Bacary Sagna closes in on a return for Arsenal. Tim Krul is ruled out for Newcastle’s trip to Everton, Andy Carroll is sidelined for West Ham, David Platt admits Man City will need to rotate, Michael Laudrup confesses that he’s facing a tricky decision regarding his widemen this weekend, whilst confirming that Ben Davies will line up at left-back at Villa…
Arsene Wenger gave Fantasy managers a handy injury update yesterday. Bacary Sagna is also through to be just two weeks away from return, giving Fantasy owners of current right-back, Carl Jenkinson, plenty advanced warning. Jenkinson has picked up plenty interest due to his bargain price across the Fantasy games but Sagna will surely slot straight back into the side when fit.
Abou Diaby is rated “50-50” for the visit of Southampton, though with Wenger hinting at a busy upcoming schedule, it may be that the Frenchman won’t be risked, given his injury history. Wojciech Szczesny is fit to return in goal for the Gunners but with Vito Mannone registering back-to-back clean sheets, it remains to be seen whether the Pole will automatically return to the first XI.
Emmanuel Frimpong will return to first-team training next week and could come into contention for Diaby’s central midfield slot if the latter failed to quickly recover from his hip problem – Jack Wilshere is “not far away” from a return either, according to his manager. Theo Walcott is also still a doubt – he has yet to recover from the virus that ruled him out of England’s draw with Ukraine on Tuesday.
Alan Pardew has confirmed that Tim Krul is set for a spell on the sidelines after injuring an elbow whilst on international duty for Holland. The Newcastle boss admitted yesterday:
“Tim is certainly out for the next two or three games, which is a shame because he had done absolutely brilliantly in getting the number one shirt for Holland, which we were all proud of. It (the injury) was a blow to him but it gives an opportunity to our other keepers, who have trained very well and are looking to play. In some respects he can take an enforced break and hopefully come back and kick on again.”
The news is likely to give Steve Harper a chance between the sticks for Monday’s trip to Everton but with Pardew also admitting skipper Fabricio Coloccini was “struggling” to be ready for Goodison, faith in Newcastle’s defensive assets has taken a real blow. While owners of Steven Taylor consider benching the centre-half, Nikica Jelavic could well be an outside bet for armband material in light of this news.
Sam Allardyce has confirmed that Andy Carroll will miss tomorrow’s trip to Norwich. The on-loan forward limped off with a hamstring problem against Fulham a fortnight ago and his manager admitted yesterday:
“We haven’t put a specific date for his return. We think it will be the maximum of six weeks. He is improving well so we will continue day-by-day and take it from there. We won’t put any pressure on him to return by a certain date, but if there is a possibility we can get him back quicker than expected we will try to make that happen.”
While Carroll remains sidelined, Allardyce stressed he has confidence in Carlton Cole to lead the line as he attempts to grab a third win of the new campaign. The Hammers boss then went on to reveal that, aside from Carroll and Jack Collison, he has a fully fit squad to choose from – great news for owners of Guy Demel and James Collins, after both were subbed off with knocks in the Gameweek 3 win over Fulham.
Steve Clarke will be without the services of Jerome Thomas for another couple of weeks after the winger underwent a minor knee operation. The Baggies boss is sweating on the fitness of Steven Reid – the right-back has started all three games so far but was subbed off just after half-time in the 2-0 win over Everton due to a hamstring problem; any absence is likely to hand Billy Jones or Gonzalo Jara a first-team chance away to Fulham.
Man City assistant boss David Platt has talked up the club’s need for squad rotation ahead of next week’s first round of Champions League matches. With a trip to Stoke followed up by a visit to Real Madrid, Platt hinted:
“I think we will see the benefit of having the size and quality of squad we’ve got because we will be playing every three days right up until Christmas. That’s when, strategically, you’ve got to pick the right teams both physically and tactically. The balance of the squad is good in terms of the alternatives that we’ve got. I think we’ve got more strength in depth than we did have. We’ve got a lot of players to choose from. I think the manager is delighted with the way things have gone.”
Already, City have fielded five of the same outfield players in their first three matches; Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez, Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabaleta. Whilst the first three continue to look assured starters, the latter pair could well be under threat from new boys Scott Sinclair and Maicon. With Micah Richards only two weeks away from a comeback, the competition for places is likely to place question marks against the vast majority of City’s assets over the new few weeks.
Michael Laudrup has also given an indication that he is set to utilise his squad following a number of new arrivals. Speaking on the club’s options out wide, the Swansea boss revealed:
“We have three players for two positions, we have three great players and we all know Saturday is not the only game. We have a lot of games and to have three such good players is good for everyone. It is good for us as a club. Two will start and one will be on bench, and in some games we have the options to play all three. It brings competition and that means they will always keep themselves under pressure. If we had this in all positions it would be very good.”
With Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer starting the season in such strong form, it may mean that new boy Pablo Hernandez could be set for a place on the bench at Villa this weekend. Clearly, though, Laudrup looks set to hand all three game time over the course of the season, a scenario which only helps cement Michu as the most reliable Swans midfielder, with his role in “the hole” seemingly unrivalled.
Laudrup has at least confirmed his thinking when it comes to the left-back role. With Neil Taylor sidelined for the season, Swansea moved to secure the services of Dutchman Dwight Tiendalli on a one-year deal to provide cover. However, it will be Ben Davies who claims the shirt at Villa Park…
“Ben did great against Sunderland and he will play…But we have brought in Dwight because you need more than one player in each position, and also because it is not fair to ask a 19-year-old to play all season in the Premier League.”
That is welcome news for Fantasy managers who can now turn to the budget prospect in the Swans defence, safe in knowledge that the position is perhaps his to lose. Strangely, Tiendalli is yet to be added to the player list in the Fantasy Premier League game, although Davies is of course available as 4.0 option with a 3.6 price in the Sky Sports game compared to Tiendalli’s 4.1.
After the player himself tweeted he should be fit for the weekend clash with Liverpool, Martin O’Neill has played his cards a little closer to his chest with regards to Adam Johnson…
”Adam is progressing quite nicely, which is good, but I don’t know yet. It’s too early to know whether he’ll be available but it would be great if he could make it.”
Alongside team-mate James McClean, since moving to the Stadium of Light Johnson has marked himself as a midfielder on many Fantasy manager’s radars. His absence would be keenly noticed but, fortunately for Sunderland, they have a ready-made replacement in Seb Larsson waiting in the wings. The Swede, of course, previously played on the right of the Wearsiders midfield until Johnson’s recent arrival forced him to adopt a new position in the middle of the park so should be a more than able deputy if Johnson fails to make the visit of Brendan Rodgers’ side.
