Theo Walcott could be poised for a return to action this weekend. Luis Suarez is set to use a private jet to arrive back quickly ahead of the Merseyside derby. Christian Benteke could miss out for Belgium tonight as a precaution. Roy Hodgson explains Daniel Sturridge’s shortened training session, while Shola Ameobi grabs a goal and assist as Nigeria draw with Italy:
Walcott Back in Training
Reports in the Mail and Mirror claim the Arsenal winger is in line for a comeback at home to former club Southampton this weekend. Walcott has failed to play since Gameweek 4 after undergoing abdominal surgery but is believed to have returned to full training as he closes in on a comeback.
The Scout Says: With the Gunners set for three home games in four and a trip to Cardiff, Fantasy managers will be eagerly awaiting an update from Arsene Wenger later in the week. Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil currently sit in 58% and 32% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) teams, whereas Walcott – with an ownership under 4% and now down to 9.1 – would offer a superb differential route into the league leaders’ midfield. Wenger’s use of Santi Cazorla upon return from injury is perhaps telling – the Spaniard was shifted immediately back into the starting XI after proving his fitness, though has yet to manage a full 90 minutes. With the Gunners failing to score in the previous Gameweek for the first time this term, Walcott’s pace and directness down the right would be a huge asset against one of the most resilient defences around.
Suarez Set to Jet Back Early
Liverpool owner John Henry is reported to have offered the club’s star forward use of his private jet on Wednesday night in order to ensure he arrives home quickly from Uruguay’s World Cup play-off with Jordan.
The Scout Says: The news will be welcome relief for Brendan Rodgers and Fantasy managers alike ahead of the Merseyside derby on Saturday lunchtime. Given that the Jordan match doesn’t take place until late Wednesday night, Suarez would essentially be back in the UK on Thursday night at the earliest if he sticks to the scheduled flights – such a scenario would give his little time for recuperation. Henry’s offer, though, suggests Suarez will be back on these shores quickly and afforded enough time to recover – with four sets of double figures in his six appearances, his contribution will be key against a Toffees backline that has now gone three games with conceding.
Hodgson Plays Down Sturridge Problems
The England manager explained the reason behind Sturridge’s early exit from training yesterday, amid reports the forward had suffered an injury recurrence. Hodgson – who has also named fit-again Steven Gerrard in his starting line-up to face Germany – insisted he merely wanted to hand Rickie Lambert the opportunity to impress ahead of this evening’s match:
“He’s [Sturridge] fine. Last week he obviously couldn’t take much part in training but his injury, which he brought with him from his club, is improving all the time. The reason he came off after two sectors – if you like – of the game we were playing this morning, was to give Rickie Lambert a chance also playing at centre-forward because there’s a good chance, and we want to see him play tomorrow night as well as Daniel Sturridge.”
The Scout Says: As mentioned in yesterday’s Scribbles, Sturridge’s return to fitness is reassuring for his 36% FPL owners – the most popular forward in the game, despite over 86,000 transfers out this week. Gerrard and Lambert’s new owners will be relieved by their availability – they’ve been acquired by over 15,000 and 14,000 respectively in light of their recent displays. After a slow start to the season, the Liverpool skipper has produced goal or assist in five of the last six, while Lambert has notched in three of his last four home games for Southampton. The pair have contrasting schedules up next, though; while Gerrard (and Sturridge) have three home games against Norwich, West Ham and Cardiff and a trip to Hull in the next six, Lambert faces a tough task to justify the recent investment, with games against Arsenal, City, Chelsea and Tottenham over the same period.
Martinez Unconcerned by Goal Drought
The Everton manager revealed he is not worried by his side’s lack of clinical edge in recent matches.
“We are better now than we were in August and in February we have to be at a better level. The goalscoring ability of a team is very important. You are going to be successful in a season if you are solid defensively and have a threat of scoring goals. Scoring goals will come more often once we get the understanding of the players. We have goals in the side, I’m not worried about that. The focus is on the strikers but it is the wrong focus.”
The Scout Says: The Toffees failure to score at home to Spurs in Gameweek 10 was perhaps understandable but, somewhat worryingly for Romelu Lukaku owners, a blank away to Palace the following week was the first time this season the Eagles have mustered a clean sheet. Clearly, Martinez is yet to strike a balance within his side – a series of three clean sheets was preceded by a run of eight goals conceded in four , with Lukaku netting four times. It seems that an upturn in defensive solidity has had a knock-on effect on the big Belgian’s goal threat – with Liverpool, United and Arsenal in the next four, the Merseysiders could well struggle to produce returns at either end of the pitch.
