Jose Enrique looks set to return for Liverpool. Tom Cleverley will play some part for United. Alan Pardew expects to be without Ryan Taylor for the trip to Tottenham, Mick McCarthy has concerns in midfield, while Mark Hughes is hopeful Akos Buzsaky will recover in time for tomorrow’s showdown at Ewood Park..
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Tom Cleverley will play a part in tomorrow’s lunchtime clash with Liverpool. The midfielder, who has featured just once since gameweek 4 and has been sidelined since October with an ankle injury, was due for a run out with United’s reserves earlier in the week but, with the game being cancelled, is lacking in match fitness and may have to settle for a bench role. The United boss also conceded in this morning’s press conference that, while Chris Smalling could be involved, Phil Jones will miss out once again, with the latter expected to be available for next week’s Europa League game with Ajax. Nani and Anderson both look set to miss out, though, with Ferguson admitting:
There’s not much change on the injury front for us. I think Smalling could be available, but all the rest is as it was last Sunday.
Kenny Dalglish has confirmed this morning he expects to have Jose Enrique available for tomorrow’s trip to Old Trafford. Enrique missed Monday’s home draw with Spurs due to a stiff back, with Glen Johnson moving to left-back and Martin Kelly coming in at right-back, but the Spaniard should return for the game at Old Trafford, according to his manager:
We’re looking alright, I don’t think we’re too bad and we should have everybody to choose from. If we say everybody, I think that includes Jose Enrique.
Mick McCarthy revealed he has a few injury concerns ahead of Wolves’ crucial home clash with West Brom on Sunday. Jamie O’Hara, Dave Edwards and Kevin Foley are all currently doubts for the midlands derby, with groin, thigh and ankle problems respectively. O’Hara only just returned to action last week after a double hernia operation kept him sidelined since Gameweek 15, but his manager conceded the player hasn’t trained and adds to his considerable problems in midfield, with Karl Henry still suspended and Emmanuel Frimpong returning to Arsenal after a season-ending knee injury:
That is not impressing me too much. We could do without any more injuries but we will wait and see where we are. It leaves us short in midfield but we will see where we are in the next couple of days. I’m hoping they will be okay.
Mark Hughes is hopeful he will have Akos Buzsaky available for tomorrow’s trip to Blackburn. The Hungarian impressed in Hughes’ first two games in charge, grabbing a goal in the 3-1 win over Wigan, but has missed the last couple due to an Achilles injury. Hughes also went on to confirm that Luke Young has been ruled out of the Ewood Park showdown, along with Heidar Helguson and DJ Campbell.
Alan Pardew has conceded he expects to be without the services of Ryan Taylor for the weekend trip to Tottenham. The Newcastle utility man was subbed off just after the half-hour mark in the 2-1 win over Villa last Sunday after a challenge by Stephen Warnock and, while scans have revealed there was no broken bones, his recovery from soft tissue damage is likely to last a little longer.
Pardew also admitted he is unsure as to whether Leon Best will play again this season, after the Irishman sustained medial ligament damage in the Villa game. Best was initially expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks but his manager was much more pessimistic yesterday, revealing the chances of seeing Best again this term are “very doubtful”.
Steve Kean has revealed Chris Samba is currently suffering from back and hamstring problems and is ruled out of Saturday’s game with QPR. The Rovers boss has been refusing to field Samba despite his previous availability, due to the player’s unrest, but the Rovers skipper pulled out of a reserve game on Tuesday with the injuries and will not be risked this weekend.
Gabby Agbonlahor is hoping to be fit for Villa’s game with Man City on Sunday afternoon. He’s missed the last two matches due to a hamstring problem but has been receiving round-the-clock treatment in order to be available for the showdown with the league leaders. The player admitted:
It’s been annoying with the back and hamstring problem I’ve had. But it’s improving. I’ve been staying behind after most players have gone for the day to do additional work to get fit as soon as I can. I’m getting plenty of physio and massage and I’m really eager to be back as soon as I can. Manchester City is going to be a big match and, if possible, I want to be involved. I’m working really hard to be fit.
Marouane Chamakh has returned to full fitness and looks set to be included in Arsenal’s squad for the trip to Sunderland. Kieran Gibbs is nearing full fitness and may also travel to the Stadium of Light, while Carl Jenkinson is a fortnight away from returning to full training. Arsene Wenger also admitted this morning that Abou Diaby is still unavailable due to a muscle injury, and Emmanuel Frimpong has undergone surgery on ruptured knee ligaments, with the Gunners boss expecting the midfielder back in the autumn.
Tomorrow’s game with Sunderland is set to be Thierry Henry’s last league match before the Frenchman returns to New York Red Bulls. Wenger had been hoping to extend Henry’s loan deal to allow him to play in the gameweek 26 game with Spurs, but the former Gunners skipper is set to leave on 17th February, with a Champions League swansong against Milan now on the cards instead.
