Petr Cech gives Chelsea some cheer and may be ready in time for this week’s trip to Sunderland. Sir Alex Ferguson lauds Anderson’s recent fine form and may have Danny Welbeck back sooner than expected. Everton’s new boys have their say at a press unveiling while Alex McLeish remains sceptical over Darren Bent’s availability ahead of Aston Villa’s game at Everton. Here we go, folks- this morning’s Scribbles:
Everton’s two new loan signings were in determined mood when introduced to the press yesterday. Royston Drenthe is clearly agitated that his time at Real Madrid didn’t quite pan out as expected and expressed his delight at a move to Goodison:
I have something to prove because my time at Real Madrid has ended already. It ended a year ago. After this year I am not a Real Madrid player any more because this is the last year of my contract. When my agent told me I could sign for Everton, I was like ‘thank you God’. I am really happy I can make this step in my future.
Denis Stracqualursi, the Toffees new centre forward, knows what is expected of him from a footballing and domestic perspective and reckons he won’t suffer from the same issues that have affected compatriot Carlos Tevez in Manchester:
“I’ve seen Everton play and I’m aware that they like to have a big striker, who is good in the air and up for the physical battle. I like to think I am like that and I hope I can score some goals for them.”
I don’t think I will have any problems settling in here. My family are not here, but they will be joining me soon and I don’t expect they will have any problems either. The cold, I’m not so sure about.
Danny Welbeck is hoping to return to training next week. The Man United forward was expected to be out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury suffered in the home game with Arsenal but has given Sir Alex Ferguson an unexpected boost by recovering well ahead of schedule.
Petr Cech is also in line for a quick comeback. The Chelsea keeper was injured in a training ground accident last month and it’s no coincidence that his side have failed to record a clean sheet in his absence. Cech is reported to be in line for a shock comeback at Sunderland this weekend.
QPR owner Tony Fernandes yesterday hinted that the club’s reported interest in David Beckham is serious. Beckham is out of contract with LA Galaxy come November and it seems the club are mulling over an offer to bring him back to the Premier League. Fernandes tweeted yesterday:
‘I think having someone like David [Beckham] in the club would be great. Was always in my thoughts. Let’s see.’
Thomas Vermaelen also took to twitter to clarify his latest injury. It had been reported the Belgian could be out for at least two months with an Achilles problem but he explained the issue was with his ankle and expected to be out for half the time:
“Yesterday I had a small procedure to take out my plantaris tendon. Just to prevent it becomes a big problem. Back training in 4 weeks.”
Sir Alex Ferguson has been praising Anderson in an interview with Man United’s club magazine Inside United. The Brazilian’s stand-out start to the season suggest he’s finally living up to the expectations, four years after the club signed him from Porto:
He’s been tremendous, the boy. He’s had a couple of long-term injuries which haven’t helped him, but in the last year or so, he’s steered clear of injury. That means he’s training every day so his fitness levels are much better. And he’s maturing so you can see the consistency in his game.’
Alex McLeish is unsure of Darren Bent’s availability for this weekend’s trip to Everton. The forward withdrew from the England squad this week with a groin problem and Big Eck admits he’s dubious over his star striker’s availability:
It is touch and go. We will be working around the clock to try and get him fit for the Everton game.But at this moment he is injured and that is a fact. You never know by the weekend. We don’t think it is too serious and it is not going to keep him out for a while.
Neil Warnock has hinted he may hand Shaun Wright-Phillips a free role within the QPR system. After years of frustration at Chelsea and Man City, the deadline day signing looks set to be a key member of Warnock’s first XI and finally be given the game time to prove himself:
I think Shaun can play all over midfield really, within the system, so he’ll have a free role in the side. He can play on the right, the left, a little bit like Tommy Smith does, and also in the hole behind the striker. Adel Taarabt as well; he played on the left against Wigan and I thought he did well. It gives us options, which is crucial.
