Sir Alex Ferguson is hopeful of returns for key players ahead of the champions’ trip to Newcastle. Aaron Lennon could return earlier than anticipated for Tottenham, while the injury worries rack up for Martin O’Neill as Sunderland make their way to Wigan:
Aaron Lennon may be in line for a surprise return to the Spurs side this evening, according to reports. The winger suffered a hamstring injury back in gameweek 16 and was withdrawn before the half-hour mark in the 1-0 win over Sunderland but is recovering quicker than anticipated. Harry Redknapp is expected to make a late decision on his availability, though with a new 4-2-3-1 system in place as an alternative to 4-4-2, is in no rush to hurry Lennon back.
Jussi Jaaskelainen is a major doubt for Bolton ahead of their trip to Everton tomorrow evening. Adam Bogdan is on standby to replace him but given that he shipped 5 goals in his only appearance of the season – an error-strewn home match with Chelsea- confidence in the Trotters’ ranks will hardly be high for the Goodison showdown. Good news, perhaps, for those who topped up on Everton players for the double gameweek.
Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs could all be available for tomorrow’s game with Newcastle. Anderson should also feature, according to Sir Alex Ferguson, though the United boss went on to say that no other players are expected back immediately. On the subject of his star striker, Ferguson revealed:
Wayne Rooney will be available of course. We had a few training sessions which he missed. You’ve got to be fit to play in this league, you can’t miss training sessions.
Martin O’Neill will make a late decision on the fitness of Wes Brown after the defender limped out of Sunderland’s win over Man City with a groin problem. The Black Cats boss doesn’t have his problems to seek right now, with David Bardsley a major doubt and Titus Bramble ruled out, with thigh and calf injuries respectively. Kieren Westwood and Kieran Richardson both missed the City match with a virus and are uncertain starters. O’Neill admitted:
Wes will be checked over, as will all the other players who are injured, but I don’t expect him to be involved at Wigan with it being a groin strain. As far as the other players are concerned, Phil Bardsley is the only one who might have an outside chance of an involvement against Wigan.
Chelsea bid to sign Gary Cahill may take longer than previously anticipated. Despite the Blues reportedly agreeing a fee with Bolton for the defender’s services, Andre Villas-Boas admitted yesterday that the two parties were some distance away from finalising any deal.
Neil Warnock revealed he is unlikely to appeal Joey Barton’s red card picked up against Norwich. The midfielder has protested his innocence over an alleged head-butt on the Canaries Bradley Johnson but Warnock feels recent decisions, particularly Wolves’ failure to have Nenad Milijas’ dismissal at Arsenal overturned, may lead to any appeal being futile.
Alan Pardew received some positive injury news todays, with Gabriel Obertan being passed fit to face former club Man United. The winger was previously a doubt with a foot injury but has recovered sufficiently ahead of tomorrow night’s home clash against the champions.
