Steven Gerrard edges closer to a first-team return. Capello inisists Wayne Rooney will be fine. Rafael Van der Vaart is set for six weeks on the sidelines while Mikel Arteta’s departure has Jack Rodwell eyeing up a regular starting position. Carlos Tevez is looking forward to his return to the Man City starting XI and QPR’s new owner Tony Fernandez is -allegedly- lining up a loan move for none other than David Beckham. Here’s this morning’s Scribbles, folks:
Jack Rodwell is looking to the positive side of Mikel Arteta’s Everton exit. The young midfielder struggled with injury last term but feels he is now 100% fit and is hoping to step up to the task of filling the gap left by the Spaniard’s last-minute deadline day departure:
Mikel is a great player…he will be sorely missed. But we’ve got a lot of young players who can fill in. I’m ready to step up and fill his boots, definitely.
What I’ve been missing in my career is 30 games back to back and getting a good run of form and confidence, so hopefully this season I can do that. I’m ready now. I feel fit, I feel sharp and focused. I believe this is the season for me.
Fabio Capello has moved to allay fears of an injury to Wayne Rooney. The Man United forward picked up the problem in England’s 3-0 win in Bulgaria and with Fantasy managers fretting over his availability, the Italian confirmed he expects his star man to be fit for the midweek game against Wales:
Rooney has a problem with his foot but I think he should be okay for Tuesday. It’s a different part of his foot. His big toe. It’s nothing, I think but we will have to wait for a minimum of 24 hours.
Steven Gerrard is nearing a return to first-team action. The Liverpool midfielder has been out since mid-March with a groin problem and has played just six times since Kenny Dalglish returned to the Anfield club, but reckons he could be ready for a mid-September showdown with Spurs in Gameweek 5:
‘I won’t be involved against Stoke next Saturday but my plan is to hopefully be involved in the game against Tottenham. It will be Kenny’s decision when I come back in.’
New QPR owner Tony Fernandes has wasted little time in bankrolling a number of signings since arriving at the club last month. Next up on his radar is none other than David Beckham. The LA Galaxy midfielder is out of contract in October and is allegedly considering a return to the Premier League- Fernandes is looking to boost the club’s profile and in that respect, Beckham would clearly fit the bill.
According to reports, Carlos Tevez is now content with his stay at Man City. The Argentine has been itching to leave the Etihad Stadium and has made no secret of his dislike of the area but seems to have been won round and is looking forward to turning out for Roberto Mancini’s side in the imminent future:
I think I’ll be playing again soon. I don’t think I’ll have lost my place because I’m captain and the symbol of a big club like City. I feel like everything is different to last year. Now I’m with my wife and daughters in England.’
Shane Long has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s game against Russia on Tuesday with a calf problem. The West Brom forward has bagged two goals in his first three games and Roy Hodgson will be sweating over his fitness ahead of next weekend’s trip to Norwich, with Peter Odemwingie also sidelined with an ankle injury.
Rafael Van der Vaart’s hamstring problems continue to play up. The Dutchman limped off in Tottenham’s recent 5-1 home hammering by Man City and, according to the club’s official website, looks to be sidelined for six weeks. This could promote Emmanuel Adayor to penalties, boosting the Fantasy merits of the loan signing as Harry Redknapp’s side look to bounce back from two straight defeats.
