Daniel Sturridge is ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing hip surgery. Oscar is omitted from Brazil’s Copa America squad due to injury, though Philippe Coutinho earns a place in time for next month’s tournament. Bafetimbi Gomis is back in training for Swansea, whilst Phil Jones could return to the United XI this weekend:
Sturridge sidelined for run-in after hip operation
Daniel Sturridge has been ruled out for the remainder of Liverpool’s run-in after undergoing hip surgery in New York. The Reds forward took to Instagram to confirm that the operation had gone smoothly:
“Just want to let the world know I’ve had a successful operation on my hip today and I want to thank God for allowing that to be possible. Onwards and upwards from here. Thanks for the support.”
The Scout Says: A timeline on Sturridge’s potential return hasn’t yet been offered by Liverpool, but there’s a possibility that the Merseysiders could be forced to sideline their star striker for the beginning of the 2015/16 Premier League season to ensure he doesn’t suffer yet another injury setback. Refocusing on the current campaign, Sturridge’s confirmed absence and Mario Balotelli’s pitiful recent performances could encourage Rodgers to retain Rickie Lambert in the starting line-up. The former Southampton frontman earned a rare start against QPR last Gameweek, bagging an assist for Coutinho’s sumptuous opener. Considering that Raheem Sterling has averaged two shots per appearance over his last four starts, Lambert’s four attempts on goal against the R’s might offer further vindication for Rodgers to retain his services for the final three league fixtures.
Jones steps up recovery
Phil Jones is edging closer to a full return to Manchester United’s starting XI after clocking 62 minutes in the Under 21s 1-0 win over Southampton. Speaking to MUTV, Jones is keen to return to action as the Red Devils look to secure a Champions League berth in their final three fixtures:
“I’m happy to play in the Under-21s and get some fitness. I feel I’m ready to go again and hopefully I can make the squad on Saturday. We have got a long way to go as there are still three games coming up – three massive games – and we have got to approach it in the right way. I’m sure we can do that and cement that top-four finish.”
The Scout Says: Jones was an unused substitute against West Brom on Saturday evening, having been deemed unfit to start the encounter. Now with some pitch time under his belt, manager Louis van Gaal has the option to recall the England international for their trip to Crystal Palace this weekend. The obvious plan of action would be to swap out the less-experienced Patrick McNair in central defence; yet with Michael Carrick likely to miss out again, Van Gaal may elect to employ Jones in the holding midfield role of his 4-1-4-1 set-up, allowing Wayne Rooney to revert to a striker berth. United have drawn three consecutive blanks since Rooney was shifted back into midfield and their skipper’s reinstatement in an advanced role could be crucial in light of their recent toils up top.
Oscar sits out Copa America with injury
Oscar has been omitted from Brazil’s Copa America squad, after the Chelsea playmaker sustained an injury in their last training session. Oscar expressed his disappointment at not being able to team up with Selecao for the quadrennial tournament, via his Twitter account:
“I am very sad not to defend my country in the Copa America because of an injury. Thank you all for caring.”
Brazil boss Dunga revealed that he’d liaised with the Blues medical team before making his decision:
“Oscar got an injury in his last training session with Chelsea. We spoke with Mourinho and the doctor at Chelsea and his recuperation will take time and he won’t be at his best during the Copa America. After the Copa America we have the World Cup qualifiers, and we thought it best for him to be ready for the qualifiers.”
The Scout Says: With the league title already wrapped up, Oscar’s absence from the Copa America could be a blessing in disguise for Chelsea. The ex-Internacional starlet has competed in summer tournaments – including the 2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup – in each of the last four years and has barely been afforded time off. An extended break could well be the tonic that Oscar needs to revitalise his Blues career, following a relatively so-so season for Jose Mourinho’s side. In terms of the immediate ramifications for Fantasy managers, Oscar’s inaction should decrease the likelihood that Cesc Fabregas is handed a rest, with no other natural playmakers waiting in the wings.
Coutinho called up to Brazil squad
Philippe Coutinho – alongside his Premier League peers Fernandinho, Willian and Filipe Luis – has been called up to Brazil’s Copa America squad.
The Scout Says: Coutinho’s involvement in the Copa America casts a slight doubt over his availability at the start of the Reds’ 2015/16 Premier League campaign. The tournament gets underway on June 11, with the final set to take place on July 4. Considering that Brazil are arguably the strongest of the 12 nations competing in Chile, there’s every chance they could reach the final for the fifth time in seven attempts – affording Coutinho little time to enjoy a much-needed rest (he’s made a hefty 49 appearances for Liverpool this term) ahead of the new domestic season, which commences earlier than usual on August 8. It’s worth noting that Arsene Wenger has already cast doubt over Alexis Sanchez’ chances of making the start of next season if Chile progress to the latter stages of the tournament. In the event that Liverpool head coach Brendan Rodgers elects to follow suit, the Merseysiders could be without both Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge (depending on his recovery from hip surgery) for their inaugural fixture, potentially influencing our appraisal of Liverpool coverage in Gameweek 1.
Pienaar remains doubtful for Toffees
Steven Pienaar is looking increasingly unlikely to play any further part this campaign, as the South African winger struggles to reach full fitness in the wake of a four-month injury layoff. Toffees boss Roberto Martinez admitted he’s keen to court caution with the midfielder and won’t take unnecessary risks:
“Stevie is working really hard now to be involved before the season ends but it will be difficult to find out one way or the other. We’ll monitor his situation and if he’s 100 per cent over the next three weeks it will be great to see him on a football pitch. If not, we’ll make sure he has a good fresh start in pre-season and make sure he’s in the best possible shape to have a good campaign. It’s a period now where we want Stevie to be fit before the end of the season but, in one way or another, he has to be starting pre-season 100 per cent.”
The Scout Says: We can infer from Martinez’s soundbites that his primary concern, understandably, is getting Pienaar primed for a starring role next season, having only tallied three starts this term. With Pienaar out of the picture, Leon Osman and Kevin Mirallas are in a straight shootout for the left wing berth. The pair have shared the responsibility of late, yet Mirallas’ recent productivity in the final third (two goals in three outings) bodes well for the Belgian’s chances of receiving further starting roles as Martinez’ men prepare for home clashes with Sunderland and Spurs and a trip to West Ham in the final three matches.
Gomis trains ahead of Emirates showdown
Bafetimbi Gomis could be poised to prove his fitness in time for Swansea’s visit to Arsenal on Monday after returning to training this week. Swans manager Garry monk revealed:
“Bafe is back in training this week. We will have to assess if Bafe is ready to go back in and start, but it will be good to have him back as we have had a few injuries and we are getting short on bodies. It just comes back to the need for us to add to the squad. If we’d had a few injuries to some of our consistent performers this season, we could have been in a very different situation. We must make sure we add quality and depth, while not losing anything.”
The Scout Says: Prior to suffering a pulled hamstring 16 minutes into Swansea’s Gameweek 32 home tie against Everton, Gomis notched three goals in two starts and looked in ominous form. In response to the Frenchman’s upturn in performances, 20,000 unfortunate managers drafted Gomis in before swiftly ruing that decision. In light of Nelson Oliveira struggling with a recurring ankle complaint that forced him off in the first half of Swansea’s win over Stoke City last weekend, Gomis’ potential return would deliver a huge boost to Monk’s outfit. The former Lyon frontman netted the winner in the reverse fixture but will face a taller task repeating that feat at the Emirates, given that the Gunners are undefeated on home soil since a 2-1 loss to Manchester United in Gameweek 12.
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