Late Fitness Check - Week 18
Christmas means a lot of different things to a lot of people but for some its true meaning has become lost amid a season of hype, glitz and commercial cash registers. For some this is a time of great sorrow – the realisation that the ones you once loved are no longer there – for others it provides a moment of joyous celebration, renewed strength and the promise of excitement. Open your heart and invite fantasy football in – only then will you have truly Merry Christmas – football is the reason for the season [rejoice] because fantasy football is for life. Keep following the @Rotoworld_PL experts throughout the festive period for all the latest news and views ahead of an action packed week of soccer.
Chelsea – vs – West Ham United
Jose Mourinho said no-one would play every game over the Festive period which puts Eden Hazard at risk out missing out on Boxing Day – the Belgium international limped off with an ankle problem following a heavy Jonathan Walters tackle on Monday night and even if passed fit the ‘Special One’ may decide not to risk his star man with a trip to St Marys’ less than 48 hours later. A fully refreshed Oscar who missed out at the Britannia could return to the starting eleven – others at risk include Azpilicueta [Filipe Luis] and John Obi Mikel with Andre Schurrle waiting in the wings. Thibaut Courtois returned for the win at Stoke and will look to retain his place with talk of Petr Cech moving to Liverpool in January.
James Tomkins tweaked his hamstring during the win over Leicester City and should the defender fail to recover in time then James Collins is a natural replacement. Mark Noble [Achilles] has missed nearly a month but is back in contention – Kevin Nolan has a minor knock but should be okay while Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing are the inform players for the Hammers side.
Burnley – vs – Liverpool
Sam Vokes’ managed another two goals for the development side on Monday and Sean Dyche must be tempted to recall his star striker who has spent almost 9 months on the sidelines. Matty Taylor [Achilles] is targeting a return in January and Michael Duff [calf] is progressing following his recent setback but the defender is still a week or two away. Stephen Ward will return in early 2015 after breaking his ankle against Newcastle in GW14.
Mario Balotelli completes his one game ban and has recovered sufficiently from a groin problem to travel to Turf Moor – the Italian striker will be hoping to for a much improved second half to the season. Fabio Borini may not be seen in a red shirt again after the frustrated attacker was sent-off at the Emirates for two bookable offences – Raheem Sterling could be the man to lead the line once again. A knee injury keeps Joe Allen out while Dejan Lovren is still struggling with a groin issue – Glen Johnson and Daniel Sturridge are both targeting games in mid-January. Suso is now available for selection after groin surgery but the Spanish midfielder will struggle to get into the first team.
Crystal Palace – vs – Southampton
No fresh injury concerns for Neil Warnock but Joe Ledley will be checked – the Welsh international has been plagued by a persistent groin problem for the past month. Marouane Chamakh [hamstring] remains sidelined so Fraizer Campbell could retain his place although Dwight Gayle is also an option. Adrian Mariappa [knee] returned after more than a month out on Saturday but was an unused substitute along with Damien Delaney – defensively the Eagles have been solid of late with the exception of a striker-less City who managed to put three past them.
Dusan Tadic was back with the main group on Monday – he missed the win over Everton due to a fatigue related problem but has responded well since. Harrison Reed impressed during his first start which should secure his place in the eleven while Shane Long is at risk of dropping out. Suspension keeps Jose Fonte out for one game but Florin Gardos, Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama are all available again – Jake Hesketh [knee] injury is not as bad as first feared and should feature over Christmas. Jay Rodriguez suffers a setback which could mean the striker will have to wait until February before he kicks a ball in the Premier League again.
Everton – vs – Stoke City
Kevin Mirallas [ankle] and James McCarthy [hamstring] both have a chance for Boxing Day but Leon Osman, Tony Hibbert and Darron Gibson have been ruled out – its hoped the trio could all return by early January. Christian Atsu did return to Chelsea for treatment after he picked up a hamstring strain in the Europa League – the midfielder has a small chance of making the squad.
Peter Crouch is at risk of missing out at Goodison because of a neck injury – Mame Biram Diouf would be the likely benefactor if he fails to recover. Jon Walters [knee] will need checked but it shouldn’t cause too much of a problem – Stephen Ireland suffered a “bang on the knee” in training which was enough for him to miss the Chelsea game but the midfielder has a good chance of making the squad. Glenn Whelan, Marc Wilson and Robert Huth are all fit and hoping to be included at some-point over Christmas.
Leicester City – vs – Tottenham Hotspur
A big game for Nigel Pearson at the King Power Stadium – only two teams have ever survived the drop from the Premier League after spending Christmas in last place – and the Foxes must improve having only won one game at home all season [5-3] against Manchester United. Chris Wood is a doubt after leaving training on Monday because of illness – however the striker has been nothing more than a bit part player while David Nugent will be hoping for a start having fully recovered from an ankle injury. Ben Hamer will continue to deputise in goal for the injured Kasper Schmeichel – Matthew Upson has recovered following foot surgery but lacks match-fitness.
Tottenham have a clean bill of health despite midfielder Ryan Mason limping out of Saturdays’ win over Burnley, the youngster rolled his ankle but a scan revealed no ligament damage. Harry Kane will look to continue his excellent form – 3 from 3 in all competitions – but the bench is the best Emmanuel Adebayor can hope for following injury / illness and compassionate leave. Kyle Naughton, Eric Dier and Aaron Lennon were unable to find a place in the match-day squad last weekend but expect Pochettino to rotate ahead of a busy fixture schedule.
