Sergio Aguero is hopeful of returning shortly from a calf complaint. Emmanuel Adebayor also hints at a quick recovery after being stretchered off in midweek. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is appointed Cardiff boss, Michael Turner is a hamstring worry for Norwich and Villa’s Libor Kozak is ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a broken leg in training:
Aguero on Course for Quick Comeback
The City forward took to twitter to reveal he is “recovering at pace” yesterday and is using an anti-gravity machine to aid his progress from a calf injury. The Mail have also published further pictures of Aguero in rehabilitation as the Argentine closes in on a return to first-team action.
The Scout Says: Given that City have won the last four matches in Aguero’s absence, Manuel Pellegrini certainly doesn’t need to rush him back into the fold. Although the Manchester side have notched 10 times without the Argentine, Alvaro Negredo has failed to improve upon his returns and has managed just a goal and assist over that period. The Spaniard remains just twelfth-most impressive frontman in terms of points per game, with 4.5. Aguero, by comparison, has served up 7.8 ppg – second only to Luis Suarez – and, with Wayne Rooney struggling to rediscover his top form due to an ongoing groin complaint, many have earmarked a straight swap once the City frontman is fit and available. Pellegrini has already stated he expects Aguero to be back before the month is out – now down to 11.9 and with a mere 8% ownership, his return could prove the catalyst for many a winter wildcard.
Adebayor Hints at Rapid Return
The Tottenham forward also took to twitter to suggest he is set to recover from the problem that forced him off at United on Wednesday evening. Adebayor initially tweeted he expects to “be back before you realise” to a well-wisher – perhaps backing up reports in the local press that indicated the issue was no more than severe cramp. He then went on confirm he is hopeful of making the FA Cup clash against Arsenal this weekend:
“Hey guys, to let you know, recovered from yestedays match and doing everything to be fit for Saturday. Thanks for all your good wishes”
The Scout Says: With further media sources also suggesting he “didn’t seem in bother” upon leaving Old Trafford, the signs bode well for Fantasy managers eyeing up his acquisition. New Spurs boss Tim Sherwood has already indicated Adebayor is “massively important” to his plans and, having produced eight points or more in three of his four appearances since the departure of Andre Villas-Boas, he could be poised for a real bandwagon should he be passed fit. With games against Palace, Swansea and Hull in the next four, Adebayor, at just 7.7, looks another differential to consider – if he continues to perform, his current 3% ownership is bound to escalate as Fantasy managers start to buzz around the reinvigorated north London side.
Solskjaer Appointed Bluebirds Boss
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the new man in charge at Cardiff after being appointed on “a rolling contract” yesterday. The Norwegian leaves FC Molde in his native Norway, where he won back-to-back league titles and a cup in three seasons at the helm – his record there stands at 68 wins, 26 draws and 31 defeats in 125 games in all competitions, with 234 goals scored and 143 against. Talking to the press upon completion of his move, the former United forward said:
“I have a positive outlook. I want the players to express themselves, My style is forward-minded. You could see against Arsenal players like Jordon Mutch, Kim Bo-Kyung, Fraizer Campbell and Craig Noone running at Arsenal and causing them problems. I want the fans to be proud of the team when they walk off the pitch. I will ask for 100% effort that has always been instilled in me by people like the Gaffer (Ferguson) and Roy Keane. I can forgive any mistakes as long as we have a go and enjoy playing in the Premier League.”
The Scout Says: In terms of tactical approach, Solskjaer tends to favour a 4-2-3-1 formation with a penchant for pressing opponents high up the pitch – potentially good news for a mobile forward such as Campbell. We’ll hopefully get an idea of his thinking in this weekend’s FA Cup clash against Newcastle before Solskjaer turns his attentions to league matters. Certainly, the upcoming home schedule looks promising for the Welsh club – with West Ham, Norwich, Villa, Hull and Fulham the next five visitors, their home fixtures could hardly be kinder for the new man in charge.
Turner Concern for Canaries
The Norwich centre-half is set to be sidelined for tomorrow’s FA Cup clash with Fulham after picking up a hamstring problem in the New Year’s Day draw against Palace. Subbed off after just 53 minutes on Wednesday, Turner is set for further assessment, as Chris Hughton revealed:
“We don’t know yet, but I can confirm it was the hamstring he felt. He will have a scan later today and then we will know the extent of it. He is a little bit sore this morning but he is not someone who has been susceptible to that type of injury in the past so we hope it is not that bad.”
The Scout Says: Having served a one-match suspension in Gameweek 19, Turner was immediately reinstalled to the Canaries back-four alongside Seb Bassong at Selhurst Park. A possible absence would hand Ryan Bennett another stint in the heart of a defence which has so far served up six clean sheets this season – the same number as the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle. With home games against Hull and Newcastle allied with a trip to Cardiff in the next four, further defensive returns could well be on the cards for Hughton’s side – should Turner fail to recover, a move to Martin Olsson, at 4.2, looks the safest best for those currently on wildcards.
Villa Suffer Kozak Blow
The Czech forward will play no further part in the season after suffering a broken leg in a training ground collision with team-mate Ciaran Clark. Villa boss Paul Lambert gave the local press an update:
“Kozak has got a bad one. He’s got a broken leg. It was just a nothing challenge and it’s a massive blow. He takes knocks and never moans, he gets on with it. I thought it was a clash of boots at first. There was no noise from Libor at all. No-one knew what happened and then they saw it. It’s a major blow. It was a tackle with Ciaran, just an innocuous tackle in the morning. There was nothing in it. No-one thought anything of it.”
The Scout Says: The injury limits Lambert’s forward options further at a time where his side are struggling for goals. Villa have scored just three times in the last six Gameweeks, though Gabby Agbonlahor is hinting at a return to form and has now notched in each of the last two since being moved up front in a 4-4-2. With Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton in the next four, though, Lambert’s side look unlikely to break out of their current malaise, with Kozak’s injury likely to ensure fit-again Christian Benteke remains in the first XI, despite the stuttering form which has seen him fail to find the net since Gameweek 4.
Evans Worried Over United Defensive Form
The Red Devils’ centre-half reckons his side’s inability to keep out opponents in front of their own fans is down to their offensive style of play. Speaking after the midweek defeat by Tottenham, Evans went on to say:
“They caught us on the break a little bit for the two goals so maybe we need to be a bit more patient. Away from home, you tend to be more defensive in your set-up. Maybe at home we are leaving ourselves a bit too open. We want to entertain our fans and score goals but maybe that is to our detriment a little bit.”
The Scout Says: Already this term, the champions have tasted defeat four times at Old Trafford – more than the whole of last season. United are joint-top with Arsenal for goals scored on the road (21) but, despite Evans’ suggestion of being too attack-minded, they have scored a mere 12 times at home – that’s the same number as West Ham and fewer than Hull (15) and Fulham (13). With three strong fixtures (SWA, CAR, FUL) in front of their own supporters over the next five, though, those holding on to the likes of Evans or David De Gea may just retain their services for now, despite a run of just two clean sheets in the last nine Gameweeks.
