Archive for Mark
Van Persie Fit But Santa Sits Out
Robin Van Persie allayed fears over his ankle injury by starting for the Dutch in their 2-1 defeat to Australia in Saturday’s friendly.
Van Persie was replaced at half-time but looks a likely starter for the World Cup Qualifier against Macedonia on Wednesday. He would therefore seem set to be in contention for Arsenal’s trip to Blackburn on Saturday.
Roque Santa Cruz might well be missing from that game however. He is currently nursing an Achilles injury sustained against West Ham last weekend and sat out Paraguay’s World Cup Qualifier with Argentina on Saturday.
ContinuedUnited Clash “Too Soon” According To Gerrard
Steven Gerrard has reportedly informed Rafa that he is unlikely to be available for next weekend’s big clash with United at Anfield.
The Liverpool skipper went under the knife for a groin injury just over a week ago and would have had just 15 days rest by the time the Anfield fixture arrives. That is apparently not long enough a recovery time according to Gerrard.
“That’s a bit too soon,” he remarked on the subject of a return against United. “I’ve a decent chance for the Champions League game in Marseille. I’ve spoken to the manager and told him I’d like to do a certain amount of training before I come back. I don’t want to go into a big game only having had one session with the boys.”
Liverpool are also set to be without Fernando Torres this weekend - he is still struggling with a hamstring injury. What price a United clean sheet then?
ContinuedEssien Blow For Chelsea
Chelsea’s Michael Essien could face weeks on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury in Ghana’s 1-0 defeat to Libya yesterday.
Essien suffered the injury early in the first half of Ghana’s World Cup qualifier and was subbed on 22 minutes. Reports are already suggesting that the midfielder could be sidelined for around a month and the player himself has recognised that the injury is not just a minor knock.
“My injury? It is serious but I can be ready again soon,” Essien remarked after the game.
Just how soon is doubtful. Chelsea medical staff are set to assess the injury this week and it goes without saying that Essien is a major doubt for the trip to City next weekend. Ballack is also a doubt for that one having missed Germany’s internationals with a foot injury. Belletti therefore looks very likely to keep his place in the Chelsea midfield.
ContinuedShhh…It’s An Injury Round Up
It’s certainly been a slow one today so how’s about a round-up of the little knocks and scrapes doing the rounds right now…
ContinuedSix Match Ban For Barton
On an otherwise quiet day around the Premiership, Joey Barton took the headlines after being handed an immediate 6 match ban by the FA.
The Newcastle man had previously been found guilty of violent conduct following a
Barton’s suspension is of course the least of Newcastle’s worries right now and not major news for fantasy managers but, given it’s a slow news day and the fact I fancied doing an update, I thought I’d make the post regardless.
ContinuedKeegan’s Gone
After a quiet day, here comes the bombshell - Kevin Keegan has officially quit Newcastle this evening after 24 hours of constant speculation on his future at the club.
I won’t dwell on the facts - there will be plenty on this story to soak up from various sources over the next week or so. In terms of its effects on our fantasy teams though, this will surely be bad new for owners of Newcastle players, although owners of players about to come up against the Magpies could well capatilise. Newcastle’s morale will doubtless take a major blow and Keegan’s likely successor (Dennis Wise I’d imagine) will face a mammoth task to lift things.
Anyone owning a Newcastle player - not many of you I’d guess, (perhaps Gutierrez at a push) will now have to consider the likely effects of this latest development on the fantasy output of the Newcastle squad. Like Curbishley’s departure from West Ham yesterday, we can only speculate on the effects of a change of manager so early in the season. The likelihood that Newcastle and West Ham players will react positively however, seems remote.
ContinuedTorres And Gerrard Latest
Rafa has been kind enough to give us an update on the fitness of both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres today - with the pair both apparently having a chance of making the United game.
As reported yesterday, Gerrard is now back jogging in light training following his groin operation but, according to Rafa, Torres is also progressing well with both players are said to be between 10 and 12 days from a return.
“Both players are now back jogging and will be out for ten to twelve days,” said Benitez.
“Gerrard might be back before Torres but you never know.”
Liverpool face United at Anfield in 9 days time.
ContinuedVilla Pair Come Through Reserve Outing
Villa’s Steve Sidwell and Carlos Cuellar both turned out for the reserves tonight as they step up their comebacks from injury.
Both players have been nursing calf injuries but complted the full 90 minutes in tonight’s 2-1 victory at Stoke. They are now set to figure in O’Neill’s first team plans when he takes his side to visit Spurs on September 13.
While Sidwell is set to face an uphill struggle to earn a starting role with Petrov and Barry currently performing well in midfield, Cuellar could have more luck displacing Davies alongside Laursen in defence. With Davies helping Villa to keep a clean sheet last weekend against Liverpool, Cuellar could well find himself having to wait a little longer for a start.
ContinuedGerrard Progressing Well
Steven Gerrard looks to be on target to make a return for the United game judging by Rafa’s latest update on his progress.
The Liverpool skipper is currently recovering from a groin operation carried on August 27th, an operation that is expected to sideline him for 10-15 days. There are fears that he could be out for longer, with plenty of speculation suggesting that Gerrard could be out for several more weeks. Talking to the official site however, Rafa seemed positive on Gerrard’s recovery to this point.
“Steven is okay. He’s started with bicycle work and will start jogging, so I think he will be ready soon.”
Liverpool face United at Anfield on September 13 and they are already set to be without Fernando Torres with a hamstring injury.
ContinuedRobinho - No Better Than Kalou
That’s according to the folk at Fantasy League who have introduced Man City’s new record-breaking signing as a forward priced at 6.7 million - the same as the Chelsea man.
Elsewhere Robinho has entered the Telegraph player list as a forward priced at 6.3 million, the same price as Anelka and a little under Santa Cruz and Robbie Keane.
The Fantasy Premier League meanwhile have yet to take the plunge at the time of writing. I like to picture a long, sweaty meeting with much coffee and doughnuts consumed while they viciously argue the merits of making him a top priced midfielder in a Twelve Angry Men scenario. In truth they probably just can’t be asked to update their database.
Continued
