Scout Scribbles – Aguero Closes in on Comeback

Sergio Aguero steps up his recovery from a hamstring complaint. Vincent Kompany misses training for Belgium, Antonio Valencia is set for a period on the sidelines, whilst James Milner pulls out of the England squad due to hamstring trouble.

Aguero Targets Gameweek 13 Return

Sergio Aguero is recovering well from a hamstring injury he sustained during the last international break and is targeting a return when Manchester City host Liverpool next Gameweek. Discussing his fitness with the club’s official website, the Argentine marksman revealed:

“I don’t think I’m too far away now. Physically, I feel good and I’ve kept as fit as I can during my lay-off. I still need to work hard for another week and if not this week, then maybe next, I hope to start training with the rest of the lads and so and my target is Liverpool. I’ll take things slowly and not rush into anything, but I’m not far away.”

The Scout Says: For many Fantasy managers, drafting Aguero back into their 15-man squads will be an essential exercise. Despite the fact that there are a number of mid-priced forwards enjoying purple patches, the City striker’s explosive potential – as evidenced by his five-goal haul against Newcastle prior to picking up the hamstring injury during the previous international break – is head and shoulders above any other armband option. With the likes of Jamie Vardy and Odion Ighalo offering budget-friendly options up front, many will be looking to free up cash as City prepare for a run of four home matches in the next six. Providing Aguero is passed fit, he’ll be difficult to ignore with a mere 10% ownership underlining his differential appeal.

Kompany Misses Belgium Training

Local reports indicate that Vincent Kompany missed Belgium’s first training session due to a minor calf problem yesterday.

The Scout Says: Bearing in mind that Kompany played for his country against the wishes of Manuel Pellegrini in the last batch of internationals, it remains to be seen whether yesterday’s omission was merely precautionary. The Belgian’s importance to City’s defensive prospects is laid bare by the statistics – the league leaders have conceded just one goal in eight matches with Kompany on board compared to eight goals against in four outings without him. With Gael Clichy back in contention and Pablo Zabaleta closing in on a return, Kompany remains the most secure route into the City rearguard as rotation looms large in the full-back berths, though any possible spell on the sidelines would undoubtedly dent our faith in their ability to serve up the shut-outs.

Morrison Hopeful of Return

James Morrison is hoping that the international break will allow him to fully recover from a knock that he’s been nursing since West Bromwich Albion’s road defeat to Crystal Palace in Gameweek 8. The Scottish midfielder admitted that he’s lacked sharpness since jarring his leg:

“It’s not right at the moment. I’m struggling to get it better – this break’s going to be crucial for me to get my body right. It’s been a funny one – I just planted my foot against Crystal Palace and something happened. I’m working hard and I can deal with it at the moment. But this break will be nice for me to get it right and get some fitness and sharpness back and continue my form from the start of the season.”

The Scout Says: Priced at 4.8, Morrison has already surpassed his attacking output from the previous campaign (two goals and one assist), with two goals and as many assists arriving in less than a third of the time (692 minutes compared to 2553). Although Morrison ranks top among the Baggies’ midfielders for attempts (12), shots on target (seven) and key passes (12), West Brom’s joint-worst attacking record (10 goals) and the presence of more alluring options at his price range (the likes of Manuel Lanzini, Delle Alli and Marc Albrighton) diminish his appeal on the Fantasy market.

Palace Strike Pair Step Up Fitness Drive

Alan Pardew is adamant that Marouane Chamakh and Connor Wickham will be given no time to rest during the international break as he strives to improve their fitness. The Palace boss asserted that his charges have done exceptionally to accrue 19 points without their two prime forwards:

“Marouane Chamakh and Connor Wickham need a pre-season really, or a mini pre-season, so that’s what they’re going to get. They will get no time off. They will play and train in this break solidly at the training ground to make sure when we come back against Sunderland and Newcastle, we have the option of those two guys. If you look at any Premier League team, if you take your top two strikers out of it, we’ve done terrific really. To have Connor and Marouane back, I do think my hand is going to be stronger.”

