Kenny Dalglish may freshen up his first XI for the visit of Fulham tomorrow. Arsenal confirm the signing of Lukas Podolski, while Abou Diaby could be sidelined yet again. Yohan Cabaye and Danny Simpson are nursing knocks ahead of the midweek trip to Chelsea, while Ji-Sung Park could be handed a start for United’s clash with City this evening:
Kenny Dalglish has hinted earlier today that rest and rotation are likely to play a major part in his thinking for tomorrow’s game with Fulham. With the FA Cup Final against Chelsea taking place on Saturday, the Liverpool boss has admitted he’s keen to keep his squad refreshed in order to have as many options as possible for the Wembley showdown. Dalglish rested the likes of Martin Skrtel at Carrow Road and received a boost today, with the news that Andy Carroll has now fully recovered from the â€niggle†that kept him out of the 3-0 win on Saturday evening – both look in line for a call-up for the Cottagers clash, as the Reds boss revealed:
We’ve said to all of the players we want to give you the best possible chance to be available for selection on Saturday. We want the strongest possible squad we can to pick from Saturday’s game, and there are many ways we can do it. If someone needs a break we’ll give them a break and if someone needs a game we will give them a game, because every single one of them are more than capable of playing in a cup final for this club. It’s going to be a difficult selection as it always is but it’s a difficult selection for tomorrow night as well. Everybody will be treated fairly and equally and everybody will be allowed to put their CV in for selection on Saturday.
Arsenal have officially announced the capture of Lucas Podolski from FC Cologne on a long-term deal. Arsene Wenger admitted a few weeks ago he planned to tie up his transfer dealings prior to the Euro 2012 summer tournament and has been true to his word, snapping up the services of the long-term Gunners target for an undisclosed fee. Despite his club sitting in third bottom in the Bundesliga right now, Podolski has been in superb form up front – he is the fourth top scorer in Germany’s top-flight, scoring 18 of his side’s 34 goals thus far. Wenger went on to say:
We are delighted to secure the deal for Lukas and see him as an important part of our future. He is a top-class player, a very good finisher and a proven performer at club and international level. He is a very strong player and will provide us with good attacking options.
Abou Diaby’s injury jinx has reportedly struck again. The midfielder came on as a second-half cub in Arsenal’s draw at Stoke last weekend but it is alleged he has now picked up a thigh injury which could keep him out of action for several weeks – with Mikel Arteta already out for the season, the news merely further adds to Wenger’s central midfield woes.
David Moyes has admitted he has one or two concerns ahead of Everton’s trip to Stoke tomorrow evening. The Toffees boss also revealed that although Leighton Baines is making good progress from a hamstring injury, the left-back is almost certainly out of the Potters showdown:
Leighton Baines is getting better. He’ll have a chance for maybe next week but we’ll need to wait and see. Otherwise, we’ve got a couple of knocks and bruises from the weekend so we’ll see how we are come the game.
While he was typically reluctant to name names, Moyes dismissed the notion of rotation, going on to say:
I think we’ll play what we think is the best team which gives us the best chance of winning. That’s what we always try to do here. We try to win every game we play and we try and pick teams which can do that.
Reports suggest Sir Alex Ferguson is considering a call-up for Ji-Sung Park for this evening’s trip to the Etihad. Having seen his side ship four to Everton last weekend, the United boss is apparently considering a five-man midfield in an attempt to nullify City’s attacking threat. Jonny Evans is allegedly a doubt for the clash, with Chris Smalling on standby to partner Rio Ferdinand in the event of the Irishman’s absence.
Alan Pardew has revealed Yohan Cabaye and Danny Simpson both picked up knocks in Newcastle’s defeat at Wigan on Saturday. The pair were subbed off in the final 10 minutes of the DW match but Pardew reckons the duo should be “okay†for Wednesday’s trip to Chelsea.
Harry Redknapp has revealed that Scott Parker missed out for Spurs yesterday due to an Achilles problem. The midfielder had only just returned from a hamstring problem in the previous Gameweek but was unable to train on Saturday, according to his manager. With Sandro producing a strong display alongside Luka Modric in the heart of midfield, Redknapp may choose not to risk Parker for Wednesday’s crucial trip to Bolton, with the London outfit desperate for points in their race for fourth.
Owen Coyle revealed he has a couple of injury concerns ahead of Spurs’ visit. Gretar Steinsson missed out on Saturday’s trip to Sunderland through injury, while Nigel Reo-Coker picked up a knock in the Black Cats draw and will be assessed prior to Wednesday’s game.
