over Birmingham at the weekend. The Paraguayan national team have sent the forward back home to Blackburn after discovering that he was suffering from tendonitis in his knees. Apparently the problem could have developed following a slip in his shower after the Brum game.
A term of absence is not known as yet but you can count Santa Cruz out of Rovers’ next match against Reading on October 20. Owen Hargreaves recently suffered a similar problem, sidelining him for around three weeks although according to the Paraguayan Football Association, there could be a need for surgery. That could mean a longer layoff. With Jason Roberts also a major doubt for the Reading game with a groin injury, it would seem that Derbyshire is likely to partner McCarthy in the short-term at least. He could be a decent proposition if Santa Cruz is to face several weeks on the sidelines.
ContinuedNew Poll - this season’s flops
So who has been the biggest Fantasy flop thus far? I’ve just added a new poll that should go some way to answering that one. Tough one though, there’s quite a few candidates that have let us Fantasy Managers down so far so it will be interesting to see how the voting goes over the next couple of weeks.
As for the previous poll - there’s little doubt about the top candidates for the Premiership’s top scorer, the Arsenal pairing of Van Persie and Adebayor dominated the vote with over 55% between them. Van Persie was your top choice, and who is to argue after his brace at the weekend, with 32% of the total votes. Anelka and Torres were the nearest challengers to the Arsenal pairing.
ContinuedOld Trafford’s walking wounded
United have so many knocks, scrapes and absentee’s they deserve an injury round-up all of their own. Their decisive victory over Wigan at the weekend saw them pick up further defensive knocks to both O’Shea and Vidic to add to their injury list that already includes Saha, Neville, Hargreaves, Carrick, Fletcher , Brown and Van der Sar. Here’s a round-up of the current state of play down in the Old Trafford physio room.
Continued