The Scout Says: Although the Eagles have fared pretty well in the absence of a physical presence up top, it’s fair to day that they’ve struggled to exert their influence in and around the penalty box. Prior to Sunday’s win at Liverpool – which marked Wickham’s return from injury off the bench – Palace had scored just four times in seven matches without a target man leading the line. Having been afforded a 26-minute run-out at Anfield, the 5.5-priced Wickham is poised to reclaim a starting berth and, as such, harbours differential potential ahead of back-to-back favourable home ties (SUN, NEW) and clashes against Everton, Stoke and Bournemouth in the upcoming six.

Valencia Sidelined with Foot Injury

Antonio Valencia underwent surgery for a foot injury he sustained in the Manchester derby. The Ecuador international took to Twitter to break the news:

“Thank God came out well from the operation. Now think about my recovery”

The Scout Says: Valencia’s injury could be good news for Matteo Darmian’s prospects of nailing down the right-back berth once again. The 13%-owned Italian managed just two lots of 90 minutes in the six Gameweeks prior to last weekend’s win over West Brom, which he missed due to a one-match suspension, and he will be hoping to oust Ashley Young from Louis van Gaal’s first XI. Although United’s defence have conceded the fewest goals and notched the most clean sheets (both eight) in the first 12 Gameweeks, only Chris Smalling – at a price of 6.7 – looks immune from rotation. In saying that, Marcos Rojo has started the last four due to Luke Shaw’s long-term injury and, at a price of 5.5, could be another one to consider.

Cleverley looking to reclaim starting berth

Fit-again Tom Cleverley conceded that he faces a tall task trying to re-establish himself a regular starter for Everton. The ex-Manchester United recruit did, however, suggest that his versatility is an asset that Roberto Martinez could be keen to exploit:

“You always face a fight to get in the team at a club like Everton, especially with so many midfielders. So it is going to be tough getting back into the team and I knew that at the start of the season but I backed myself and, hopefully, when I played I helped the team get some good results. I was pleased with the way things had started here. I’d started all the games and sometimes settling in with a new team can be difficult but I didn’t feel that, it was easy. One of my qualities is my versatility, I can play central, I can play right or left and I’ve even played right-back this season. That’s one of my qualities and when I get asked to do a job, I can do it.”

The Scout Says: Before succumbing to injury at White Hart Lane in Gameweek 4, Cleverley had been named in the Toffees’ starting XI for every league match. Since then, Arouna Kone (three goals and one assist in last two outings) and Gerard Deulofeu (one goal and six assists in six) have stamped their authority on the wide berths, meaning that Cleverley will be consigned to substitute duty for the time being as he steps up his match sharpness. Everton’s attacking contingent as a whole are experiencing an upsurge of interest in light of their excellent schedule through to the New Year (AVL, bou, CRY, nor, LEI, new, STO) and, whilst Cleverley’s return adds competition to the flanks, the 6.2-priced Deulofeu – with a goal and six assists in the last six – is shaping up as a viable contender to Ross Barkley as a route into the Toffees’ thriving midfield.

Milner Withdraws from England Duties

James Milner – who missed Liverpool’s home defeat to Crystal Palace by virtue of a hamstring strain – has pulled out of England’s squad prior to their pair of international friendlies.

The Scout Says: With a goal, three assists and a trio of bonus points in his previous five appearances, Milner had finally started to suggest he was worthy of our consideration. The arrival of Jurgen Klopp has given Philippe Coutinho a shot in the arm, though – the Brazilian has now served up back-to-back double-figure hauls, courtesy of three goals and six bonus points. Once their upcoming trip to City has passed, the Merseysiders’ following six fixtures (SWA, new, WBA, wat, LEI, sun) looks poised to pique our Fantasy interest, with Coutinho – at a price of 8.2 – looking their in-form option in the centre of the park.