Mathieu Flamini is expected to be ruled out with a groin injury. Brendan Rodgers praises Martin Skrtel’s recent performances. Marko Arnautovic has recovered from illness in time for Stoke’s cup clash with Birmingham, Wes Brown edges closer to a Sunderland first-team return, whilst Ricardo Vaz Te looks set to be sidelined with a shoulder injury:

Wenger Confirms Flamini Groin Injury

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Mathieu Flamini is set to be sidelined with the groin injury that forced him off after just eight minutes of Arsenal’s win at Palace on Saturday. Although some reports are suggesting a two-to-three-week absence, the Gunners boss would only confirm:

“He has a scan today and then we will get the results as to how long he will be out. It doesn’t look like a bad muscle injury but honestly it’s too early to give you a precise answer. It’s a groin injury.”

The Scout Says: Flamini’s likely absence bodes well for a return to the double-pivot for Aaron Ramsey for the weekend visit of Liverpool. The Welshman has failed to start any of the last three in the centre as a result of Mikel Arteta’s return from injury but now is poised for a return to his preferred role, with Jack Wilshere or Tomas Rosicky likely to be deputise for the injured Theo Walcott on the right. With a trip to United also up next, the upcoming couple of fixtures are far from straightforward before the third international break is upon us – if ruled out, Flamini could return for Gameweek 12, handing Wenger another headache in the centre ahead of games against Southampton, Cardiff and Hull.

Arnautovic Back for Potters

Mark Hughes has confirmed he is sweating on a trio of players ahead of Stoke’s Capital One Cup clash with Birmingham this evening. Robert Huth (ankle), Andy Wilkinson (knee) and Glenn Whelan (calf) are all doubts for the Staffordshire outfit, though Marko Arnautovic is fit and available after recovering from the illness that forced him off at Old Trafford at the weekend. Hughes also suggested Peter Crouch’s display against United will ensure he retains the lone forward role in the Stoke 4-4-1-1:

“I thought that Peter was a great focal point to the attack at Old Trafford. He helped us considerably and hopefully that’ll continue.”

The Scout Says: Crouch has been a peripheral figure for the Potters in recent matches, with Saturday’s start at United his first since Gameweek 2. His installation up top looks like bringing Arnautovic’s brief stint as a forward to an end – the Austrian shifted back to the left flank and joined Crouch in finding the net against David Moyes’ side, with a superbly-taken free-kick opening his account for his new club. After a disappointing start to his Stoke career, Arnautovic is finding his way back onto Fantasy radars – ahead of a run of four home games in six for Hughes’ side, the 5.5 priced summer signing could finally be set to come to the fore, with the weekend free-kick showcasing his undoubted talents.

Rodgers Hails Skrtel Displays

Brendan Rodger has praised the recent performances of Martin Skrtel and admitted the move to a back-three seems more suited to the Slovakian’s style of play. The Reds boss revealed that Skrtel’s current form makes it very difficult for Daniel Agger to find a place in the starting XI right now:

““I thought Skrtel was brilliant against West Brom. Victor Anichebe is a real handful, and we spoke before the game about that. I’ve seen him cause a lot of problems for defenders with his strength and power. Martin dealt with him really well. I think the three at the back allows him to play to his strengths. It allows him to defend, and it simplifies his game when we have the ball. I think in the run of games he has had, he has gained in confidence. I’ve recognised and acknowledged with him that he is playing at a really good level. I’ve always tried to show my fairness with players. If you’re playing well, you will play. If not, you might be in and out of the team. I’ve got an international captain, this club’s vice-captain, sitting on the bench, but that’s because I like to think I’m fair. If people are playing well, they play. That (Agger on the bench) sums up how well Martin is playing. He’s been outstanding.”

The Scout Says: Skrtel has now started each of the last seven Gameweeks – a run that has, ironically, seen Liverpool concede in each of the previous six. Agger, on the other hand, has started four league games, with the Reds shipping a single goal over that run, but the recent move to a 3-4-1-2 to accommodate Luis Suarez up top has seen the Dane manage just just 24 minutes from Gameweek 6 onwards. The Reds’ lack of resilience, allied with midfield berth for Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique or Aly Cissokho, is unlikely to persuade Fantasy managers to take a punt on Skrtel in spite of both his manager’s praise and a schedule which hands them home games against Fulham, Norwich and West Ham, in addition to a trip to Hull, between Gameweek 11-15.

Brown Continues Fitness Push

Sunderland’s forgotten man Wes Brown managed a 90-minute run-out for the Under 21s yesterday as he continues to build up his match-sharpness following a long-term knee injury.

