Nemanja Vidic looks poised to return for United this weekend. Luis Suarez plays 90 minutes in Uruguay’s draw with Jordan, Hatem Ben Arfa is willing to play anywhere for Newcastle, Billy Jones seems set to miss Monday’s midlands derby, while Antolin Alcaraz is at last fit and available for Everton:
Vidic Due for Weekend Return
The United skipper has recovered from the head knock that forced him off in the previous Gameweek against Arsenal and is set to start away to Cardiff, according to reports.
The Scout Says: A return for Vidic would be welcome relief for David Moyes, bearing in mind Phil Jones is likely to miss out with a groin problem. The United manager remains unconvinced by Chris Smalling at centre-half and has fielded the former Fulham man just once through the middle this term, despite both Vidic and Rio Ferdinand suffering from injury. United have managed a clean sheet on just three occasions this term – it’s noticeable that on each occasion, Vidic was named in the XI. Ironically, his return is likely to boost Jonny Evans’ Fantasy potential; with the latter priced at 5.0 to his captain’s 5.8, his budget-friendly appeal could sway Fantasy managers looking for a route into United’s defence around Gameweek 14, where they face three home games in four prior to Christmas.
Suarez Wings His Way Home
The Liverpool forward’s Fantasy owners were hoping he would be benched for Uruguay’s clash with Jordan last night but he played the full 90 minutes of a goalless draw, which ensured their qualification to next year’s World Cup.
The Scout Says: As reported earlier in the week, Suarez is expected to be flown back from his homeland via Liverpool owner John W Henry’s private jet. This would allow him a quick return to Merseyside ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s derby trip to Everton – given that last night’s game didn’t get underway until 11pm, he wouldn’t be back on these shores until late tonight if he took the scheduled flights. Despite being fielded for the entire match against Jordan, there seems no doubt he’ll be selected by Brendan Rodgers against the Toffees, with a quick flight home lessening the likelihood of jet lag as he looks to extend his record of eight goals and three assists in six appearances.
Ben Arfa Desperate for Game Time
The Frenchman has admitted he’s willing to be fielded in any outfield position for the Magpies after being omitted from the first-team over the last couple of Gameweeks.
“I’ll play anywhere on the pitch if the gaffer thinks it’s best for the team. I’ll give 100 per cent anywhere he puts me. I’m a professional football player – I have to give everything on the pitch. It is the same for all the players. I’ll play anywhere – just not goalkeeper.”
The Scout Says: Subbed off in the Gameweek 6 defeat at Everton, Ben Arfa’s starting berth looked in question after Alan Pardew hinted at a lack of work rate. A shift to the centre of the front three in a 4-3-3 a couple of matches later seemed to have reignited his prospects but his failure to impress persuaded his manager to roll out a 4-4-2, with Shola Ameobi and Loic Remy up top. Certainly, Pardew looks keen to retain a winning side – he even left fit-again Fabricio Coloccini on the bench against Spurs last week, rewarding Mike Williamson and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa for keeping a clean sheet against Chelsea. With the Tyneside team now set for back-to-back home games against Norwich and West Brom, Remy and Yohan Cabaye are picking up plenty new owners – Ben Arfa has now dropped from 7.5 to 6.8 in recent weeks and with the industrious Moussa Sissoko preferred on the right, he faces a real battle to be granted his first-team wish.
Jones Set to Miss Midlands Derby
Steve Clarke discussed West Brom’s injury situation ahead of Monday night’s crucial home derby with Villa. The Baggies boss is hopeful both Nicolas Anelka and Scott Sinclair will be available, though Billy Jones is expected to miss out with a hamstring injury again, while Ben Foster is still sidelined with a foot injury:
“Billy’s improving; he did the warm-up with the group yesterday. This week will maybe come a bit too quickly for him but he is improving well…Ben is improving but improving slowly. He is still a little bit away from match action – but there are no dramas.”
The Scout Says: Steven Reid looks set to continue at right-back against Villa in Jones’ absence. Clarke’s failure to mention the Achilles problem that forced Boaz Myhill out of the recent Wales squad certainly suggest the keeper’s withdrawal was purely precautionary. Given that the Baggies have four home games in six over the packed upcoming schedule, some are targeting their backline options – Myhill, at 4.5, remains an option in light of Foster’s slow recovery as the schedule picks up pace, though Gareth McAuley and Liam Ridgewell looks the most appealing; McAuley has notched twice and picked up an assist, while Ridgewell has a goal and assist to his name thus far.
Alcaraz Finally Fit for Toffees
Roberto Martinez has revealed that Antolin Alcaraz has recovered from the hamstring injury that has stopped his career at Everton getting off the ground. Although the Paraguayan looks set to miss out in this weekend’s Merseyside derby, Martinez has hinted he will play a part in his defensive plans once his match sharpness is up to speed:
“Antolin is fully fit now and has been working well in the last week, so he is one week ahead of what I expected. I would say he is ready to play a part in a game but it is probably about picking the right moment. A full intense derby would probably be the wrong moment to give him that opportunity. He has been keen to try to fight for his place and that has probably gone against his physical situation. Now he is ready to open his Everton career and make sure he is the player we all know him to be, bringing the experience and know-how into the side, which is going to be a really important weapon for us.”
The Scout Says: Having acquired the centre-half from former club Wigan, Martinez is clearly a fan. With 11 Gameweeks of the season gone, Everton are the only club to field the same back-four and keeper in every league match and have offered Fantasy managers a real security of selection, with Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin looking indispensable at centre-half. It remains to be seen whether Martinez will finally trial the 3-4-3 formation previously mooted upon his arrival from the Latics – certainly, Alcaraz faces a tough task to force his way into a four-man backline that has already racked up six clean sheets this term. The immediate schedule is firmly against the Toffees but with three home games in four from Gameweek 16 onwards, investment looks on the cards, though the Paraguayan’s propensity for picking up injuries, allied with uncertainty over his starting role, means the likes of Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman remain more assured picks.
