Wayne Rooney is fit and available for United’s FA Cup clash with West Ham this evening. The Hammers injury situation continues to worry Sam Allardyce ahead of the double Gameweek, Daniel Sturridge earns the praise of Brendan Rodgers, while Richard Dunne returns to training for Villa. In the FA Cup Third Round replays, Jonathan Walters scores twice for Stoke, Dimitar Berbatov is rested ahead of Fulham’s trip to City and QPR’s resilient displays continue with a battling win at the Baggies:
Sir Alex Ferguson rolled out an injury update yesterday ahead of United’s FA Cup Third Round replay with West Ham later on this evening. The Red Devils boss admitted both Wayne Rooney and Nani are set to feature against the Hammers and while Jonny Evans is not expected to be risked ahead of Sunday’s trip to Tottenham, Ferguson allayed any fears over Nemanja Vidic by revealing the centre-half was subbed off against Liverpool last weekend as a result of concussion and not, as previously thought, due to a recurrence of a knee injury. Ferguson also offered an update on Ashley Young, who was also withdrawn in Sunday’s home win:
“Actually, Vida’s knee is okay. It was concussion. He had a little bit of concussion but he’s okay and fine. He trained yesterday and was good. There are no other serious knocks really. I think they’re all pretty good. Obviously, Young has got a dull knock, a little bit of a strain on the knee, but it’s nothing serious. I think he’ll be back next week. Maybe not for Tottenham but, the week after, he should be okay.”
Rooney’s return is, of course, particularly significant for Fantasy managers. The forward had scored or assisted in eight of his previous 12 before sustaining a knee problem in training prior to the Boxing Day home clash with Newcastle. Producing four sets of double figure points hauls in that spell, he had started to suggest he could rival Robin Van Persie for our attentions and having missed the last four league games, he has slipped to 11.8 in FPL, with an ownership of under 6%. As winter wildcards continue to be flourished, United’s upcoming schedule suggests Rooney should be back in the points once again – the league leaders now square up to seven of the bottom 10 in the next 10 Gameweeks and. Providing he can steer clear of injury, he looks a real differential for those intent on shaking up their forward lines for the run-in.
Brendan Rodgers sang the praises of Daniel Sturridge yesterday after the new boy notched his first league goal for Liverpool just 12 minutes into his debut against United at the weekend:
“He gave us a different dimension, real pace, working on the shoulder of the last defender and every time he’s in the box you just sense that he can get a goal. You see him [against Manchester United] – and he’s not even fully fit yet – he’s going to be a real handful. For us going forward, he and one or two of the other players are going to be the real difference. Of course if I’d thought he could have lasted the game then we’d have put him in. I thought we’d start trying to be solid and tight, while still creating chances, then once the game opened up a bit Daniel could come on with his pace and power and affect the game. But I thought he was terrific second half.”
Climbing off the bench at half-time, Sturridge’s introduction saw Luis Suarez drop deeper – a clear sign that Rodgers – as previously stated – is set to change the Uruguayan’s role once the former Chelsea man is fully fit. At present, a starting role is yet uncertain; the Liverpool boss is clearly determined to manage Sturridge’s game time until he gets up to match fitness – his 45 minutes at Old Trafford followed on from a 55 minute appearance against Mansfield in the FA Cup. Nevertheless, it’s two goals in two games over the space of 100 minutes for the new boy now; highlighting his instant impact as the lone forward. A home clash with Norwich looks appealing but with trips to Arsenal and City to follow, many will be prepared to wait until the fixture list takes a turn for the better in Gameweek 26. The 7.3 priced Sturridge looks set to be drafted into plenty squads once he finally cements a place in Rodgers’ XI, though, with his mid-price appeal freeing up cash and affording a more budget friendly Liverpool alternative than the likes of Suarez and Steven Gerrard.
Paul Lambert was handed a defensive boost yesterday with the news that Richard Dunne will return to training ahead of Villa’s midlands derby with West Brom on Saturday evening. The Republic of Ireland international has failed to feature this term due to groin and hip problems and with Ron Vlaar sidelined since Gameweek 13, Villa’s inexperienced side have been on the end of some hammerings in recent weeks. Vlaar has also stepped up his recovery and was an unused sub on last weekend’s home loss to Southampton – with 18 goals conceded in their last five games, Lambert could well be set to ring the changes soon and look for some experience at the back in his attempt to steer the Villains out the drop zone.
Sam Allardyce spoke to the press ahead of West Ham’s FA Cup replay at United this evening. With the double Gameweek 23 on the horizon, the Hammers boss revealed the extent of his injury worries, with concerns at the back, in particular:
“It’s not great from a defensive point of view with James Collins going down injured and with both George McCartney and Joey O’Brien unavailable. It’s less than the bare bones at the moment, so it gives me great difficulty going to Old Trafford with only Guy Demel, James Tomkins and Winston Reid of our senior defenders fit. After that we’re down to young lads like Jordan Spence and Danny Potts. I think the rest of the team are getting there. Mohamed Diame is back with us, which is good news, and we’re still waiting for Andy Carroll to join up with us again. I can’t rest any of the defenders. The trouble is, if I don’t rest them and they get injured, I’m in trouble against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.”
