Scout Scribbles – Mata Set for Villa Return

Chelsea’s David Luiz will miss out but Juan Mata is ready to return for tonight’s Bridge encounter with Villa. Sandro steps up his injury recovery. Norwich’s Sebastian Bassong also edges closer to a comeback, while Arsene Wenger’s walking wounded get patched up in time for tonight’s Champions League playoff.

Luiz Remains Sidelined But Mata’s Back

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that defender David Luiz is still recovering from a hamstring injury. The Brazilian is unavailable for tonight’s game against Aston Villa and should return to full training next week.

“Normally David Luiz should be available for next week. He is not yet with the group, he is training with fitness coaches and physios. He is better but not yet ready.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Juan Mata says he has recovered from a minor muscle injury picked up during pre-season training in America and hopes to play a part in the Villa game. Mata explained:

“I came back, worked with the physios and on Thursday last week trained with the team for the first time, not at 100 per cent, but trying to get to my best and now I feel better and am looking forward to playing and starting my season.”

Significantly, Mourinho focused on his three attacking midfielders in yesterday’s press conference. Acknowledging that a lack of energy was obvious in the second-half against Hull, he went on to underline the fact that he has a trio of alternatives to swap in to help with potential fatigue issues…

“Because the score was 2-0 I didn’t want to change immediately but you could see when I put Schurrle and Lukaku on, the team gave a little push that made a difference to that second half – but we have to try because it is a style of play very adapted to the qualities of our players, not to three of them but to six because we play with three but we have Moses and Mata and Schurrle for the same positions, so even with a busy schedule we can use rotation and keep this same profile of players.”

The Scout Says: Luiz’s absence offers greater security for owners of John Terry and Gary Cahill who look set to continue in defence against Aston Villa tonight, while Monday night’s trip to Old Trafford also looks too early for Luiz. With no other injuries among the first team regulars, there remains a question mark over Branislav Ivanović’s place at right back, with César Azpilicueta now available. Ivanovic could shift to a central defensive role this evening, perhaps for Terry who could be preserved for Monday’s clash. Mourinho certainly can’t take too many risks in his rearguard against visitors Villa who, following the win at Arsenal, have scored in 10 of their last 11 league outings.

Mata looks a shoo-in for a substitute appearance in the Villa game at least, with Mourinho surely hoping the Spaniard can return to the first XI for Old Trafford. Mata’s return is likely to lead to a bench role for Kevin De Bruyne, who occupied the right wing berth at Hull. This is a position Mourinho has penciled in for the left-footed Mata. Eden Hazard’s start is also in question with Andre Schurrle available on the left and perhaps even Victor Moses a factor. However, with Oscar perhaps the more likely to make way, Hazard’s owners will go into tonight’s game optimistic that the Belgian will play some part. The same can be said for Romelu Lukaku who showed enough intent from the bench against Hull to warrant a start for tonight’s clash; Demba Ba does present another option for Mourinho, however.

Sandro steps up recovery

Brazilian midfielder Sandro played 67 minutes for Tottenham’s under-21 side as he continues his return to fitness from a knee injury that had sidelined him since January. The 24-year old earned an assist, which was watched by Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas and technical director Franco Baldini. This latest outing for Sandro follows a brief substitute appearance in Spurs’ final pre-season friendly against Espanyol.

