Jack Wilshere is ruled out for several weeks, though Aaron Ramsey is due back next weekend for Arsenal. Robert Snodgrass and Ricky van Wolfswinkel return to training for Norwich. Scott Parker is ruled out for Fulham, who also have concerns over Kostas Mitroglou and William Kvist following international duty. Marouane Chamakh emerges as a strong doubt for Palace, Phil Jagielka is unlikely to make Everton’s cup clash with Arsenal, whilst Laurent Koscielny is a doubt with a hamstring problem:
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere sustained a hairline fracture to a bone in his foot whilst on international duty for England in midweek. Following scans and further investigation by the FA and the Gunners, Arsene Wenger confirmed earlier this morning that Wilshere will be out of action for around six weeks. Wenger had some good news on the injury front today, though, after revealing both Aaron Ramsey and Kim Kallstrom are expected to be available for next weekend’s north London derby trip to Tottenham. Elsewhere, the Arsenal manager also admitted that defender Laurent Koscielny picked up a hamstring problem whilst with France and is “a little doubt” to face Everton in the FA Cup this weekend.
Roberto Martinez has given an update on Phil Jagielka’s hamstring injury ahead of Everton’s cup tie with Arsenal, suggesting that the defender is “very unlikely” to feature at the Emirates this weekend.
Norwich’s injury worries have eased ahead of the weekend visit of Stoke, with Robert Snodgrass and Ricky van Wolfswinkel both returning to training following wrist and knee injuries respectively. Chris Hughton remains hopeful that the pair will come through training without any issues prior to selecting his squad. Meanwhile, the Canaries boss is confident both Joseph Yobo and Martin Olsson are fit to face Mark Hughes’s men after withdrawing from international duty in the week. Leroy Fer, Jonas Gutierrez and Michael Turner remain sidelined.
Tony Pulis has revealed that Marouane Chamakh is a doubt for the weekend. The forward suffered a hamstring injury at Swansea last week and the Eagles boss isn’t holding out much hope of the Moroccan being available, suggesting that Chamakh is “struggling.” Pulis also admitted that there are “one or two other niggles” around the camp and a late decision will be made on their availability.
Reports suggest that Fulham’s January signings William Kvist and Kostas Mitroglou both picked up hamstring injuries whilst away on international duty this week, with boss Felix Magath expected to check on the duo’s fitness ahead of the six-pointer with Cardiff. Magath will decide on Mitroglou’s inclusion against Cardiff after conversing with the club’s doctors. Scott Parker is out of tomorrow’s showdown after sustaining a knee injury in training, Fernando Amorebieta is also unavailable with a muscle problem, whilst Damien Duff may not feature again this term due to a knee injury.
All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter Stream as breaking news unfolds.
