Daniel Sturridge fails to shake off a thigh injury and is ruled out of contention for England this evening. Steven Caulker is also sidelined for Roy Hodgson due to an ankle complaint. City new boy Martin Demichelis is out for six weeks with a knee injury, Luke Shaw returns to action for England Under 21s and Nani is handed a new five-year deal by United:

Sturridge and Caulker Sidelined For Moldova Clash

Both Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge and Cardiff City’s Steven Caulker have been ruled out of England’s qualifier with Moldova this evening. The Liverpool striker is still feeling the effects of a thigh injury that troubled him prior to the 1-0 win over United last Sunday. After completing 90 minutes in that encounter, Sturridge has failed to turn out for training this week and has returned to Anfield for treatment. He will be re-assessed when he rejoins the squad on Sunday before the flight to Kiev for England’s qualifier with the Ukraine. Meanwhile, Caulker turned his ankle in training this week and he, too, is hoping for a return to contention in Kiev. Hodgson brought us this on the two setbacks:

“(Sturridge) has worked hard at his treatment and the initial prognosis was that he wouldn’t be fit for either of them but he didn’t accept that. He’s worked very hard and had the necessary treatment but I think it will be touch and go. On Sunday evening we’ll have a training session before heading for Ukraine. If he passes it then he’ll be with us, otherwise then he’ll be staying with Liverpool….Unfortunately, in training he [Caulker] turned his ankle. It’s not a serious matter but it will keep him out of the game tomorrow night….It won’t keep him out of the Ukraine game, he’s expected to do some running tomorrow evening, but he won’t be on the bench tomorrow night.”

The Scout Says: Sturridge’s ongoing battle with a thigh problem appears to be a continuous concern for his club, country and Fantasy owners. Outstanding so far for Liverpool, having scored the decisive goals in all three of their 1-0 wins to this point, Sturridge has earned huge investment going into the international break. Even so, the injury was clearly a factor in last Sunday’s encounter with United and the striker joined up with the England squad as a major doubt for tonight’s clash. The concern now is that Sturridge will remain troubled by the problem from this point on – mercifully for his Fantasy owners, Liverpool’s Gameweek 4 encounter does not take place until Monday September 16, giving him more time to receive treatment in preparation. However, the thigh problem seems persistent and Sturridge’s track record for absence through injury is enough to keep his owners on edge. It will be interesting to see how Brendan Rodgers treats the January signing once the goal threat from Luis Suarez returns to the squad. With reports suggesting a wide role flanking Sturridge, there is also the possibility that Rodgers will, to some extent, look to preserve Sturridge’s fitness with reduced pitch time.

Nani Gets New United Deal

Manchester United have confirmed that Nani has agreed a new five-year deal to keep him at the club. After six seasons at Old Trafford, the Portuguese winger is now set for a prolonged stay under the tenure of David Moyes. The new United boss was somewhat sparing with his superlatives when reacting to the deal:

“I’m really pleased Nani has re-signed for the next five years. He has great ability and experience beyond his 26 years. I’ve been impressed with his approach to training and look forward to working with him in the coming seasons.”

The player himself was, understandably, somewhat more enthusiastic, hinting that a increased role in the first team was on the cards:

“Playing at United has been a fantastic experience for me. When I came to the Club, I never imagined the success we have enjoyed. Training every day with top players who want to win trophies every year is a great motivation to me. I’m very happy that the new manager has shown this faith in me and I’m looking forward to helping the team compete for more honours this season.”

The Scout Says: This came as rather surprising news and cynics will say it’s a direct result of United’s failure to capture more recruits prior to Monday’s transfer deadline. Nani is a player who has appeared to be in steady decline having emerged in the 2010/11 season as an outstanding attacking asset who fetched his Fantasy owners nine goals and 18 assists. Those kind of returns suggested that Nani could become a true heavyweight in the United ranks, assured of starts for many seasons but injuries and lack of form have seen the Portuguese falter. When fit, a series of inconsistent displays have kept him on the periphery, giving way to the likes of Antonio Valencia but also missing out as Sir Alex Ferguson abandoned the use of out-and-out wingers, preferring instead to deploy the likes of Danny Welbeck, Shinji Kagawa and Wayne Rooney in wide areas. However, this deal would seem to indicate that Nani is firmly in Moyes’ plans and, having struggled for creativity and inspiration against Chelsea and Liverpool, Nani could yet force his way into the starting XI. Certainly Fantasy managers will be on alert. After two indifferent campaigns, the one time heavy-hitter can now be acquired for just 7.4 in the FPL. Should he cement starts and begin to show any semblance of form, the scramble for his services would begin in earnest, particularly amongst those without Robin van Persie’s threat in their attack for United’s forthcoming run of kind fixtures (CPL, mci, WBA, sun, SOT, STO).

