Premiership Team News
Nose Blow For Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas has added his name to the big injury worry list for the weekend after suffering a suspected broken nose in last night’s international for Spain.
The Arsenal man finished the 2-1 win over Belgium but Spanish medical staff were worried about his condition after the game and he will now report back to the Emirates to have the injury assessed. It’s hoped that he’ll be able to play against Everton, although he will be a major concern for Wenger and his remaining fantasy owners.
While we’re on the subject of Fabregas and Arsenal, the Sky article also includes some interesting insight from the midfielder on his role and the Arsenal team in general…
ContinuedRobinho Joins The Injury List
The international break is beginning to sting now, with Robinho the latest big name to be struck down by injury. The Man City man was stretchered off in Brazil’s encounter with Columbia last night and will be an immediate doubt for Monday’s trip to Newcastle.
Robinho suffered the injury in the second half of the match and was seen clutching his thigh whilst being dramatically stretchered off. In all honesty however, the injury didn’t look that bad - although City will be waiting anxiously to get the player back at Eastlands so they can assess the damage…
ContinuedRafa Waits On Torres Injury
Fernando Torres became the latest casualty of the international break, suffering what is thought to be a torn thigh muscle in Spain’s encounter with Belgium last night.
The Liverpool striker lasted just 17 minutes of that game before being replaced. Liverpool are yet to confirm any further details to this injury, but Spanish medical officials have offered their early opinion…
ContinuedBosingwa Is The Latest Worry For Scolari
Information is scarce on this one right now but there are reports that Jose Bosingwa is out of Portugal’s game with Albania tonight with a knee injury sustained in training yesterday.
As I say, there’s little on this at the moment so it’s difficult to assess just how worried the many Bosingwa owners out there should be with Saturday’s trip to Boro in mind. It could well be just a precaution under some influence from Scolari. I’ll keep you posted as always.
ContinuedGabby Doubt Sets Up Milner
Villa’s Gabby Agbonlahor is a doubt for Villa’s clash with Portsmouth at the weekend after sustaining a hamstring injury in last night’s England U21 match with Wales.
The Villa striker was replaced at half-time as Stuart Pearce’s side hung on to a 2-2 draw to win their tie on aggregate. Agbonlahor will doubtless be assessed before the Portsmouth game and should he fail to make it, then Milner would be the hot favourite to step in. The former Newcastle man has been waiting for his opportunity for a start and O’Neill is likely to reward his patience.
Milner is classed as a midfielder across the games and could certainly be worth a short-term punt once the extent of Agbonlahor’s injury is confirmed.
ContinuedDiarra Doubtful As Harry Plans For Niko Return
Portsmouth have doubts over the fitness of both Lassana Diarra and Richard Hughes going into the trip to Villa Park this weekend. Meanwhile, Redknapp has indicated the he will find a role for Niko Kranjcar on his return from injury, despite the form of both Traore and Belhadj….
ContinuedVan Persie Declares Himself Fit
Arsenal’s mounting injury worries have been somewhat relieved by the news that Robin Van Persie considers himself fit for selection for Holland’s game with Norway on Wednesday.
The striker missed Saturday’s win over Iceland with a hamstring injury but is now back in contention.
That will be a major relief for his fantasy owners who must be hoping that the Dutch manage without him on Wednesday, leaving him fresh for selection against Everton this weekend. With Bendtner carrying an ankle knock - it would appear that Van Persie is odds on to start against the obliging Toffee’s defence, a prospect which could offer some decent returns.
ContinuedHamstring Hands Cole Watching Brief
Ashley Cole has been ruled out of England’s qualifier with Belarus on Wednesday, joining team mate John Terry on the sidelines.
A hamstring problem has put Cole out of action, although he’ll also be nursing a wounded ego after the rather harsh reaction of the England fans to his “defensive lapse” against Kazakhstan. Terry meanwhile, is still nursing a problem with his lower back that kept him out of Saturday’s 5-1 win. Upson is set to continue alongside Ferdinand on Wednesday, while Chelsea team mate, Bridge will likely come in for Cole.
