Dirk Kuyt and Dan Agger are amongst the international injuries to add to Liverpool’s woes ahead of the Merseyside derby. At least the latest on Torres this morning is encouraging. Meanwhile Abou Diaby returns from injury to complete the 90 minutes for France and Fulham’s Fantasy favourite Mousa Dembele nears a return with the clash with Spurs in his sights.
Kuyt suffered an ankle injury and was forced off after 29 minutes of Holland’s win over Sweden in Amsterdam. The Dutchman was stretchered off and taken for immediate x-rays – although Liverpool have offered a statement stressing that they are yet to assess the injury, the early reports are already counting him out of Sunday’s Merseyside derby.
This comes as yet another blow for Roy Hodgson’s men who may already be without Fernando Torres who is struggling with an adductor strain. There is at least some encouraging news on his situation this morning. Liverpool’s Head of Sports Science and Sports Medicine Peter Brukner brings us this…
“He has had intense treatment over the last ten days and responded very well to that treatment. He’s ready to resume training today [Wednesday] and if we can build up his training and get through the next few days, then we are optimistic but not certain that he will be able to line up against Everton….He’ll join in the full training session on Thursday, then build up Friday and Saturday. If he gets through these sessions and he is able to stretch out fully and has no after effect from the sessions then he will be able to play.”
Elsewhere at Anfield, Dan Agger is a concern ahead of Sunday having lasted just 39 minutes of Denmark’s qualifier with Cyprus; he is now a doubt for Sunday with a groin injury. With no confirmation of Paul Konchesky’s return from a hamstring injury, Hodgson may now have to turn to Martin Kelly or an out of position Jamie Carragher to start at left-back. Given the off-field distractions, current form guide and the injury concerns, it’s fair to say that Everton will be fancying their chances. An Everton win with a clean sheet anyone? Certainly with a possible weak spot at left-back, Seamus Coleman looks even more tempting starting out on the right-flank for David Moyes’ men.
There will doubtless be further casualties of the international programme emerge in the next 24-hours as the stresses and strains of midweek games become apparent once clubs get to assess their players. Already we have doubts over Alexander Hleb of Birmingham and Ryan Nelsen of Blackburn who both missed their respective internationals through injuries. We await full details on that pair ahead of the weekend.
Man City’s Jerome Boateng can also be regarded a doubt for the trip to Blackpool on Sunday given that he missed Germany’s qualifier with Kazakhstan with flu. His possible absence could see a start for Zabaleta or Richards at right-back, although that pair are themselves both doubts with hamstring problems.
The other side of Manchester also have some problems with Ji-Sung Park reported as suffering pains in his right-knee whilst on international duty with South Korea. He was left out of their side that met Japan with the Korean coach, Cho Gwang-Rae, emphasising the need to rest the injury. This may have just been a precaution under orders from United, but with Giggs a doubt with a hamstring injury, Alex Ferguson will have limited options on the left-flank for the home clash with West Brom. We could see Bebe and Gabriel Obertan given an opportunity.
Abou Diaby is likely to be available for Arsene Wenger when the Gunners face Birmingham at the weekend. Diaby completed 90 minutes for France last night having recovered from an ankle injury. Diaby’s availability adds another body to the midfield with Cesc Fabregas also in line for a return following injury.
News on Mousa Dembele had been pretty scarce but a story on Fulham’s official site yesterday has now offered us Fantasy Managers a view on his progress. The signs are encouraging with the striker clearly putting himself in the frame for the weekend meet with Spurs at the Cottage…
“Now it’s alright, I’ve already trained three times with the group and I’ve had no pain, just if I shoot really hard, then I have a little bit…But I think in the following days that will disappear. I’m happy that the injury wasn’t that serious.”
Saturday may come too early for the striker, so Eddie Johnson could well find himself partnering Clint Dempsey in attack once again. Cleary we can put Dembele back on our watchlists for the trip to West Brom in Gameweek 9 however.