City Suffer Demichelis Blow

Manchester City’s new defensive signing, Martin Demichelis, has suffered a knee injury and looks likely to face six weeks on the sidelines. Demichelis arrived from Atletico Madrid last weekend to help bolster a City defence that is still without club skipper, Vincent Kompany. The defender is said to have suffered knee ligament damage following a training ground injury and, although surgery is not required, a lengthy absence looks likely. The Argentine had previously worked under City boss Manuel Pellegrini at Malaga and was clearly seen as a valuable addition to the squad as City attempt to correct an uncertain start to the campaign, particularly in defensive areas.

The Scout Says: This latest setback will come as a bitter blow to Pellegrini who likely saw the experience and guile of Demichelis as a means of adding some assured stability to a backline that looks a little less steady this season, having shipped three goals to Cardiff already. Pellegrini’s familiarity with the Argentine would suggest that Demichelis was set to be drafted straight into City’s lineup for the trip to Stoke but now it seems that Joleon Lescott and Matija Nastasic will make the Britannia trip to face the Potters, who are buoyed by back-to-back league wins. Valued at 6.0 in the FPL, Demichelis was unlikely to attract investment but would have offered reassurance to Pablo Zabaleta’s growing army of investors. The City right-back is currently owned by almost 30% of FPL managers who will be looking to the Britannia clash with far less certainty knowing that Pellegrini’s options in central defence remain limited.

Shaw Stars In Under-21 Victory

Southampton duo Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse starred for England Under-21’s as they ran out 1-0 winners over Moldova at the Madejski last night, as West Brom’s Saido Berahino netted the winner in Gareth Southgate’s first match in charge.

The Scout Says: Southampton manager, Mauricio Pochettino, was concerned prior to the international break that Shaw was not fully fit to figure in England’s plans. However, having previously withdrawn from two squads, Shaw saw 90 minutes in England’s victory and is also set to figure in Monday’s encounter with Finland. Should he come through that, Shaw would seem likely to earn a recall to the Saints’ starting XI for the home clash with West Ham. As for Ward-Prowse, he saw 65 minutes of action before making way in a season which has started superbly. Deployed on the right-flank by Pochettino the 18-year-old has figured in every one of Southampton’s three league outings and has attracted Fantasy interest as a result. At just 4.5 in the Fantasy Premier League, Ward-Prowse earned almost 40,000 new owners going into Gameweek 3 following his assist in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland. With 35 crosses, 19 from open play and 14 successful, no other midfielder has supplied a more regular delivery from out wide so far this season.

Tigers Get Aluku Boost

Reports in local press suggest that Hull City’s Sone Aluku has been passed fit for the Gameweek 4 home clash with fellow new boys, Cardiff City. The Nigerian had suffered a hamstring scare in the 2-0 defeat at Man City and was forced off on 69 minutes. However, Aluku has made good progress and is set to be available to Steve Bruce against the Bluebirds.

The Scout Says: Aluku’s performance at the Etihad suggested that he could be key to Hull’s chances of survival. His early displays, along with the performances and contribution from Robbie Brady, have been the highlights of the Tigers’ opening matches in attacking areas and, having failed to seal the transfer of Shane Long from West Brom, Bruce will be relieved to have Aluko available. Sadly for Fantasy managers, his potential is severely restricted by his classification as an FPL forward. Nonetheless, Aluku’s availability could benefit those who invested in Brady’s attacking potential and set-piece threat, while those holding Cardiff defenders will be wary that Hull’s cutting edge for the KC Stadium clash will be sharpened.