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Essien Out. Deco A Doubt
Must have missed this one earlier but according to Scolari, Deco is struggling for fitness for Sunday’s opener with Portsmouth, while Essien is out with a “leg injury”.
‘Deco didn’t train today because of something in his knee and ankle and he may not play on Sunday”, remarked Scolari today.
Essien meanwhile has been struggling with an injury since returning from Chelsea’s tour of asia and it is hoped that he will return to training next week. Wright-Phillips now seems set to get a start and Ballack could also figure if Deco fails to make it.
This Week’s Scout Picks
It’s Friday night. It’s much later than I should have left it. It’s scout picks time.
I did have every intention of bringing these to you a lot earlier but, as I’ve mentioned before, things have been pretty pretty manic at work this week (I’m typing this from my desk). Enough of the chitchat though, here’s the deal.
For those new to this, first of all – hello, thanks for coming. Secondly, get your pinch of salt ready as I recommend a team for this week’s set of games. Over in the right hand menu you’ll see my selection for the week and if you read on you’ll find the daft logic behind it all.
Rooney To Return For United
The team news has been updated with the lastest creeping out of the Premiership clubs. That includes the news that Wayne Rooney could well start against Newcastle, while Andy Johnson will miss out on his Fulham debut at Hull.
Rooney has apparently been putting in double training sessions this week and is set to be in the sqaud against Newcastle at Old Trafford. Johnson meanwhile, is still suffering from a thigh injury and will not make the trip to Hull. Seol is set to play up front with Zamora then and could offer a good, cheap midfield option for the gameweek.
Elsewhere, Wenger has confirmed that Toure and Nasri could make returns against West Brom and also stated that Fabregas could make a return against FC Twente. So rather than miss two matches as previously indicated, Cesc is now due to sit out games against West Brom and Fulham.
Villa Cruise. City Slump.
A night of contrasting fortunes in the UEFA Cup qualifiers as O’Neill sees his side canter to victory in Iceland, while Hughes watches on as his new side stumble at Eastlands.
Here’s the notes and teams…
Keegan’s Team Sheet In Tatters
Kevin Keegan has major problems with his team selection for the daunting trip to Old Trafford this weekend, as it was revealed that both Martins and Owen are likely to be ruled out of the clash.
Owen got involved in Newcastle’s midweek training session but only went through light training and was clearly struggling following a calf injury. Martins meanwhile, was absent from both training sessions this week and is also a major doubt. It is believed that his old knee injury has flared up again and he has flown overseas for treatment.
Notes From Europe
Liverpool put up a miserable performance in Liege, while the Gunners smuggle a 2-0 lead back to the Emirates after a stern test from McClaren’s FC Twente.
Here’s the notes and teams…
The Calm Before The Storm
It’s been a disappointingly quiet day, leaving a lot of unanswered questions floating in mid-air.
At the time of writing there’s still no definitive movement on Berbatov, Robinho, Barry etc. The Corluka situation remains confused, as does Warnock’s future at Blackburn. Hull and Stoke are being linked with plenty of expensive loan signings without any conclusion. All in all, pretty non-eventful.
Lampard did sign a new 5 year contract with Chelsea today, which to my mind, just reinforces his fantasy value this season, given that his future is now settled. He’ll love kissing that badge when his first deflected shot goes in.
Fabregas Out Of Baggies Clash
Cesc Fabregas has picked up a hamstring injury and will be out for the next two games according to Arsene Wenger.
Fabregas has not travelled to Holland for Arsenal’s first leg of the Champions League Qualifier with FC Twente and will now miss Arsenal’s opener against West Brom on Saturday. Although Wenger has said he will miss only the next two games, he has been optimistic about injuries before - Van Persie last season springs to mind. The injury could well sideline Fabregas for longer then.
Kolo Toure also misses the trip to Holland, as does Senderos - they have hip and hamstring injuries respectively and must also be concerns for the weekend.
Aaron Ramsey is now set to start tomorrow night and must also be a good bet to be in the lineup against the Baggies. Djourou is set to deputise in defence alongside Gallas.
Early Weekend Team News
The first pass of the Premiership team news has gone in this afternoon giving you an early idea of the weekend’s lineups.
With European games, potential signings and more information leaking from the clubs over the next few days, be sure to check back. I’ll keep you updated on any major news on a daily basis.
Click here for the early goodness.
Villa Agree Cuéllar Fee
Aston Villa have confirmed tonight that they have agreed a £7.8 million fee for Rangers defender Carlos Cuéllar. That figure is believed to have triggered a release clause in his contract and the Spanish centre-back is due at Villa Park for talks on Monday.
Cuéllar enjoyed a superb season for Rangers, making 36 appearances and scoring 4 goals. He picked up the Clydesdale Bank SPL Player of the Year award and was named the Scottish Football Writers Associations Player of the Year.
But this is a surprising move by Villa. Having signed both Young and Shorey to fill in the full-back postions, the signing of Cuéllar considerably boosts Villa in central defence and he is surely not being brought in to warm the bench.
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