Sergio Aguero returns to training ahead of City’s trip to the Emirates. Arsenal players are handed a mini-break prior to Monday’s match, Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren is sidelined for around three weeks, whilst Leighton Baines reckons he’s nearing full match sharpness.

Aguero Steps Up Recovery

Sergio Aguero returned to training on Tuesday and is expected to make the matchday squad for Man City’s trip to Arsenal on Monday.

The Scout Says: The Argentine’s imminent return presents Fantasy managers with some tough decisions. Although there’s no denying that Aguero, on his day, is the most explosive Fantasy option around, as evidenced by City’s team sheet last weekend, Manuel Pellegrini will be keen to rest and rotate over the Christmas period – all the more so given that Monday’s match at Arsenal is the first of eight fixtures in 26 days for the Etihad side. Bearing in mind that he’s featured just twice since Gameweek 8, it seems certain that the Chilean won’t take too many risks with his star striker and with a price tag of 13.0, some will be reluctant to draft Aguero back in immediately. City’s form on the road may also act as a deterrent, considering they have scored just once in their last four away matches and face three road trips in the next four Gameweeks (ars, SUN, lei, wat).

Lovren Sidelined for Reds

Dejan Lovren is set for a three-week spell on the sidelines as a result of the knee gash he sustained against West Brom at Anfield on Sunday. Although scans confirmed the Croatian suffered no ligament damage from Craig Gardener’s hefty challenge, he isn’t expected to return to action until the New Year.

The Scout Says: Fortunately for Liverpool, Lovren’s absence coincides with Mamadou Sakho’s excepted return from a knee complaint that saw him sit out the last four Gameweeks. The former was much maligned for his mistake-ridden start to the campaign but, by most accounts, has steadied the ship of late. Nonetheless, Sakho should be afforded the opportunity to strengthen his grip on a starting berth over a favourable Christmas schedule (wat, LEI, sun, whu) and, at a price of just 4.7, serves as the cheapest route into their rearguard. Regardless, Alberto Moreno (5.0) – who’s chalked up seven more key passes (31) than any defender this term – represents a stronger option than Sakho by virtue of his greater attacking potential, despite producing just one assist thus far.

Gunners Handed Mini-Break

In light of the fact that Arsenal play on Monday and have no midweek fixtures on their agenda, the Gunners chief protagonists have been afforded a mini holiday this week. In addition, reports suggest that Arsene Wenger intends to possibly rest Mesut Ozil for one of the four matches over the Christmas period to avoid him aggravating a minor calf niggle.

The Scout Says: Beyond a home tie against Manchester City at the start of next week and a trip to Southampton on Boxing Day, the Gunners embark on back-to-back home clashes (BOU, NEW). Although Wenger has made no comment, the local press suggest that Ozil – who felt tightness in his calf following Arsenal’s 3-0 triumph over Olympiacos – could drop out for one of these match-ups as his manager looks to steer him clear of injury over the festive spell. Should the reports prove accurate, it only further serves to highlight the importance of strong benches across the winter period. As alluded to above, Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to rest regulars Aleksandar Kolarov and Kevin De Bruyne at home to Swansea last time out was proof positive of that notion, whilst Jamie Vardy’s 56% FPL owners will need to strengthen their back-up options should the Leicester striker fall off the Suspension Tightrope by accruing a fifth caution in any of Leicester’s next three outings.

Cazorla Issues Injury Update

Santi Cazorla admitted that his knee surgery could sideline for four months – one month longer than his initial prognosis. That being said, the Spain international is still determined to recover in time for a trip to the Nou Camp in mid-March:

“I am trying to take it well. These are the things that happen in football and I am trying to recover as soon as possible. I have to be ready mentally to work and hopefully I can shorten the recovery time as much as possible. I do not want to set a time but I want to play in three months. I do not want to extend it more if it is possible. Arsenal have told me it will be between three and four months, which may be closer to four. I have already said that I will work hard, I want to make everything I can to play in March but we will see how it goes. We are not going to force it if is going to be bad. But my priority is to play in March. I hope so. The important thing is that the team do well and I recover as soon as possible.”

The Scout Says: In the wake of long-term injuries to Cazorla and Francis Coquelin, keeping Aaron Ramsey healthy looks imperative to Arsenal’s success in the coming months. Since dropping back into the double pivot, the ex-Cardiff City recruit has instantly emerged as a prime pick-up in the mid-priced (8.1) bracket, recording two goals and one assist in a pair of outings. Further supporting Ramsey’s assertion that he’s more suited to a central role, the Wales international ranks top among midfielders for attempts (10) and joint-second for shots on target (four) over the past two Gameweeks. Although Ozil is currently the choice source of Arsenal coverage and Alexis Sanchez is closing in on a return to action, Ramsey’s value and goal threat make for an enticing concoction ahead of the upcoming three home fixtures in four.

Baines Almost Pain Free

Having come through his first start of the season against Norwich City unscathed, Leighton Baines believes that he’s approaching full fitness:

“By the time I played behind closed doors I was still a little bit more restricted than I would have liked. When I played for the 21s I’d had a bit of swelling from a few days before. As much as you want to do more, you might get a reaction, so it’s been about striking a balance, getting the work and not a reaction. This last 10 days or so I’ve felt great, everything I’ve done there has been no reaction and I’m close to being pain free. I’m in a positive place.”

The Scout Says: Despite dropping by 0.4 since the start of the campaign, Baines still comes in at a prohibitive 6.1 on the Fantasy market. Although that represents great value if he can showcase his attacking talents, few managers will be willing to take the plunge so soon after a lengthy lay-off. Furthermore, the fact that Romelu Lukaku ranks above the Merseyside native in the penalty hierarchy greatly diminishes the latter’s appeal. Ultimately, it’s currently hard to justify investment in an Everton backline that chalked up just two clean sheets in their past 10 outings and next faces a Foxes outfit that hasn’t drawn a single blank this term. Baines’ would-be suitors will be hoping the imminent return of Phil Jagielka can shore up the Toffees’ leaky defence and boost his points potential.