Antonio Valencia returns to the United squad ahead of tonight’s game in Bilbao. Roberto Mancini hopes to have Vincent Kompany back for City’s trip to Stoke, Nicklas Bendtner is likely to return for Sunderland’s FA Cup trip to Everton, while Hatem Ben Arfa’s recent displays are finally winning over Alan Pardew.
Antonio Valencia and Chris Smalling have both returned to the United squad ahead of this evening’s Europa League clash against Athletic Bilbao. While Smalling is fit enough only for the bench, the inclusion of Valencia will have Fantasy managers on alert. The champions’ obliging run of upcoming fixtures is likely to see plenty more investment in their Fantasy assets and Valencia – now down to 7.6 – is on many a radar after his performances prior to picking up a hamstring injury. The Ecuadorian started every game on the right between Gameweek 14 and 24 and, with two goals and 10 assists over those 12 fixtures, averaged 6.58 per game.
Nani, Phil Jones and Anderson all miss out on the trip to Spain. Sir Alex Ferguson revealed the latter is to be assessed in the next week or so and could be out for “four to five weeks” with a hamstring injury. Jones picked up the flu on Tuesday and with United’s trip to Wolves on Sunday, Ferguson is likely to be sweating on his availability.
Roberto Mancini’s press conference was full of little snippets for Fantasy managers. The City boss admitted that Carlos Tevez could be in the frame to play some part in next Tuesday’s home game against Chelsea as the club look to rediscover their scoring touch; with three forwards already vying for a starting role, this merely muddies the waters further. Mancini also revealed Pablo Zabaleta was likely to be available for the Gameweek 30 trip to Stoke, ruling him out of next Tuesday’ game against Chelsea. Gareth Barry has been struggling with illness and a back problem, while Joleon Lescott will definitely be ready for the Blues clash and is likely to be on the bench this evening. Finally, when asked on the fitness of Vincent Kompany, Mancini replied:
I would love to have him back for Sporting but if we don’t want to take any risk, maybe for Stoke.
Nicklas Bendtner is winning his fitness battle ahead of Sunderland’ FA Cup clash with Everton this weekend. The big Dane was stretchered off in Saturday’s win over Liverpool but Martin O’Neill has revealed the on-loan forward has returned to training and is confident of a quick recovery. With Stephane Sessegnon still suspended, Bendtner’s return would be a major boost to the Black Cats; he has scored -and picked up maximum bonus- in each of his last two league games.
Roy Hodgson has revealed both Keith Andrews and Peter Odemwingie are doubts for West Brom this weekend. The Baggies travel to Wigan on Saturday with the latter currently nursing a calf strain, while Andrews was reported to have picked up a knock. Both Billy Jones and Jerome Thomas could return against the Latics; the duo missed last week’s defeat at Old Trafford and, with Steven Reid ruled out for the season, Jones could come in at right-back, while Thomas is likely to battle Chris Brunt for a role on the left wing. It was reported yesterday that Marc-Antoine Fortune had picked up a knock but was expected to feature- the fact that Hodgson failed to mention him in today’s injury round-up suggests he has since recovered.
Aaron Hughes is fit and available for Fulham’s home showdown against Swansea this Saturday. The Irishman was absent due to a calf injury in last weekend’s loss at Villa but has confirmed he has since recovered. Hughes had played the previously three, in a run that saw the Cottagers pick up nine points and concede just one- Fantasy owners of Stephen Kelly and Philippe Senderos will be a little worried; with Hughes offering Martin Jol cover at both right-back and centre-half, either could potentially make way.
Alan Pardew has been full of praise for Hatem Ben Arfa’s recent displays this morning. The Frenchman has been one of Newcastle’s stand-out performers since coming on as a second-half sub against Sunderland in Gameweek 27, with a goal against Arsenal vindicating Pardew’s decision to drop Papiss Cisse and afford him a role behind Demba Ba. The Magpies boss has been quick to criticise the player’s application at times this season but has admitted he’s been thoroughly impressed of late, perhaps suggesting that Ben Arfa is set to play a more pivotal part in the final two months of the season:
I can’t fault him – I thought it was terrific. He’s got that in him – he can win games from nothing. It was a great goal and his workrate was terrific. You have to say that.
Andre Santos stepped up his recovery from an ankle injury by turning out for Arsenal’s reserves last night. The left-back –who hasn’t featured domestically since Gameweek 14 – was afforded a 60 minute run out against West Brom’s second string and sailed through without any problems. Both Santos and Kieran Gibbs have rarely been fit at the same time this season and with the latter now also recovered from recent problems, the final couple of months of the season may give us an insight into which one is Arsene Wenger’s preferred first-choice option.
Roberto Martinez has revealed he expects the experience of Shaun Maloney to play a crucial part in Wigan’s bid for survival. The Scot had been sidelined with a long-term calf problem but returned to the side last weekend for the first time since Gameweek 8, setting up Victor Moses’ equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Norwich. Martinez also admitted Hugo Rodallega is hoping to shake off a knee knock ahead of Saturday’s home clash with West Brom, while Albert Crusat is a doubt due to a toe problem.