A home clash with QPR and a trip to the Emirates next week is likely to see investment come the Hammers’ way but with Allardyce short on options, the transfers in have been a little slow in coming. While a quartet of Arsenal players have earned over 10,000+ new owners, the same can be said for only one West Ham player – the 4.0 priced Guy Demel. Many possible suitors are likely to hold fire until after tonight’s game passes in order to assess the injury situation but after a run of just two wins and a single clean sheet in the last 10, the lack of faith is somewhat understandable.
FA Cup Third Round Replay Round-Up
Sunderland 0 Bolton 2
Martin O’Neill made just three changes from the side that saw off West Ham with ease last weekend but watched his side slip out the cup after a disappointing display. Phil Bardsley started at right-back, which allowed Craig Gardner the chance to shift into central midfield as Seb Larsson dropped to the bench. Steven Fletcher missed out with illness and John O’Shea with a minor injury, though O’Neill is hopeful they will both be available for the weekend. The Black Cats boss welcomed back Lee Cattermole after a recent spell on the sidelines with a knee injury – the Sunderland skipper climbed off the bench for a brief second-half sub appearance.
Stoke 4 Crystal Palace 1 (aet)
Tony Pulis made just four changes from the side that lost to Chelsea at the weekend. As usual, Asmir Begovic was rested for a cup tie, allowing Thomas Sorensen to take his place between the posts, while in midfield, Michael Kightly and Dean Whitehead were handed the chance to impress as Charlie Adam dropped out. Up top, Peter Crouch replaced Kenwyne Jones in the lone forward role but failed to make an impact before making way for the Trinidadian on the hour mark. In a continuation of his recent strong form, Jones needed just eight minutes to open the scoring and also supplied a pair of assists in extra-time – Jon Walters made amends for two own goals against the Blues on Saturday by bagging a brace for the Potters and Matt Etherington also impressed with a couple of assists for the Potters. Pulis may have concerns at left-back again after the Stoke official site revealed Andy Wilkinson was subbed off injured on 37 minutes. With Marc Wilson not yet available, Geoff Cameron could shift over from right-back, allowing Ryan Shotton to deputise on the opposite side of defence depending on Wilkinson’s prognosis.
Blackpool 1 Fulham 2 (aet)
Martin Jol made five changes from the side that drew against Wigan on Saturday, with Dimitar Berbatov, Bryan Ruiz, Damien Duff, Aaron Hughes and Kieran Richardson all omitted. Berbatov and Ruiz were given the night off, while the latter trio all climbed off the bench – Hughes replaced Philippe Senderos after the Swiss defender picked up a knock, Richardson notched a later equaliser to take the match into extra-time and Duff supplied the assist for Brede Hangeland’s late winner. John Arne-Riise continues to cut a peripheral figure – he lost out to Richardson at left-back at the weekend, while Matthew Briggs was preferred to the Norwegian in the back-four last night. Post-match, Jol explained the absence of his two star forwards:
“Berbatov felt tired – he’s played a lot of games and Ruiz had a little bit of a problem with his hamstring again. So I had to rest those two and play Mladen Petric and Hugo Rodallega up front.”
West Brom 0 QPR 1
The Baggies poor run of form continued, with a fourth defeat in the last five in all competitions ending their cup progress at the Hawthorns. Steve Clarke made three changes at the back – Ben Foster and Liam Ridgewell were rested, while Jonas Olsson wasn’t risked as a result of an injury. Clarke’s only other alteration was an enforced one as Chris Brunt absent due to illness, while Steven Reid and Peter Odemwingie climbed off the bench after recent absences. Post-match, the Baggies boss revealed both Shane Long and Claudio Yacob are 50-50 for the midlands derby with Villa on Saturday evening.
Harry Redknapp made six alterations from the side that drew with Spurs on Saturday lunchtime. Julio Cesar, Ryan Nelsen, Fabio, Stephan Mbia, Adel Taarabt and Shaun Wright-Phillips all dropped out, though the latter three came on as second-half subs, with Wright-Phillips replacing the disappointing Djibril Cisse after the break. Jay Bothroyd took his opportunity to impress by firing home the only goal courtesy of an Ale Faurlin assist. Despite the raft of changes, the R’s will be buoyed by last night’s result ahead of a weekend trip to West Ham – they have now conceded a single goal in their last four in all competitions. Post-match, Redknapp revealed he expects a deal for Loic Remy to be completed by today and is optimistic of clinching a move for midfielder Yann M’Vila.
Bournemouth 0 Wigan 1
Roger Espinoza made his debut for the Latics, while on-loan Angelo Henriquez was afforded his first start as Roberto Martinez’s side progressed thanks to a stunning effort from Mauro Boselli. The Wigan boss made nine changes to the side that drew with Fulham last Saturday, with only Emmerson Boyce and Maynor Figueroa retained. Boyce was fielded in the back-three as a result of Ivan Ramis’ season-ending injury, with Ronnie Stam taking Boyce’s usual role on the right of midfield. While the latter’s Fantasy owners will be concerned with this turn of events, Martinez handed Roman Golobart the chance to impress at the back and also has Antolin Alcaraz edging towards a comeback, suggesting Boyce could yet revert to his regular berth come the weekend home clash with Sunderland.
