Scout Scribbles – Toure On Target for Ivory Coast

Yaya Toure is in the goals as Ivory Coast lose to DR Congo. Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez grabs a goal and assist as Algeria ease past Malawai. Tim Krul is expected to return for Newcastle this weekend, while Victor Moses is in line to recover for Stoke.

YAYA NETS IN ELEPHANTS LOSS

Man City’s Yaya Toure was on the scoresheet last night as Ivory Coast were defeated 4-3 by DR Congo in their African Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Scout Says: Toure has now notched a goal and assist in his recent international displays, suggesting he may be able to carry on his goal scoring form from Gameweek 7 as we head further into the season. Whilst he may have failed to live up to his original 11.0 price tag so far, the City midfielder undoubtedly has the quality in his locker to regularly produce the goods, as he evidenced last year with a 241-point return. However, Toure is set to arrive back late from his international duties, and with City facing Spurs on Saturday lunchtime, there is a chance the Ivorian will find himself on the bench. The last time he returned late was in Gameweek 4, and Pellegrini chose to rest him on that occasion – with a Champions League fixture on Tuesday, too, the Chilean has decisions to make over the midfielder’s fitness.

MIXED NEWS IN UNITED MIDFIELD

Antonio Valencia is expected to miss Man United’s clash with West Brom on Monday evening with a hamstring strain suffered in the Red Devils’ 2-1 win over Everton. Louis van Gaal will, however, be consoled by the fact that Michael Carrick could be fit enough to make the bench against the Baggies, with a behind-closed-doors friendly also reported to be in the pipeline to help the midfielder get back up to speed.

The Scout Says: Valencia’s setback makes him the ninth member on United’s current injury list, as Van Gaal’s start to life at Old Trafford continues to be afflicted by knocks and niggles. With the Ecuadorian potentially sidelined, Darren Fletcher may be promoted to the starting line-up for the first time since Gameweek 3, though Adnan Januzaj will also be pushing for inclusion, having failed to feature in either of United’s last two fixtures. Carrick’s return is well-timed then, though in light of United’s summer acquisitions, the central midfielder is unlikely to be the reliable starter he has proved to be over the last few seasons. With Ander Herrera on course to be back soon from a rib injury, Carrick, like Valencia, is likely to find that he has dropped down the pecking order and will have to settle for a role on the bench.

DANN MAKING PROGRESS WITH KNEE PROBLEM

Scott Dann has returned to light training with Crystal Palace after sustaining a knee injury early on in his side’s clash with Hull in Gameweek 7. Palace boss Neil Warnock has, however, suggested that he is won’t be ready in time for the Eagles’ encounter with Chelsea this Saturday, and perhaps not even for the following weekend:

“Scott Dann has done some running and some light training this week and he is getting better, but I think this weekend will come too quickly for him. He might have a chance [for the West Brom game], but it will be touch and go and maybe the Sunderland game is more realistic.”

The Scout Says: With two assists accrued so far this season, Dann sits top of the Eagles’ defensive rankings with 26 points. However, it is not only his attacking performances that brought him on to our radars prior to his cut-short appearance against Hull – Palace are yet to concede at home under Warnock, with clean sheets registered against Burnley and Leicester in recent weeks, though this weekend’s meeting with Chelsea is sure to put that record to the test. With Dann now likely to be out for the next couple of Gameweeks, Brede Hangeland looks primed to step in to the Eagles’ backline – the former Fulham man hasn’t featured since Gameweek 2, and is set for a tough return against Jose Mourinho’s outfit on Saturday.

INJURY RELIEF FOR KRUL

Newcastle have confirmed that Tim Krul suffered nothing more than a minor elbow injury during his recent international duties.

The Scout Says: Despite having only totaled 16 points thus far, with just one clean sheet managed back in Gameweek 2, Krul remains the most popular keeper in FPL with an ownership of 17.6%. News of his injury will be a relief for Newcastle, though it does deny Fantasy managers of Rob Elliot as a short-term 4.0 option between the sticks. With testing encounters against Spurs and Liverpool on the horizon for the Tynesiders, further investment in Krul looks unlikely, and that ownership level looks likely to drop.

MOSES MAKES RAPID RECOVERY

Victor Moses now looks set to be fit for Stoke’s clash with Swansea on Sunday after initials fears that he could have been sidelined for up to three weeks with the thigh injury sustained against Sunderland last time out. The Nigerian confirmed the news on his Twitter account:

“Feel good to be back training and now looking forward to the game on Sunday, Thanks for all your support.”

The Scout Says: Moses’ speedy recovery will be great news for Mark Hughes, with the winger having played an integral part in the Potters’ attacking play in recent weeks. Moses has earned an assist in each of his last three league appearances, with his link-up play with target man Peter Crouch having proved particularly incisive, and continues to look good value for his 5.5 price tag ahead of the Potters’ kind upcoming schedule (SWA, sou, WHM, tot, BUR). Elsewhere for Stoke, Glen Whelan has suffered a knee problem in international training and could miss out against Swansea this weekend, with Steve Sidwell the favourite to step in if required.

MAHREZ CONTINUES TO CONVINCE

Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez was instrumental in Algeria’s 3-0 victory over Malawi in the African Cup of Nations last night. The winger grabbed a goal and assist for his country, mirroring his output in the Foxes’ previous league match against Burnley.

The Scout Says: His minutes may not have been secure so far this season, but Mahrez’ current fine form suggests he could be unleashed against Newcastle this weekend as Nigel Pearson looks to take advantage of the Tynesiders’ leaky defence. The Foxes face an excellent run of fixtures beyond this weekend (swa, WBA, sou, SUN, qpr) and as long as he can nail down a starting berth, Mahrez, at 4.9 in FPL, looks the standout option in their midfield ranks right now.