Scout Scribbles – Costa Charged by FA

Diego Costa has been charged by the FA following the weekend encounter with Arsenal. Mame Biram Diouf could return for Stoke this evening, whilst Ryan Bertrand steps up his comeback for Southampton.

Costa Slapped with FA Charge

Diego Costa has been retrospectively charged with violent conduct by the FA for an incident involving Laurent Koscielny during Saturday’s win over Arsenal. Chelsea now have until 6pm on Tuesday to appeal the three-match ban.

The Scout Says: Costa is doubtless one of the top forwards in the league when on song, but his poor disciplinary record, recurring hamstring problems and relative aversion to bonus points conspire to diminish his appeal on the Fantasy market. The hot-headed Spain international sat out 12 matches last term through suspension (four) and injury (eight), and, should the FA repeat last season’s decision, which saw him retrospectively banned for three matches following a stamp on Emre Can, the forward would miss the Blues’ next three match-ups. This would see him sit out tomorrow’s cup clash with Walsall, in addition to league clashes against Newcastle and Southampton, with either Radamel Falcao or Loic Remy tasked with leading the line.

Pellegrini Boosted by Trio’s Return to Training

Pablo Zabaleta, Samir Nasri and Eliaquim Mangala were all snapped taking part in training ahead of Manchester City’s League Cup clash against Sunderland tonight. David Silva was also pictured but didn’t participate in the action.

The Scout Says: Whilst it remains to be seen whether Silva will be available for this evening, or indeed the weekend, owners will be desperate for the Spaniard to return after he missed the last two Gameweeks with ankle and calf problems. Silva racked up four assists and tallied 12 key passes in the first four Gameweeks and his absence has seen City score just twice in the subsequent two, with Kevin de Bruyne staking a claim for our attention by netting the hosts’ consolation against the Hammers. Bacary Sagna’s 11.5% ownership will be observing Zabaleta’s progress keenly – the Argentine right-back will be looking to reclaim a starting berth when back to full fitness, with doubts now growing over the Frenchman’s security of starts. Should Vincent Kompany fail to recover from a calf injury, Mangala could partner Nicolas Otamendi in central defence at Tottenham on Saturday as Pellegrini looks to return to winning ways.

Toffees Decide Against Mirallas Appeal

Roberto Martinez revealed on Tuesday that Everton will not appeal Kevin Mirallas’ red card against Swansea, conceding that’s it’s unlikely the decision would be overturned:

“We were really disappointed with the decision. The truth was it was his first challenge, his first action in the game, and it looks worse than it actually is. Kevin is never looking at the opposing player and there is never any intent. It’s a harsh red card. [But] from that, to be able to appeal and get the decision overturned is difficult. I don’t think we have a chance to do that. I just feel the red card was very harsh. Understanding how the system works, I don’t think we have got a chance to get it overturned so we need to feel hurt with the decision and support Kevin. He was just over-keen to win the ball and nothing else. It wasn’t reckless or dangerous.”

The Scout Says: After starting the season opener at home to Watford, Mirallas has been a peripheral figure for the Toffees this term and played just 47 minutes from Gameweek 2 onwards. Tom Cleverley’s injury opened the door slightly for the Belgian winger to increase his playing time, yet Muhamed Besic, Steven Naismith and Gerard Deulofeu (first off the bench against the Swans) are demonstrably ahead of the 6.8-priced midfielder in the pecking order. Frustratingly for Fantasy managers, both Naismith and Arouna Kone – who were stationed on the flanks at the weekend – are classified as forwards in FPL, leaving Ross Barkley as the one viable midfield candidate in the three slots behind lone striker Romelu Lukaku.

Diouf Steps Up Recovery

Mame Biram Diouf is likely to be named in Stoke’s squad to face Fulham in their midweek League Cup clash on Tuesday, having recovered from hamstring and groin problems that sidelined him last weekend:

The Scout Says: Both Diouf and Ibrahim Afellay – who served out the last match of his two-game suspension – could be line for a start at home to Bournemouth this Sunday. Although the former (if fit) is almost certain to displace Jonathan Walters at the lone-striker berth, the latter might have to muscle his way back into the side, given that Marko Arnautovic delivered a sumptuous reverse pass for Bojan Krkic’s opener against Leicester City. With the extra creativity and thrust that fit-again Bojan affords the Potters in the number-ten slot, Diouf could enjoy a strong run of form over a favourable quintet of match-ups (BOU, avl, swa, WAT, new). Despite sitting out the last round of fixtures, the Senegal international ranks joint second among forwards for shots on target (nine), highlighting his ability to cause damage in an underperforming Stoke outfit.

Jones nears United Comeback

Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Phil Jones returned to full training last Friday after recovering from a blood clot in his calf. The Dutchman conceded that Jones is not yet match fit ahead of the Red Devils’ home clash with Sunderland :

“I said last week that he was ready to train. And Friday was his first training session with the group. It’s nearly done, but he’s not match fit yet. It’s very early.”

The Scout Says: With Luke Shaw out of the picture, the 6.2-priced Chris Smalling stretching the bank balance and Matteo Darmian emerging as a surprise rotation risk (he was replaced by Antonio Valencia at half time of the Saints clash), Marcos Rojo (5.4) will doubtless attract investment before the Black Cats encounter. However, Jones’ return to action could thwart these best-laid plans, prompting Van Gaal to field Blind in the left-back berth to facilitate a Smalling-Jones centre-back partnership. For now, the Red Devils’ unforgiving quartet of fixtures (ars, eve, MCI, cry) beyond Gameweek 7 limit their clean-sheet prospects in the short term, though at a price of just 5.2, Jones is bound to attract interest if he can nail down a regular role.

Bertrand Handed Reserves Run Out

Ryan Bertrand clocked 46 minutes of pitch time as Southampton U21s ran out 4-2 victors over Reading U21s. This was the defender’s first appearance of the season, having been sidelined for the opening few weeks with a knee injury.

The Scout Says: Although Bertrand is expected to miss out at home to Swansea this Saturday as he builds up his match fitness, his eventual return to the side spells the end for budget pick-up Matt Targett. The Saints academy product was subbed at the break against Manchester United – with Cuco Martina taking his place in the second period – and looks poised for a bit-part role hereafter. Frustratingly, Ronald Koeman’s decision to bench Cedric Soares (5.0) and opt for Maya Yoshida at right-back last weekend means the former is no longer a guaranteed starter, further restricting our budget-friendly options in the Saints’ defence. With three clean sheets in four, Koeman’s side are finally starting to find their form again, though Bertrand (once fully fit) and Jose Fonte, at 5.4 apiece, now look the cheapest reliable starters in Koeman’s rearguard.