Romelu Lukaku is struggling to recover from a toe problem in time for Everton’s trip to The Hawthorns. David Silva talks down fellow Spain international Diego Costa’s hamstring problem, Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez impresses for Algeria, while the injuries mount for West Brom as Youssouf Mulumbu picks up a hamstring injury.
Lukaku Concern for Toffees
Everton boss Roberto Martinez has confirmed his record signing faces a race against time to be fit in time for next weekend’s trip to West Brom. Lukaku has pulled out of international duties with Belgium due to an ongoing toe problem and, speaking to the club’s official website, Martinez admitted:
“We’ll have to assess him on Monday and Tuesday to see how fit he is because there is a big question mark over Rom being fully fit for the weekend. Obviously Rom has been struggling with that toe and he’s done magnificently to be on the pitch and helping us on a matchday. But this week, it’s been important for us to give him a specific treatment to work on that [toe] and make sure that his recovery time has been exactly what he’s needed. We’ve got a great relationship with the Belgian FA and it’s been great to be able to work together. We hope that Rom can benefit from that.”
The Scout Says: With just an assist to his name in the first three Gameweeks, Lukaku has clearly struggled to regain the form that served up 15 goals and nine assists during his loan stint at Goodison last time around. Given that his side face seven days in 22 days from next weekend onwards, Martinez will be reluctant to risk the big Belgian and with Samuel Eto’o on board, can afford to court caution with Lukaku’s fitness. A possible spell on the sidelines would certainly be good news for Steven Naismith’s growing band of Fantasy owners – many feel the Scot’s pitch time will be curtailed by Eto’o’s arrival but his chances of retaining the support role will surely take a turn for the better if Lukaku needs more time to recuperate.
Injuries Mount for Baggies
West Brom midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu lasted just 21 minutes of Congo’s defeat to Cameroon yesterday before limping off with a hamstring injury.
The Scout Says: With Ben Foster and Graham Dorrans also pulling out of international duty through injury in the last few days, Alan Irvine doesn’t have his problems to seek right now. A potential absence for Mulumbu could allow James Morrison his first start of the season – the Scot recovered from injury to climb off the bench in the Gameweek 3 loss at Swansea – though Irvine could also turn to 4.0-priced defender Chris Baird as an alternative; the summer signing was fielded in the centre of the park during pre-season but has failed to feature for the midlands outfit in the league so far.
Silva Plays Down Costa Fears
The City playmaker raised the hopes of Diego Costa’s Fantasy owners yesterday. Speaking to the press ahead of Spain’s upcoming clash against Macedonia, Silva – who has a history of hamstring injuries himself – seemed confident that the Chelsea striker’s problem is merely a minor one.
“I saw Costa was doing well and I talked to him. The injury is nothing serious.”
The Scout Says: The news, whilst far from an official prognosis, raises optimism of a swift return to action for the Blues in-form frontman. Costa has already withdrawn from tomorrow’s squad with the problem but, as we saw last week at Everton, his powers of recovery seem to be rapid. Having started all but four of Atletico’s 38 league matches last term, there’s growing hope he’ll be raring to go in time for next Saturday’s home clash with Swansea – with 36% of the votes cast in this week’s Captain Poll, he’s been heavily backed to replicate the form which has seen him score in all three league appearances so far.
Mahrez Helps Algeria to Victory
The Leicester wide man played a key part in his nation’s 2-0 win over Ethiopia yesterday. Mahrez provided an assist for Porto’s Yacine Brahimi to help secure the points for Christian Gourcuff’s side.
The Scout Says: Mahrez’ burgeoning form could well be set to keep budget favourite Marc Albrighton on The Foxes bench when the domestic action resumes next weekend. The Algerian has started all three league matches on the right flank, with pre-season favourite Albrighton reduced to a couple of sub appearances so far. Available for 5.0, Mahrez has Stoke, Palace and Burnley in the next four as Nigel Pearson’s side look to build on the form that has earned points against Everton and Arsenal in the first trio of fixtures. If Jeffrey Schlupp can continue on the opposite flank, though, he looks an intriguing out of position option – priced at 4.5 and classified as a defender, he’s started the last two on the left and provided the assist for Leonardo Ulloa’s equaliser against the Gunners last time around.
Jovetic Injury Reports Remain Scarce
According to Twitter rumour and some limited sources, Man City’s Stevan Jovetic suffered a hamstring injury in training on Friday, ahead of Montenegro’s European Championship Qualifier with Moldova. It’s suggested that he will sit out Monday’s encounter as a precaution.
The Scout Says: While we would rarely give such a “story” any coverage, in a period awash with phantom injuries, it’s worthwhile sifting fact from rumour. Right now, there seems little need for Jovetic owners to panic, particularly when there are very few sources confirming the news, with much of the noise restricted to Twitter. As yet, there’s no suggestion of a withdrawal from the Montenegro squad or further confirmation that Jovetic will indeed sit out Monday’s game. The striker has, however, been cursed by hamstring problems in the past so, should he play no part against Moldova, Fantasy managers will wait keenly on reports from the Etihad ahead of City’s trip to Arsenal in Gameweek 4.
