Archive for November, 2007
Van Persie still weeks away from return
Arsenal have revealed today that Robin Van Persie is still 2-3 weeks away from a return to first team action. Van Persie suffered a knee injury whilst on International duty in early October and it was hoped that he would make a return against Wigan last weekend. However, a report on the official site quotes Wenger as saying…
“There is still pain. He is not close, he has no chance at all for next week…It will be two or three more weeksâ€
His absence is a further blow to Wenger who seems likely to have to cope without Fabregas for the next few games. Walcott and Eduardo are now likely to get some more games under the belts leading up to the Christmas programme.
ContinuedWeekend Team News
City lose Elano for Wigan clash
Wigan got news of a “Brucey Bonus” today as City’s Elano was ruled out of the weekend clash with a hamstring injury. The Brazilian wizard suffered the injury in last weekend’s victory over weekend and has not recovered in time. Indeed there is a possibility that he will face a spell on the sidelines.
“He is having a scan and we do not know at the moment how long he will be out for”, remarked Sven today.
That’s bad news for City and an awful lot of Fantasy Managers but good news for Steve Bruce for his first game in charge as Wigan boss.
Elsewhere in the City camp, Corluka and Mpenza have been declared fit and are set to take their place in the lineup. Geovanni seems set to start in place of Elano. Vassell meanwhile, is sidelined for a couple of weeks with a knee injury.
ContinuedFaint hope for Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas is a major doubt for the weekend clash with Villa although Wenger is still clinging to a faint hope that he’ll prove his fitness [source]. Fabregas suffered a hamstring injury in Tuesday’s Champions League defeat at Sevilla and the Arsenal medical staff don’t seem to share Wenger’s optimistic view of the injury. The midfielder will undergo a fitness test on Friday but it is suggested that he will be absent for around 10-days which would see him miss Arsenal’s forthcoming matches against Villa, Newcastle and Boro.
That will be a major blow to a huge amount of Fantasy Managers lining the Spanish midfielder up as their Fantasy Premier League captain in a double gameweek for the Gunners.
Meanwhile Hleb and Clichy are also rated as having a “slight chance” of making the weekend, while Van Persie has been ruled out by Wenger. Flamini is the only bit of bright news from the Arsenal camp. He should return to the Gunners midfield for the Villa game.
ContinuedSouthgate suffers Mido blow
Gareth Southgate appears to have lost stirker Mido for the Christmas period [source]. The former Spurs striker has been sidelined for over a month and was looking to return in early December.
Mido is apparently suffering from a stress reaction in the pubic bone (I’ve not had that one in Football Manager) and the injury has failed to react to treatment. According the specialists consulted on the injury, a lengthy period of rest is the only solution. That is likely to sideline the striker until 2008.
Boro have also lost young striker Tom Craddock until 2008 as he has gone under the knife for a hernia. That leaves Southgate with Tuncay, Aliadiere , Lee and young reserve striker, Hutchinson, to spearhead their attack over Christmas. Good luck Gareth.
ContinuedFabregas injury scare
There are reports today speculating that Cesc Fabregas may have picked up a hamstring injury in last nights Champions League defeat to Sevilla. Fabregas was withdrawn early in the second-half and certainly appeared to be struggling with a hamstring problem.
The reports today suggest that Fabregas could well be a doubt for a busy period for Arsenal in which they face three away Premiership fixtures in seven days. That period includes a double gameweek this week with Arsenal facing Villa and Newcastle.
There’s no definite news on the injury from Arsenal thus far so perhaps no need to panic. However, Wenger has confirmed there is a potential problem.
“We will know more about how bad it is in the morning.†He remarked post-match.
ContinuedDrogba back for Chelsea
Chelsea seem set to have Didier Drogba back in their lineup for the Champions League tie with Rosenborg tomorrow night according to Chelsea’s official site. Drogba missed the Derby game with a knee injury sustained whilst on International duty with the Ivory Coast. He returned to training yesterday and also trained today as Chelsea arrived in Norway for the game. Drogba now seems set to return to Premiership action against West Ham on Saturday.
Chelsea still have injury concerns over Cech (calf), Ballack (ankle), Malouda (knee), Carvalho (back) and Ferreira (ankle).
ContinuedNo reprieve for Essien
Michael Essien’s red card received in the victory at Derby at the weekend will stand after today’s appeal to the FA failed. Essien will now miss three Premiership games starting with the clash with West Ham at the weekend. He’ll also miss the games against Sunderland and the key tussle with Arsenal. Sidwell and Makelele seem likely to benefit in his absence.
ContinuedMcCarthy fit for Villa clash
Benni McCarthy has passed a fitness test and is available for tomorrow nights game with Villa at Ewood [source]. McCarthy suffered a gashed knee and was subbed after just six minutes against Fulham at the weekend but is running freely and available to Hughes. The news will come as much relief to those managers who invested in the striker in Blackburn’s double gameweek.
Derbyshire also passed his fitness test today, Dunn is back from suspension and Santa Cruz is expected to reclaim a starting role having rested following his return from International duty with Paraguay.
ContinuedNew Poll - More double gameweek fun
Okay, so after the enormous return on your investment in Bentley/Santa Cruz/McCarthy, you’re no doubt planning another successful move into the transfer market to exploit the current double gameweek in the Fantasy Premier League game.
Arsenal and Newcastle are the clubs involved but the fixtures in question are far from kind. Arsenal take on Villa at the weekend followed by the Newcastle game the following Wednesday. Newcastle meanwhile travel to Blackburn before taking on the Gunners at home. Difficult games for both clubs. There is certainly no guarantee that sacrificing points for transfers will pay off. If you’ve the cash and the inclination however, there are some tempting routes to investigate.
Continued
