Daniel Sturridge continues to build up his fitness by netting a pair of penalties in a special-arranged friendly against Newcastle. Roberto Martinez reckons the Everton lone striker role is still up for grabs, Paul Lambert praises new Villa midfielder Aleksandar Tonev, while Martin Skrtel, James Collins and Darron Gibson are all nursing knee complaints ahead of the weekend kick-off:

Sturridge Steps Up Recovery

Daniel Sturridge has moved a step closer to full fitness by turning out for Liverpool in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Newcastle. The former Chelsea man returned to action on Saturday after a summer-long lay-off due to an ankle injury and played a pivotal role in the Reds’ 3-1 win by scoring twice from the penalty spot.

The Scout Says: According to reports, the game was specifically arranged for Sturridge to improve his match sharpness ahead of Saturday’s home game against Stoke – a clear indication of how crucial Brendan Rodgers views the forward. With Luis Suarez suspended (amid suggestions he now wants to stay at the club) and new boy Iago Aspas earmarked for a role on the right flank, Rodgers may well decide to gamble on starting Sturridge in spite of his overall lack of game time over the summer. While a 13% ownership in FPL is hardly a differential, it is, nonetheless, far less popular than Philippe Coutinho’s 21% , despite both being priced at 9.0 – Sturridge has shown before he requires little time to produce and a 60-minute runout may well reap reward against the Potters.

Skrtel Reveals Knee Worry

Reds defender Martin Skrtel has taken to his personal website to issue an injury update. Unavailable for the weekend friendly against Celtic, the centre-half has since withdrawn from the Slovakia squad to face Romania tomorrow evening, explaining:

“I stretched ligaments in my knee. Luckily it is not a serious injury. I can basically run but it hurts when I kick the ball. I can feel the pain in the back of my knee. It is not one of the major muscles but it is still not very comfortable. I spoke with Mr (Jan) Kozak, who is a new coach of Slovakia, and I also spoke with the medical staff and we agreed that it would be better when I stay in Liverpool. I hope it is not a serious injury, though, and I want to be back on the pitch as soon as possible.”

The Scout Says: Bearing in mind Daniel Agger also missed the Celtic match due to fluid on his knee, the importance of Kolo Toure is quickly becoming apparent to Rodgers’ defence. The Ivorian has jumped ahead of Skrtel in the centre-half pecking order and started every match he was available for over the summer period – any fears he could still lose his place to the former seem to have dissipated as the season approaches now. Price at 5.0 in FPL, a full 1.0 less than his fellow defensive regulars, Toure has just 6% ownership compared to Simon Mignolet’s 27% but, as the cheapest route into a defence that registered 16 clean sheets last time out, can be expected to soar in ownership if he remains Rodgers’ choice as Agger’s partner at the heart of the back-four. Reports that the Reds boss is keen on bringing in PSG’s Mamadou Sakho before the transfer window closes on September 2 need monitoring, though.

Martinez Undecided Over Lone Striker Role

With only three days to go until Everton’s season opener at Norwich, Roberto Martinez has admitted he is still undecided over which of his three central strikers will get the nod to lead the line:

“I want to see them competing for places and I want football to make the decision. I don’t want it to be a case of, ‘I’m bringing a player in, so he is the one that is going to start’. Football will decide. We are strong in that department and that position is still open for Saturday. Jela can score a goal out of nothing and the sharpness in his movement in the box is something that you want the young players to watch and learn from. Arouna is more of a powerful player who has a real ability to bring players into play and is someone who combines really well his movement, his touch and his power. We saw Victor playing against Juventus and he was really important in that game. All three are going to be vital.”

The Scout Says: While many had anticipated Arouna Kone would be installed as the Toffees number one forward after following Martinez to Merseyside from Wigan, Nikica Jelavic approaches the season as the man in form. The latter has notched four of his side’s 12 pre-season goals and seems to be thriving in Everton’s switch to a three-man frontline – Jelavic got the nod against Real Betis at the weekend and vindicated his manager’s decision by finding the net, while Kone has yet to open his account since arriving from the DW. Nevertheless, Martinez’s lack of commitment merely strengthens Kevin Mirallas’ case for consideration – listed as a mid-price midfielder across the Fantasy games, the Belgian has cemented the role on the right of the front three and has also notched four times over the summer. With an ownership of only 6% in FPL, he’s unlikely to stay a differential for long.

