A “stupid” injury is set to keep Sergio Aguero sidelined tomorrow, though Vincent Kompany should come back for City. Nani is out for United’s trip to Blackburn on Monday, Aaron Lennon is available for Tottenham again, while Anthony Pilkington remains a doubt for Norwich, due to a hamstring problem.
Roberto Mancini has ruled Sergio Aguero out of tomorrow’s clash with Sunderland. The Argentine missed out at Stoke last weekend due to a foot problem but his manager was more than a little cryptic in this morning’s press conference over the exact cause of the injury. Despite being quizzed several times over the incident, Mancini would only concede:
For Aguero, I am really disappointed- I don’t know when he can play.It is a stupid injury. I prefer not to say. It was not his fault but he can’t play with this injury; for one day, 10 days or two weeks. I don’t know. But he couldn’t play against Stoke and can’t play tomorrow. I hope he can recover for Arsenal next weekend.
Mancini revealed plenty more this morning, with further news of interest for Fantasy managers..
Vinnie…I think that he will be okay. Joleon- I hope for the next game. I don’t think that tomorrow he can play. Carlos- I don’t think that he can start but I think that maybe he can play more.
Kompany’s return will be a huge boost to City’s backline- the City skipper has missed the last three league games, with his side conceding in each of those fixtures. With Aguero out and Tevez a likely impact sub from the bench tomorrow, it seems that Mancini will turn to Mario Balotelli to lead the line, with Edin Dzeko perhaps afforded a first-team opportunity if the Italian decides to go with two up front.
A “stupid” injury is set to keep Sergio Aguero sidelined tomorrow, though Vincent Kompany should come back for City. Nani is out for United’s trip to Blackburn on Monday, Aaron Lennon is available for Tottenham again, while Anthony Pilkington remains a doubt for Norwich, due to a hamstring problem.
Kenny Dalglish has dismissed reports suggesting that Charlie Adam is out for the season and revealed Liverpool will analyse the midfielder’s knee problem in a couple of weeks to determine the extent of his injury. While many in the media have written off the former Blackpool man’s campaign already, his manager isn’t looking that far ahead, with the club still optimistic he will play again this term. Dalglish also offered a relatively vague injury update on Craig Bellamy, Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger yesterday, saying:
They’re better than they were but we don’t play until Sunday. With a week you get a few people back you didn’t have last week.
Rio Ferdinand is fit and available for United’s trip to Blackburn on Monday evening. The defender was subbed off near the end of the 1-0 win over Fulham as a precautionary measure and has suffered no after-effects to his on-going back problem this week. Sir Alex Ferguson also revealed Nani will remain sidelined for the Ewood Park trip:
It’ll be the same squad as Monday night with no changes. We expect Nani to train tomorrow but the game will come too soon for him. Rio is okay, he just felt a bit stiff. We know the situation with that. We addressed it right away and put Chris Smalling on. He’s fine.
Gael Givet continues to be a doubt for Blackburn. The defender has missed the last six for Steve Kean’s side and the Rovers boss conceded he was still only 50-50 to recover from a hamstring problem in time for the showdown with the champions.
Brendan Rodgers has admitted Nathan Dyer may have to make do with a bench role upon his return from suspension this weekend. The winger has missed the last three after picking up a straight red in the Gameweek 27 match at Wigan and, with Swansea winning two of those three in his absence, Rodgers has revealed he may stick with Wayne Routledge for the trip to Tottenham this weekend:
It’s brilliant to see Nathan back. Whether he comes straight back in or not is one of those decisions you have to make as manager. Nathan might have to wait for a chance on the bench. The team have been fantastic if you look at March as a whole. Of course the Everton result (2-0 loss) was disappointing, but we took nine points from 12 overall. That is a fantastic return and Wayne has played a great role in that.
Tony Pulis expects to have Robert Huth available for selection this weekend, despite the centre-half failing to train all week. The German is suffering from a dead leg but should recover in time to travel to Wigan tomorrow, while Jonathan Woodgate is also said to be back in contention after recovering from a calf problem.
Aaron Lennon has been passed fit for Spurs’ home clash with Swansea on Sunday. The winger has failed to feature for the past three Gameweeks due to his ongoing hamstring problems but has been included in the squad for the Swans’ showdown. Lennon’s availability could allow Rafael Van der Vaart to move centrally again, joining Emmanuel Adebayor up front, though Louis Saha is also injury-free and affords another option.
Paul Lambert revealed Anthony Pilkington will continue to be monitored ahead of Norwich’s trip to Fulham tomorrow. The midfielder missed out on the 2-1 win over Wolves last week due to a hamstring problem and is a doubt for the game at Craven Cottage.
