Scout Scribbles – Kompany Worry for City

Vincent Kompany could be out for a month for City. Christian Benteke may be set to turn out for Belgium a week today. Ashley Cole is ruled out for England with a rib problem, Alan Pardew praises Hatem Ben Arfa’s response after being dropped, whilst Aly Cissokho signals his return from injury with a 90-minute run out for Liverpool’s Under 21 side:

Kompany Poised for Another Spell on Sidelines

Belgium boss Marc Wilmots has indicated Vincent Kompany is expected to be sidelined for up to four weeks with a thigh problem. City revealed earlier in the day that scans had confirmed Kompany picked up the problem in Saturday’s win over Everton but while the club were uncertain of any timescale, Wilmots was a little more forthcoming in yesterday’s press conference for the national side.

The Scout Says: Having already seen his skipper spend time on the sidelines with a groin injury this term, Manuel Pellegrini is likely to court caution with Kompany’s latest injury setback. Ironically, City have managed just one clean sheet with the Belgian in the XI, compared to two in three games without him, though there’s no doubt that, as the schedule picks up on all fronts, his likely loss is a bitter blow. If, as expected, he is out for around a month, Kompany would miss the next three leagues games (whm, che, NOR), affording Joleon Lescott the chance to slot in alongside Matija Nastasic once again, with Martin Demichelis still also recovering from injury.

Cole Amongst the First Withdrawals

In addition to Kompany’s Belgium absence, the usual raft of international injuries are underway, with Chelsea’s Ashley Cole amongst the names involved. The left-back has withdrawn from England’s squad to face Montenegro on Friday with the rib problem sustained against Norwich on Sunday, whilst Republic of Ireland pair Jon Walters and Kieran Westwood have also called off with groin and shoulder problems respectively. Arsenal’s Tomas Rosicky has also been excused from the Czech Republic Squad for “health reasons” just days after returning to action for the Gunners.

The Scout Says: As always, seasoned Fantasy managers will look upon these withdrawals with a degree of scepticism. Cole was subbed off during Chelsea’s win at Norwich for tactical reasons – Jose Mourinho revealed post-match he was unaware of any problem prior to subbing off the England player. Walters has, however, failed to finish either of Stoke’s last two matches with the problem and could be one to monitor, whilst any possible absence for Westwood could bring Vito Mannone into contention at Sunderland.

Benteke Could Return for Gameweek 8

Reports indicate the Villa forward could be set for a rapid return to action over the international fortnight. Having joined up with the Belgium squad, Benteke has been ruled out of Friday’s game against Croatia but may be called into action for the following Tuesday’s showdown with Wales if required. Villa boss Paul Lambert has also aired his views on the situation:

“I trust Christian to do the right thing. He is probably stuck in the middle right now. But I’ve had a good chat with him and he will know himself what is the right thing for him to do. I trust him. But I won’t be happy if he plays for Belgium and comes back to me injured. I know he wants to play and get back into it as quickly as possible but he hasn’t been back on the training ground yet since picking up the injury. It’s only when he starts to kick a ball again that the test will come and he will know himself if it feels okay and whether he is ready to play.”

The Scout Says: A quick return to action for Benteke would give Fantasy managers plenty to ponder once the domestic program resumes. Having scored four times in his first four games, the big Belgian limped off early in the Gameweek 5 win at Norwich and his absence has seen over 640,000 Fantasy managers switch their affections to similarly priced options such as Olivier Giroud and Daniel Sturridge. Prior to his hip injury, though, Benteke was the second most popular frontline option behind Robin Van Persie but the lay of the land has changed rapidly – with Romelu Lukaku and Luis Suarez also earning significant numbers of new owners over the last couple of weeks, Benteke is now down to just 8.9 in FPL, with an ownership sitting at 12%. Providing he proves his fitness, the big Belgian will surely barge his way back onto Fantasy radars ahead of a schedule that hands Villa three home games in the next four.

