With a weekend of FA Cup action getting underway later today, Fantasy managers still have plenty to ponder. Santi Cazorla misses out for Arsenal, John Terry is still sidelined for Chelsea, Michu may return for Swansea, Samir Nasri is back for City, whilst Roberto Martinez admits he’s keen to be cautious with Ross Barkley’s fitness. Here’s what yesterday’s press conferences brought us:
Arsene Wenger will be without the services of Santi Cazorla for Sunday’s home clash with Liverpool. The Spaniard is ruled out through illness as the Gunners look to avenge last weekend’s 5-1 hiding at Anfield. Wenger welcomes Mathieu Flamini back from suspension, though, but admitted he may not make too many changes from the side that drew with United on Wednesday evening:
“I will play a team with a good opportunity, a good chance to qualify. Will I rest one player, or two or three, I don’t know yet. Certainly we will have just have one focus, which is to win the game. We have rotated quite well, if you look at the number of players we have used. I have the same level of confidence in every player. For example, I rate Jenkinson but Sagna has a bit more experience so when we go in a game with more pressure I give the advantage sometimes to the experienced [player].”
Jordan Henderson may miss out for Liverpool after undergoing wrist surgery, with a late decision expected to be taken on the midfielder’s availability. Brendan Rodgers reckons Glen Johnson could remain sidelined for the Emirates trip. The right-back returned to training over the last few days and his manager is optimistic he could be in the frame for next weekend’s home clash against Swansea:
“We’ll be similar to what we were the other night [against Fulham]. Glen Johnson is working very well. I’m not sure he’ll be ready for the game this weekend, but if we can have a good week next week he’ll be very close. He looks fresher and he looks fitter. That period that he’s had out has really helped him. He’s in good condition. But there is still a bit to go yet.”
Samir Nasri and Javi Garcia are back in the City squad for this evening’s visit of Chelsea. Manuel Pellegrini has admitted Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho and Matija Nastasic are all still sidelined through injury before proceeding to hail Nasri’s return as crucial:
“Nasri is a very important player, so it’s impossible not to miss him. But we’ve also had other injuries before Sami, with David Silva, Sergio Aguero or Jovetic or Kompany and we always managed to continue winning. I think in the last two weeks, maybe we have injuries in the same position and that was our major problem.”
John Terry misses out yet again as Chelsea make their way to the Etihad. Jose Mourinho confirmed his captain is sidelined for the third successive match due to a muscle problem, whilst his worries in central defence are building – Gary Cahill was due for scans on the calf complaint he picked up during the midweek draw at West Brom.
Gus Poyet may be set to welcome back Carlos Cuellar from a hip injury as Sunderland prepare to face Southampton. The Black Cats boss has confirmed his intentions to play Emmanuel Giaccherini and new boy Ignacio Scocco but also revealed the cancellation of Wednesday’s trip to City has had a significant effect on his likely line-up:
“The postponement changed my plans, no doubt. It’s a totally different situation now with no game midweek, so it will be a totally different team. Normally you don’t put out the same team on Saturday that you put out on Wednesday but we didn’t play a game Wednesday so I have to bear that in mind. It gives me a chance to name a stronger side than I would have but I will still make changes though. Giacchy needs to play football and we need to help Ignacio feel the pace of the English game. I’m sure he’ll be surprised at the speed – in the first 10 minutes he’ll be thinking ‘oh my god!’ – but he needs to get used to it and this is an opportunity for him.”
Roberto Martinez discussed the fitness of Lacina Traore and Ross Barkley ay Everton’s press conference yesterday. The Toffees manager confirmed the former is poised for his club debut after arriving on loan from Monaco last month before revealing he somewhat regrets rushing Barkley back into action after the youngster was sidelined with a toe injury:
“Lacina has been sharp in training and has surprised everyone in the medical department at how quickly he has got his fitness levels high for the competition. We have to make sure there is no risk for him to participate but, clearly, there is a good opportunity for him to be involved on Sunday in one way or another. …..I did bring [Barkley] back too early, especially for the game against Aston Villa. We need to make sure that now, he’s fully recovered and refreshed, and is ready to have a massive role between now and the end of the season. Ross is going to be vital for us in this final third, and we need to make sure we use him wisely and when he is 100 per cent.”
Swansea boss Garry Monk is hopeful of a return to action for Michu at Goodison. The Spaniard has failed to play since late December after undergoing ankle surgery and missed a couple of days’ training recently but has now stepped up his recovery:
“He was training today, so we’ll see how he feels. If he’s a possibility for the weekend, we will talk to the player. Maybe he will be involved on the weekend.”
Kenwyne Jones and Fabio are cup-tied for Cardiff’s home clash with holders Wigan. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are waiting to hear back from United for confirmation of Wilfried Zaha’s availability, though – the on-loan wide man was an unused sub for his parent club in the Swans’ win at Old Trafford last month. The Bluebirds boss hinted he may make some changes for the clash during yesterday’s press conference:
“It’s a chance for some players to come in and show they should be playing in the league and I do not go into any game hoping we lose.”
