Vincent Kompany and Raheem Sterling return in time for City’s trip to Newcastle tomorrow. Seamus Coleman adds to Everton’s worries ahead of the Merseyside derby, Divock Origi is a minor concern for Liverpool and Norwich’s problems in defence build after their chastening home loss to Sunderland.
Crystal Palace
Scott Dann suffered a minor foot injury against Arsenal in yesterday’s 1-1 draw at the Emirates, though Alan Pardew played down concerns over the centre-half’s problem ahead of Wednesday’s trip to United:
“Scott is so important to us. He has been all year. When he took the knock I was a little concerned. He’s a warrior. It will take something really problematic for him not to play, because he’ll play through the pain.”
Everton
Roberto Martinez confirmed that Seamus Coleman is unlikely to feature in Everton’s next two fixtures after being forced off at the weekend:
“Obviously Seamus felt his hamstring. We’re going to assess him in the morning but it will be hard to see him being involved this week. That sort of injury will take a bit longer than a week.”
The Spanish boss also said that Leighton Baines and Aaron Lennon would be assessed at the start of this week, while Tom Cleverley and Phil Jagielka are likely to sit out the Merseyside derby:
“Tom Cleverley and Phil Jagielka we need to see at the end of the week, but Leighton Baines and Aaron Lennon I’m sure we’re going to have a clear idea on them on Monday or Tuesday.”
Everton extended their winless streak to six matches following their draw against Saints. Moreover, the Toffees netted just two goals in their previous five outings, undermining their Fantasy value during successive double Gameweeks. In appreciation of their poor form and blank in Gameweek 35, managers might feel inclined to cash in on some of their Everton assets, despite the fact they enjoy a double in Gameweek 37 (lei & sun).
Liverpool
Emre Can – who was suspended for yesterday’s win at Bournemouth – has been ruled out for four to six weeks after rupturing ankle ligaments against Borussia Dortmund.
Jurgen Klopp reckons that Roberto Firmino is now back to full match sharpness after his return from injury:
“Roberto Firmino had a problem after he was in perfect shape. He had to fight back from his injury. He is a really good ball keeper for us, to save the ball for us.”
Elsewhere in the Reds camp, Divock Origi is said to have picked up a minor back issue, while Kolo Toure was forced off at Dean Court with a muscle complaint:
“[Origi] got a knock on his back, I think. I asked him after the game and he said it was a little knock in the back and hopefully it’s not serious. [Toure’s injury is] a little bit more [serious], it’s the muscle. I’m not sure if it’s cramp or more but in the last few months Kolo had absolutely no issue with his muscles so hopefully it’s not a big thing.”
Liverpool’s team sheet on Sunday illuminated the impact of Europa League progress on their Fantasy prospects, given that Firmino and Daniel Sturridge were the only notable starters following their midweek triumph over Dortmund. The Reds’ next European ties take place before Gameweek 36 (swa) and the first match of their double Gameweek 37 (WAT & CHE), forcing us to reassess the viability of their prime recruits on the grounds of expected rotation.
Manchester City
Vincent Kompany and Raheem Sterling have both been passed fit for tomorrow’s trip to Newcastle. Earlier this afternoon, Manuel Pellegrini also confirmed that Samir Nasri, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and David Silva remain on the sidelines.
Although City have conceded just twice in his four-match absence, Kompany is likely to immediately oust Eliaquim Mangala in the heart of the back-four at St James’, with Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov continuing at full-back. Despite the absence of Nasri and Silva, Sterling’s return could also allow Pellegrini the option of resting Kevin de Bruyne by moving to 4-4-2 and handing Wilfried Bony a start alongside Sergio Aguero up front.
Newcastle
Rafa Benitez has confirmed that Daryl Janmaat and Fabricio Coloccini are still unavailable to face City tomorrow night, whilst fellow defender Kevin M’Babu is “very close” to returning.
After seeing his side chalk up a rare clean sheet in a 3-0 home win against Swansea, the Magpies boss is likely to name an unchanged back-four, then, with Vurnon Anita deputing for Janmaat at right-back, allowing Jamaal Lascelles and Chancel Mbemba to continue at the heart of the back-four. Bearing in mind that City have scored seven goals in their last two away matches since the return of De Bruyne, those holding Magpies defenders for the double will be hoping that Pellegrini benches the Belgian with one eye on the upcoming Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid. Sergio Aguero captainers, meanwhile, will be hoping for more of the same after his weekend hat-trick at Chelsea – the Argentine put five past the Magpies earlier this season and rolls up to St James’ in search of his 100th strike in the Premier League.
Norwich City
Alex Neil admitted that Timm Klose is unlikely to play again this campaign by virtue of damaged knee ligaments:
“Timm is going to struggle. He has got a damaged ligament in his knee. We don’t know if he can get back before the end of the season. Of course it is a blow. He has been a massive player for us. There is not much we can do about it. We just have to get on with it”.
Meanwhile, Russell Martin was unavailable for selection against Sunderland because of illness:
“Russell was in the squad and stayed with us at the hotel overnight but he went down with a fever so we had to isolate him from the rest.”
Neil also suggested that Andre Wisdom is a major concern after being forced off in the dying embers at Carrow Road:
“I didn’t feel they were threatening but in the key moments they punished us and it summed it up at the end when we finished with 10 because Andre looked like he had hurt the ligament in his knee.”
Southampton
Jose Fonte (head) and Victor Wanyama (rib) were discharged from hospital and given the all-clear after being subbed off at Goodison Park with injuries.
Watford
Jose Holebas (knock), Almen Abdi (illness) and Craig Cathcart (knock) all missed Watford’s 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion but may yet stand a chance of returning in time for Wednesday’s encounter with West Ham.
