Daniel Sturridge is edging towards fitness for Liverpool’s trip to Swansea, though Glen Johnson looks set to be sidelined for the Liberty clash. Wayne Rooney is yet to return to full training, Abdoulaye Faye edges towards a Hull return, while Callum Chambers is determined to retain the Southampton right-back spot:
Sturridge Winning Fitness Battle
Reports in this morning’s Telegraph suggest Daniel Sturridge is expected to be available for Liverpool’s trip to Swansea on Monday evening as he looks to continue the form that has seen him grab the winner in all three of his side’s opening fixtures.
The Scout Says: Since pulling out of the recent England World Cup qualifiers, Sturridge has undergone two weeks of intensive treatment on the problem, which had affected him before and during the Gameweek 3 win over United. Certainly, with more time for recuperation his owners will be more confident Sturridge will feature against the Swans, though the downside is that a decision is not expected until the weekend – leaving his owners a dilemma ahead of the Saturday morning’s deadline.
Johnson Set to Be Sidelined
The same paper also backs up recent reports that Glen Johnson faces a spell on the sidelines after being forced off against United in Gameweek 3. While the press seem to be undecided as to whether it’s an ankle or knee problem, the majority are in agreement that he is expected to be out for a number of weeks, with the Telegraph reckoning a return in November is “a conservative estimate”.
The Scout Says: Yet to be confirmed by Brendan Rodgers, Johnson’s loss will have a knock-on effect in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) terms. The right-back is the most popular defender in the Reds back-four, with an 11.9% ownership, and can expected to earn significant sales if he is sidelined – either one of Andre Wisdom or Martin Kelly is expected to deputise and will offer Fantasy managers a real cut-price route into the meanest backline in the top-flight right now, though many looking for a long-term Liverpool option may opt for Daniel Agger, who looks the safest bet of any of Rodgers’ defence.
Rooney Yet To Return To Training
Wayne Rooney still looks a real doubt for the Gameweek 5 Manchester derby, according to reports. The forward has still not made a return to full training following the recent head injury that forced him out of United’s loss at Liverpool and England’s couple of World Cup qualifiers.
The Scout Says: Rooney’s absence is likely to hand Danny Welbeck further game time over the next couple of matches, with Saturday lunchtime’s home showdown against Palace earning him an increase in ownership. In spite of impressing against Swansea in Gameweek 1, though, Welbeck was moved to the flank to accommodate Rooney at home to Chelsea and a similar scenario can be expected again – if the former Everton man is fit for Gameweek 6, a schedule that reads (WBA, sun, SOT, STO, ful) in the following five would make him a real differential, with an ownership currently under 2% in FPL.
Chambers Determined to Keep Starting Berth
Southampton’s young right-back Callum Chambers has spoken of his determination to retain a role in the first XI despite Nathaniel Clyne’s return to full fitness:
“We’re both fit now, so we’re pushing each-other on to make ourselves better players. I think it’s good to have competition in your position. We push ourselves in training and in games, and that will spur us on to play better. Hopefully I’ll get more and more games under my belt and become more experienced.”
The Scout Says: Priced at just 4.0 in FPL, Chambers has failed to pick up much of a bandwagon despite playing every minute of the season so far under Mauricio Pochettino. Handed a chance in the starting line-up over the summer friendlies due to an injury to the former Palace man, Chambers remains in the driving seat and with home games against West Ham, Palace, Swansea and Fulham in the next six, certainly has the schedule to pick up points should he continue to earn his manager’s trust.
Faye Nears Tigers Return
Steve Bruce gave a positive prognosis on a couple of Hull’s backline options ahead of the weekend home game against Cardiff. Speaking to the local media, the Tigers boss revealed Abdoulaye Faye could be available for selection after an injury spell, while Allan McGregor is in line to recover from the groin problem that forced him to withdraw from the recent Scotland squad:
“He’ll (Faye) be there and thereabouts come Saturday, I’m sure. Let’s not kid ourselves, he’s been a great player in the past and will be an asset for us I’m certain of that.We’re okay defensively for now but I’ve been around long enough to know that can change..Allan has had a groin problem that he’s had for two or three weeks now..He hasn’t trained at all for the last 10 days in the hope he’ll be okay. We think he will be because he can do everything a goalkeeper needs to do. The one problem is his kicking but we hope that will have mended itself with rest. I’d hope he’ll be back in training for Thursday.”
The Scout Says: McGregor’s return will be a welcome relief for Bruce ahead of the Bluebirds clash. Hull racked up a clean sheet in their first home game of the season thanks to the keeper’s heroics – the Scot earned a nine-point FPL return in the 1-0 win over Norwich and looks crucial to his side’s fortunes ahead of a kind run of games which also sees them welcome West Ham and Villa to the KC in the next four. Faye’s potential return will be of interest to James Chester’s owners, though. The latter has established himself alongside Curtis Davies in the back-four and has proven a popular budget contender at 4.0 in FPL – although he is likely to retain his place as Faye is eased back into the fold, it remains to be seen where he stands in the central defensive pecking order once Faye is fully fit.