Manchester United – vs – Newcastle United
Louis van Gaal was hoping to welcome back a number of first team players for the Boxing Day clash with Newcastle but Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw are still a little short - Chris Smalling “maybe” has a chance but he could wait until the 28th before a return to action. Angel di Maria managed 30 minutes from the bench at Villa Park and the Argentine will be pushing for a start but Marouane Fellaini who missed out because of illness is still sidelined. Daley Blind is now training outside and Rafael made the squad for the first time since October in game week 18.
Only Steven Taylor [facial injury] has been added to the Newcastle injury list since the derby defeat to Sunderland, the defender collided with the post stopping a certain goal but his efforts meant a trip to the treatment room for a quick stitch-up – however the player is expected to be passed fit. A fifth yellow card rules Cheick Tiote out for one game – Mehdi Abeid [broken toe] is a natural replacement but the midfielder has still not training fully. Brilliant news regarding Gutierrez who returned for the under-21s on Monday after recovering from testicular cancer - manager Alan Pardew is expecting Jonas to be challenging for a place in the first team by the end of January. Tim Krul is slightly ahead of schedule and could be back for the Chelsea match otherwise it’s as you were.
Sunderland – vs – Hull City
The news regarding Anthony Reveillere is good although the full-back will still miss up to a month, the veteran defender pulled up during Sundays’ warm-up at St James’ Park and Poyet feared a major tear – however that doesn’t appear to be the case. Billy Jones is on standby – but after more than 10 weeks out [hamstring] an immediate return could be considered a risk – John O’Shea might slot in with Sebastien Coates partnering Wes Brown. Emanuele Giaccherini [ankle] is available but after three months on the sidelines the bench is the best he can hope for – Connor Wickham is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow of the season.
Alex Bruce recovers from a minor knock which forced his withdrawal during the home defeat to Swansea on Saturday while fellow defender Curtis Davies who suffered a similar fate is still being assessed. Paul McShane is a natural replacement but the player will not be considered for selection until he apologises to his manager and teammates because of an undisclosed personal matter – the defender is currently training with the under-21s. Thomas Ince and Maynor Figueroa have been recalled from their recent loan spells and will be added to the squad – a bicep injury keeps Steve Harper out. Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore are suspended while injury sidelines Michael Dawson and Mo Diame.
Swansea – vs – Aston Villa
Garry Monk confirmed Gylfi Sigurdsson [foot], Jefferson Montero [hamstring] and Leon Britton [knee] all returned to training on Monday – the trio were all rested as a precaution for the trip to the KC Stadium but will be added to the squad that takes on Aston Villa. Expect Wilfried Bony to return to the eleven as well – the Ivorian was a surprise omission from the eleven with Gomis starting – a potential tactical play with the African Cup of Nations coming up in January.
Gabby Agbonlahor appealed his red card dismissal on Saturday and subsequently won the decision meaning his three game ban has been quashed – the pacey winger has never been sent-off in his career and that remains the case. Alan Hutton and Tom Cleverley are both added to the Villa squad which played so well against Manchester United in taking a point but none of the injured group are likely to return – Joe Cole [hamstring] is the closest and he could be back in GW19. Philippe Senderos and Nathan Baker are hoping for game time in early 2015 while forgotten man Libor Kozak is also making good progress.
West Brom – vs – Manchester City
Victor Anichebe is rated as very doubtful as he continues to struggle with an ongoing groin problem but Saido Berahino looked bright following his introduction at Loftus Road which could see him replace Ideye Brown. Graham Dorrans picked up a minor calf injury but should be okay - likewise for Boaz Myhill who has a touch of man flu. Georgios Samaras is training again with the squad but the striker is lacking fitness [injury / compassionate leave] while captain Chris Brunt has recovered from a small hamstring issue.
Stevan Jovetic is back in light training but the striker will not feature on Boxing Day [a possible return for GW19] while Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero are likely to remain out until the second part of January. Vincent Kompany is also close but New Years’ Day is more realistic – Gael Clichy [foot] should be okay while Pozo [illness] has a chance. Matija Nastasic [thigh] isn’t too far away from fitness but his days at City look numbered after falling way down the pecking line – Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis are both preferred options.
Arsenal – vs – Queens Park Rangers
David Ospina has returned to full training but Martinez would consider himself unfortunate after proving an able understudy to Wojciech Szczesny in recent weeks. Tomas Rosicky and Yaya Sanogo are also available after muscular problems kept them out of Sundays’ draw with Liverpool. Mikel Arteta suffered a minor setback which means he won’t return until January but Mesut Ozil is progressing nicely – the German international has a chance for the FA Cup. Hector Bellerin [ankle] and Laurent Koscielny [Achilles] will both miss GW18 but could be back for the match two days later at West Ham. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be assessed – the England winger is managing an ongoing groin problem and looked in some discomfort at Anfield while Aaron Ramsey won’t be rushed with a potential return on New Years’ Day. Calum Chambers and Alexis Sanchez have both been flagged as potential injury risks due to fatigue – the pair are expected to be rested as some-point over the Christmas.
Mauricio Isla missed the remarkable comeback win over West Brom after he returned home [Chile] to attend the birth of his child – a return date is not yet known. Suk-Young Yun looks set for an extended period on the sidelines after limping off during the first half on Saturday with Harry Redknapp confirming the defender suffered a nasty ankle ligament injury which is still being assessed – potential suitors are Clint Hill or Rio Ferdinand although the former seems to be preferred choice. Sandro and Adel Taarabt remain sidelined.
