Luis Suarez is given more time to answer his improper misconduct charge. Fergie talks festive rotation, while the injuries pile up for Steve Kean ahead of the weekend game against West Brom.
Sir Alex Ferguson has given Fantasy managers early warning of his Christmas plans, with rotation very much on his mind. The United boss admitted he plans to utilise his squad ahead of a busy run of games over the next few weeks. With the champions facing a favourable run of fixtures, careful, risk-free planning looks essential for those considering their Fantasy assets over the festive period, in order to avoid disappointment:
December is a particularly busy month when we often play eight or nine games. We’ve got a Boxing Day Game, a New Year’s Eve game..it’s going to be a hectic spell and that’s when the squad really kicks in.
The FA has afforded Luis Suarez extra time to answer the improper conduct charge leveled against the Uruguayan following an alleged gesture towards Fulham supporters in the 5/12 Craven Cottage fixture. Suarez had initially been given until 4pm yesterday to respond but the deadline has since been extended. Liverpool have also been granted more time to answer a charge of failing to keep their players in an orderly fashion following the sending off of Jay Spearing in the same fixture.
Anton Ferdinand is expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks due to a hamstring problem. The centre-half was subbed off at Anfield on Saturday with the problem and Neil Warnock expects either Fitz Hall or Matthew Connolly to be given a chance in Ferdinand’s absence. Warnock also revealed Heidar Helguson was rested for the trip to Liverpool and will be available to lead the line against Man United. In further QPR injury news, Warnock admitted Paddy Kenny could be available for selection on Sunday, though with Radek Cerny is such strong form, Kenny faces a fight to return to the first XI.
Alan Pardew is optimistic that both Cheick Tiote and Fabricio Coloccini will be available for Newcastle’s home clash with Swansea this weekend. Good news for Pardew in the centre-half area- Mike Williamson will turn out for the reserves tonight as he picks up the pace in his recovery from an ankle injury, though is regarded as “a long shot” for Saturday’s game. Pardew had to play Danny Simpson and James Perch at centre-half in the 4-2 loss at Norwich due to limited options.
Andre Santos is out for three months after undergoing ankle ligament surgery. The Arsenal left-back picked up the problem in last week’s Champions League match in Olympiacos and his loss means Thomas Vermaelen is likely to fill i
