Leighton Baines looks like being fit for Everton this weekend, as does Theo Walcott for Arsenal. Darren Fletcher declares himself fit and raring to go, while Luis Suarez pleads not to be rested. New QPR star Joey Barton praises the Newcastle fans and Steve Bruce talks up the talents of the shy and retiring Nicklas Bendtner. Here’s today’s Scribbles, folks:
Reports this morning suggest Leighton Baines will be fit for Everton’s weekend clash with Aston Villa. Having limped out of England’s training camp with a hamstring problem, the left-back was expected to be unavailable for the game but it appears he is well on schedule to now feature. David Moyes received some bad news on the injury front to temper his cheer- Victor Anichebe could be out till Christmas with a groin tear.
Steve Bruce has been talking up Nicklas Bendtner ahead of this weekend’s home clash with Chelsea. The pair, of course, have linked up previously, when Bruce took the Dane on loan while manager of Birmingham and the Black Cats boss applied a little flattery while speaking to the Sunderland website:
There’s no doubt that he has terrific ability, and we might just have got him at the right time. He’s got something to prove and a real hunger to show people just how good he is. Maybe he has lost his way a little bit over the last couple of years but I’m convinced this is the right move for him. Nicklas is a very naturally gifted footballer.
Arsene Wenger received some good news on the injury front ahead of Saturday’s match with Swansea. Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott are set to be fit and available for selection as the Gunners look to bounce back from their 8-2 hammering at Old Trafford.
Steed Malbranque is looking for a swift return to the Premier League. The Frenchman played just 26 minutes for new club St Etienne before announcing his retirement but changed his mind after the club cancelled his contract. Now a free agent, the former Sunderland player would relish a return to England’s top-flight.
Bryan Ruiz has vowed to repay the faith shown in him by Fulham, with the club paying over £10m for his services before the closure of the transfer window. The big-money buy from FC Twente spoke to the club’s official website:
I know that a lot is expected of me but I’m here to make a difference – I want to do all I can for Fulham. The club paid a lot of money for me, I know that, but it is a responsibility I am willing to carry. I will react positively and hopefully I can take the chance that I have been given.
It’s been reported that Samir Nasri is expected to play for Man City against Wigan on Saturday. The Frenchman broke a finger on international duty and despite endless speculation via the likes of twitter for much of yesterday, City have yet to comment.
Ahead of his QPR debut against old club Newcastle, Joey Barton has vowed to show some respect. There’s no lack of irony that the midfielder will face Alan Pardew’s side in his first game in QPR colours in Monday night’s Loftus Road showdown and Barton was nothing but complimentary to the club’s supporters:
The fans were brilliant at Newcastle. In my last couple of seasons there, they’ve supported the football club through thick and thin. I’ll always have a relationship with them. What’s gone is gone. I’m never going to say a bad word about the football club or the fans. I wish them every success.
Darren Fletcher is eyeing up a return to the Man United first-team after coming through two lots of ninety minutes on international duty this past week. The midfielder looks to have finally put his struggles with a mystery virus behind him and is ready to challenge the likes of Anderson and Tom Cleverley for a place in the starting XI.
I feel good and I’m ready to go back to my club now and somehow get back into that team. I don’t think I’ll walk into the team but I’m ready to play. The team are performing so well just now so I don’t think the manager will be making too many changes. I’ve got to be patient and wait for my chance but I’ve been in that situation before and I know what it’s all about.
Alex McLeish has played down fears of a troubling groin problem for Aston Villa keeper Shay Given. The Irishman has battled the injury during the start of the season and took a knock to his back while on international duty but Big Eck expects him to be fit and ready for the trip to Everton this weekend.
Luis Suarez has insisted he is anything but fatigued ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Stoke. The Uruguayan has been eased back into domestic action by Kenny Dalglish after a summer of Copa America duties and has yet to play ninety minutes for the Reds.
I want to play in all the games I can for Liverpool. I don’t want any rest at all. Despite only having that week’s training before playing again, I’m only 24 so I felt good.
With Javier Hernandez looking likely to start this weekend at Bolton, Wayne Rooney has been praising his fellow forward. Worryingly for the rest of the Premier League, Rooney feels playing alongside the Mexican means he’ll only get better this year:
Me and him do a lot of finishing after sessions to try and keep progressing and getting better. It’s great to have a lad who has just come into the team, who speaks good English and is always smiling. It’s great for him and for me to have someone like that. I think we can both learn from each other.
