There were various press conference updates ahead of the fourth round of FA Cup action later today. David Silva and Alvaro Negredo are set to miss City’s clash with Watford, Jose Mourinho confirms Juan Mata’s imminent departure and expects Fernando Torres to return within a month. Robbie Brady and Sone Aluko are back soon for Hull, Asmir Begovic is available for Stoke, while Michael Carrick’s injury is a worry for United…
Mata Deal Edges Closer to Completion
In yesterday lunchtime’s press conference, Jose Mourinho revealed he expects Fernando Torres to return in around three weeks from the knee problem sustained against United last Sunday. The main news centred around the Chelsea manager’s confirmation that he has allowed Juan Mata to undergo a medical at Old Trafford, as the Blues brace themselves for the Spaniard’s imminent departure. Both United and Chelsea also confirmed they have agreed a fee, with the deal subject to passing said medical and agreeing personal terms.
According to reports, though, the Mata move is unlikely to be completed for another couple of days due to a delay in Mohamed Salah’s transfer from FC Basel to the Stamford Bridge club. Mourinho rolled out the latest developments, as Fantasy managers patiently wait for the deal to go through ahead of next Tuesday evening’s Gameweek 23 deadline:
“Everything is done subject to the medical and the player’s desire to join us. Now we know he’s happy the two clubs have an agreement. He cannot come to England for his medical so we have to travel to meet him, probably in Switzerland, and only after that we can get the paperwork to bring him to the country.”
Silva and Negredo out for City
Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that David Silva will miss the FA Cup clash with Watford along with fellow Spaniard Alvaro Negredo this afternoon. The City boss stated that Silva has picked up a slight hamstring strain, whilst Negredo has a shoulder injury and will continue to be monitored over the weekend. Pellegrini though, hints that neither players’ injuries are likely to keep them out for long.
“Negredo has a shoulder injury and we will see how he is over the weekend, the initial opinion is that it is a minor problem and nothing more. Silva is not 100% so will be rested against Watford. He has a slight hamstring strain – nothing too serious – but he won’t play tomorrow as a precaution more than anything else. The rest of the squad is available for the match with Watford including Micah Richards and Stevan Jovetic.”
Attacking Duo Close to Tigers Return
Steve Bruce is optimistic on an imminent return to training for injured pair Sone Aluko and Robbie Brady. Speaking ahead of this weekend’s cup clash with Southampton, the Hull boss – who welcomes Paul McShane back into the fold – went on to reveal:
“Aluko and Brady aren’t quite right yet, but both are making huge strides. I would have thought that, in the next week to ten days, they will both be joining in with the team and that can only be good for everybody.”
Begovic Boost for Potters
Mark Hughes has confirmed Asmir Begovic is back in the frame for a first team return, following a month out with a broken finger. The Bosnian is available for selection in the cup, though Hughes has yet to decide whether to recall the keeper against Chelsea:
“Asmir has been back involved with the group this week which has been a bonus for us, so we will see how he is and make a decision on who we feel we should go with…We will look at guys who have been out for a little while over the next 24 hours, and obviously Asmir being one of those who falls into that category.”
Meanwhile, new loan signing John Guidetti may have to wait a little longer for his first start under Hughes after coming on as a substitute in the league last week. The Stoke boss revealed that the Swedish international striker has been suffering from illness during the week:
“John unfortunately has come in today a little bit under the weather to be honest so we will have to check him tomorrow. Obviously, we are hoping that he is ok for the game because it is a good opportunity for him to get a little bit of game time, but if he isn’t available then we do have other options.”
Carrick Concern for Moyes
Michael Carrick has emerged as a fresh injury worry after limping off during United’s midweek Capital One Cup exit at the hands of Sunderland. With United also out of the FA Cup, there was no press conference to confirm the story but the Mail reports the midfielder could be facing three weeks on the sidelines with ankle ligament damage – it is claimed Carrick has been yet unable to undergo scans due to swelling on the injury. The same report suggests Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini are hopeful of returning against Cardiff on Tuesday evening but the club has yet to roll out an injury update, with Moyes believed to be on a scouting trip last night during Bayern Munich’s game with Gladbach.
Sherwood Cautious with Kaboul
The Tottenham boss is keen to ease the centre-half back into the first-team after his recent recovery from injury. With Michael Dawson and Vlad Chiriches both available and Jan Vertonghen now injury free after turning out in a midweek friendly, Sherwood confirmed he will ensure Kaboul is given time to build up his match sharpness:
“It will be good to get Younes back. We’re very cautious. We need to make sure he’s right before he comes back in because perhaps he’s dipped back in a little bit too early on recent occasions, and then we’re paying the price because he’s out for another eight to 10 weeks. We don’t want that to happen again. If we get him right now, we want him right until the end of the season because he could be vital for us.”
Gunners Power Past Coventry
Arsenal became the first Premier League name in the hat for the FA Cup fifth round thanks to a routine 4-0 victory over League One Coventry at the Emirates. Lukas Podolski’s brace was perhaps the key point of interest for Fantasy managers, with the German’s finishing prowess drawing praise from Arsene Wenger and no doubt giving him further food for thought when it comes to his options up front…
“Podolski can score goals and when you have a goal chance you want him to have it. He is a clinical finisher and he has an unbelievable short and quick backlift. He is very accurate in his finishing. He can be effective, he can score goals when he starts and when he comes on, he is always dangerous. His performances have been more convincing on the flank than in the middle until now.”
Olivier Giroud was rested last night but came off the bench to notch along with the in-form Santi Cazorla: the Spaniard goes on drawing our attention ahead of the Wildcard deadline – he’s now struck four goals in his last four starts in all competitions. It’s also worth noting that Alex Oxlade Chamberlain returned to the Gunners’ starting lineup and will now present yet another option to Wenger in midfield areas.
