Scout Scribbles – Giroud Back in Training for Gunners

Olivier Giroud returns to training for Arsenal. Chelsea expect Cesc Fabregas to be fit for the Gameweek 12 clash with West Brom. Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge hand Swansea a fitness boost, Ryan Taylor bags a brace for Newcastle’s reserves, whilst Danny Ings is at the double for England Under 21s.

GIROUD CLOSE TO GUNNERS RETURN

Olivier Giroud has returned to full training with Arsenal after recovering from the ankle injury he sustained against Everton in Gameweek 2. However, Mesut Ozil has now revealed that he is likely to be out until the New Year with a knee injury, contrary to initial reports that the German would only be missing for around ten weeks after suffering the rupture against Chelsea in early October.

The Scout Says: Whilst the news surrounding Ozil had looked set to diminish managers’ fears of rotation in the Gunners’ midfield, Giroud’s return now throws a spanner in the works. Given the form of Alexis Sanchez, Wenger seems unlikely to shift the Chilean out of a central berth right now and a spot up front for Giroud would raise real concerns over Danny Welbeck’s role. Arsene Wenger has previously talked up the former United man’s ability to play out wide, and his flexibility could indeed save him from dropping out of the starting XI if Wenger sticks with a 4-4-2 set up, though with Theo Walcott also back from injury, Welbeck could face a tough task of retaining his starting berth once Giroud gets himself up to full match sharpness.

CHELSEA CONFIDENT ON CESC RECOVERY

Chelsea have confirmed that Cesc Fabregas is likely to be fit in for their clash with West Brom in Gameweek 12 after the midfielder withdrew from the Spanish national side’s squad earlier this week with a hamstring complaint.

The Scout Says: Since news of his withdrawal emerged a few days ago, Fabregas has lost significant ownership for the first time this term, with 35,000 managers having finding a quick exit route. Yesterday’s news should see that trend slow, however, with the Spaniard’s consistency of returns so far this season enough to ensure that most will now be happy to hold. Nonetheless, Fabregas is currently balanced on the suspension tightrope with four yellow cards to date, and with team-mate Eden Hazard grabbing double figures in each of his last two home appearances, managers currently in the market for Chelsea midfield coverage ahead of their enticing upcoming schedule (WBA, sun, TOT, new, HUL) are unlikely to look past the 10.0 valued Belgian.

ENRIQUE NEARS REDS COMEBACK

Full back Jose Enrique is back in training after missing Liverpool’s last two league fixtures with a knee problem.

The Scout Says: Having only made one start so far this campaign, Enrique is unlikely to oust Alberto Moreno from the left back berth when the Reds travel to Crystal Palace in Gameweek 12. Moreno has earned bonus points on both occasions he’s collected a clean sheet this season, and with Palace having only struck once in their last two fixtures, the defender could be set for further returns next weekend. Liverpool have only managed one shutout in their previous seven, but boast a decent impending schedule (cpl, STO, lei, SUN) and managers willing to gamble on their backline will surely be eyeing up Moreno as their preferred option.

WIDE MEN On COURSE FOR SWANS RETURN

Wingers Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge are both expected to be fit for Swansea’s trip to Man City next weekend after recovering from groin strains, though the Welsh outfit have ruled out centre back Federico Fernandez for up to three weeks with a calf complaint.

The Scout Says: With Dyer and Routledge back in the fold, Swans’ boss Gary Monk is posed a selection headache over the coming weeks. Jefferson Montero’s run of form since securing a starting spot in Gameweek 9 should see the Ecuadorian immune from rotation for the time being, meaning that the returning duo could battle it out for role on the opposite flank. With that in mind, Montero, who has acquired an assist in two of his three starts, looks the best bet for those seeking an alternative to Gylfi Sigurdsson in the Swans’ midfield ahead of a favourable run of fixtures from Gameweek 13 onwards (CPL, QPR, whm, TOT, hul, AVL). Meanwhile, with Fernandez out of action, Kyle Bartley could be set to get the nod again for the City clash after being selected over Jordi Amat to play alongside Ashley Williams at the back against Arsenal. At 3.9, the former Gunner could be a steal if he can claim a regular role in a side who have tallied five clean sheets already this season.

TAYLOR IMPRESSES FOR MAGPIES’ RESERVES

Defender Ryan Taylor bagged a brace in Newcastle Under-21’s 2-1 win over Stoke yesterday, the second goal a curled free kick to put his side into the lead.

The Scout Says: Handed his first appearance of the season off the bench against West Brom last weekend following a long injury lay-off, Taylor will be hoping to finally contend for a starting role for the Magpies. With Paul Dummett shifted to centre back last time out, Alan Pardew could opt to utilise Taylor at left back, or he may even choose to move him on to the flank in light of their current injury problems in that area. Such out of position prospects would see Taylor move swiftly onto our radars, with his dead-ball ability a real weapon in his armoury. With clean sheets in three of their last four, and the fixture list currently on their side (QPR, whm, bur), many are considering the Magpies’ defensive assets right now, and Taylor could well emerge as the standout option amongst their ranks if he can force his way into Alan Pardew’s plans.

INGS ON TARGET FOR ENGLAND

Burnley’s Danny Ings notched twice yesterday as England Under-21s ran out 3-1 winners over Portugal in their friendly encounter at Turf Moor last night.

The Scout Says: As our recent KPI article highlighted, Ings’ form over the last four Gameweeks has warranted attention, though the striker sits in just 0.5% of teams at this moment in time. Despite scoring just once over that period, the Burnley man has registered 12 shots from inside the box and maintaining that form looks key to the Claret’s chances of staying up come the end of the season. The striker’s confidence will certainly be up after last night’s showing, but at 5.7, Ings still needs to do more before we can really consider him alongside Charlie Austin, Diafra Sakho and co. in the budget forward listings. With Stoke, Villa, Newcastle and QPR in the next four, though, he may yet find himself on our radars.

Mirallas Back in Toffees Training

Roberto Martinez confirmed the Belgian stepped up his recovery from a hamstring injury by returning to training yesterday, though the Everton official website confirmed their manager gave no indication when he expects to see the Belgian back in action.

The Scout Says: With two goals in the opening six Gameweeks, Mirallas had made a decent start to the season before sustaining the injury during the Merseyside derby at Anfield. Bearing in mind only one other Everton midfielder – Aiden McGeady, with a single strike – has found the net this term, Mirallas’ eye for goal has been a big miss for Martinez’ side. Granted, the Everton boss has a number of options out wide to cover for Mirallas and even trialled Ross Barkley on the flank last time around against Sunderland but, once fit, Mirallas looks poised for a first-team return – at 7.2, he’s a relatively budget-friendly option for those willing to accept Martinez’ occasional rotation in the final third.