Fabricio Coloccini looks set to return for Newcastle’s trip to West Ham this weekend. David Platt reveals City are determined to finish the season strongly after losing their title earlier than expected, Sunderland await Stephane Sessegnon’s red card appeal, while Ben Davies prepares for a battle to retain his left-back berth after the return of Neil Taylor:
Reports indicate Fabricio Coloccini is set to return for Newcastle’s vital trip to West Ham this Saturday. Having seen his side taken apart by Liverpool last weekend, Alan Pardew is ready to make changes at the back in order to accommodate his captain:
“I think Colo’s important this week, no disrespect to the two centre-halves who played against Liverpool. I think his leadership is important. Hopefully, he comes through this week, and we can get him out on the pitch with the armband on.”
With a trip to Upton Park set to pit the Magpies against former players Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan, Pardew’s side are in for a tough task as they look to bounce back from the 6-0 mauling at the hands of the Reds. Sidelined since February with a back injury, Coloccini’s return will bolster a backline that has conceded 14 goals in their last five matches and with Carroll providing four goals and a pair of assists in his last five, Pardew’s side face a tough task to nullify the danger of their former centre forward.
David Platt has insisted City are determined to finish the season as strongly as possible after relinquishing their title to United over a week ago. With the FA Cup final against Wigan sandwiched in between the second match of double Gameweek 36 and Gameweek 37, many fear rest and rotation could blight Roberto Mancini’s plans over the next few matches but Platt revealed the players are desperate to atone for what has been a disappointing defence of their Premier League crown:
“If we can secure second place within the next two or three games that won’t put any kind of slant on our last two games, at Reading and at home against Norwich. We want to win football matches, that is what the players want to do. They don’t like getting beaten, which they did at Tottenham last week, even though we controlled the game for large periods. We have no doubts. We don’t need the stimulus and motivation of going for trophies to go out there and perform. At this moment in time our focus and intensity is to make sure we amass full points, secure second position and win an FA Cup final.”
Sunderland are expected to discover later today whether their appeal for Stephane Sessegnon’s red card at Villa on Monday is successful. The Benin international is currently set to miss the final three matches of the season and having scored in each of his two appearances prior to the Villa Park hammering, looked the one Sunderland player capable of shooting them to safety. Paolo Di Canio’s side remain five points clear of Wigan and while the Latics have a game in hand, back-to-back home clashes with Stoke and Southampton afford the Wearsiders the perfect opportunity to clinch their survival. Their new manager spoke of his decision to contest Sessegnon’s dismissal:
“We saw the clip – there is not a bad challenge. With the dynamic of the challenge, it can be a trap for the referee because from distance you see the dynamic, but there is not a nasty challenge.”
If Sessegnon is, as expected, ruled out, Di Canio has decisions to make if he retains the current 4-4-1-1 system. Given that Danny Graham is yet to find the net since moving from Swansea in January, the role in “the hole” vacated by Sessegnon is crucial –Craig Gardner was fielded at right-back last week after returning from suspension but could be moved forward, while Adam Johnson offers a source of creativity, with Seb Larsson and James McClean perhaps handed the flank roles. The club’s January signing Alfred N’Diaye could also be used in a more advanced berth. Typically utilised for his combative skills in the middle of the park, N’Diaye would certainly lend a little more physical threat further up the field – N’Diaye also discussed the situation yesterday as Sunderland desperately look for the points to clinch their survival:
“We have other players who can step in for him and make chances and score goals though – it is up to us to start to do that if Stéphane can’t play. We have to show that we don’t rely on him. It is bad for us but we have no choice – we must keep on playing…. Of course we are back in the relegation fight. I thought before the game that we only needed one win and I still think that. If we won on Monday we would have had 40 points: that’s okay. We have lost so we still need a win, we need to win against Stoke. If we do that then we will still be safe.”
Finally, Swansea’s Ben Davies has welcomed left-back rival Neil Taylor back to the Swansea fold after a long injury absence:
“It’s great to have Neil back in the squad. It’s good for me too. It means we have competition now and we’ll both be fighting for the shirt.”
Taylor made a brief sub appearance towards the end of last Sunday’s game at Chelsea to signal his comeback to action. Having been sidelined since Gameweek 3 due to a broken ankle, he’s since built up his fitness via a number of reserve outings and his return is likely to deter many from investing in Davies for the Swans’ upcoming double. Certainly, those who already have Davies will hold – it may well be that Michael Laudrup continues to hand Taylor brief sub appearances and ease him back into top-flight action over the next couple of games as he readjusts to life in the top-flight once again.
