Scout Scribbles – Kompany Targets Quick Return

Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany hopes to be back from injury in time for Gameweek 4. Christian Benteke, Kenwyne Jones, Hatem Ben Arfa and Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu all shine in the Capital One Cup, while Swansea’s injury woes continue ahead of Sunday’s trip to West Brom:

Kompany Could Return After International Break

Vincent Kompany is penciling in a swift return to action after picking up a groin strain in Manchester City’s 4-0 victory over Newcastle in Gameweek 1. Speaking to the club’s official website, the centre back revealed he hopes to be back after the international break – potentially putting him in contention for September 14’s clash away to Stoke City:

There is a protocol to follow with any injury and there is a time scale that goes with that. If I follow that schedule, I know when I’ll be back in a certain amount of weeks and possibly sooner.

The Scout says: Badly missed during Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Cardiff, Kompany’s return simply cannot come soon enough for the light blue half of Manchester. In his absence, it remains to be seen how City’s rearguard will hold up against Hull City this weekend, though Matija Nastasic is expected to return to the XI alongside Joleon Lescott. Should Kompany’s optimism be justified, then Lescott’s run in the first team could prove short-lived – those considering Lescott as a transfer target for a Chelsea defender or Liverpool’s injured Kolo Toure this week may well be advised to look elsewhere.

Campbell’s Weekend Start Looks Secure

Having seen his side defeat City last Sunday, Malky Mackay made 11 changes as Cardiff travelled to Accrington Stanley. Despite the wholesale alterations, the visitors ran out 2-0 victors but the result was somewhat soured by another ankle injury to Andreas Cornelius after the summer signing was stretchered off just before the break.

The Scout Says: Sidelined for the season opener at West Ham with a similar complaint, the big Dane’s absence has afforded Fraizer Campbell the chance to lead the line as Mackay’s lone forward. While Cornelius was fit enough for the bench last weekend, a lack of match sharpness handed Campbell another opportunity – two goals and an assist against City has already persuaded over 92,000 FPL managers to snap him up ahead of a home clash against Everton. Although the early prognosis suggests it’s no more than a sprain, Mackay has revealed Cornelius is likely to miss the Toffees clash as he awaits further scans. Campbell’s start against Roberto Martinez’ side looks more secure than ever now, with his only real competition potentially set for another spell in the Bluebirds’ treatment room.

Benteke in the Goals Again

Aston Villa bounced back from last Saturday’s narrow home defeat by Liverpool after seeing off Rotherham 3-0 last night. Paul Lambert named a strong side (though left-back Antonio Luna was sidelined with an unspecified injury) and watched on as Christian Benteke grabbed a goal and assist, while Andreas Weimann and Gabby Agbonlahor also maintained their impressive opening form with a goal and assists respectively.

The Scout Says: Having failed to find the net against Brendan Rodgers’ side and with a blank Gameweek this weekend, Benteke has seen more than 57,000 FPL managers jump ship as they freshen up their three-man frontlines for the weekend. The Belgian has quickly shown his weekend display was no more than a temporary blip and has now found the net four times in four first-team games this term – with showdowns against Newcastle, Norwich and Hull in three of the four fixtures from Gameweek 4 onwards, he looks primed for further returns. Those who shed him from their sides could quickly be ruing their decision.

Jones Powers the Potters Through

Kenwyne Jones blasted a hat-trick to ensure that Stoke overcame Capital One Cup opponents Walsall and got their name in the third round draw. Jones was one of eight changes made to the Stoke lineup following their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. Break Shea and Wilson Palacios made returns from injury and illness in midfield. Oussama Assaidi was also given a 45 minute run-out in his Stoke debut following his recent loan move from Liverpool. Hughes’ praise was reserved for Jones, post-match, however…

“I’m really pleased for Kenwyne because he worked really hard in pre-season and up to now hasn’t had that many opportunities. He acquitted himself really well, put himself about and showed the energy and power that he has. He’s a great guy and we want him to be successful here. He’s got all the attributes but for whatever reason it hasn’t possibly quite happened here as he would have liked. He’s got an opportunity; we’re playing in a slightly different way now and I think that will suit him.”

