Micah Richards’ hamstring problem is City’s only injury worry ahead of the visit of United. Rafael could be in line for the chop for the Etihad clash, Stephen Kelly hopes to return this weekend for Fulham, while Emmanuel Adebayor’s Spurs future is up in the air after reports of a bust-up with ‘Arry.
Roberto Mancini has revealed Micah Richards’ hamstring problem will be assessed prior to Monday’s Etihad clash with United. The right-back missed out on Sunday’s trip to Wolves with the injury and has played 90 minutes in just one of City’s last five Gameweeks, with Pablo Zabaleta establishing himself in Mancini’s back-four. The City boss also went on to say he’s a little concerned over Yaya Toure’s recent form, with the midfielder far from his best in the Molineux match last weekend:
If Yaya Toure is on form, he is a top player. But we need him to be 100 per cent and on Sunday he was so-so. We also need to check on Micah Richards to see how his hamstring is. Providing he has recovered, with Mario Balotelli back from suspension, we will have everyone.
Reports of a fallout between Harry Redknapp and Emmanuel Adebayor have Fantasy managers on red alert this week. The on-loan forward missed Saturday’s trip to QPR with an alleged hamstring problem and has been earmarked by many for a transfer-in ahead of the upcoming double Gameweek. With 13 goals and 12 assists to his name thus far, Adebayor has played a part in more goals than any other Spurs player but the media is awash with rumours that the pair have had a training ground bust up, with the Togo international unhappy over Redknapp’s criticism of his performances. Any possible absence leaves Tottenham with a striker shortage at present; Louis Saha is also a doubt due to a groin injury, leaving Jermain Defoe as the possible forward of choice ahead of Spurs’ home game with Blackburn and trip to Bolton next week.
Reports this morning suggest Rafael could be set for the chop after United conceded four to Everton at the weekend. The Mirror reckons the young Brazilian was singled out by Sir Alex Ferguson after United’s inability to see out a two-goal lead with seven minutes left allowed the Toffees to salvage a draw. While the league leaders have looked defensively solid in recent weeks – with six clean sheets in the previous seven – Ferguson is now expected to install either Phil Jones or Chris Smalling into the back-four ahead of Monday’s trip to the Etihad, as United look to preserve their three-point lead over City.
Stephen Kelly hopes to return to the Fulham fold this week after missing out in last Saturday’s win over Wigan. The right-back had played every minute of all but one of the Cottagers’ previous sixteen fixtures and, priced at 4.0, afforded a cut-price route into Martin Jol’s defence, but admitted yesterday he was forced to skip the Latics clash after breaking his wrist in the Gameweek 34 draw with Chelsea:
Hopefully it won’t be too long before I’m back playing. I sustained a slight break to my wrist but it’s something that I can hopefully get over and play with a cast on it. I got through the match against Chelsea and finished the game after it happened in the first half so that’s a good sign and fingers crossed I’ll be back soon. I’ll be looking to get back into training this week and get the confidence built up again. It’s a matter of getting back into training and hopefully it will feel good and I’ll be available at the weekend for the game against Everton.
Brendan Rodgers has revealed he expects Steven Caulker to be fully fit this weekend as Swansea take on relegated Wolves at the Liberty Stadium. The on-loan centre-half played the entire 90 minutes at the Reebok on Saturday, despite the fact he was suffering from the flu. Rodgers was full of praise for the defender’s display, going on to say:
How he got through the Bolton game I don’t know, because he had been up all night. He had flu, so for him to be out on the field was incredible. He is going to be a top player and performances like that show why.
