Paul Lambert talks of Norwich City rotation. David Moyes praises the performance of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Shaun Wright-Phillips is an early injury doubt for Neil Warnock and Brendan Rodgers awaits news on scans for both Angel Rangel and Danny Graham:
David Moyes has talked up the abilities of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov after his weekend display at Bolton. With Royston Drenthe missing out due to an ankle problem, the Russian, in a rare league appearance, impressed at the Reebok, grabbing an assist in the 2-0 win. Drenthe’s Fantasy owners will be hoping he’s fit and available for selection this weekend at home to Stoke and leaps ahead of Bilyaletdinov in the pecking order once again.
Brendan Rodgers is sweating on the fitness of Danny Graham after the striker limped out of Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa due to an ankle problem. The Swans boss has similar concerns over right-back Angel Rangel but admitted he is less optimistic over the Spaniard’s chances, with scans on both players likely to reveal more in the next day. Leroy Lita is an obvious replacement for Graham, though Swansea’s options at the back are stretched, meaning Jazz Richards could be handed a top-flight debut.
Paul Lambert has spoken of his intentions to utilise more members of the Norwich squad, after making three changes to his starting lineup for the win over QPR. The Canaries boss has been fielding a settled first XI of late but admits he’ll ring the changes, if necessary, in order to keep his players fully fit:
You need the whole squad. We wanted to freshen up. I felt those lads with that freshness would allow them to hit the ground running and then maybe when it hit the hour mark you might have to think how much have they got left in their body.
Stephen Kelly is expected to be fit for Fulham’s Europa League clash with FC Twente, after making good progress from a groin problem picked up on international duty. Victory over the Dutch side would ensure qualification for the Cottagers and Kelly’s return would boost Martin Jol’s options in the right-back area; with Zdenek Grygera a long-term absentee, Chris Baird has been Jol’s viable alternative of late. In other injury news, Orlando Sa scored on his return to reserve action last night, while Steve Sidwell remains sidelined after a hernia operation.
Alex McLeish has admitted the performances of Jermaine Jenas and Barry Bannan have given him “food for thought” ahead Villa’s home clash with Man United. Despite the weekend game at Swansea finishing goalless, Big Eck feels the midfield duo gave his side an added attacking impetus and both could come into consideration for a starting role on Saturday.
Roberto Mancini has also hit out at the scheduling of tonight’s Carling Cup match against Arsenal- the tie comes just over forty-eight hours after Man City’s match at Liverpool. With this weekend’s league game against Norwich preceding a critical Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich, Mancini has admitted he will “change all the team“ for the showdown- good news for Fantasy managers ahead of the Canaries game on Saturday.
Kenny Dalglish joined Mancini in his criticism. Liverpool are in a similar situation, having to travel to Chelsea only two days after Sunday’s game against City and Dalglish admits there may be “one or two missing“ for his side. With no European competition to consider, though, and given that their next game is not until Monday at Fulham, the Reds boss may field a stronger team than perhaps anticipated, with plenty recovery time ahead of the Craven Cottage clash.
Shaun Wright-Phillips is an injury concern for QPR ahead of this weekend’s clash with West Brom. The player suffered a foot injury against Norwich and left the ground on crutches but Neil Warnock is not ruling him out at this moment:
Shaun is undergoing extensive treatment this week. Fortunately there’s no break, and we haven’t written him off just yet for Saturday’s game against West Brom.
