Diego Costa withdraws from Spain’s upcoming European Championship match with a hamstring problem. Daniel Sturridge is ruled out of England duty with a thigh injury. Adam Lallana scores Liverpool’s winner in a friendly against Wolves, Gus Poyet talks up his Italian wide man, while Hull’s record signing is amongst the goals for Uruguay.
Costa Hamstring Concern Again
Fantasy managers are once again on alert after the Chelsea forward pulled out of Spain’s squad to face Macedonia on Monday after sustaining a hamstring problem. The Spanish FA failed to elaborate on the situation and would only say:
“Diego Costa is not available for selection because of an injury to the hamstring muscle in his left thigh. All imaging tests will be sent to Chelsea.”
The Scout Says: We’ve been here before. Only last week Costa toiled with a similar problem before netting twice at Everton and burning the 155,000 FPL managers who parted company with his services. On that evidence, we’ll be a little more confident over his chances of recovering for a plum home clash with Swansea next weekend but already it seems like Costa could be another premium priced forward who doesn’t come without the prospect of regular knocks and niggles attached. A potential absence would see Loic Remy or Didier Drogba emerge as a mid-price option but, as we saw last week, it’s far too early to make any sort of presumptions.
Sturridge Worry for Reds
Reports suggest the Liverpool striker was sent to hospital for scans yesterday after picking up a problem during training with England ahead of Monday’s match with Switzerland. Sturridge also confirmed the injury via twitter, saying:
“Heartbroken soul right now believe me. Hopefully be back soon fighting fit for LFC. Nothing worse than being injured. My heads gone..”
The Scout Says: There’s no doubt that, given his propensity for picking up injuries, the Sturridge news is a concern. The Liverpool frontman started just 26 of his side’s league matches last season as a result of hamstring and ankle problems and was sent home early from the club’s summer tour of the US with a hamstring complaint. The fixtures could barely be kinder for Brendan Rodgers’ side – four home matches (AVL, EVE, WBA, HUL) and trips to West Ham and QPR in the next six certainly look full of potential for Sturridge, though a possible spell on the sidelines would surely spark further interest in Mario Balotelli. The Italian turned in an impressive debut for the Reds and at 10.0 in FPL to his fellow forward’s 11.5, looks a ready-made replacement if Sturridge succumbs to another spell on the sidelines.
Lallana Nets in Narrow Reds Win
The former Southampton midfielder notched the only goal of a behind-closed-doors encounter with Wolves, as Brendan Rodgers handed Balotelli, Lucas, Jose Enrique and Fabio Borini a run out.
The Scout Says: After missing the start of the season through injury, Lallana’s return to fitness is timely for the Merseysiders as the fixtures come thick and fast. Rodgers’ side prepare for a return to Champions League duties in less than a fortnight’s time and it’s clear he’ll be keen to utilise the strength and depth of his new squad in order to battle on all fronts. Given the convincing manner of their victory over Spurs last time around, Lallana may find it difficult to walk straight into the Reds’ starting line-up, though any injury to Sturridge would certainly force a tactical re-think for the Reds’ boss. At 8.4 with an ownership under 1% in FPL, he’s certainly a differential prospect right now but until Lallana proves he’s worthy of a regular role, few will be prepared to overlook Raheem Sterling as the best route into the Liverpool midfield, while Jordan Henderson’s pair of assists so far underline his mid-price appeal.
Poyet Praise for Giaccherini
The Black Cats boss hinted his enigmatic Italian still has a part to play in this season’s campaign. Despite the recent signings of Ricardo Alvarez and Will Buckley, Poyet reckons Giaccherini’s versatility could be key to his prospects, though admitted he’s uncertain whether the former Juventus man will merit an immediate start:
“To have him back is fantastic for us because this is the best I’ve seen him. Throughout pre-season, and since he’s come back from an injury setback, he has been great…I think Giacchy can be used in four positions. He’s capable of playing in the two wide and the two central midfield ones. In terms of how we use him, it will depend on the individual game and what we want out of it. But the competition for places in our midfield now is massive, massive – it’s even difficult to make the bench now. But yeah, I’m very pleased with Giacchy.”
The Scout Says: After recovering from injury, Giaccherini emerged from the bench to provide an assist in the recent Capital One Cup win at Birmingham. The Italian was then handed another sub appearance away to QPR as he builds up his match fitness but with the likes of Adam Johnson and Connor Wickham also offering competition for the wide roles, it remains to be seen whether he can find a way into the Black Cats’ XI ahead of an encouraging run of fixtures. Sunderland entertain Spurs, Swansea and Stoke and also travel to Burnley in the next four Gameweeks and judging by the displays so far, the 5.6-priced Seb Larsson, who has played every minute so far and chipped in with a goal and assist in three appearances, looks the best route into Poyet’s midfield.
Hernandez Nets in Uruguay Win
Hull’s record signing served notice of his form yesterday by netting in a 2-0 win over Japan. Hernandez started the match on the bench but scored just six minutes after his second-half introduction and has now bagged eight goals in just 15 international appearances.
The Scout Says: Steve Bruce will be optimistic his new frontman can maintain yesterday’s form as the Tigers prepare for three decent looking fixtures in the upcoming four Gameweeks. Home encounters with West Ham and Palace are allied with a trip to Newcastle, though with City, Arsenal and Liverpool in the next six, Hernandez may struggle for attention. Furthermore, his initial price of 7.0 in FPL is a major deterrent right now – given that team-mate Nikica Jelavic (6.0) has netted in each of the last two, there looks set to be little call for his services, with only 2,000 Fantasy managers snapping him up since arriving from Palermo.
Diouf and Mane Guide Senegal to Victory
Stoke striker Mame Biram Diouf carried on from the form that saw him score the winner against City in Gameweek 3 by grabbing the opener in a 2-0 win over Egypt. Southampton’s deadline day signing Sadio Mane also served notice of his goal potential by netting the second.
The Scout Says: Both players arrive on our radars ahead of some very encouraging upcoming schedules. Available for just 6.0, Diouf looks arguably the safest pick of any Stoke player in the final third this season and welcomes Leicester, Newcastle and Swansea in the next five, in addition to trips to QPR and Sunderland. Mane, who arrives in the Premier League on the back of 45 goals and 32 assists in just 87 appearances for Red Bull Salzburg, has four home matches (NEW, QPR, SUN, STOK) and a visit to Swansea in the next six to get his top-flight career up and running. At 7.0, he offers a cheaper option than 7.5-priced team-mate Dusan Tadic as a route into the Saints’ midfield.
