Landon Donovan is set for a loan return to Goodison Park. Harry Redknapp gives Jermain Defoe 76 minutes for Spurs in the Europa League clash with Shamrock Rovers, while out-of-favour Jermaine Pennant denies there’s a problem with Tony Pulis, as the winger plays second fiddle to Ryan Shotton on the right.
Everton and LA Galaxy have agreed a deal which will see Landon Donovan move to Goodison Park on a short-term loan. The American will be eligible for seven league fixtures and, crucially for Fantasy managers, the first match he can participate in is the January 4th fixture with Bolton- in other words, he is available for the Toffees double gameweek against Bolton and Spurs. Donovan last graced the Premier League two years ago when he scored twice in 10 games for Everton, and with David Moyes’ side short of striking options again this season, he’ll be a welcome addition to the front line. Last time out Donovan came in as a 6.0 priced forward- if he comes in at the same price and classification again, he’ll no doubt be be the subject of some winter investment, with that all important double gameweek looming and game time looking guaranteed. Of the move, David Moyes said:
He did well for us when he was over two years ago and hopefully will return with those same qualities His season has just finished and like last time we need him to hit the ground running because the games come thick and fast at this time of year.
Stoke winger Jermaine Pennant has denied that there is a rift between himself and manager Tony Pulis. Pennant has not been included in the matchday squad for the Potters for the last two league games and only made a substitute appearance against Besiktas after the injury to Andy Wilkinson. Ryan Shotton has been keeping Pennant out of the late recently and, priced as a 4.0 defender in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) has been attracting investment. Perhaps crucially, with the weekend in mind, Shotton did not make the midweek trip to Turkey. Pennant admitted:
He (Pulis) is keeping with his winning team. If the record isn’t broken then you don’t change it. We have won the last two games so he is keeping that team. He’s the manager.
West Brom manager Roy Hodgson is hopeful that midfielder Steven Reid will be fit to face Blackburn at the weekend. Reid, who has only missed six minutes of action this season, picked up a minor knee injury in last week’s defeat to Wigan and is the only doubt for Hodgson, who otherwise has a full squad to choose from.
Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon is hoping to get the nod to resume full training after seeing specialists about his prolonged knee injury. Gordon has been out of action for the last 10 months, during which time Simon Mignolet and Keiran Westwood have deputized. With Gordon’s return date still uncertain and Mignolet sidelined with a facial injury, Westwood will remain the Black Cats’ man between the sticks. Of Gordon, manager Martin O’Neill said:
Craig is going to undergo a number of tests, and we’ll see how he is after that. He’s been out for a long time, and obviously he’s anxious to get back.
As expected, Jermain Defoe started Tottenham’s Europa League tie with Shamrock Rovers last night. Defoe got his name on the scoresheet in the first half and went on to play 76 minutes of the clash. Rafael Van der Vaart was, of course, not included in the Europa League squad – with a rest last night, then, the Dutchman looks on course to partner Emmanuel Adebayor at home to Sunderland on Sunday. Niko Kranjcar made a return to the first-team, having recovered from a thigh injury.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is hopeful of having Mike Williamson and Fabio Coloccini back in contention for Saturday’s home clash with Swansea. Williamson played in the reserves midweek and will be set for his first start of the season if cleared for the game. However, the Newcastle boss is unsure whether to risk Cheick Tiote. Pardew said in yesterday’s press conference:
We haven’t acquired any new injuries, thank goodness, and we are just hopeful that we can bring maybe one or two back. Cheik’s injury is very much a structural injury, which we now think he is over. He is close. We will have to see for the weekend just how close people are.
