Spurs will assess Danny Rose, Mousa Dembele and Younes Kaboul after the trio were withdrawn in last night’s Europa League win over Tromso. Ashley Williams is a doubt for Swansea. Darron Gibson could return for Everton’s trip to West Ham, though Steven Pienaar is still a doubt. Luke Shaw is fit for Southampton’s trip to Anfield but Daniel Agger is still uncertain for the hosts. Hull have problems at left-back ahead of their trip to Newcastle and Dimitar Berbatov requires a late fitness test for Fulham’s derby trip to the Bridge:
Tottenham’s Europa League win over Tromso was somewhat spoiled by a trio of withdrawals during the match. Danny Rose, Younes Kaboul and Mousa Dembele were all subbed off with problems and, while the latter two are expected to be fit for the weekend, Andre Villas-Boas did admit that Rose’s availability for the trip to Cardiff is in question:
“Dembele should be okay. He felt a lot of pain when he was brought down, but now he’s steady. Younes felt muscle tightness in his adductor and we decided to take him off. He was struggling but he didn’t rupture anything. We have to be a little bit more careful with Danny Rose. We hope it’s not serious. We have to give him one night to see the reaction of his ankle. He is in doubt for Sunday but he should be okay.”
Roberto Martinez rolled out an injury update early yesterday morning. Surprisingly, the Everton boss reckons Steven Pienaar could be fit for tomorrow’s trip to West Ham after midweek reports had ruled the South African out for up to a month but Martinez gave Fantasy managers a heads-up over his potential plans to rotate, with the Merseysiders set for a trio of domestic fixtures in the next nine days.
“I’m very happy with how Darron Gibson and Arouna Kone have progressed with their injuries and they could make the squad this weekend for the game. Steven Pienaar is 50-50, as he has recovered very well but we need to be careful….I was really pleased with the level on Saturday and now we have to use all our options in the squad and be as strong as we can. We’ve got three games in a short space of time, so we need everyone ready and available.”
Luke Shaw’s Fantasy owners can breathe a sigh of relief. The left-back has recovered from the knock that forced him off against West Ham last weekend and is in the Southampton squad to face Liverpool, though Mauricio Pochettino has revealed he has concerns over both Danny Fox and Tadanari Lee for the Anfield showdown.
Brendan Rodgers admitted Daniel Agger’s fitness is still a real concern ahead of the Saints clash. The centre-half missed out on Monday’s match at Swansea due to an accident in the gym and his manager revealed yesterday:
“We’ll see how he is in the next 24 hours. It’s too early to say if he’ll be ready for the weekend or not. It was just unfortunate it happened the day before the game. We’re hopeful he’ll be fine by the weekend.”
Rodgers revealed Philippe Coutinho will be sidelined for “up to six weeks” with the shoulder injury sustained at Swansea and also discussed Martin Kelly’s prospects. The latter turned out for the reserves in midweeks and continues to build up his fitness after long-term injury – with Glen Johnson injured until the end of October, Rodgers’ words perhaps indicate Kelly could earn a stint in the first-team:
“In the game the other night, the reserve game, he definitely stepped up a level in terms of his fitness. He has been excellent in training – he is very focused on his fitness and sharpness. So he’s getting close and he’ll be a great one to have back in the team because he’s an experienced player. He has been around the club for a long time and when he got injured last year he was one of our best players.I’m looking forward to having him back and thankfully it has all gone well so far.”
Hull were dealt an injury blow yesterday after Robert Koren was ruled out for between six to eight weeks with a fractured bone in his foot. Steve Bruce has a real concern at left-back for the trip to Newcastle, though – Maynor Figueroa has been given time off on compassionate grounds and with Paul McShane also out, Hatem Ben Arfa owners will be even more confident in light of Bruce’s options. The Tigers boss has also revealed Robbie Brady has picked up a knock and will be assessed before making a decision on his availability.
Newcastle will be without Steven Taylor once again after the centre-half picked up knock in train, according to Alan Pardew. Taylor’s absence will allow Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa to partner Fabricio Coloccini at the heart of defence once again, while further up the pitch, Shola Ameobi remains a doubt and Jonas Gutierrez is “still on the comeback”, to quote his manager.
Fulham will be without the services of Maarten Stekelenburg, Matthew Briggs, Aaron Hughes and Bryan Ruiz for the derby trip to Chelsea tomorrow evening. According to the Cottagers boss, a certain Bulgarian could be fit to face Jose Mourinho’s side:
“Berbatov will have an assessment on his hamstring which is a bit tight and hopefully he’ll be fine. Bryan Ruiz is out and will be back probably next week. He had a traumatic ankle injury but not as bad as we thought. It’s one ligament and it’s getting better and better so he’ll hopefully be back next week. Aaron Hughes has still got a problem with his thigh and Maarten Stekelenburg will be out for the next couple of weeks with his right shoulder. Matthew Briggs had an operation on a hernia so he’ll be out for at least three weeks.”
Ashley Williams is a doubt for Swansea’s trip to Palace after missing out in last night’s stunning Europa League win in Valencia. The centre-half picked up an ankle complaint prior to the game and – like Pablo Hernandez – has question marks over his availability for the Selhurst Park showdown on Sunday. Wilfried Bony recovered from the back problem picked up against Liverpool on Monday to open the scoring for the Swans in a 3-0 win at the Mestalla.
