Philippe Coutinho is back for Liverpool’s trip to the Emirates after recovering from a shoulder injury. Robert Snodgrass remains a doubt for Norwich’s visit to City, Pablo Osvaldo may return for Southampton at Stoke, Sam Allardyce expects James Tomkins to take his place against Aston Villa, who have concerns over Gabby Agbonlahor, while Arsene Wenger hopes Mathieu Flamini could be back for next weekend’s trip to Old Trafford:
Chris Hughton has a number of concerns in midfield ahead of Norwich’s trip to City. The Canaries boss will continue to monitor Robert Snodgrass after he was knocked unconscious and stretchered off at United in midweek after a clash of heads. Nathan Redmond is also a doubt after picking up a problem in the same game and Alex Tettey is set to be sidelined for the Etihad clash:
“We’ll see on Robert, we’ll make sure we make the right decision. We know what the facts are – he was released late on Tuesday night and he’s fine, but we need to make sure he’s recovered sufficiently. Nathan felt a muscle just above his right hip, so we just have to see how that recovers over the next couple of days. There’s a doubt over both of them, but we’re not ruling either of them out. Alex will be out though. He took a whack to an area just above his ankle, and we’ll find out over the next couple of days how long that injury will be but we don’t expect it to be a short time.”
Philippe Coutinho has handed Brendan Rodgers a major boost ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal. The Brazilian will return to the squad for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury in Gameweek 4 and could be handed the role in “the hole” behind Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, while at the back, Jose Enrique remains a doubt, according to his manager:
“Jose will be a question mark for the weekend, but Coutinho is great. He’s been given the all clear by the specialist to come in. He’s been training for the last few weeks, so he’ll come back into the squad.”
Southampton could be set to welcome back Pablo Osvaldo and Steven Davis for tomorrow’s trip to Stoke. The pair missed out last week, allowing Rickie Lambert and James Ward-Prowse a chance to return to the XI, but Mauricio Pochettino is optimistic they could be ready for the Britannia:
“Osvaldo and Steven Davis are better from last week, but again, they need to be evaluated today and tomorrow and we still need to see if they will be able to travel with us on Saturday.”
Sam Allardyce expects James Tomkins to recover from a knock picked up at Burnley in midweek, though the Hammers boss has revealed Matt Taylor is sidelined for the visit of Villa tomorrow. The recent 4-6-0 formation looks likely to continue as the forward line is hit hard with injuries – Andy Carroll remains out, Mladen Petric is hampered with a calf complain, Ricardo Vaz Te has suffered a dislocated shoulder, while Carlton Cole is still not fit enough to start a match, as Allardyce revealed to the club’s official website:
“Matt Taylor is definitely out, James Tomkins I think will be ok and the rest of the injured players will not figure in Saturday’s squad against Villa. It leaves us with quite a big problem in terms of numbers. We’re very short of first team squad players available for Saturday so it’s about getting on with the job and using the players we’ve got available and making sure they try and bring us the three points at home that we’re looking for….He’s (Carlton Cole) not quite ready for a Premier League start. He played on Tuesday night and that’s the equivalent of game three of his pre-season, game three of pre-season for us was Boreham Wood not Burnley away.”
Villa also have concerns for the showdown with Allardyce’s side, though. Paul Lambert rolled out an injury update yesterday afternoon and revealed Antonio Luna is set to be sideline with the hamstring injury that forced him off at the break last weekend – fellow left-back Joe Bennett is a doubt, though, with Ciaran Clark looking the likeliest to deputise, with Nathan Baker (3.9 in FPL) retaining the slot alongside Ron Vlaar in the heart of defence. Lambert also has concerns over Gabby Agbonlahor, with Aleksandar Tonev perhaps set for a second consecutive start as the visitors look to address a run which has seen them fail to score in the last three:
“Gabby is a doubt. His ankle has not really recovered from when he first got it injured. Antonio is struggling with his hamstring at the minute. He’ll be a few weeks out. Joe Bennett has a sore back at the minute so we’ll see how he is.”
Arsene Wenger reckons Mathieu Flamini could make a quick return from the groin problem sustained against Palace last weekend and is hopeful the central midfielder may be in the frame for next week’s trip to United. The Gunners boss has ruled youngster Serge Gnabry out of contention to face Liverpool tomorrow evening, though.
Reports in the local press indicate both Robbie Brady and Sone Aluko are rated “less than 50-50” to be fit for Hull’s home game against Sunderland, while Alex Bruce joins Allan McGregor and James Chester on the sidelines for the Tigers.
Alan Pardew has confirmed Fabricio Coloccini is almost certainly out of Newcastle’s home game against Chelsea, while Steven Taylor is believed to have suffered a setback to a hamstring problem and may not return until after the international break. With Paul Dummett also out due to a hamstring injury, the Magpies are down to the bare bone as Chelsea roll up to St Hames’ Park tomorrow:
“Colo’s running outside. I think Colo’s got a chance for Spurs, but I don’t think he’s got a chance for this weekend. Tayls is a bit further behind.”
West Brom boss Steve Clarke was somewhat non-committal ahead of an enticing home showdown with Palace. The Baggies boss would only by say:
“In terms of availability, our squad will not be too dissimilar to last weekend.”
Fantasy owners of Morgan Amalfitano will be hoping of further insight into his availability after the Frenchman was subbed off in last week’s defeat by Liverpool – assistant head-coach Kevin Keen admitted on Wednesday there’s a chance the right midfielder may not be fit in time for the home clash against Palace, with James Morrison poised to deputise.
