The Weekend Team News

Lukas Podolski is ruled out for up to 10 weeks for Arsenal. Kolo Toure may still be in with a shout for Liverpool’s clash with United. Steven Fletcher is named in the Sunderland squad for the trip to Crystal Palace. Darron Gibson remains a doubt for Everton, while Steve Clarke confirms Boaz Myhill will get the nod as his number one while Ben Foster recuperates from a foot injury:

Arsenal were dealt a blow yesterday after it was revealed Lukas Podolski is set to be sidelined for “eight to 10 weeks” with the hamstring injury sustained during Tuesday’s Champions League win over Fenerbahce. While Mikel Arteta will also remain out for a few more weeks with a thigh complaint, Arsene Wenger had better news in central midfield after Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere were passed fit for the north London derby against Tottenham. The duo are likely to be stationed in the double-pivot, with Tomas Rosicky moving to “the hole” behind Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla returning to the left flank in light of Podolski’s absence, though the return of former player Mathieu Flamini also gives the Gunners option in the centre of the park. Wenger also revealed Thomas Vermaelen is on the road to recovery from a back problem and could be back for the Gameweek 4 match against Sunderland.

Reports in the Liverpool press suggest Kolo Toure could still be in with a chance of making Sunday’s home game with United. The centre-half was stretchered off with a groin problem in the midweek Capital One Cup win over Notts County and, having left Anfield on crutches, was initially expected to be facing up to six weeks on the sidelines. He has, however, responded well to treatment and has not yet been ruled out of the weekend encounter as Brendan Rodgers’ side go in search of their third successive clean sheet this term – we should have more of an update later today when the Reds’ boss rolls out an official injury update.

Roberto Martinez was another manager who rolled out an early injury update yesterday morning:

“Darron Gibson and Antolin Alcaraz are joining the group, now it’s just a case of measuring their match fitness and when they’re going to be ready. Then you’ve got everyone else at the Club fully fit and ready to help the team.”

Although neither player is likely to be risked for tomorrow’s trip to Cardiff, their respective returns could have a significant impact on how we assess Everton’s Fantasy fortunes over the season ahead. Ross Barkley has flourished in Gibson’s midfield absence and has rapidly risen in price but the former United man is still favoured to reclaim his place when fully-fit, while, at the back, Alcaraz’s return from a hamstring problem may finally afford Martinez the chance to trial the 3-4-3 formation utilised so frequently at former club Wigan.

Martin Jol confirmed Fernando Amorebieta will remain on the sidelines for Fulham’s trip to Newcastle, while keeper Maarten Stekelenburg is “a big question mark”, according to his manager. Aaron Hughes and David Stockdale are set to retain their starting berths, then, while John Arne Riise should continue at left-back with Kieran Richardson still out for another three weeks. The Cottagers boss discussed the situation up top and admitted he has a dilemma for the lone forward role – with Darren Bent now fully fit, it remains to be seen whether Dimitar Berbatov will more to a more withdrawn role in “the hole”.

“He (Bent) played against Burton from the start. He looked fit, his capacity is good, so he will be in the squad. He was eager to play and he was eager to start. He joined us in every training session and looked fit so I think he looks good, he looks good to start and it’s about the decision to make on the team. He scored the goal against Arsenal – he’s always scoring goals – I’m happy that he’s here but we have to wait and see. Berbatov of course is in again, we rested him for the game against Burton, so we are pretty positive.”

Alan Pardew has revealed he has told Yohan Cabaye he is expected to feature against Fulham tomorrow. The Frenchman has failed to appear since Arsenal’s bid for his services was rejected earlier this month but could now be in line for a starting berth against the Cottagers, who will be without Cheick Tiote (groin) again, while Jonas Gutierrez remains a doubt with a hamstring complaint. Steven Taylor serves the last of a three-match ban at the back and with Mike Williamson set to miss out again, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa will partner Fabricio Coloccini in the heart of defence.

Pardew also discussed the possibility of fielding Loic Remy for the first time this term. The forward could in line for a subs’ role after stepping up his recovery from a calf problem:

“He hasn’t really done a preseason but he’s trained. I think the option of him on the bench for the last period might be something I look at. There’s no problem with him. He just can’t really do a big portion of the game.”

Paolo Di Canio has confirmed Steven Fletcher is part of the Sunderland squad that travels to Crystal Palace. The Scot – who has finally recovered from an ankle injury picked up last March – was an unused sub in the Capital One Cup clash with MK Dons in midweek but has stepped up his fitness and will “maybe” play a part against the Eagles according to his manager, as the Black Cats go in search of their first league win of the season. Stephane Sessegnon has been omitted from the Sunderland squad, according to reports, following his arrest for drink-driving in midweek – Connor Wickham could partner Jozy Altidore up top, though Craig Gardner may be moved into “the hole” should Di Canio opt for a lone forward system.

Steve Clarke has handed Fantasy managers a head-up by revealing Boaz Myhill is likely to get the nod as West Brom’s first-choice keeper as a result of Ben Foster’s foot-injury absence. Myhill has returned to training after a recent wrist injury this week and despite the heroics of Luke Daniels between the sticks against Everton last Saturday, the former is set to be selected:

“Boaz is a Wales international and is just in front of Luke. He didn’t play on Tuesday because his first day back training was on Monday. He’s trained again today and if everything is okay with his wrist he’ll start on Sunday.”

While the Baggies boss welcomes back Nicolas Anelka to the fold, he will be without Matej Vydra this weekend after the forward limped out of the midweek Capital One Cup win over Newport. Steven Reid is sidelined once again, though Clarke is optimistic both Billy Jones and Claudio Yacob will recover from midweek knocks in time for Sunday’s showdown with Swansea.