Brendan Rodgers refuses to give up hope on Daniel Sturridge’s chances of featuring in the Merseyside derby. Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans joined the injured list at United. QPR have concerns in midfield with Jordan Mutch and Joey Barton sidelined. Marouane Chamakh returns to contention as Palace play host to Leicester. Paul Lambert welcomes back a quartet of players as they overcome a virus ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge. Everton could again be without Seamus Coleman and Steven Pienaar for the Merseyside derby, while Ronaldo Koeman suggests a weekend return for Toby Alderweireld.
Brendan Rodgers will assess Daniel Sturridge over the next couple of days as the forward attempts to recover from a thigh complaint in time for the Merseyside derby. While the Reds boss confirmed his star striker is “nearer to fitness” it’s believed Sturridge faces a race against time to make it. Rodgers also went on to say “playing 120 minutes in midweek” won’t be a problem for Raheem Sterling and is hopeful over Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson.
Chris Smalling had to leave Man United’s training session with “stiff legs” according to Louis Van Gaal, who has since ruled the centre-back out of the weekend visit of West Ham. Smalling joins Jonny Evans and Phil Jones on the injury list, with Van Gaal hinting that he will now turn to youth as he looks to put together a new back four against the Hammers.
QPR boss Harry Redknapp has ruled out both Joey Barton and Jordan Mutch for the trip to St Mary’s. This leaves the R’s short in midfield, though Redknapp also suggest that Sandro “might be okay” following his knee injury sustained last week. Niko Krancjar has also emerged as an injury concern, while Adel Taarabt remains doubtful with an ankle problem.
Neil Warnock has confirmed that forward Marouane Chamakh is available again for the weekend, after the Moroccan missed recent outings with a hamstring injury. The Eagles boss, however, admits “there won’t be many changes” from the win at Everton last week.
Ashley Westwood, Darren Bent, Andi Weimann and Nathan Baker have all recovered from the virus that swept through Villa’s squad last weekend. Paul Lambert though, played down the chances of a return for skipper Ron Vlaar, suggesting that the weekend will almost certainly come too soon for the defender following a calf injury.
Roberto Martinez has cast doubts over the availability of both Steven Pienaar and Seamus Coleman for the Merseyside derby, with the Toffees boss reckoning “it’s still too soon to tell” if they’ll be ready for the weekend.
Saints boss Ronald Koeman has revealed that Toby Alderweireld is back in training following a hamstring injury. Koeman adds that it’s “looking positive” for the Belgian’s chances of a weekend return. Meanwhile Koeman is hopeful that fellow defender Maya Yoshida will return to training today.
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.
