Arsene Wenger is wary of burn-out in the case of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Mark Hughes talks up Adel Taarabt, Stoke appeal Robert Huth’s sending off against Sunderland, Ryan Taylor’s injury is not as bad as first feared, while Emmanuel Frimpong is out for the season after picking up a serious injury against QPR:
Wolves were dealt a bitter blow this afternoon with the news that midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong is ruled out for the rest of the reason. The on-loan midfielder had started all five of the club’s league games since moving from Arsenal in the New Year but scans have revealed he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the weekend win over QPR. Frimpong will now return to his parent club to begin surgery and rehabilitation.
Stoke have confirmed they will appeal the red card handed out to Robert Huth by referee Martin Atkinson in the weekend home defeat by Sunderland. The German is currently due to be sidelined for three matches if the ban stands but Tony Pulis feels the club have a strong case and is confident of seeing it rescinded, saying:
We have studied all the evidence again and are convinced there was no intent. Robert was actually trying to pull out of the challenge.
Arsene Wenger has revealed he is wary of over-using Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the second half of the season. The young winger has come to prominence since Gervinho’s departure to the African Cup of Nations and a brace against Blackburn at the weekend saw plenty Fantasy investment and a price hike to 5.8. Oxlade-Chamberlain has now started the Gunners’ last three league games and his manager has admitted he will use caution over the next few months, saying:
That’s what happened to us last year with Jack Wilshere, it was exactly the same. At the start of the season you think, ‘I will play him 20 games, maybe 25’. When they deliver a performance [like Saturday’s] they play 45 and then they play for the national team and then they get injured. It’s very difficult to manage because people understand very quickly what kind of influence the players have. You want to win the game so you play them.
Newcastle released an injury update on Leon Best and Ryan Taylor this morning, after both were subbed off in Sunday’s win over Villa. While Best is set to be sidelined for a number of weeks, scans have revealed Taylor sustained no more than soft tissue damage following Stephen Warnock’s challenge. Good news, then, for his 38% Fantasy owners, with Taylor already undergoing treatment for the injury ahead of next weekend’s trip to Spurs.
Mark Hughes has been singing the praises of Adel Taarabt, following the Moroccan’s impressive showing at the weekend. Taarabt had drifted in and out of the side under Neil Warnock and has so far been a massive disappointment, with no goals or assists to his name after sixteen appearances for QPR. Hughes’ comments certainly suggest he has complete faith in the winger’s abilities, and with (bla, FUL, EVE, bol) up next for the London outfit, Taarabt looks set to be key to his new manager’s thinking:
His effort and his application, along with his ability – which he showed on numerous occasions – was outstanding. His defensive work, which apparently hasn’t been the greatest in the past, was thoroughly impressive – I didn’t see any problems with that side to his game at all. We’ll get the best out of him and he’ll have a real impact until the end of the season. I’ve got no doubt his ability will be a factor in the games we have ahead of us.
