Scout Scribbles – Toure On Course for Liberty Return

Kolo Toure returns to training and is confident of making Liverpool’s trip to Swansea next Monday evening. Andy Carroll suffers a foot injury setback upon his return to West Ham training, Ian Holloway loses a couple of players to ankle injuries, while Villa new boy Jores Okore reveals he’s finally match-fit after sustaining a hamstring injury over the summer:

Toure Back in Training

Reports in the local press suggest Kolo Toure is in line to be fit for Liverpool’s Gameweek 4 trip to Swansea. The Ivorian missed the previous league encounter against United due to a groin injury but returned to training yesterday and with the Liberty clash not taking place until next Monday evening, is afforded plenty time for recuperation. His performances over the first couple of league fixtures have earned plenty praise from Brendan Rodgers, with the Reds boss saying:

“Kolo is the type of character that I love in a back four, an organiser and a leader. I think whether he’s playing with Daniel or whether he’s playing with Martin Skrtel, you need that leadership. Daniel’s a wonderful talent, he’s an international captain, he’s one of the best left-sided players in the world, so it’s two experienced players, but it’s important that you play together, and they’ve held us together really well.”

The Scout Says: Toure’s potential return gives Rodgers plenty to consider as he attempts to preserve the last 100% defensive record in the Premier League. New boy Mahamadou Sakho is pushing for a place alongside Daniel Agger, while Martin Skrtel impressed in the 1-0 win over David Moyes’ side – given that Sakho has been hailed as “a marquee signing” we may quickly get an idea of just where Toure stands in the pecking order. With a price tag of just 5.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) the former Arsenal and City player has afforded us a budget-friendly route into Liverpool’s defence but it remains to be seen if he can hold off the challenge of Sakho for a regular role. Rodgers has the alternative of fielding him at full-back if Glen Johnson is ruled out with a knee injury but the Ivorian’s comparative lack of mobility down the flank may see Andre Wisdom or Martin Kelly favourite to deputise on the right.

New Setback for Carroll

West Ham have confirmed Andy Carroll has sustained another foot injury upon his return to first-team training yesterday. Having failed to feature this term due to a heel problem, the summer signing had been expected to return for Saturday’s trip to Southampton but according to the club’s official website:

“Although it is in the same part of his foot as his previous injury, it is a new injury and therefore there will be no prognosis until he has seen a specialist.”

The Scout Says: Having failed to add to their forward options towards the end of the transfer window, West Ham look drastically short of option up top should Carroll be set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines. Sam Allardyce’s side have failed to score since the 2-0 home win over Cardiff back in Gameweek 1 and with doubts over both Joe Cole and Stewart Downing ahead of the St Mary’s clash, it’s likely that Modibo Maiga will lead the line once again, with Ricardo Vaz Te coming in from the cold to take a place on the right flank. With showdowns against Everton, Spurs and City in the next five, Carroll’s likely absence is a worrying sign for Allardyce’s side – with unconfirmed reports suggesting he could be out for up to three months, Allardyce is scouring the free agent market and is rumoured to be closing in on a deal for former Fulham forward Mladen Petric.

Okore Looks to Make His Mark

Aston Villa’s new centre-half Jores Okore has spoken of his determination to make an impact at the back after a hamstring problem curtailed him game time over the summer period:

“I hurt my hamstring in pre-season, but I am feeling good now and I’m feeling comfortable. I don’t feel anything in my hamstring any more. Now I just need to get some air in my lungs and then I’m good to go. I feel fine now and I feel confident.”

The Scout Says: Sidelined for the first match of Villa’s double Gameweek 1, Okore climbed off the bench to replace Nathan Baker for the following fixture against Chelsea. The Danish international was then afforded his first start for Paul Lambert’s side against Liverpool last time out and now looks in the driving seat to retain his place alongside Ron Vlaar in the heart of the midlanders’ backline ahead of both Baker and Ciaran Clark. Coming in at 4.4 in FPL, Okore could be one to watch if he can replicate the goal threat that saw him score four times in the league for FC Nordsjælland last season.

Injury Woes for Holloway

Crystal Palace were dealt a double injury blow yesterday with news that Jack Hunt and youngster Jonathan Williams are set for spells on the sidelines. Hunt –who has only just arrived from Huddersfield – has sustained a broken ankle in training for the Eagles, while Williams is reported to have picked up ankle ligament damage in Wales’ game against Macedonia last weekend could be out for anything between six weeks and five months.

The Scout Says: Hunt’s absence merely underlines the importance of regular right-back Joel Ward for Holloway’s side. With left-back Jonathan Parr stepping up his fitness, Dean Moxey’s security of starts is no longer guaranteed, while the acquisition of Adrian Mariappa gives Holloway further options at centre-half – Ward, at 4.0 in FPL, looks the most secure of Palace’s cut-price defensive assets. Williams has been introduced from the bench in all three Gameweeks so far but with Holloway snapping up the likes of Jason Puncheon, Jimmy Kebe and Jerome Thomas in a 16-player shopping spree over the summer, his game time looked far from certain prior to yesterday’s news.