Scout Scribbles – Aguero Plays Down Injury Fears

Sergio Aguero dismisses worries over his foot problem. Reports build of a period on the sidelines for Alexis Sanchez, Philippe Coutinho returns to full training, whilst Everton have growing concerns in the centre of the park.

Aguero Allays Injury Concerns

After earlier reports had suggested that Sergio Aguero’s foot injury was worst than first feared, Manchester City’s leading marksman took to social media to kindly clear up the situation himself. Aguero revealed via Twitter that he’s merely contending with a bruised heel after being subbed off against Southampton on Saturday:

“For everyone asking, I’m fine. It’s just a harmless bump on the heel. Thanks, all of you, for the support!”

The Scout Says: Aguero’s reassuring words will be music to the ears of 150,000 managers that recruited him ahead of last weekend’s deadline. The ex-Atletico Madrid striker netted on his return from the treatment room against Liverpool but failed to impose himself at home to Southampton, managing two attempts (one on target) and four penalty-box touches. Next on the agenda for Manuel Pellegrini’s charges is a road tie against a Stoke City outfit that carded five clean sheets in their previous seven outings. Moreover, no team has conceded fewer big chances on home turf (four) than the Potters this campaign, ensuring that Aguero will need quality service to outfox the in-form Jack Butland. On that note, David Silva’s expected return to the starting line-up would serve as a major boost on the creative front, given that he boasts six assists across five league starts.

Sanchez Injury Fears Growing

Unconfirmed reports from The Mirror suggest that Alexis Sanchez has suffered a hamstring pull which looks set to sideline him for around three weeks. Santi Cazorla could also be ruled out of their Champions League match-up against Olympiacos on December 9, as the Gunners await further news on the extent of his knee injury, though Laurent Koscielny’s hip problem is believed to be a minor complaint.

The Scout Says: Whilst we await official confirmation from Arsene Wenger, the growing concerns around Sanchez’ availability have already seen over 120,000 FPL managers part company with the Gunners midfielder. Sanchez’ form – one assist in five – allied with Mesut Ozil’s displays (two goals and nine assists in eight) have persuaded many to snap up the German, who subsequently sits in over 35% of sides. Given that there are six Gameweeks between December 5 and January 2, the packed festive schedule ensures we cannot afford to carry passengers, with strong benches a necessity due to winter rotation. Sanchez still sits in over 32% of FPL teams but if he’s ruled out over the next few weeks, the exodus will pick up pace as we look to restructure our squads to cope with his absence.

Coutinho Back in Training

Liverpool confirmed that Philippe Coutinho returned to first-team training yesterday, as he steps up his recovery ahead of their League Cup clash against Southampton on Wednesday.

The Scout Says: As reported yesterday, Jurgen Klopp is confident that the sprightly Brazilian will be passed fit for the midweek encounter, lining him up for a start at Newcastle United on Sunday. Coutinho has emerged as the prime route into a revitalised Reds attack, notching four goals and one assist across his last trio of starts. Furthermore, he ranked top among midfielders for attempts (12) and shots on target (six) between Gameweeks 11-13, highlighting his license to almost operate as a second striker within the Merseysiders’ fluid system. Roberto Firmino presents the strongest challenge to Coutinho’s throne, having welcomed 65,000 new owners in the wake of his 15-point haul at the Etihad. He places third among his counterparts for shots inside the box (eight) across the last four Gameweeks, which bodes well for further attacking returns.

Central Midfield Concerns for Everton

Roberto Martinez has confirmed that double-pivot pair James McCarthy and Gareth Barry are both touch-and-go for Everton’s League Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough tonight:

“James overextended his upper hip muscle, a little bit higher than the groin. It was quite sore yesterday, but we’ll find out more today. The same can be said for Gareth Barry. He had a really nasty knock in the shin area with stud marks and was finding it difficult to walk yesterday. Those two players will have to be assessed before we announce the squad.”

The Scout Says: With the likes of Tom Cleverley, Darron Gibson and Muhamed Besic waiting in the wings, the Toffees are not short of midfield options, negating the possibility of Ross Barkley dropping back into the double pivot. Nonetheless, both men have been mainstays throughout the course of this term, so their potential absences could impair Everton’s effectiveness as a unit this weekend. On the topic of their key midfield recruits, Barkley (three goals and two assists in two) and Gerard Deulofeu (one goal and five assists in five) have invited investment by virtue of their recent form, with Barkley currently serving as the more profitable pick-up. The underlying statistics also favour the former, given that he’s chalked up eight more attempts (nine compared to one) and four more key passes (11 to seven) since Gameweek 11.

Fellaini Stars for United Reserves

Marouane Fellaini bagged a goal and two assists for Manchester United’s U21s as they recorded a 3-2 win over Liverpool.

The Scout Says: The spread of Manchester United’s attacking returns, allied with the fact that they’ve carded the second fewest shots inside the box (77) this season has limited the appeal of their midfield and forward contingent. Fellaini has been a peripheral figure under Louis van Gaal and earned just one start all season, suggesting that last night’s display is unlikely to earn him a first-team recall in spite of his side’s struggles in the final third. The Red Devils’ rearguard – which has conceded two goals and claimed four clean sheets in the last six Gameweeks – harbours the most Fantasy potential, with Chris Smalling (6.8) representing the pick of the bunch due to his security of starts ahead of a potentially prosperous run of fixtures (WHU, bou, NOR, sto, CHE, SWA, new).