Alex McLeish is given a welcome fitness boost ahead of Villa’s trip to Stoke. Sir Alex Ferguson admits he will continue to rotate David De Gea, while Seamus Coleman is ruled out of Everton’s game at Sunderland:
Sir Alex Ferguson looks like he will continue to frustrate owners of David De Gea after once again resting him in favor of Anders Lindegaard last night. The United boss admitted he will use Lindegaard as the season goes on to give De Gea a rest whenever he deems necessary:
It’s not a problem because I think Anders has that little bit more experience. I felt his was the right time to change and we’re going to do that with David. He’s only 20 years of age and is going to be a fantastic goalkeeper, there’s absolutely no doubt about that. Having Anders as a back-up in terms of giving the lad a break at the right time, is proving its worth. Anders is an outstanding goalkeeper and has a little bit more experience.
Scans have revealed that Bolton defender Marcos Alonso has not broken his foot as first feared. After the game at Ewood Park, manager Owen Coyle was worried that Alonso was facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but the injury is said to be superficial, with the left-back due to see a specialist to determine the extent of the problem.
Peter Crouch, who missed last night’s game at Manchester City, could be back to face former club Aston Villa on Boxing Day. Crouch spent some time in hospital yesterday after complaining of headaches, but Tony Pulis has allayed fears that the problem is too serious. The Stoke boss also confirmed that Matthew Etherington was rested against City to ensure that he was fit to face Villa on Boxing Day.
Alex McLeish had plenty of positive injury news to report today. The Villa boss expects Darren Bent, James Collins, Emile Heskey and Stephen Ireland to all be available for the trip to Stoke. Ireland lasted just 44 minutes against Arsenal last night but Big Eck revealed fatigue was the problem, with the midfielder having suffered from illness all week. Chris Herd is expected to be out for a further two weeks with an ankle problem.
Arsenal have moved their home game with Wolves, initially scheduled for Boxing Day, back a day to the 27th as a result of the proposed industrial action on the London Underground. This scuppers any chance of a potential double gameweek, with the fixture still falling under gameweek 18. Chelsea’s game with Fulham will go ahead at 1pm, as scheduled.
Angel Rangel returned from injury for Swansea last night, coming on for the injured Neil Taylor at Everton. Taylor is due to have a scan on a knee problem sustained in the 1-0 Goodison loss, with the extent as of yet unknown. Swans boss Brendan Rodgers said:
We’ll have a wee look in the morning. I’m not sure what he has done. I haven’t spoke to the medics yet but it was obviously too sore to continue.
Seamus Coleman has been ruled out of Everton’s Boxing Day trip to Sunderland after aggravating a thigh problem in last night’s game against Swansea. David Moyes admitted the Toffees have one or two knocks but was typically evasive on the matter.
