Aaron Ramsey has recovered from a leg problem and is set to captain Wales this evening. Ashley Williams may be out for the next three league games. Martin Jol concedes Darren Bent may have to accept a role on the bench for Fulham, Ben Foster is still six weeks away from a return, while Newcastle could be set for a defensive boost ahead of a tough run of fixtures:
Ramsey Recovered from Leg Problem
Wales boss Chris Coleman has revealed that Aaron Ramsey was subbed off in Arsenal’s draw at West Brom last weekend due to a leg problem. The Gunners in-form midfielder has now recovered, though, and is in line to captain his country against Macedonia tonight.
“He has got a knock, he came off for Arsenal at the weekend with a dead leg and we have been managing that. He will not train today but we expect him to be available for Friday night.”
The Scout Says: Certainly, the news is somewhat surprising, given that Arsene Wenger failed to mention any problem last Sunday. Ramsey’s owners will be a little relieved, though – it was assumed he was withdrawn on 59 minutes at the Hawthorns for tactical or form reasons after Wenger had shifted him onto the right flank against the midlands outfit. Now, however, it transpires that Ramsey (who had played every minute of the league campaign prior to the 1-1 draw) was only removed as a result of the knock; suggesting his game time looks secure once again ahead of next weekend’s home game with Norwich.
Williams May Face Further Time On the Sidelines
Coleman also took time out to elaborate on Ashley Williams’ ankle injury after the centre-half was ruled out of both Wales’ upcoming matches.
“We scanned him and it was clear he could not play. Michael Laudrup said he had him on the bench at Southampton just as a number, and looking at the injury I can see that he was never going to play. But it was good to have him here and take a look for ourselves. I am not sure when he will be back, but I am not sure he will be back for the next two or three games after this international camp.”
The Scout Says: Williams has now featured in just one of his side’s last six matches in all competitions and if Coleman’s prognosis proves correct, he’s be set to miss back-to-back home games against Sunderland and West Ham, with question marks also hanging over his availability for the Gameweek 10 derby against Cardiff. Given that Ben Davies is also a doubt with a hamstring injury, Chico – highlighted in last night’s members article – looks the more secure route into the Swans backline right now, though with just two clean sheets in the opening seven, Michael Laudrup’s side haven’t been the most resilient at the back thus far.
Jol Hints at Bent Sub Role
Martin Jol has admitted he is struggling to find room for Darren Bent in his starting XI this term. The Fulham boss conceded the on-loan forward may have to become a little more accustomed to game time off the bench as he looks to steer his side up the table:
”I’ve seen him a couple of times and spoken to him, and the conversation was private. I said it would be awful if I don’t use him in a proper way and he will be a good part of things this season. He knows what my intentions are, but it is not my intention to play Berbatov and Bent [together], I have to be honest. Sometimes he can’t start. I was very happy with Bent coming on in the Stoke game. It’s great to have someone like Darren to come off the bench. My intentions are still to use Darren, and to get the best out of both him and Berbatov, but it’s not easy because you need time to work on that system.”
The Scout Says: Despite climbing off the bench to score the winner against Stoke last weekend, Bent has been slow to make an impact at the Cottage. Indeed, Fulham have lost all three games he has started, compared to just one loss in four when he has been omitted from the first XI. Jol’s chopping and changing has clearly affected Dimitar Berbatov’s season so far – having scored 16 times last term, the Bulgarian has yet to open his account as he moves between the lone forward berth and the role in “the hole”. With the pressure on last weekend, though, it was perhaps telling that Jol turned to Berbatov and Bryan Ruiz up top once again, with the duo likely to continue up top as Fulham roll up to Palace a week next Monday evening.
Foster Still Weeks Away from Return
West Brom’s Ben Foster issued an injury update yesterday. The Baggies first-choice stopper admitted that although he’s making good progress from a foot injury, he is still a month-and-a-half away from returning:
“It was always going to take up to 12 weeks. It’s going well and it’s six weeks today since I had the operation. I’ve now just started to put weight on it. “I have been limited in what I can do in the gym since the operation but things should start to pick up again now.”
The Scout Says: If Foster keeps to his schedule, then, he would be expected to return for the Gameweek 12 home derby against Villa. This would see face a potentially profitable run which also see Steve Clarke’s side face Newcastle, Norwich, Cardiff and Hull in the following five fixtures – down to 4.9 in FPL, Foster may arrive back on radars as a result of such a schedule, given that deputy Boaz Myhill has managed a single clean sheet in five since being handed a chance back in Gameweek 3.
Injuries Easing for Magpies
Alan Pardew could be set for a defensive boost in time for Newcastle’s Gameweek 8 home clash with Liverpool. Reports indicate that Steven Taylor and Massadio Haidara are edging towards fitness after recent hamstring and knee problems respectively.
The Scout Says: Whilst Haidara is likely to face a challenge to oust Davide Santon from the left-back berth, Taylor’s chances of returning to the first XI look a little more promising. The centre-half has played just 48 minutes of the season so far as a result of suspension and injury but Alan Pardew has been clearly unimpressed with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa’s displays of late – subbed off at the break in the Gameweek 6 defeat at Everton, the Frenchman seems to have slipped behind Mike Williamson in the pecking order. An injury-free Taylor could be handed an immediate return alongside Fabricio Coloccini in the heart of defence but with Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs in the next four, in addition to a Tyne-Wear derby, few will be tempted to invest in the Magpies backline right now.