The Scout Says: Gus Poyet had mulled over handing Brown a start in Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby win over Newcastle but instead selected Carlos Cuellar alongside John O’Shea against the Magpies, amid fears Brown would fail to last the 90 minutes due to a lack of match action. Certainly, as his defensive selection highlighted last weekend, Poyet is keen to bring more experience to his backline, with Phil Bardsley and Andrea Dossena handed the full-back roles. The Uruguayan has now fielded a different centre-half alongside O’Shea in each of his two matches in charge (Valentin Roberge started in the 4-0 loss at Swansea in Gameweek 8) but is believed to favour Brown if he can prove his fitness. Intriguingly, Sunday’s 2-1 win was the first time in seven attempts the Wearsiders had conceded less than two goals in a league match – a sign, perhaps, that the new man in charge is instilling a little more resilience to their previously porous defence.

Jaaskelainen Praises Hammers Resilience

The West Ham keeper lavished praise on his team-mates after Sunday’s goalless draw at the Liberty earned yet another shut-out for the Hammers on the road:

“It was a little disappointing that we couldn’t nick a goal in the first half because we created a couple of good chances. That wasn’t to be, but we defended well as a team and kept another clean sheet, which gives you a good base to try and build winning performances. Clean sheets are what we build from. It’s not just me and the back four, it’s the whole team, it’s great for everybody in the squad because the first aim we have is to keep a clean sheet. I’ve not had a run like this [away from home] in my career, but it just tells you how well we work as a defensive unit. Maybe we just need to focus a little on our final ball and final finish and we’ll be alright.”

The Scout Says: The weekend result means Sam Allardyce’s side have conceded just one goal (a Robbie Brady penalty) in five road trips all season, with clean sheets also accrued at Newcastle, Southampton and Tottenham. Faith in the Hammers backline is understandably high right now, with Winston Reid and Razvan Rat, at 5.1 and 4.5, looking particularly enticing – whilst a run of three home games in four is usually ideal, Allardyce’s side have been far from resilient in front of their own fans and have shipped three goals in each of the last two; with trips to Norwich and Palace also in the next five, though, the chance of defensive returns on the road look as strong as ever.

Vaz Te Suffers Shoulder Problem

The Portuguese forward is set for a spell on the sidelines, according to reports. Vaz Te was subbed off early against Swansea on Sunday with fears building he has suffered a shoulder dislocation – given he was ruled out for three months last term with a similar problem, he could well be out until February if the rumours are true.

The Scout Says: After a series of brief sub appearances, Vaz Te had finally started to nail down a regular role in Sam Allardyce’s new 4-6-0 formation. Handed his first start of the season at Spurs in Gameweek 7, he notched in the 3-0 White Hart Lane win and followed that up with another strike in the home defeat to City. Given the the Hammers have only scored eight goals thus far, his renewed eye for goal looks a real loss and could offer Matt Jarvis a way back to the XI if Allardyce prevails with the striker-less system until Andy Carroll’s return.

Hernandez Hopeful of Derby Start

Ahead of a clash with Cardiff this weekend, Swansea’s Pablo Hernandez has discussed his rehabilitation from the hamstring injury that kept him sidelined since the Gameweek 3 match against West Brom.

“I feel okay. I could have played for the last few weeks. This injury should have only lasted two or three weeks but when I started training I felt a problem in the same leg. I had to re-start the treatment so it ended up being a long time. But it’s fortunate for me that on Sunday I could play 30 or 35 minutes. I felt good on the pitch and I will train hard this week ready for the next game. Now I need more minutes to rebuild the confidence. The last game I played before the injury, against West Brom, I played good and I want to play the same in the next few games. “I think I should be able to train normally all week with the team. Hopefully I’ll be ready to start but it’s not my decision.”

The Scout Says: Having replaced Wayne Routledge with half an hour remaining against West Ham last Sunday, Hernandez’ availability will be a huge boost for Michael Laudrup’s side as they look to improve upon a record which has harvested just two wins in the last six – against bottom pair Sunderland and Palace. Given his history with similar injuries, though, and his manager’s reluctance to throw him into action, it remains questionable whether the Spaniard will be handed a start against the Bluebirds as Laudrup continues to ease him back into action. With Stoke, Fulham, Newcastle, Hull and Norwich in also in the next seven, the fixtures are firmly in Swansea’s favour but it may well be that Laudrup allows Hernandez the upcoming international break as further recovery period before handing him a place in the first XI