Arsene Wenger is closing in on a loan deal for Thierry Henry. Chris Smalling is recovering from tonsillitis and is expected to be back next week, while Kenny Dalglish will continue to be cautious with the fitness of Steven Gerrard…
Sir Alex Ferguson has this morning dismissed reports suggesting Chris Smalling has glandular fever. The United boss confirmed in his press conference that the defender has tonsillitis and reckons Smalling “should” be ready for the game against Newcastle on 2nd January. Defensive concerns were the main topic for Ferguson, as he went on to admit:
We don’t have much change. Obviously injuries to the defenders are quite a concern now, with Jonny Evans taken off at half-time [on Monday]. We’re hoping Phil Jones will be fit, there’s possibly an outside chance that Rio Ferdinand will get on the bench. Other than that, we’re the same.
Arsene Wenger admitted this morning that Arsenal are closing in on a loan deal for Thierry Henry. While a sensational short-term return to the Emirates is on the cards for the Frenchman, Wenger revealed the deal is not year near completion:
Normally it should happen. You have to respect that there is paperwork to do and the agreement with the Red Bulls and the MLS, but for two months it is certain that it will happen. The agreement and the insurance [still needs to be done], I don’t take care of that, but that is not completed and we need to respect all the agreements we need with the MLS to finalise the deal. At the moment we cannot announce anything.
Wenger also confirmed Theo Walcott is “ok” after a stomach complaint forced him out of Tuesday’s draw with Wolves. Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs are both expected back by late January, while Jack Wilshere is progressing well and will return just after the full-backs. The Gunners boss also admitted that the fact that Robin Van Persie is chasing the Premier League goals record will have little influence on his team selection.
Gretar Steinsson and Sam Ricketts are both available for Bolton tomorrow as Owen Coyle’s side play host to Wolves. Joe Riley has also recovered from a hamstring problem, while the Trotters boss revealed that a fee has been agreed with Chelsea for the transfer of Gary Cahill. Darren Pratley has picked up a virus and has missed the last few days training.
Kenny Dalglish has insisted he will not rush Steven Gerrard back into the first-team fold as the Liverpool skipper continues his recovery from an ankle injury. Gerrard made his first appearance since gameweek 9 last time round, coming on as a late second half sub in the home draw against Blackburn and Dalglish will continue to be cautious with his captain’s fitness, saying:
He is back and looks even better than he did the last time he came back but we are not going to be irresponsible and throw him in and take a chance. We know he’s fit and we know he just needs game time; in the same way as we monitored him through the last time and we’ll do the same this time. He has been frustrated but I think he feels the bad luck may be behind him and he deserves a bit of good fortune.
Paul Lambert confirmed in his press conference this morning that Marc Tierney is still 50-50 for Norwich’s next two games. The left-back had been the Canaries only ever-present prior to last Tuesday’s clash with Spurs but a groin injury forced him out and has offered Adam Drury a chance to step up into the first XI. Lambert also revealed Ritchie De Laet suffered a recurrence of a back problem and is being assessed ahead of the home clash with Fulham.
With on-loan Steven Caulker unavailable to face parent club Spurs, Garry Monk will return to the Swansea first-team this gameweek. Brendan Rodgers revealed Neil Taylor is expected to return at left-back after recovering from a knee problem, while Angel Rangel faces a late fitness test on his ankle, after suffering a recurrence of his injury in the game against QPR.
