Robbie Keane joins Aston Villa on a short-term loan deal. Roberto Mancini is hoping to have David Silva available for City’s trip to Wigan, Rio Ferdinand has picked up a stomach bug, while Daniel Sturridge and John Terry are both fit for Chelsea’s clash with Sunderland:
Manchester City are sweating over the fitness of David Silva after the Spaniard missed last night’s League Cup semi-final against Liverpool. The midfielder was subbed off at half time in last weekend’s FA Cup loss to Man United with the problem but Roberto Mancini is hopeful his playmaker will recover in time for Monday’s trip to Wigan. Silva, who has seen a steady decline in his ownership in recent weeks, could see his popularity fall even further now his fitness is in doubt.
Andre Villa-Boas’ Thursday afternoon press conference was full of plenty information for Fantasy managers. Daniel Sturridge and John Terry are both fit for the visit of Sunderland, though Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi Mikel are still sidelined. Florent Malouda is a doubt, while Michael Essien could return next weekend for the trip to Norwich.
Sylvain Distin, who picked up a hamstring injury against Spurs last night, looks unlikely to be fit to face Aston Villa on Saturday. The Frenchman lasted 58 minutes at White Hart Lane and is expected to go for tests today to determine the extent of the injury.
Rio Ferdinand is a doubt for Manchester United’s home clash with Bolton this weekend. The centre-half took to twitter to inform his followers he has picked up a stomach bug and is struggling to be available for the weekend. Good news for owners of Jonny Evans, then- the Irishman has recovered from a calf problem and was on the bench for the 3-2 FA Cup win at Man City on Sunday.
Aston Villa have confirmed they have completed a loan move for LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane. The former Liverpool and Spurs man will be eligible to face Everton at the weekend and will remain in the midlands up to and including gameweek 26 when Villa travel to Wigan. Villa have been struggling for goals of late and the Midlanders will hope that Keane, who has 123 Premier League goals to his name, can reignite their stuttering season.
Tom Cleverley will be given more time to recover from his ankle ligament injury to ensure a total recovery. The young midfielder was originally scheduled to return to action over Christmas, but with Anderson and Paul Scholes returning to bolster the United midfield, the Old Trafford medical team are reluctant to bring Cleverley back into action until he is completely ready.
Kenny Dalglish has revealed that the injury sustained by midfielder Jay Spearing is not as serious as initially thought. Spearing pulled up with a hamstring injury last night after 23 minutes and was replaced by Charlie Adam. Dalglish said after the game:
It was his hamstring, but it wasn’t too bad. It just went a bit tight on him. I don’t think he has pulled anything, but we’ll have to wait until the morning when he gets back.