Gibson a Doubt for Toffees

Martinez certainly has plenty to mull over heading into the trip to Carrow Road. Darron Gibson was withdrawn at half-time last weekend with a knee problem and his manager has admitted the former United man may be set to miss out:

“He is going to be touch-and-go for Saturday. He has got a little bit of a strain in his right knee. It’s something he picked up in the warm-up and he tried to run it off and get through the game but he couldn’t. Knowing Darron, maybe he has got a chance for Saturday but it’s a little bit of a concern because he will need treatment and we’ll see how that knee reacts over the next 48 to 72 hours. Darron’s a special footballer..What he brings to the team is quite unique and I think he is one of those players that is at the perfect moment of his career. He’s ready to take a big role at Everton. To miss any player at this stage of the season would be a real blow. He has been working over 60 to 70 hours and then if we lose him a few days before the start of the season it would be a big disappointment, but we hope that Darron can recover very quickly.”

The Scout Says: Martinez’s current 4-3-3 formation has freed up an extra space in central midfield and with Marouane Fellaini missing out last weekend, Ross Barkley got the nod alongside Gibson and Leon Osman in the middle of the park. While Fellaini is set to return against the Canaries, any possible length of absence for Gibson could well prove beneficial to the youngster’s chances of retaining his starting berth – Barkley looks in fine form right now and netted for England Under 21s against Scotland last night. Coming in at just 4.5 in FPL, he could afford us a cheap fifth midfield option if he can convince Martinez of his worth.

Lambert Talks Up Tonev

Aston Villa new boy Aleksandar Tonev has found himself the subject of plenty praise after a dazzling display in the weekend win over Malaga. The Bulgarian grabbed a pair of assists in the 3-2 home win and while his abilities have been lauded by team mate Fabian Delph, he has, more importantly, impressed Villa boss Paul Lambert:

“Tonev has speed. He has not played much at all. It was a big ask for him to come in on Saturday but I was delighted with his contribution. He is very gifted with both feet. He is only a young lad coming here and he’s got to learn the culture as well. But he’s done fine.”

The Scout Says: Having only returned to the first XI in the last couple of friendlies, Tonev has yet to play 90 minutes for the midlanders as he builds up his match sharpness. Ahead of Villa’s double Gameweek 1, his game time depends on how Lambert assesses his fitness ahead of the trips to Arsenal and Chelsea but, with a share of corner kicks, Tonev – who comes in at 5.0 in FPL – may appeal to those Fantasy managers looking for an under the radar, budget punt for their five man midfields. Likely to be fielded as the most advanced central midfielder behind Christian Benteke, he’s one to watch should be start to justify the plaudits.

Collins Knee Concern

Aaron Ramsey (ankle) and James Collins (sore knee) have joined Gareth Bale in withdrawing from the Wales squad prior to this evening’s clash with Republic of Ireland. The duo have pulled out ahead of home matches against Villa and Cardiff respectively and with both players listed as doubtful in many Fantasy games, their owners face a couple of days’ uncertainty until Friday morning’s press conferences.

The Scout Says: Fantasy managers will be somewhat sceptical over this news. At this time of year, in particular, there’s a tendency for players to call off with the slightest little knock in order to ensure there’s no risk to their domestic chances – all the more so given that this match is no more than a friendly. Ramsey approaches the season opener in decent form, with a goal and assist in Arsenal’s weekend win over City, though Collins is the one we’re keeping an eye on. With a strong opening schedule over the first six Gameweeks (CAR, new, STO, sot, EVE, hul) the centre-half has made his way into over 7% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) teams – more than double any other West Ham defender – due to the fact he seems the only regular backline option in the sub 5.0 bracket under Sam Allardyce this term. Collins was benched for West Ham’s final pre-season friendly but this decision was made with the midweek internationals in mind.