Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed Gareth Bale will return to Tottenham’s squad for Sunday’s vital home clash with City. Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe are both back for the north London outfit as they attempt to get their bid for a third place finish back on track.
With a double Gameweek 36 edging ever closer, today’s news will undoubtedly get the Bale bandwagon up and running. Although Villas-Boas wouldn’t quite confirm whether he’ll start with the Welshman after his recent spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury, there’s every likelihood he’ll make an instant return to the first XI:
“I am pretty confident [Bale will be fit]. He’s made good progress from the beginning of the week to be training with the team so I think he will definitely up for selection. Is he fit to start? This is obviously a decision that I have to make and I don’t make it public. There has been a good recovery obviously from Defoe so he’s trained with the team all week. Gazza has been training also, just the last two days with the team but on his own since the beginning of the week. Lennon has been recovering progressively, there is still a chance. He hasn’t trained with the team yet so there is one more training session to go. All of them are in with a chance of making the selection.”
Rafa Benitez may be set for some defensive reinforcements as he prepares to travel to former club Liverpool. The Chelsea boss revealed both Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill have returned to training but is still uncertain as to whether either will play a part at Anfield:
“It is good news. We have had Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole training today so that was really positive… Maybe it is too early, but we will see tomorrow after another training session.”
David Moyes reckons there’s only “an outside chance” of Leon Osman returning in time for Everton’s trip to Sunderland. Osman’s absence could see Marouane Fellaini continue in a more withdrawn role with Ross Barkley tucked in behind Victor Anichebe once again if Moyes sticks with the same side that drew at Arsenal on Tuesday evening.
Damien Duff remains sidelined for Fulham with a groin problem, while Martin Jol has also revealed Sascha Riether will be assessed after picking up a knock against Chelsea on Wednesday. Steve Sidwell returns for the Cottagers, though, after serving a three-match ban.
With Newcastle still licking their wounds after Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby defeat, Alan Pardew had further cause for concern today. Cheick Tiote is “a big doubt” for tomorrow’s trip to West Brom after picking up another hamstring problem, while Sylvain Marveaux is out due to a groin strain. Given that the likes of Tim Krul, Fabricio Coloccini and Davide Santon are all unavailable, Fantasy faith in Romelu Lukaku and co looks set to be boosted for the Hawthorns clash. Pardew has also admitted he is likely to continue utilising Hatem Ben Arfa as a sub as the Frenchman continues to edge his way back to full match fitness after a series of hamstring injuries this season.
Finally, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky have all been pictured training for Arsenal earlier today, suggesting they are likely to be available return for tomorrow afternoon’s trip to Fulham as Arsene Wenger’s side look to bounce back from Tuesday’s disappointing draw with Everton.
As always, this has all been collected for you in our team news section, where you’ll find our current predicted lineups for the weekend matches.
Rate My Team has been updated to reflect the very latest with the Projections due their update in a short while.
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