Glen Johnson is back for Liverpool, while Jose Enrique could also be set to return. Robbie Brady is a doubt once again due to an ongoing hernia complaint, Robert Snodgrass is available for Norwich, Paul Lambert has doubts over his wide men for Villa’s clash with Cardiff, while Steven Reid is set to fill in at right-back as West Brom head to Chelsea:
Paul Lambert has concerns up top for the visit of Cardiff; with Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann remaining doubtful, the midlanders may continue with a 3-5-2 formation this weekend. The Villa boss is also sweating on the fitness of Fabian Delph, who miss out against West Ham last weekend through illness:
“I’ve got a few lads that are still struggling. It is the same lads as last week and we will have to see how Andi is as well. Andi is a doubt with his hamstring. I will have to see tomorrow how Fabian Delph is.”
Martin Jol has confirmed Fulham skipper Brede Hangeland is available for selection, though is undecided whether the centre-half will start due to a lack of match sharpness. Elsad Zverotic is set to deputise for the suspended Sascha Riether, though Matthew Briggs and Hugo Rodallega are set to remain sidelined for the next five or six weeks:
“Brede is fine. Brede trained with us so the only thing now is we have to need to have a look on Friday to see if he’s fit enough to start. Zverotić will be desperate for a game and he’s an international and hopefully he will do well. We will move on and I don’t think he will do it again in the future.”
Steve Bruce has revealed Sone Aluko is set to be sidelined for up to 10 weeks with a torn Achilles injury, while the Tigers boss has conceded Robbie Brady is a real doubt yet again. The former United man has featured twice as a late sub but continues to be troubled as a result of being rushed back early from a hernia operation:
“He’s still a little bit sore so I can’t see him making this weekend, We’ll see how he is before we travel but I want to make sure he’s right. If it needs another week, I’ll give him another week. It could be an ideal time now to make sure he’s right for Crystal Palace so I won’t take a risk on him this weekend if he’s not 100 per cent.”
Glen Johnson has been declared fit to return by Brendan Rodgers after he missed out against Arsenal through illness last weekend. Jose Enrique has returned to training after a short spell on the sidelines with a knee complaint, with Rodgers optimistic on his availability:
“He’s fine. He’s trained this week – it was just one of those peculiar things that happened. Maybe if it had been a day earlier, he may have been able to play. But he’s fine for the game and has looked good in training this week. We’re just waiting on Jose. He has trained and his knee is much better so we’ll be hoping he will be available for the weekend. That’s something we’ll assess in the next 24 hours. It will be great to have Jose back.”
Reports in the local press indicate Steven Gerrard is also available after picking up a hip knock towards the end of the Gunners defeat – certainly the Liverpool skipper was pictured back in first-team training yesterday.
Robert Snodgrass is back in the frame for Norwich after recovering from the head injury sustained against United in the cup just over a week ago. Chris Hughton will be without Ricky Van Wolfswinkel again, while Nathan Redmond remains a doubt for the visit of West Ham, according to the Canaries boss:
“Van Wolfswinkel will be out, but the good news with him is that he’s very close. He’s not close enough for this weekend, but he is very close. We’re going to see if Redmond can train tomorrow (Friday), and if he does then he’ll be in contention for the squad, but Snodgrass is fine – he’s got no problems.”
Steve Clarke has revealed Steven Reid will start at right-back in light of Billy Jones’ hamstring injury, with Morgan Amalfitano set to remain in midfield after covering in defence last week. Elsewhere for the Baggies, Victor Anichebe is available after injury, Nicolas Anelka has picked up a minor groin problem ahead of the trip to former club Chelsea, while Scott Sinclair is struggling to recover from a hamstring problem in time for the Stamford Bridge trip:
“Scott has done a little bit of training this week. If I’m being honest, this game might come a little bit too early for him to be in the starting XI. We’ll assess him again tomorrow, he’s had three hard days with the team and we’ll see how he reacts overnight. We’ll make a decision tomorrow whether he travels with us. Nicolas is doubtful because he has a slight groin strain.”
Sam Allardyce has confirmed Winston Reid will miss the trip to Norwich after sustaining an ankle injury. The Hammers boss received some positive news on the injury front, however – James Collins has fully recovered from a hamstring problem picked up on international duty and is set to partner James Tomkins in Reid’s absence:
“No, he (Reid) won’t be fit for Saturday. We have a replacement who is fit again that means the injury isn’t causing me as big a concern as it was when the injury first happened. James Collins is fit. James Collins was very unfortunate to be left out at the time because defensively we’ve been superb this year, so James being the replacement is a big bonus for us. He and James Tomkins is the area I can’t afford any more injuries to. Everywhere else we’re reasonably coping with, but certainly we need James and James to stay fit and well over the next period.”
Tottenham qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League with a couple of group games to spare last night. With Kyle Naughton available to take his place at left-back, Jan Vertonghen partnered Younes Kaboul in the centre of defence, allowing Michael Dawson and Vlad Chiriches the night off. Etienne Capoue made his first start since recovering from an ankle injury, while further up the field, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela lined up behind Jermain Defoe. Lamela was the star of the show, though, with a goal and assist in the 2-1 finally suggesting he is beginning to settle after a hugely underwhelming first few months at the Lane. Post-match, Villas-Boas was optimistic last night’s display will afford the Argentine the confidence to flourish:
“We had been waiting for him to have a game like this. We saw signs of what he can do for us and hopefully now he can progress. He is very creative and has no fear to take on his man and beat him. [Scoring] can only help in his confidence.”
In last night’s Europa League match, Michael Laudrup started Wilfried Bony up front for the trip to Kuban Krasnodar and the Ivorian needed just nine minutes to find the net in last night’s 1-1 draw. The likes of Chico was handed the night off, though Ben Davies played the full 90 minutes after recovering from injury – it remains to be seen if he’ll be fielded in back-to-back matches as the Swans prepare for the visit of Stoke on Sunday, with Neil Taylor perhaps set to return against the Potters. Wayne Routledge and Angel Rangel were given just less than 30 minutes apiece off the bench after the break as Laudrup looked to keep his regulars fresh for the weekend – with Michu sidelined due to knee and ankle problems, Laudrup’s side need to rediscover their eye for goal after failing to score in three of the last four league matches.
