Robin Van Persie steps up his injury comeback by returning to full training ahead of United’s double Gameweek. John Terry and Eden Hazard are back for Chelsea’s crucial Champions League encounter with Atletico this evening, Manuel Pellegrini may be prepared to take risks on David Silva’s fitness for the final three matches, whilst Everton have been handed a defensive injury boost ahead of Saturday’s Goodison encounter with City:
VAN PERSIE BACK IN FULL TRAINING
Interim manager Ryan Giggs has confirmed that Robin Van Persie has returned to training ahead of Manchester United’s double Gameweek 37. The Dutch striker has been missing since picking up a knee injury during his hat-trick performance against Olympiakos in March, but has stepped up his recovery this week and could be in contention to feature against Sunderland, according to his new manager:
“We’ll just have to wait and see how he goes this week. He came back last Friday and he trained well. He just needs to work on his fitness now so, yeah, he looked great.”
The Scout Says: Van Persie’s return looks set to be perfectly timed to give managers a serious differential contender ahead of the impending double Gameweek. With fellow forward Wayne Rooney acquiring over 92,000 new owners already this week following his 13 point-haul against Norwich, Van Persie will likely remain firmly under the radar, and might just eclipse his team-mate if he is indeed passed fit for Saturday. Despite being blighted by injury this term, the Dutchman has already notched 11 times in the league and, at 13.5, is the ultimate late-season gamble, but one that could play a major part in the outcomes of mini leagues across the game. It is worth noting that Van Persie’s return may well have further repercussions; should Giggs opt to field the prolific striker up top with Rooney tucked in behind, prospective owners of Juan Mata may be made to think twice about clicking the transfer button, with the 9.7-priced Spaniard likely to be forced back to his less-preferred left wing position, should Antonio Valencia continue on the right.
MAJOR INJURY BOOST FOR MOURINHO
John Terry, Petr Cech, Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto’o all trained yesterday ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid this evening. Jose Mourinho had indicated last week that the former two were unlikely to feature for their side in the Premier League again this season having suffered injuries in the first leg of the European tie, but the Blues boss has now confirmed that Terry will start tonight, with Cech also seemingly in with a chance of appearing again before the season is out.
The Scout Says: More mind games from Mourinho? His words last week have seen Terry and Cech shipped out of 25,000 and 15,000 teams respectively in Fantasy Premier League, a decision that could now come back to haunt those managers should the pair complete yet another shut out against relegation contenders Norwich this weekend. With their skipper and, potentially, first choice goalkeeper back in the mix, Chelsea’s rearguard certainly look set to carry the defensive form that has seen them plunder 17 clean sheets thus far, and managers should be warned not to ignore their assets in favour of double Gameweek players. Hazard’s comeback, meanwhile, offers yet another big budget option ahead of the final two Gameweeks; the Belgian has plummeted in price by 0.7 since being sidelined in Gameweek 33 and, now available for 10.3, will be eager to end a profitable season on a high as his title-contending side welcome the Canaries to Stamford Bridge before travelling to Cardiff.
PELLEGRINI HAPPY TO RISK SILVA AND NAVAS
Manuel Pellegrini will not allow the World Cup hopes of David Silva or Jesus Navas to affect his decision of whether to play the two Spanish midfielders over City’s remaining three fixtures. Silva missed Sunday’s victory over Crystal Palace with an ankle injury, whilst Navas has been sidelined since the Gameweek 34 loss to Liverpool with a similar complaint, but Pellegrini has insisted that the upcoming tournament in Brazil will not stop him risking either as he closes in on the title:
“If both players can be fit to play in the last games, they will play. And both of them want to play.”
The Scout Says: With the title now theirs to lose, Pellegrini is clearly happy to do whatever it takes to win in his debut year at the helm. The Chilean revealed some time ago that Silva’s ankle problem has plagued the Spaniard for a great deal of the season, with the playmaker often having to sit out two-to-three training sessions per week and, whilst neither Silva nor Navas appear to be in the frame for an immediate return to the starting line-up against Everton on Saturday, the City boss’ words suggest substitute appearances may not be off the cards. A short run out on Sunday followed by a start against Aston Villa at the Etihad in midweek could see either player take advantage of the double Gameweek, though with Yaya Toure back up and running and Samir Nasri in form and available for a modest 8.7, turning to either Spaniard still remains a real gamble.
RANGEL RULED OUT FOR REMAINDER OF SEASON
Swansea right-back Angel Rangel will miss the last two games of the campaign after limping off with a groin injury against Aston Villa on Saturday.
The Scout Says: Handed the highest price tag of any Swansea defender at the start of the season, Rangel has failed to live up to expectation having only managed two assists and just 77 points in total. With a home game against Southampton before a trip to Sunderland on the final day, Garry Monk will be keen to add to Swansea’s modest total of eight clean sheets and may well hand Neil Taylor the opportunity to impress, with his side’s safety now secured. Although a left-back by trade, the 4.4 priced Welshman was brought on for Rangel against Aston Villa and is likely to get the nod for Swansea’s final two games – Dwight Tiendalli is an alternative, though it’s noticeable that he’s failed to play a single minute since Monk replaced Michael Laudrup back in Gameweek 25.
EVERTON REARGUARD FACE FITNESS RACE
Phil Jagielka is on course to make his long-awaited return to the Everton starting line-up this weekend following his recovery from a hamstring. Speaking to the club’s official website, Roberto Martinez revealed:
“Phil has done really well in his programme and has developed strength in his muscles. He looks completely regenerated and is desperate to be available. It will be a late call whether he is available or not but I would be surprised if he doesn’t make the squad for Saturday.”
Elsewhere for the Toffees, Martinez has confirmed that Leighton Baines should win his fitness battle for Saturday evening’s crucial game with Manchester City, though Sylvain Distin is still a big doubt for a match that could have significant repercussions for both sides’ ambitions:
“Sylvain Distin again is pushing himself to be available. I would say he is 50/50 for the weekend but now we have hope that we will see Sylvain before the season ends which is a fantastic bonus. Leighton did incredibly well on Saturday to be on the pitch after having a knock because he had some discomfort in his knee. He’s going to be treated over the next few days to see how he responds but we don’t expect any major problem, so hopefully he can be involved in Saturday’s game.”
The Scout Says: With the Toffees’ self-capitulation against Southampton still in the back of his mind, Martinez will be desperate to have at least two of his three recovering defenders available for Saturday, as the Merseyside club face a potentially decisive game in their hunt for Champions League football. Baines’ 16.1% ownership are likely to have to rely on his attacking capabilities against a City side who have only failed to score four times in the league this season, though with a goal and an assist in his last three games, the left back’s owners will still be optimistic ahead of the Goodison showdown. Jagielka’s first game since Gameweek 27 will see Antolin Alcaraz drop to the bench following his dismal afternoon last Saturday, whilst a return for Distin – though Martinez’s words seem to indicate it to be unlikely – would almost certainly oust John Stones from the line-up after a ten-match streak of starts for the youngster.
