David Silva pulls out of the Spain squad with a hamstring problem. Reports suggest Glen Johnson could be out for 10 weeks with a knee problem. Nani is warned his game time is far from guaranteed, while Mark Hughes has concerns over a trio of Stoke midfielders ahead of Saturday’s clash with former club City:
Silva Hamstring Woe
Manuel Pellegrini will be awaiting further news on David Silva after the playmaker was ruled out of Spain’s friendly against Chile tomorrow evening. The Spanish FA confirmed earlier this morning that an MRI scan has revealed Silva has “a slight muscle injury” and “as a precaution, was sent home to avoid complications to the injury.”
The Scout Says: With a goal and assist over the first couple of matches, Silva earned a substantial bandwagon ahead of the previous home match against Hull. Having failed to produce any returns against the Tigers, he has been subject to sales but still, nonetheless, has a 20% ownership in Fantasy Premier League (FPL). While Pellegrini and the player’s Fantasy owners will be afforded a degree of optimism by Spain’s suggestion that the withdrawal is purely precautionary, the City boss may well decide to take no chances this weekend away to Stoke, with Samir Nasri and new boy Stevan Jovetic offering alternatives on the left, should Silva’s hamstring be afforded a little caution.
Johnson Fears Grow
Reports in yesterday’s Mirror suggest Glen Johnson could be out for 10 weeks with the knee injury that forced him off in the Gameweek 3 win over United.
The Scout Says: The right-back’s owners will be on high alert as they await for official confirmation from the club. Liverpool issued updates on Daniel Sturridge twice last week but have yet to comment on Johnson’s injury after he was seen leaving Anfield on crutches following a challenge by Patrice Evra. If Johnson is indeed forced out for such a length of time, it remains to be seen just how Brendan Rodgers will address the situation – Kolo Toure was expected to be forced out at centre-half by new boy Mamadou Sakho and although the Ivorian is versatile enough to switch to right-back, he lacks the dynamism afforded by Johnson’s raiding runs down the right. Toure is still struggling with a groin complaint but while his experience has proved crucial in the middle, it’s debatable whether he would get the nod over either Andre Wisdom or Martin Kelly as a replacement for Johnson. At 4.4 and 4.3 in FPL respectively, they seem more likely to vie for the role and would offer Fantasy managers a superb value route into the meanest backline in the top-flight right now.
Midfield Worries for Potters
Stoke boss Mark Hughes is sweating over the availability of three of his midfielders ahead of next weekend’s home clash against City. Both Glenn Whelan (hamstring) and Charlie Adam (back) have withdrawn from their respective national squads while Jon Walters is being monitored after missing training for the Republic of Ireland with an ankle problem:
The Scout Says: Whelan’s possible loss is the least significant for the Potters, bearing in mind he has been utilised as a sub in the last couple of games. Walters has played all three of Stoke’s league games thus far, however, while Adam has featured in the first XI in each of the last couple of matches – any possible absence for both could see Hughes bring new boys Stephen Ireland and Marko Arnautovic into his plans. Fantasy managers are hoping the latter’s versatility will persuade Hughes to field him up front but he also offers an option on the right should Walters fail to recover in time.
Nani Determined to Win Starting Role
United winger Nani has arrived on Fantasy radars after penning an improved five-year contract with the champions. While many see the new deal as an indication of David Moyes’ faith in the Portuguese star, Nani has revealed his manager has already stressed he is by no means a certain starter:
“I am very content with my new deal at Manchester United. This summer was not easy but after a lot of thought and talking to David Moyes I believe it was the best solution. I feel I can offer many things to United. I had other important offers but without a sufficient challenge to make me want to leave United. The coach would not guarantee me a place in the XI more than any other player. I know I must work hard to get into this team.”
The Scout Says: Having played a mere 630 minutes under Sir Alex Ferguson last time out, Nani has become a peripheral figure in recent times. Last week’s news has persuaded almost 2,000 FPL managers to acquire his services but the player’s statement clearly highlights the uncertainty still surrounding his game time. United are certainly well-stocked for options on the flanks and while Nani offers Moyes options on both wings, it remains to be seen whether he’s done enough to convince the manager of a starting berth just yet. With four homes games in the next six, though, the bandwagon could pick up pace if the 7.4 priced midfielder can force his way into the first XI over the next Gameweek or two.
Jol Sweating on Hughes Fitness
Fulham boss Martin Jol is awaiting further news on the thigh injury that has forced Aaron Hughes out of Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers. The centre-half missed Friday’s home defeat by Portugal and is also ruled out of tomorrow evening’s showdown with Luxemburg.
The Scout Says: With new boy Fernando Amorebieta sidelined through injury, Hughes has started all three of the Cottagers’ league matches alongside Brede Hangeland in the heart of the back-four. The fixtures fall very much in Fulham’s favour over the next few Gameweeks – home clashes with West Brom, Cardiff and Stoke, allied with a trip to Cardiff in the following five suggests an upturn in fortunes is on the cards after back-to-back defeats. Jol will be buoyed by the news that Amorebieta travelled with the Venezuela squad to face Chile, though the centre-half failed to feature, suggesting he has yet to prove his fitness – Philippe Senderos could be in the frame to start against the Baggies on Saturday if the injury situation doesn’t improve. With worries remaining over Maarten Stekelenburg and Kieran Richardson, the Fulham manager doesn’t have his defensive trouble to seek right now.
