Thierry Henry returns to Arsenal on a short-term loan deal. Chris Brunt is expected to be sidelined for a couple of months with an ankle injury, while the injuries rack up for Spurs and Everton ahead of the final match of gameweek 20 next Wednesday:
Arsenal have confirmed this afternoon that Thierry Henry has re-joined the club on a short-term loan deal. With Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh heading off to the African Cup of Nations, Arsene Wenger is short in numbers up front and, with Wenger revealing Robin Van Persie will be rested for the FA Cup clash against Leeds, Henry is in line for action. Wenger admitted the forward is a couple of weeks away from full fitness and although Jack Wilshere is not expected to come back from an ankle injury before next month, Thomas Vermaelen is in line for a return after the Gunners trip to Swansea next gameweek.
Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling have both been ruled out out of Manchester United’s FA Cup clash with neighbours City this Sunday. Evans continues to struggle with a calf injury, while Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed Smalling is hopeful of a return to training on Monday, though is still suffering from “a really bad bout of tonsillitis”.
Everton have confirmed via their twitter feed this afternoon that Phil Jagielka could be sidelined for up to six weeks after scans revealed he suffered medial ligament damage in the midweek match at home to Bolton. David Moyes has plenty of other injury worries ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup clash with Tamworth. Jack Rodwell, Tim Cahill and Ross Barkley will not be risked, with Everton still to travel to Spurs on Wednesday in the final match of gameweek 20. Reports have also suggested that Tony Hibbert is struggling with a groin problem. Moyes confirmed Leon Osman requires surgery to remove floating bone in his knee, while Royston Drenthe, Marouane Fellaini and Seamus Coleman may be close to a comeback this weekend.
Adam Bogdan looks set to continue in goal this weekend for Bolton as Owen Coyle takes his side to Macclesfield Town. Jussi Jaaskelainen is still suffering from a thigh strain and will be giving a chance to recuperate before the Trotters’ next league game, away to Man United.
Wigan’s Albert Crusat has been given the all-clear after being subbed off with a back problem in Wigan’s 4-1 home thrashing by Sunderland. The Spaniard replaced Victor Moses in the Latics starting XI, with the latter benched for the first time this season, and Roberto Martinez admitted Crusat should feature more often in his first-team thoughts in the months ahead:
It was a real shame he had to come off against Sunderland, because he was having a massive impact on the game. But he will get plenty of opportunities to show what he can do during the second half of the season.
Alex McLeish has revealed Shay Given is making good progress from a hamstring strain. While the keeper won’t feature this weekend in the FA Cup, Big Eck has admitted there is a chance Given will recover in time for Villa’s next league game at home to Everton.
Harry Redknapp confirmed this morning that both Aaron Lennon and Michael Dawson are available for selection as Spurs face Cheltenham in the FA Cup this weekend. The Tottenham boss received bad news on the injury front, though, with William Gallas and Sandro expected to be sidelined for a considerable amount of time, after scans revealed both players picked up calf tears in the recent 1-0 win over West Brom. Scott Parker is also unavailable after picking up a “bad bang” on the knee against Swansea, according to his manager.
Jamie O’Hara is making rapid progress from his recent double hernia operation. The midfielder has, of course, been absent since gameweek 15, but according to the Wolves official website, he has an “outside chance” of making a dramatic return against former club Spurs in gameweek 21, with Mick McCarthy certainly expecting him back within the next fortnight.
Roberto Di Matteo presided over Chelsea’s Friday press conference today and revealed both Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou will leave to join up with the Ivory Coast squad tomorrow. The club had hoped the pair would be available for their FA Cup clash with Portsmouth but, as expected, they will report for international duty ahead of the upcoming African Cup of Nations. Di Matteo also revealed Michael Essien is expected to return to training by the end of the month.
West Brom have confirmed Chris Brunt is to undergo surgery after fracturing his ankle against Everton on New Year’s Day. The Irishman is expected to be sidelined for eight to ten weeks as a result.