Benteke Knee Concerns Played Down
The Villa forward may be set to miss out for Belgium against Japan tomorrow evening with a knee knock. According to reports in the local press, however, his potential absence is no more than a precautionary measure after he picked up the problem against Colombia last week.
The Scout Says: Bearing in mind that Villa’s next league game is not until next Monday evening, Paul Lambert will be optimistic of having his main forward available in time. The Villa boss had publicly discussed his desire for Benteke to be treated with caution over the internationals, having only just welcomed him back from injury last month – it seems likely the Belgian authorities are taking no chances after Benteke complained of soreness during training. With Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann still doubts, Benteke’s availability is crucial for Villa – all the more so given that they roll up to the Hawthorns for a derby at West Brom.
Osvaldo Set for Tests
Lambert’s Southampton team-mate Pablo Osvaldo will undergo tests upon returning from international duty after suffering an allergic reaction during Italy’s game against Germany on Friday. Osvaldo was forced off before the hour mark and required injections to stabilise his condition, according to national team doctors.
“Going off the field, Osvaldo had a pretty strong allergic reaction, so he needed an anti-histamine injection. Now his condition has stabilised and there’s nothing to worry about. It’ll be wise for him to have some tests and find out what it is he’s allergic to. The allergic reaction came out in a rash, but when it inflates the throat then it can impede breathing and become very serious indeed.”
The Scout Says: The scare is the latest setback for the former AS Roma forward, who has struggled to make his mark in the Premier League since arriving this summer. Osvaldo scored 16 times in Serie A last term but has so far netted just once for the Saints and has managed just 15 minutes in the last three league games after only just returning from a knock sustained in training. If Mauricio Pochettino decides to court caution with his record signing, the likes of Jay Rodriguez and James Ward-Prowse may be set for further starts as the Saints boss opts for a lone striker system to deal with the tricky afore-mentioned run of games.
Williamson Hopes to Retain Starting Role
The Newcastle centre-half discussed the recent upturn in resilience which has harvested back-to-back clean sheets. Williamson has struck up a partnership with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in recent weeks and admitted while he’s wary of a return for fit-again Fabricio Coloccini, he is optimistic Alan Pardew will retain a consistency of selection in light of his side’s impressive displays:
“I’m just grateful to get the opportunity. As long as the results keep coming like the last couple of weeks, I’m sure he’ll keep the same. That’s testament to the manager that he keeps going with a winning formula. We’ve been defending from the front as a unit. Me and Mapou individually I think we’ve both played well but it has been a collective effort. Colo is a world class player and we’ll see on Saturday to know. But it will only be a matter of time before he gets back in. He’s a fantastic leader around the changing room but it will change from one week to the next.”
The Scout Says: Williamson’s installation to the XI has coincided with a turnaround in fortunes for the Tyneside team. Starting each of the last five, he has offered a cut-price route in Pardew’s defence at 4.4 and with Coloccini and Steven Taylor both suffering from injuries, his place had looked assured. Coloccini’s return to fitness, allied with Mathieu Debuchy’s one-match suspension next time around, may see the versatile Yanga-Mbiwa move to right-back and allow Williamson to strike up a partnership alongside the Argentine in the heart of defence. With back-to-back home games against Norwich and West Brom, investment in Newcastle is picking up pace but with uncertainty still surrounding Pardew’s preferred XI, many will choose to stay away right now.
Tyne-Wear Duo in the Goals
Newcastle’s Shola Ameobi and Sunderland new boy Emanuel Giacherrini both found the net in a pulsating match between Nigeria and Italy at Craven Cottage last night. The Magpies forward produced a goal and assist in the 2-2 draw, while the Black Cats wide man grabbed his nation’s equaliser during the second period.
The Scout Says: While Fantasy investment in Giacherrini and his Sunderland team-mates is likely to be placed on hold until after back-to-back home games against Chelsea and Spurs in Gameweeks 14 and 15, Ameobi seems to be picking up in confidence since returning to the Newcastle XI. The forward has started the last three in all competitions for Alan Pardew’s side and has played a pivotal role alongside Loic Remy up top following the recent switch to 4-4-2 – granted, the Frenchman has been the one grabbing the goals but Ameobi’s role as target man has been key at a time when the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse have found themselves on bench-warming duties. At 4.8 he’s one of the cheapest forwards around but despite last night’s display, it’s Remy – with seven goals in the last seven Gameweeks – who has been the most-wanted this week, with over 70,000 transfers in ahead of the weekend deadline.
