Scout Scribbles- Spurs Duo On Course for Gunners Return

Rafael Van der Vaart and Emmanuel Adebayor are winning their fitness battles ahead of Spurs’ trip to Arsenal this Sunday.The FA rescind Rory Delap’s three-match ban. Chris Samba may return for Blackburn at City, David Vaughan could be back for Sunderland, while reports suggest John Terry may be set for an extended spell on the sidelines:

Rafael Van der Vaart had some good news for his Fantasy owners ahead of Sunday’s north London derby. The Dutchman –who hasn’t played since limping out of the Gameweek 23 win over Wigan with a calf problem- gave an injury update via his official website yesterday, which indicates he may well be on course for a return against Arsenal:

I’m recovering well from my injury. I expect to be joining the team training next Wednesday after which I will start to focus on the match against Arsenal. I’ll be happy to play Arsenal, I can’t wait.

Emmanuel Adebayor also used social media as a platform to serve notice of his own progress from injury. The on-loan forward missed out on Spurs’ FA Cup draw at Stevenage due to a knee problem and was initially rated as doubtful for the match by Harry Redknapp, but has tweeted earlier this morning:

Just finished training, really happy with the progress, knee is looking much better. Working on my fitness for Sunday.

Adebayor has started all but one of Spurs’ fixtures since joining on loan, with a game against parent club Man City his only absence. The 21 point Fantasy haul in Gameweek 25 has seen almost 17,000 managers snap up his services ahead of the Gunners showdown- a return to fitness will be a welcome relief for those who have drafted him in. Harry Redknapp is likely to be cautious with Van der Vaart, though, given the Dutchman’s ongoing injury problems and, with Louis Saha bagging a brace in his first full appearance, there may well be question marks against a starting role for Van der Vaart, regardless of his availability.

The Mirror have published an article this afternoon which suggests John Terry could be facing a prolonged period on the sidelines. The Chelsea skipper has missed the last three league games with a knee problem but it is alleged he struggled in training yesterday and, with his condition worsening overnight, could be facing “a small procedure” to rectify the injury, forcing him out for a couple of months. The London club have yet to comment but, if true, his absence perhaps makes the starting place of Branislav Ivanovic more secure – Andre Villas-Boas has been sparing in his use of Gary Cahill and with Jose Bosingwa defensively susceptible, the Serb’s versatility could give his game time a boost.

Per Mertesacker has taken to Facebook to update his recent ankle surgery. The German was subbed off at Sunderland in Gameweek 25, with Arsene Wenger admitting last week he expects the injury to be “long term”. Mertesacker’s comments, regarding the seriousness of the injury, certainly suggests he may well be set to miss much –if not all- of the remainder of the Gunners’ season:

My participation in Euro 2012 is not in danger. Dr Stöckle in Tübingen did the operation on Tuesday evening, attached a piece of bone back to the ankle and patched up the deltoid ligament on the inside of the ankle. All went well and I’m in Donaustauf, Bavaria, for the physical rehabilitation.

Wenger received a little more positive news on Carl Jenkinson’s injury situation. The right-back has been sidelined since Gameweek 11 due to a back problem but is expected to turn out for Arsenal reserves against Norwich today as he continues to progress towards full fitness.

The FA have today overturned the three-match suspension handed out to Rory Delap. The Stoke midfielder was handed a straight red card for dangerous play in the weekend FA Cup win at Crawley Town but has won his appeal and is now available to play with immediate effect.

Tomasz Kuszczak has joined Watford on an emergency loan deal until the end of the season. The Polish international has slipped to fourth in the goalkeeper pecking order, with Ben Amos afforded a rare start in Gameweek 23 against Stoke, when both David de Gea and Anders Lindegaard were unavailable. Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed earlier this month the keeper will leave Old Trafford this summer on a free transfer, after refusing to sign a new contract.

Joe Allen expects to be fit and available for Swansea’s trip to Stoke on Sunday. The midfielder has been a key part of the Welsh club’s midfield three this term but was forced to skip the Gameweek 25 match against Norwich due to a hamstring strain. With no FA Cup fixture last weekend, the Swans were afforded a two-week break and Allen’s resultant rest has seen him step up his recovery ahead of the Britannia showdown.

Brendan Rodgers was handed more good news on the injury front, as Alan Tate revealed he hopes to be ready for a first-team return before the end of the month. The defender played in the opening game of the season before breaking his leg in a bizarre golf buggy accident but is edging closer to a comeback, with a series of reserves appearances now under his belt.

Reports suggest Chris Samba could return to Blackburn’s first-team this weekend. The Mail indicate that the Rovers skipper has settled his differences with Steve Kean and has returned to training with the first-team ahead of his side’s trip to Man City on Saturday.

Titus Bramble is expected to be sidelined for at least another month for Sunderland. The centre-half has been unavailable since Boxing Day due to an Achilles problem, though it’s fair to say Martin O’Neill’s side have hardly missed him, conceding just 4 goals in seven games in Bramble’s absence. With Wes Brown also injured, Michael Turner has begun to establish a partnership with John O’Shea in the heart of defence and, at 4.2, is starting to look like a decent cut-price option, though Matt Kilgallon is approaching full fitness and may threaten Turner’s first-team starts.

David Vaughan could be in line for a return for Sunderland this weekend. The midfielder was a crucial part of Martin O’Neill’s first-team, starting the first eight games of the Irishman’s reign but has missed the last three due to an ankle problem- Vaughan has been called up by Wales for next week’s international friendly, suggesting his fitness may no longer be an issue.