Roberto Mancini admits he is concerned over David Silva’s current lack of form. Owen Coyle is wary of overusing Ryo Miyaichi, Martin O’Neill hints at more game time for Connor Wickham, while Aston Villa are likely to continue with a depleted backline for the trip to Liverpool:
As City’s title bid goes rapidly off the rails, Roberto Mancini has revealed his growing worries over the form of David Silva. With a single assist in the last nine Gameweeks, the Spaniard has plummeted in our Fantasy estimations – a drop from 10.6 to 9.7 since Gameweek 27 is indicative of the loss of faith. Silva has been subbed off around the hour mark in each of his last two appearances, with his manager reckoning the heavy fixture schedule is taking its toll:
I don’t know how many games David has played for us in the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, Carling Cup, FA Cup plus internationals. But it’s normal that a player can arrive at a moment when he can’t play 100 per cent. David always plays here [indicates high level with hand] and now maybe he is here [drops hand lower to chest]. This is normal, but I hope he can recover.
Owen Coyle has admitted he is keen to protect the fitness of Ryo Miyaichi ahead of Bolton’s Easter schedule, with the on-loan winger likely to take it easy in training prior to the weekend match against Fulham. The Trotters boss felt Miyaichi looked a little fatigued against Wolves last weekend and subbed off the youngster on 76 minutes at Molineux in order to keep him fresh:
For Ryo’s part, there has been an awful lot asked of the kid, with the amount of games he’s had. I thought he was feeling it a little bit in his legs at the end of the (Wolves) game. We will need to get him rested up as best as we can to make sure he’s ready to play a part this weekend.
Martin O’Neill has revealed he is keen to afford some of Sunderland’s fringe players a first-team opportunity over the remainder of the campaign. The Black Cats boss feels his side are now safe from the drop and is considering his options ahead of the last seven Gameweeks:
I’m aware that players like Connor (Wickham) and Ji (Dong-won) will be disappointed not to have had more time on the pitch. Now that we’ve passed the 40-point mark there’s maybe the opportunity to use the squad more. It would be nice during the course of the next seven matches if some of the younger lads get more of a chance to set them up for the summer, but that’s the challenge for them. It’s great when players come into the side and prove they’re worthy of staying in it, and that’s what I’d like to see happen. But we still want to finish this season very strongly and they’ll have to merit their inclusion.
The mention of Wickham, in particular, could be significant for Nicklas Bendtner. While the Dane has been in sparkling form of late, he is, of course, on loan at the Stadium of Light – O’Neill has recently admitted he hasn’t thought about a possible permanent deal. Wickham has played a mere eight minutes of the last nine Gameweeks but, as a permanent member of the Black Cats squad, could be set for an upturn in game time, with the pressure now off.
Youssouf Mulumbu is keen for a quick return to action for West Brom after being rested for last weekend’s trip to Everton. The midfielder had started the last ten for the Baggies but sat out the Goodison encounter, with Paul Scharner and Keith Andrews handed the central midfield berths in the 2-0 defeat. Fully refreshed, Mulumbu is pressing for a start ahead of the home clash with Blackburn, as Hodgson looks to guide his side past the magical 40 point mark this weekend.
Aston Villa are sweating on the fitness of three players ahead of this weekend’s trip to Liverpool. Alex McLeish admitted both Charles N’Zogbia and Alan Hutton have an “outside chance” of returning for the Anfield encounter, while Carlos Cuellar is struggling to make the next two games due to a thigh problem. With Erich Lichaj and Nathan Baker deputising in the back-four last week, Villa shipped four goals against Chelsea – good news, then, for Kenny Dalgish’s side, as they look to get back to winning ways following a dire run of six defeats in the last seven. McLeish also admitted Ciaran Clark has suffered a slight setback in his battle against the knee problem that has kept him sidelined since Gameweek 24.
Mohamed Diame is set for a return to full fitness this weekend, as Wigan make their way to Chelsea. The midfielder has been a peripheral part of the Latics’ first XI since returning from the African Cup of Nations, making just four appearances from the bench but could be reinstalled to the starting lineup, according to Roberto Martinez:
Momo has trained really well this week, and I am working under the assumption he will be fully-fit for the last seven fixtures. He has responded very well to treatment, and we just need to make sure we tailor his programme to make sure he gets back to exactly the same level he was at earlier in the season.
Wigan are likely to be without Hugo Rodallega at the Bridge, though. Martinez revealed the forward has yet to train all week as he struggles to overcome a knee injury.
