Scout Scribbles – Gerrard out of England Squad

Steven Gerrard and Kyle Walker pull out of the England side to face Chile, while Daniel Sturridge misses training with a foot problem. Michu is hoping to recover quickly from his knee and ankle problems, Luis Suarez’ Uruguay are on the verge of qualifying for next year’s World Cup, while Daniel Agger and Cesar Azpilicueta discuss their recent returns to first-team duty for Liverpool and Chelsea respectively:

Gerrard and Walker Withdraw from Chile Showdown

The Liverpool captain and Tottenham right-back were amongst the latest names to call off from tomorrow evening’s friendly against Chile. Daniel Sturridge also sat out yesterday’s training session due to a foot knock and will be monitored ahead the Wembley showdown.

The Scout Says: Bearing in mind that neither Gerrard or Walker have been ruled out of Tuesday’s game with Germany, it seems more than likely that their omission from tomorrow’s is merely precautionary; indeed, Gerrard’s problem is reported to be the hip complaint Brendan Rodgers spoke of recently. After a slow start to the season, Gerrard has picked up in performance, with attacking returns in five of the last six now – averaging seven points per game over that period. Sturridge, on the other hand, has now drawn back-to-back blanks and with Fantasy managers scrambling to bring Luis Suarez on board, has been sold by over 77,000 already this week. Walker has City, United and Liverpool in the next five and has already been shipped out by almost 7,000 Fantasy managers – he’s failed to pick up any attacking returns in the first 11 Gameweeks and received bonus in just two of the seven occasions his side have registered a clean sheet.

Michu Steps Up Injury Recovery

Reports in the local press suggest Michu is hoping for an early return from the knee and ankle problems that kept him out of last week’s draw with Stoke. The Swansea midfielder has been training on an anti-gravity treadmill in an attempt to keep up his fitness ahead of the upcoming trip to Fulham.

The Scout Says: Bearing in mind Michael Laudrup admitted Michu had been playing through the pain barrier prior to being sidelined, it seems unlikely he’ll be keen to rush him back unless he is 100%. With no goals or assists in his last five league outings, the knocks and niggles and packed fixture schedule clearly took their toll on the Spaniard, who has scored just twice this season in the top-flight. Prior to last week’s home game with the Potters, Swansea had scored in just one of the previous four matches but with Wilfried Bony bagging a brace in the 3-3 draw, Laudrup certainly doesn’t need to rush back the former Rayo Vallecano player just yet. Down to 8.7 in FPL Michu has an 8% ownership now and could be a decent differential if he can rediscover the form and fitness of the season gone by.

Suarez On Verge of World Cup Qualification

The Liverpool forward played 81 minutes of Uruguay’s 5-0 first-leg World Cup play-off win in Jordan yesterday afternoon. Given his recent form, Suarez surprisingly play no part in any of the goals before he was replaced by Diego Forlan with nine minutes left on the clock. After the game, the Uruguay coach discussed his plans for the return leg:

“This result will put us in a good position for the second leg. We will play with the same formation to honour the Uruguayan fans who will fill the stadium next Wednesday, as I heard that 60,000 tickets were sold.”

The Scout Says: The quotes are somewhat open to interpretation but it may well be that Suarez is handed another start in next Wednesday’s return leg in Uruguay. With his country virtually assured of their place in next year’s finals after yesterday’s result, there was hope Suarez would be rested for a match that kicks off at 11pm – he’s then set for a long-haul flight back home prior to Goodison’s lunchtime derby the following Saturday. His Fantasy owners will be hoping his game time is minimal next week, though there appears little doubt that, barring any injury, Brendan Rodgers will start him at Goodison regardless.

Agger Determined Nail Regular Role Again

The Dane has discussed his keenness to continue in the Liverpool XI after being handed his first start since Gameweek 5 in the 4-0 win over Fulham last weekend:

“It is difficult to describe but I want to play all the time, every single game. When you are not playing that is difficult but, while that is sad, I just try to work even harder every single day in training, not complaining just doing everything a bit extra. I am more than capable of being in the team – I feel I belong there – but it is the manager’s decision and sometimes that is difficult to change in training. You need to grab the chance when it is there – that is what football is all about. I’m not the type of player who needs an explanation, I just carry on with my thing and try to do everything to get back into the team. It’s been a bit longer than I hoped for but when you get the chance you need to do everything to keep your place.”

The Scout Says: Agger’s return coincided with Liverpool’s first clean sheet since Gameweek 3 and highlighted how crucial his contribution at the back is for the Merseysiders. Brendan Rodgers’ team have conceded just one goal in the five games the Dane has started, compared to nine in the six matches without him. With Martin Skrtel also impressing at the heart of the defence, Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho may find it difficult to oust the pair if Rodgers continues with a back-four again – big-money buy Sakho’s presence at the back has failed to impress, with the Reds conceding in all seven games he has started.

Azpilicueta Hopeful of Regular Role on the Left

The Spaniard is optimistic he can keep ahead of Ashley Cole in the left-back pecking order after being preferred to the England star in the last couple of games in all competitions:

“Every time I have more minutes in this position I feel better. Provided I can play and be useful to the team, I am delighted. If necessary, I will play on the left for the whole season. When I was at Marseille, I played left-back several times. The job is basically the same. You are using your other foot obviously, but it is something I am working on in training and that is helping me to get better.”

The Scout Says: Cole was dropped to the bench after an ineffectual display in the Gameweek 10 defeat at Newcastle, with Jose Mourinho singling out his poor performance. Previously regarded as an “untouchable”, the former Arsenal man clearly has a job on his hands to regain his role – Mourinho has admitted Cole is ultimately his preferred first-choice but has admitted that until his form improves, Azpilicueta is there on merit. Essentially, it leaves just John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic as the only nailed-on options in Chelsea’s back-four now, with Gary Cahill and David Luiz left to battle it out for the role alongside Terry at the heart of defence.

Whittaker Frustrated by Lack of Game Time

The Norwich defender has voiced his concerns to the Scottish press after dropping down the pecking order under Chris Hughton in recent matches.

“I found myself out of the team after one poor result we had and when you’re not playing week in, week out you struggle for match fitness. That’s why it’s frustrating because I don’t feel I’ve done anything too wrong to not be playing. I feel I should be playing. It would be easier to take if I felt I was playing badly. Every player knows when they’ve been poor or done well. When you’re playing poorly you put yourself up for being dropped, but I felt I was doing alright and scored a couple of goals. You rely on people dropping form or injuries, but your opportunity will come and that’s what I’m waiting on at the minute.”

The Scout Says: An injury to Seb Bassong proved crucial to Whittaker’s chances at the start of the season. With the Cameroon international injured and Russell Martin shifting to the centre to cover, Whittaker started the first four Gameweeks for the Canaries and quickly earned himself a bandwagon after racking up a goal, assist and clean sheet in the opening three fixtures. The recent 7-0 defeat by City has seen Bassong drop out of the XI, with Hughton opting for Ryan Bennett at centre-half instead – if the Norwich boss decides to shake things up again, though, he could move Martin back to the middle and allow Whittaker another stint on the right. Hughton’s side face just two of the current top eight in the next nine Gameweeks – a run that takes them into the New Year – suggesting their players could be worth considering; Turner, at 4.4, and 4.2 priced Martin Olsson (with starts in each of the last six) look the most secure of the cut-price options at the back.