The Scout Says: Jones’ goals could be timely and will undoubtedly hand Mark Hughes food for thought ahead of the trip to West Ham. Peter Crouch is yet to get off the mark this term and has just 3 goals in his last 32 appearances for the club. Hughes certainly indicates that the door is open for Jones to stake a claim, although Fantasy managers have seen the big striker spurn opportunities for a run of starts in the past. Priced at 5.0 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), it remains to be seen if Jones can displace Crouch, although, in all likelihood, Hughes will be looking to strengthen up front before the transfer window closes. Elsewhere, the inclusion of Wilson Palacios indicates that he may now ready to return to the fray. He started ahead of Marc Wilson at Anfield on the opening day but was unable to take his place in the Stoke lineup. The former Spurs man could now replace Wilson in his midfield role for the West Ham trip.

Swansea’s Injury Woes Continue

Swansea will be without a quintet of key players for their second leg Europa League play off tie with Romanian side Petrolul Ploiesti tonight. Captain Ashley Williams and midfielder Jonjo Shelvey are sidelined with knee injuries, while Wilfried Bony will miss out due to an ankle complaint. In addition Nathan Dyer has been unable to travel due to an ongoing hamstring problem and left back Neil Taylor faces up to six weeks out due to severe bruising and swelling to the thigh.

The Scout says: With a 5-1 lead going into the tie, Swans boss Michael Laudrup can certainly afford not to take any chances with the recovery of key players. While it may transpire that many may be nursing no more than niggles, until we hear further from Laudrup it has to be assumed the likes of Williams and Bony are injury doubts going into this weekend’s away clash with West Bromwich Albion. Bony and Shelvey’s absence places further pressure on Michu to deliver against the Baggies’ robust defence.

Deulofeu Shines On Full Everton Debut

Everton’s Spanish teenager Gerard Deulofeu scored on his first full debut as the Toffees edged past Stevenage in the Capital One Cup last night. Deulofeu, who is on loan for a year from Barcelona and scored 18 times for the Barcelona B side last season, grabbed a goal with a left foot finish in the 45^th minute. He lasted the full 120 minutes of an encounter which the hosts eventually won 2-1 in extra time thanks to a goal from Marouane Fellaini, who came on in the 96^th minute to replace Ross Barkley.

Manager Roberto Martinez used the encounter to rest a raft of first team players with Tony Hibbert playing at right back for 66 minutes, before being replaced by Seamus Coleman. Leighton Baines, who continues to be linked with a move to Manchester United was an unused sub. Sylvain Distin was the other substitute, coming on for Phil Jagielka in the 46^th minute. Arouna Kone also played in the place of Jelavic, while both goals were assisted by Steven Naismith.

The Scout Says: Ross Barkley’s Fantasy owners will be hoping his 96 minute stint doesn’t raise any question marks as to whether he will start against Cardiff at the weekend, though Darron Gibson’s continued absence through injury is likely to see him retain his berth against the Bluebirds. In attack Kone hardly put forward a good case to replace Nikica Jelavic as Everton’s centre forward, instead it was Deulofeu who emerged as the standout player in this largely second string side. Although Martinez has said the Spanish winger is unlikely to feature regularly in the first team until 2014, the teenager offered a timely reminder of his talents should Kevin Mirallas continue to misfire. Naismith’s pair of assists, albeit against lower league opposition, will also have been noted by Martinez should he look to reshuffle his first team options.

Hatem Ben Arfa Key To Newcastle Victory

Hatem Ben Arfa grabbed a pair of assists as Newcastle left it late to see off Morecambe in their Capital One Cup tie last night. After being brought on for Yoan Gouffran in the 71^st minute Ben Arfa set up Shola Ameobi’s right foot finish and then turned provider again for Sammy Ameobi’s goal in the last 10 minutes of the match. Among Newcastle’s first teamers, Tim Krul was given the night off, David Santon was an unused sub, while Mouusa Sissoko came on for the last few minutes to replace Sylvain Marveaux.

The Scout Says: Before the match manager Alan Pardew said the tie was a chance for this squad players to show him they should be included in his first team thoughts. The failure of players such as Gouffran, Haris Vuckic and Marveuax to break down Morecambe will hardly have impressed him. Ben Arfa will be in buoyant mood after effectively winning the match for Newcastle and may arrive on Fantasy radars ahead of the Magpies’ home game with Fulham this weekend.