Micah Richards is on course for a return against Arsenal this weekend. The Toure brothers are to delay their departure for the African Cup of Nations. Damian Duff returns for Fulham in tonight’s Europa League game with Odense, while Mike Williamson hands Alan Pardew a fitness boost by returning to reserve action yesterday.
Reports suggest Micah Richards is set to be fit for Man City’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday. The right-back missed out at Chelsea in his side’s first loss of the campaign but Roberto Mancini is confident he will be ready for the weekend. With Aleksandar Kolarov injured and Gael Clichy suspended, Mancini hinted Richards’ return would allow him to play Pablo Zabaleta in the left-back position against the Gunners.
Mancini also received a boost ahead of next month’s African Cup of Nations. The Italian is a former team mate of Ivory Coast manager Francois Zahoui and their relationship has reportedly allowed him to delay the departure of Yaya and Kolo Toure for vital cup clashes. The tournament starts on January 21 and participants can call up their players a fortnight before the kick-off but City are expected to be allowed to hold on to the pair for their FA Cup clash with Man United on the 8th, as well as the first-leg of their Carling Cup semi final against Liverpool three days later.
Fabian Delph has returned to Aston Villa training ahead of the home clash with Liverpool. The midfielder missed Saturday’s win at Bolton with a knee knock but assistant boss Peter Grant expects him to be available for selection this weekend, as the fixtures start to pick up pace.
Gael Givet is set to give the Blackburn back line a boost by returning to action this weekend. The left-back was subbed off at Sunderland due to heart palpitations but has trained ahead of Saturday’s Ewood Park clash with West Brom.
Yesterday’s news that Darren Fletcher is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a bowel condition looks set to further boost the game time of Phil Jones. With Nemanja Vidic also ruled out for the season, the Scotsman’s unfortunate illness also leaves a gap in the champions’ central midfield. Jones’ versatility has seen him play in central midfield of late and with the ability to shift to right-back or centre-half also in his locker, Jones seems to be an integral part of the United first-team over the ensuing months.
Mike Williamson came through 45 minutes of Newcastle’s reserve clash with Bolton yesterday as he steps up his recovery from an ankle injury. Alan Pardew fielded a back-four without any recognised centre-halves at Norwich but Williamson’s recovery, in addition to the possibility of Fabricio Coloccini’s return for the weekend game at home to Swansea, will be a welcome boost over the festive period.
Damian Duff has recovered from a calf problem in time for Fulham’s Europa League game with Odense this evening. Danny Murphy continues to miss out due to an ankle injury and Mark Schwarzer is expected to shrug off a spine problem to take his place between the sticks.
