Scout Scribbles – Sterling Boost for Liverpool

Raheem Sterling looks set to recover from a toe problem in time for Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal, whilst Daniel Sturridge may also make it. Radamel Falcao nets again for Colombia, Jores Okore adds to Villa’s injury concerns ahead of the double Gameweek and Harry Kane is in line to feature for the England Under-21s in this summer’s European Championships.

Sterling on course for Emirates showdown

Reports in the local press suggest Raheem Sterling has been given the all-clear to return to training this week and is in line to to face Arsenal next Saturday, following treatment on a toe injury that prevented him from travelling with the England squad to face Italy. Daniel Sturridge, meanwhile, has not yet been ruled out of the Emirates clash and could be set to play through the pain barrier after the Reds’ medical team offered a positive assessment on his hip flexor complaint.

The Scout Says: Liverpool will be desperate to get their quest for Champions League football back on track after United terminated their 13-match unbeaten streak last time out. Considering the Gunners have only conceded six goals in their previous 10 fixtures – recording clean sheets in four of their last five at home – Brendan Rodgers will need all the firepower he can muster to breach the hosts’ rearguard. Should Sturridge fail to make it, Sterling’s 30% ownership could profit from the winger being handed a start up top. Sterling has struggled for attacking returns in his last three outings – having been deployed at right wing-back for two of those encounters – yet delivered two assists the last time he spearheaded the Merseysiders’ attack in Gameweek 27. Sturridge has rediscovered his scoring rhythm in recent weeks – netting four goals and three assists in eight appearances – following a gradual return from a five-month injury layoff. Rodgers is clearly pushing for the former Chelsea forward to start in light of the magnitude of the fixture and Fantasy owners will be desperate for Sturridge to prove his fitness ahead of Liverpool’s enticing quartet of subsequent matches (NEW, hul, WBA, QPR), in which two of the worst three defences in the league (QPR and Newcastle) await the Reds.

Falcao nets spot-kick in Colombia win

Radamel Falcao scored a penalty in Colombia’s 3-1 victory over Kuwait – his third in two outings for Los Cafeteros over the international break. David Ospina lasted the full 90 minutes for the second match in succession, while Chelsea’s Juan Cuadrado was subbed off at half-time.

The Scout Says: Falcao’s goalscoring exploits during the international break are hard to get that enthused about when you consider the calibre of opposition Colombia were matched up against – Bahrain are ranked 104 in the FIFA rankings, while Kuwait languish in 125th place. With Robin van Persie pencilled in for a return to action in time for the Manchester derby – and Wayne Rooney the firm favourite in the lone striker role – Falcao will have to turn in some spectacular cameos from the bench if he’s to salvage anything from an ill-fated spell at Old Trafford.

Ramirez touch-and-go for Swans clash

Gaston Ramirez sustained a hamstring injury on international duty with Uruguay and is now doubtful for Hull’s Gameweek 31 tie against Swansea City.

The Scout Says: Ramirez will be hoping to be passed fit and handed a third successive league start for the Tigers following his influential performance in the 3-2 loss to Chelsea. The Uruguayan international was the second most creative midfielder among the Fantasy roster last Gameweek, with only David Silva (11) serving up more opportunities for his team-mates than Ramirez (six). Furthermore, only Silva (10) and Frank Lampard (six) – who were pitted against a 10-man Baggies outfit for the majority of their encounter – fashioned more attempts on goal than the Southampton loanee. Ramirez’ upturn in form could see the 5.4-priced midfielder retain his starting berth beyond Tom Huddlestone’s return from suspension, with David Meyler potentially dropping out to accommodate both.

Aarons return bolsters Magpies’ faltering attack

Rolando Aarons – who’s sat out the majority of the season due to injury – is back in contention for the Tyne-Wear derby after recovering from a hamstring complaint.

The Scout Says: Considering the 19-year-old Aarons has only graced the pitch for 105 minutes in his Toon career, the 4.7-priced midfielder is a relatively unknown quantity on the Fantasy scene. Aarons netted a goal and assist in his second appearance under former boss Alan Pardew, briefly alerting us to his latent talents before injury struck, and his potential return offers hope that the lively winger could emerge as a last-gasp differential in light of Newcastle’s decent final five match-ups (SWA, lei, WBA, qpr, WHU). Aarons’ return to full fitness threatens the playing time of Sammy Ameobi – who’s started in each of the previous four Gameweeks on Newcastle’s right flank.

Kane poised to compete in Euro Under-21s

Harry Kane will join up with the England Under-21s for the European Championships that is set to take place between 17–30 June. As such, the Tottenham marksman will be unavailable for the senior squad’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia on June 14. Gareth Southgate said he’d been encouraged by Roy Hodgson to include Kane in the youth tournament in light of the senior squad’s dominant position in their qualifying group:

“It (his performance for the seniors against Lithuania) won’t make any difference. We were pretty clear that he probably wouldn’t start the game the other night. What happens against Italy remains to be seen, but Roy was very much of the view that we’re in a good position in the group, and he feels that for this group of players (in the Under-21s), the experience of going to the Czech Republic in the summer would be more beneficial than the two games he’s got. That’s regardless of what happens between now and then. We’re not short of good players in the seniors, although for Harry to be there this time was totally merited on form. But we still feel that we can give the players the best possible preparation to go into the seniors and be a success if they’ve been through the experience of the summer.”

The Scout Says: Kane’s involvement in the Under-21 tournament will be of slight concern to Mauricio Pochettino and Fantasy managers alike ahead of the 2015/16 Premier League campaign, given that the burgeoning star will could face an additional five matches if England manage to reach the final. Kane has already featured in 43 fixtures for the Lilywhites in his first full season in the top flight, with his laudable work ethic only increasing the threat of fatigue. Although pre-season fixtures are unlikely to take place before mid-July, Kane will clearly be behind his team-mates with regards to training and gym conditioning given that he’ll doubtless be afforded a break upon returning from the Czech Republic. Given that the 2015/16 campaign starts as early as August 8, then, it remains to be seen whether Kane will be fully fit in time for the start of the new season, with Pochettino perhaps keen to ease him into the fray in order to avoid burnout.

Okore doubtful as Sherwood faces injury crisis

Jores Okore missed Denmark’s friendly against France on Sunday and is now rated as a doubt for Aston Villa’s trip to Manchester United in the first of their double Gameweek 31 encounters.

The Scout Says: The Villains’ squad is beset with injuries ahead of their Old Trafford clash, with only Alan Hutton and Ciaran Clark boasting a clean bill of health among their beleaguered backline. Given that Villa have managed just one clean sheet in six under Tim Sherwood, our faith in their defence is already low ahead of their showdowns against United and QPR. Brad Guzan continues to look the most secure option for those who are willing to punt on the Villa rearguard – the stopper has earned save points in six of the last nine Gameweeks and his performances between the posts look even more crucial in light of the injury crisis.