Yaya Toure returns to boost Cityβs Europa League hopes, as Sergio Aguero nets a rare away goal. Antonio Valencia is set for a spell on the sidelines, Jon Walters returns to the Stoke City front line, while Landon Donovan is already eyeing up a third loan spell at Everton:
Yaya Toure produced a stand-out performance for City upon his return from African Cup of Nations duties last night. The Ivorian – who signed off on league duties with a 14 point FPL haul against Liverpool back in Gameweek 20 – provided both assists in the 2-1 win at Porto and looks likely to see some Fantasy investment over the next few weeks. Toure had started every one of Cityβs league games prior to leaving for international duties and, with an average of 4.4 points per game, will be crucial to Cityβs chances of success over the remainder of the season- expect a Watchlist article sometime next week.
Sergio Agueroβs Fantasy owners will be hoping his late winner signalled a return to form. The Argentine- who hasnβt scored on the road for the past eight league games- was benched last night, as Roberto Mancini started with Mario Balotelli as a lone front man. While Edin Dzeko remained an unused sub, Aguero was sent on as a replacement for the Italian with twelve minutes remaining and slotted home from close range just six minutes later, after Toureβs clever pass.
Phil Jones, Nani and Tom Cleverley all returned to the United first XI in last nightβs trip to Ajax. While the first two have missed the last three league games, Cleverley hasnβt featured since Gameweek 10 due to an ankle injury. The fixtures are extremely kind for Sir Alex Fergusonβs side from Gameweek 28 onwards and Cleverley, priced at 5.1 with a 2% ownership, could be a real cut-price differential if he can re-establish himself in the championsβ first XI.
As we mentioned in last night’s late article, Antonio Valencia is set for a spell on the sidelines, after picking up a hamstring injury in Amsterdam. The winger, on as a second half substitute, sustained the injury when setting up his sideβs second goal in the 2-0 Europa League win. Ferguson spoke of his sideβs injuries in the post-match press conference:
He has a hamstring injury unfortunately. It will be four weeks. It’s a blow to lose Valencia tonight, but bit by bit, we are getting stronger with Nani and Ashley Young coming back. Tom Cleverley has played a bit of football tonight and Phil Jones has played a full game which is good for us. Chris Smalling was on the bench but will play in the return match at Old Trafford next Thursday.
Fantasy owners of Jon Walters will have been pleased with Stokeβs lineup last night. The Irishmanβs appeal as an out of position option has considerably lessened in recent weeks, with Tony Pulis affording the likes of Cameron Jerome, Kenwyne Jones and Ricardo Fuller a chance to partner Peter Crouch up front. Walters has been used as a winger instead but returned to the Pottersβ front line alongside Crouch against Valencia, with Jermaine Pennant and Matt Etherington handed the roles on the flanks. With home games against Swansea and Norwich up next, investment in Stoke players looks likely but Walters, with a single goal in the last 13 gameweeks, seems to have lost his early-season form, with nearly 130,00 Fantasy managers transferring him out as a result.
Landon Donovan has admitted he is keen on a third loan spell at Everton. The US international – who has been instrumental in the Toffees recent five-match unbeaten run with 3 assists – plays his final game for David Moyesβ side in tomorrowβs FA Cup home clash with Blackpool before heading back to parent club LA Galaxy, but is already eyeing up a return to Merseyside next winter:
I would approach it the same way I have approach it each year. ‘One: Am I physically able to do it. Two: Does he (Moyes) want me to come back. Three: Do I feel like I can contribute and benefit the club? I’m not coming back if it is just for me to have an experience. I have too much respect for the club, manager and players to do that. The expectation is very clear if I come back and if I feel I can do that and they want me to come back then I would absolutely do it.
Liverpool have received an injury boost ahead of their FA Cup Fifth Round clash with Brighton. Maxi Rodriguez has recovered from the foot problem that has kept him sidelined for the past three weeks, while teenage full-backs Jon Flanagan and Jack Robinson are also in the frame for Sundayβs Anfield showdown, according to Kenny Dalglish.
Zoltan Gera is hopeful of a return to action before the end of the season. The Hungarian played just three games for West Brom before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in Gameweek 13 but reckons there is a slim chance of returning for the Baggies before the current campaign is out.