The Scout Says: This run out for the Spurs defensive midfielder brings his inclusion in the first XI a step closer. A bench role looks more likely against Swansea this weekend, but it is not inconceivable that Villas-Boas may consider a starting role for the midfielder, who has made 62 appearances for Spurs since joining in 2010. This could herald a period of rotation in the Spurs midfield, which is already bristling with talent following the signing of Etienne Capoue earlier this month. If Villas-Boas continues with the 4-2-3-1 formation against Crystal Palace that leaves Paulinho, Mousa Dembele, Sandro and Etienne Capoue competing for just two central midfield roles. However, Sandro’s return could also allow Villas Boas to switch to a 4-3-3 formation, meaning just one of that quartet will miss out with Gylfi Sigurdsson’s role behind the striker perhaps under threat from Paulinho who could be pushed further forward in a 4-3-3. Indeed, with rumours circulating of bids for both Willian and Erik Lamela amid the likely departure of Gareth Bale, Fantasy managers may decide to steer clear of the Spurs midfield until the transfer window slams shut and we are afforded a clearer assessment of the situation – in the meantime, Roberto Soldado looks the obvious option ahead of Sunday’s home clash with Swansea.

Bassong Close To First Team Return

Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong played the full 90 minutes against Aston Villas in an Under 21 clash this week. This was the centre-back’s second game for the Canaries’ second string side this month, having played an hour against Stoke’s reserves last week.

The Scout Says: With 150 minutes of football now under his belt, team captain Bassong is almost certain to reclaim his place at the heart of the Norwich defence this weekend when the Canaries travel to Hull. After leaking two goals against Everton last weekend, Norwich’s defence could certainly do with his presence. This could be bad news for Russell Martin or Michael Turner. Manager Chris Hughton’s options include shifting club captain Martin to right back, a move that would seem harsh on Steven Whittaker, who scored one and laid on another in the 2-2 with the Toffees. Alternatively, Hughton may decide to bench Turner against his former club to allow Bassong to return. Owners of Whittaker, Turner and Martin face a nervous wait for Norwich’s next teamsheet with the smart money on the recent Whittaker investors being disappointed.

Gunners Patched For Turkey Trip

Despite picking up knocks during the 3-1 Emirates defeat against Aston Villa at the weekend, Bacary Sagna and Keiran Gibbs should be available for tonight’s Champion’s League qualifier against Fenerbahce in Turkey. Gibbs has recovered from a cut above the eye and Sagna avoided serious injury after falling awkwardly. Aaron Ramsey and Tomas Rosicky have also shaken off knocks and long term absentee Nacho Monreal is expected to return to the squad.

The Scout Says: Despite these key players emerging unscathed from the Aston Villa clash the Arsenal squad is still threadbare going into this crucial Champions League clash and the weekend’s trip to Fulham. Long terms injuries to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mikel Arteta and Thomas Vermaelen together with Laurent Koscielny’s one-match ban for two yellows against Villa, leave Wenger woefully short of options. The Arsenal manager can ill afford to rest stars like Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla or Olivier Giroud for tonight’s first leg and you have to question just what impact this will have come Saturday. Arsenal are the first in action at the weekend, kicking off at 12.45 at the Cottage, despite having to endure the rigours of tonight’s clash and the journey back.

City Continue to Sweat On Kompany Injury

Man City were forced to postpone scans on Vincent Kompany’s groin injury and are still uncertain as to the extent of the damage sustained. Reports suggests that the City skipper may have suffered a tear which would keep the Belgian sidelined until after the international break. We are due to find out more later today.

The Scout Says: The optimistic view is that City have lost Kompany for at least a fortnight which will see him miss the matches at Cardiff and against Hull – two prime candidates for City clean sheets. With the international break, there is a chance that Kompany could be back in the reckoning for the Gameweek 4 trip to Stoke – hardly a fixture designed to ease a player back from injury. There is, however, the issue of Belgium’s World Cup Qualifier with Scotland which could spark a club vs country battle.

Kompany’s absence will come as a bitter blow to City and his Fantasy owners alike. Manuel Pellegrini can, at least, welcome back Matija Nastasic to training and he could even come into contention for the trip to Wales. With Micah Richards sidelined, the Chilean’s options are certainly limited and that may deter any investment in the City defence during Kompany’s absence, despite the clean sheet against the Magpies. Pablo Zabaleta remains the key target for those seeking to gamble on City’s rearguard without Kompany’s assured presence.