Scout Scribbles – Van Persie Worry for Holland

Robin van Persie is set to miss out for Holland this evening. Cesc Fabregas withdraws from the Spain squad due to a hamstring problem, Asmir Begovic is a doubt for Bosnia, Newcastle’s Rolando Aarons picks up another hamstring injury and Gareth Barry is ruled out with ankle ligament damage for Everton.

Van Persie Concern for Dutch

The United striker has been ruled out of tonight’s friendly against Mexico after picking up a “minor injury”, according to Holland boss Guus Hiddink. Despite his failure to join training, the Holland camp are optimistic that Van Persie will be fit in time for Saturday’s showdown with Latvia.

The Scout Says: Whilst many had expected Louis van Gaal’s arrival to transform his compatriot’s Fantasy fortunes, Van Persie has failed to replicate the form which made him a must-have in seasons gone by. With Wayne Rooney shifted into a deeper role and the currently injured Radamel Falcao far from certain to start when fit, Van Persie has retained his manager’s faith up front but has produced little to justify a lofty 12.4 price tag, scoring only three times in 10 starts. Certainly, if he can recover in time, a trip to Arsenal’s porous defence before back-to-back home encounters with Hull and Stoke may yet afford Van Persie the chance to prosper, but with Diego Costa and Sergio Aguero racking up the goals in the premium price bracket, investment in the costly Dutchman holds no appeal. A possible absence for Van Persie could see Rooney shifted up top if Falcao remains absent, though, potentially allowing Juan Mata a central support role after the Spaniard emerged from the bench to score the winner against Palace.

Fabregas Withdraws From Spain Duties

The Chelsea playmaker has been ruled out of Spain’s upcoming fixtures against Belarus and Germany over the next few days. The Spain Football Federation confirmed that scans have revealed he has sustained a hamstring problem, going on to say:

“The MRI done this morning in the Sanitas Clinic in La Moraleja (Madrid) showed a clear improvement with respect to the one done by his club on Sunday. Although the MRI discards a hamstring tear, the player continues to have discomfort and the medical team considers that his involvement in the next games would not be advisable for his complete recovery.”

The Scout Says: As the most popular midfielder in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, any period of absence for Fabregas would have a significant knock-on effect. Since returning to the Premier League, his consistency has been unrivalled by any midfielder, with the Spaniard earning points in eight of the first 11 Gameweeks. Given that he’s now up to 9.8, though, many eyeing up the Chelsea midfield could well opt for the similarly priced Eden Hazard (10.0) – the Belgian sits only seven points behind his team-mate, yet is owned by just 16% of Fantasy managers. With Oscar, at 8.4, grabbing three goals, an assist and seven bonus points in the last six, though, there’s no shortage of Chelsea midfield alternatives to consider ahead of a very kind upcoming run of matches (WBA, sun, TOT, new, HUL, stk).

Begovic Hopeful of Quick Recovery

The Stoke number one has delayed joining up with the Bosnia squad ahead of the weekend clash with Israel after picking up a groin problem at the weekend. Begovic is optimistic, however, that he’ll be fit in time for Saturday’s encounter:

“I had to stay in Stoke for a check-up but I will join my Bosnia team mates (on Wednesday) and hopefully will be ready for (the match against Israel). I played through the pain after taking a knock in the groin in the first half against Tottenham and I will know more about my condition in a day or two, but there is a good chance I will be fit.”

The Scout Says: It’s been a slow start to the season for the Potters stopper so far. Hopes were high of defensive returns after a Gameweek 3 clean sheet away to City suggested an upturn in resilience but Begovic has managed just one more clean sheet since the Etihad clash – at home to Newcastle in Gameweek 6. With the likes of Marc Wilson offering a cheaper route into Mark Hughes’s backline, Begovic has since slipped in price to 4.9, and whilst an upcoming home clash with Burnley holds promise, his 7% ownership may be thinking of parting company thereafter, regardless of injury. Stoke face Liverpool, United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton in five of the subsequent six, and given their form so far, defensive returns look highly unlikely for some time to come.

Aarons Sidelined Again for Magpies

Reports in the local press confirm the Newcastle winger is set to miss the next couple of league matches after limping out of training last week with a recurrence of a hamstring injury.

The Scout Says: Eased into the action by Alan Pardew, Aarons sprung onto our radars in Gameweek 3 after emerging from the bench to grab a goal and assist in just 24 minutes in a 3-3 draw against Palace. The youngster was then sidelined by a hamstring injury before returning to action last month, finding the net in a 2-0 Capital One Cup win at City to highlight his prodigious talents, but his absence, along with the likes of Gabriel Obertan, is likely to see Sammy Ameobi and Remy Cabella handed the flank roles as Pardew’s side go in search of a fifth straight win at home to QPR. Bearing in mind Cabella sets you back 7.2, the Frenchman will find it hard to attract Fantasy attention, though Ameobi, at 4.4, has grabbed a goal and assist in his last four appearances and has started the last two Gameweeks for the in-form Magpies.

Senderos Concern for Villa

The centre-half has reportedly picked up a calf complaint during training with the Swiss national squad and is set to miss the upcoming encounters against Lithuania and Poland.

The Scout Says: Frustratingly for Paul Lambert, Senderos has only just returned to action after picking up a thigh injury during the previous international break. The centre-half had started each of the first seven Gameweeks, but after missing three league matches, he returned to the bench away to West Ham as Paul Lambert retained Nathan Baker alongside Ron Vlaar in the goalless draw. Baker’s late withdrawal with a knee problem at Upton Park places further question marks over the Villa defence, with Ciaran Clark looking the obvious option should the pair be ruled out. A first clean sheet in seven attempts will boost confidence, and following a home clash with Southampton, Lambert’s side face Burnley, Palace, Leicester and West Brom in consecutive matches which may yet bring in the points.

Barry Ruled Out for Toffees

The Everton midfielder is set for a spell on the sidelines after scans confirmed he sustained ankle ligament damage during the weekend draw at Sunderland. Barry was stretchered off early against the Black Cats and the Toffees official website have since revealed he is expected to be out “for weeks rather than months”.

The Scout Says: An ever-present for the Merseysiders in the league this term, losing Barry’s experience in the double-pivot will be a blow for Roberto Martinez. Everton have managed just three clean sheets this season but two of those have arrived in the last four Gameweeks, with the Toffees conceding only twice over that period, and the veteran’s absence could be detrimental to their recent upturn in resilience. Martinez handed Darron Gibson (4.3 in FPL) the chance to replace Barry, though the Toffees boss could also turn to Leon Osman – such a scenario could potentially lessen the competition for places out wide, given that the latter has started two of the last four on the flank.