It’s a relatively short and sharp Scribbles this afternoon, with much of today’s papers focusing on a return to the Liverpool starting XI for skipper Steven Gerrard. Carlos Tevez could learn his Man City fate tomorrow, while Sergio Aguero is still very much a doubt for the weekend…
Reports this morning suggest Steven Gerrard will make his first start in over six months this Saturday lunchtime. The early weekend kick-off sees Liverpool face Man United and having made three brief sub appearances over the last few weeks, Gerrard has upped his training over the international break and looks set to hand Kenny Dalglish a major boost by returning to the first XI against the league leaders. While there was no outright affirmation from the Reds boss, he seems positive ahead of the weekend:
[blockquote author=”Kenny Dalglish” position=”on Gerrard’s fitness”]”A fit Steven Gerrard strengthens this football club, no question. If you have Steven in your squad, it’s going to raise the profile and standard. We want to have a really strong squad – and him being in it makes it that much stronger.” [/blockquote]
Doubts continue over the availability of Sergio Aguero ahead of Man City’s home clash with Aston Villa. The Argentine is reportedly still struggling with the groin problem that saw him limp out of the Gameweek seven match at Blackburn. With Mario Balotelli also suffering from a back injury, it could leave Edin Dzeko as the club’s only first-team forward right now- City coach David Platt spoke to the Manchester Evening News on the matter:
[blockquote author=”David Platt” position=”on the prospect of missing Aguero”]”We have plenty of ways of playing. [In] Yaya Touré, David Silva and Samir Nasri we have three who can all work off the striker. Let’s just concentrate on what we have available. We know we have a squad of players which means we can put a team out against anyone and make a good game of it.”[/blockquote]
Carlos Tevez may learn his City fate over the next twenty-four hours. Having now served his two-week club ban, the striker is due to fly back from Argentina and report for training on Thursday- City look likely to have made a decision on his future before then. Good news for Tevez is that his old club Corinthians are still in the hunt for his signature come January- general manager Edu claims he is in England to begin discussions:
[blockquote author=”Edu” position=”on Corinthian’s interest in Tevez”]”We are here to start talks, to see how the situation is. We will see if we can do a deal. He [Tevez] is very famous in Brazil and everyone loves him and the fans want him. Then, I’m going to Brazil to talk to the president and see if we can do something. There are a lot of things to think about.”[/blockquote]
Reports from the Nigeria camp suggest Peter Odemwingie is due to undergo ankle surgery tomorrow. The striker has struggled to replicate the blistering form of his previous debut season for West Brom and though the club have yet to confirm this, Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has said:
[blockquote author=”Samson Siasia” position=”Nigeria’s coach on Odemwingie’s ankle injury”]”It is his career on the line, and it is very important for us to put the health and welfare of our players first above everything else.(Odemwingie) has been playing with pain-killers and after speaking with the doctor, we all agreed that he should have his surgery as soon as possible.”[/blockquote]
Roy Hodgson has since revealed, however, that Odemwingie will travel to Amsterdam along with Zoltan Gera tomorrow and expects the player to be given the all-clear.
With Saturday’s early kick-off against Liverpool looming large, there is unofficial talk of Javier Hernandez perhaps missing out for Man United in the crucial trip to Anfield. With Mexico playing Brazil at 2.30am on Wednesday, Sir Alex Ferguson may decide to give Hernandez a break- Danny Welbeck’s withdrawal from the England U21 squad has furthered speculation that this is in Fergie’s thinking. Fabio is also in the Brazil squad, though his omission from the United line-up would have less of an impact, with plenty alternatives to cover his absence.
Wilson Palacios looks set for an imminent return to the Stoke first-team. The midfielder has played just two games for the Potters since his late August move from Spurs but Tony Pulis has put this down to a general lack of fitness:
[blockquote author=”Tony Pulis” position=”on Wilson Palacios’ fitness”]”I just think he needs a mini pre-season to get himself up and running. That’s all he’s lacking. We’re trying to get him fully fit as soon as possible, but he’s already shown in training what he’s capable of doing.”[/blockquote]
Arsene Wenger received some positive injury news for a change yesterday. Ahead of the Emirates game with Sunderland, Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou and Wojciech Szczesny all look set to be passed fit and available- this would allow Alex Song to slot back into a central midfield role alongside Mikel Arteta.