There’s no word from Chelsea as yet as to the extent of the injury but, like Terry, although he’ll be a doubt for next weekend, I expect him to be fit enough to take his place in the Chelsea side for the trip to Boro. Their fantasy owners have no need to fret just yet then, although I’ll obviously bring you news on these two injuries as the week progresses.
ContinuedCech Scare For Blues
Petr Cech reportedly picked up a thigh injury in the Czech Republic’s 2-1 defeat to Poland yesterday.
Information is scarce right now but it is confirmed that the Chelsea stopper will miss Wednesday’s game against Slovenia according to the Czech medical staff…
“It’s not enough time till the next match for him to be 100 percent fit,” national team physician Petr Krejci said in a statement today.
He must therefore be a doubt for Chelsea’s visit to Boro next weekend. As always, I’ll monitor this one and keep you updated.
ContinuedZaki In Anfield Fitness Race
Amr Zaki is looking increasingly unlikely to make the trip to Anfield next weekend after he was ruled out of Egypt’s game with Djibouti tomorrow.
The Wigan striker is carrying a tear in his thigh muscle and, having turned out against Boro last weekend with the injury, it appears the condition has worsened. Egyptian medical staff are apparently stating that he will need to be rested for around 10 days, which would obviously cast serious doubt over his chances of turning out against Liverpool. The striker has an official site right here offering some threadbare details, including some comments from the player himself. I’ll be keeping a ‘beady’ on that little webspace over the next few days and will keep you informed on the latest.
Should Bruce be without his star striker at Anfield, it will be interesting to see if he pushes Kapo just behind Heskey and brings in Koumas on the left, or opts to bring in Camara for a start up front.
ContinuedScharner Rift Hands Bramble Brucey Bonus
There had to be a reason behind the selection of Titus Bramble over Paul Scharner and now we know – with Scharner revealing that he’s fallen out with manager Steve Bruce.
Bruce apparently frowned upon Scharner’s return to the fold for the Austrian national side after the player had set a self-imposed exile for the last two years. Bruce particularly objected to Scharner’s recent involvement against France…
“He said I shouldn’t play against France last month, but I did and he seems to be resentful towards me. I will wait and see what happens,” revealed Scharner today…
ContinuedBehrami Blow Denied By Hammers
West Ham have allayed fears of a long-term injury to Swiss star Vaon Behrami, describing his injury sustained whilst on international duty, as a “slight knock”.
Reports in the Sun this morning (yearh, I know) indicated that Behrami had suffered an ankle injury that was set to sideline him for a “lengthy spell”. There were also reports from other sources confirming the injury, although the severity of the knock was certainly played down.
Major news for fantasy managers? Not particularly, but forgive me, it’s a slow day. Owners of Faubert will be interested however. He’s been shoved to right-back (albeit in an attacking formation) but could well be pushed forward should Behrami be sidelined for any period, with Lucas Neil likely to shift to right back.
ContinuedHyypia Snub Makes For Agger Caution
Ever since the injury to Martin Skrtel I’ve been speculating on the value offered by Dan Agger who is likely to replace him in the Liverpool back four. However, there’s an additional factor I’ve, until now, yet to consider.
There’s always a risk of rotation prior to Champions League games amongst the Liverpool squad. However, that could well affect Agger more than anyone, given that Hyypia was omitted from Rafa’s 25 man squad for the group matches…
ContinuedGallas Adds To Wenger’s Worries
William Gallas is the latest player to concern Arsene Wenger after he withdrew from France’s squad for the World Cup Qualifier with Romania.
The centre back has apparently suffered a thigh injury, described as a ‘muscular injury to the right thigh’ according to French medical staff. The injury comes on the back of Van Persie’s hamstring that will keep him out of Holland’s qualifier with Iceland this weekend.
Both Gallas and Van Persie will be doubtful going into Arsenal’s next Premiership fixture with Everton on Saturday week. Although, with Silvestre coming through a reserve game on Monday, it would appear that he would be the obvious replacement for Gallas should he fail to make it.
Continued