Fellaini Facing Wrist Surgery

Another of the Premier League’s Belgian contingent, the United summer signing could also be set to feature in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers just days after David Moyes left him out of Saturday’s win at Sunderland with a wrist injury. Reports suggest that Fellaini will still require surgery on damaged ligaments in “the near future”, however, with a possible three-week timescale expected.

The Scout Says: Despite his lack of impact this term, Fellaini still sits in over 7% of FPL teams as a result of last season’s exploits at Everton. His only start for the champions was back in Gameweek 5, when United were picked apart by neighbours City at the Etihad – Moyes is likely to retain faith in Tom Cleverley alongside Michael Carrick in the meantime but in terms of Fantasy interest in United’s midfield, it’s been all about Adnan Januzaj – over 91,000 FPL managers have drafted the 4.7 priced youngster in after his double against the Black Cats. Given that Carrick is the second most popular, with just over 300 new owners, highlights the faith we have in Fellaini and co right now, despite a run of three home games in the next four.

Pardew Praises Ben Arfa Attitude

Alan Pardew has revealed he was pleased with Hatem Ben Arfa’s attitude after dropping the Frenchman from the starting XI for the weekend trip to Cardiff. The Newcastle manager went on to insist he will continue to use a squad rotation policy after chopping and changing a number of times already this season:

“It was a great day in terms of the team. The players who got left out accepted it and contributed to the win. It was nice to see Hatem come on. He’s growing up. I was pleased with his reaction this week. I asked Hatem to do a defensive job. I don’t think I’ve ever asked him to do that before. He saw it through, so it was good news… It’s important that everybody’s pulling and trying to achieve the victory. Jonas Gutierrez came off the bench. We had not seen him for a while, but he did a great little job for us.”

The Scout Says: While Pardew has publicly made a point of singling out Ben Arfa, it seems the temperamental Frenchman could struggle to make an immediate return to the fold. His half-time withdrawal against Everton in Gameweek 6 saw a much-improved Magpies score twice without reply, whilst the 2-1 win against the Bluebirds highlighted the side’s greater all-round work ethic without Ben Arfa in the ranks. Indeed, with the fit-again Gutierrez now offering an option on the left of the front three, Pardew even has the option of moving the versatile Remy to the opposite flank – lessening the likelihood of an immediate return for Ben Arfa, in spite of his undoubted talents.

Cissokho Returns to Action

Liverpool’s on-loan left-back made a successful return from injury last night as the Reds Under 21s swept aside Tottenham 5-0.

The Scout Says: Sidelined since limping off just 21 minutes into his debut back in Gameweek 2, Cissokho’s comeback will have Jose Enrique’s Fantasy owners anxiously looking over their shoulders. The Spaniard has started six of the Reds’ seven league games so far and has managed over 100 minutes more than any other Liverpool defender as a result of a lack of competition but Cissokho’s availability could finally allow us to ascertain just which of the two is likely to be Brendan Rodgers’ first-choice left-back. Indeed, Rodgers’ recent switch to 3-4-1-2 makes the situation all the more intriguing – Cissokho, at 5.0 to Enrique’s 6.2, would be a hugely enticing proposition if he can force his way to the front of the pecking order.

Poyet Arrives at Sunderland

Sunderland have named Gus Poyet as the new man in charge at the Stadium of Light earlier today. The former Brighton boss takes the Wearside reins as the Black Cats look to recover from a run that leaves them with just a single point accrued from the opening seven fixtures – at least six points less than all but Palace so far.

The Scout Says: While a trip to Swansea is far from straightforward, the Uruguayan will be given the chance to win the fans over in his first home game in charge as Newcastle roll up in Gameweek 9. The Black Cats then have three road trips in four (hul, sto, avl), but with City, Chelsea and Spurs amongst their next visitors, the schedule is far from easy. Poyet will be looking to spark Adam Johnson and Emanuele Giacherrini into life on the flanks but with Steven Fletcher still sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, the burden of goals lies on the broad shoulders of Jozy Altidore – given that the US international is yet to score this season, it’s clear that Poyet has a considerable task on his hands.