Injury and suspension news for Premier League August 21st – 23rd

By Joe Finegan

Saturday 21st August 2010

Barclays Premier League

In what should be a comfortable home win, on paper at least, Arsenal have a number of injury worries to contend with. Definite absentees are Johann Djourou, Nicklas Bendtner, Denilson and Aaron Ramsey. Alex Song’s participation is touch and go with a calf strain. A big blow to Arsene Wenger is that Samir Nasri will be out for a month after undergoing surgery on an injured knee. Defender Laurent Koscielny is suspended following his red card at Liverpool. Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas are in contention for a return to the starting XI.

After last week routing of Wigan, Blackpool boss Ian holloway could be brought back down to earth with a large bump on Saturday afternoon. Keith Southern (four goals, three assists in 2009/10) has a knee injury and won’t be seen in action until the middle of September. Louis Almond (shoulder) and Billy Clarke (knee ligament) remain long-term casualties. New signing defender Dekel Keinan goes straight into the squad.

Birmingham’s new loan signing Matt Derbyshire will make his debut following his arrival midweek from Olympiakos. Nikola Zigic is in contention for a starting berth following his impressive appearance as a sub last weekend. Kevin Phillips (four goals in 2009/10) remains on the sidelines and is Birmingham’s only definite absentee.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce will give late fitness tests to Martin Olsson (one goal in 2009/10), Vince Grella and David Dunn (10 goals, four assists last season).

Everton will be hoping to get their season off to a late start after failing miserably against Blackburn last week. Manager David Moyes has no definite absentees, but striker Victor Anchebe is a doubt with a knee knock.

Wolves have a few injury concerns for this trip to Goodison Park. Striker Steven Fletcher has a badly bruised foot and will face a late fitness test. Summer arrival Jelle van Damme is a serious doubt with a twisted ankle. However, Kevin Doyle should make his return to the starting team following a calf problem. Ronald Zubar is a doubt with an ankle injury.

Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones could make the team for the visit of Spurs. He was carried off after 14 minutes of his debut against Wolves last week but his ankle injury is not as bad as first believed. He is back running and will be assessed closer to kick off. Liam Lawrence is struggling with a groin problem and will not feature.

Jermaine Defoe injured his groin in Spurs’ midweek game against Young Boys and will miss out on the trip to Stoke. Luka Modric is struggling with a hamstring strain and is a big doubt. Ledley King may be rested in anticipation of Spurs’ next fixture. Jamie O’Hara, David Bentley and Jonathan Woodgate are all on the sidelines but Aaron Lennon could make a start on the right wing.

West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo has pledged to keep most of the same starting XI that were thrashed by Chelsea last weekend. Scott Carson will continue in goal. Jonas Olsson should return to defence but Ishmael Miller (thigh) and Joe Mattock (ankle) have both been ruled out for up to a month after picking up injuries in training this week.

Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole is suspended for this game and Michael Turner completes his two-match ban. Defender John Mensah is ruled out with injury. Andy Reid is back in training following an Achilles problem but he will miss this game. Craig Gordon is still a couple of weeks away from a return to action and David Meyler is on the long-term injured list.

New West Ham signing Thomas Hitzlsperger has shaken off his thigh injury and is in line to make his debut. Frederic Piquionne could start up front after impressing as a substitute last week. Jack Collison remains a long-term casualty with a knee injury.

Bolton have no injury worries and may field an unchanged line up from that which drew with Fulham last weekend. Gavin McCann and Joey O’Brien are in contention for places on the bench.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has two big issues to resolve before kick off. Does he drop Chris Kirland after last week’s horror show, and does he recall Charles N’Zogbia after much transfer speculation? but they must operate with the injured Gary Caldwell.

Chelsea are expected to be unchanged after last week’s mauling of West Brom except Ramires could make make his first start for the Blues in place of Mikel, and Branislav Ivanovic is expected to be recalled replacing Paulo Ferreira.

Sunday 22nd August 2010

Barclays Premier League

Chris Hughton will give Danny Guthrie and Peter Lovenkrands as much time as possible to recover a knee knock and a groin strain before naming his starting XI for Newcastle’s first home game of the season.

Dan Gosling, Leon Best, Danny Simpson (one goal, two assists), and Steven Taylor (one goal) will defintely miss out.

Villa caretaker boss Kevin McDonald is likely to give new arrival Stephen Ireland his debut for the trip to Tyneside. Carlos Cuellar (two goals in 2009/10) is still out due to a hamstring strain and fellow defender James Collins is also ruled out. Gabriel Agbonlahor (13 goals, three assists in 2009/10) could return after a hamstring injury but Fabian Delph is a long-term absentee.

Damien Duff should return to the Fulham side for the visit of Manchester United. Paul Konchesky is struggling with an ankle knock, and keeper Mark Schwarzer is a doubt with a back injury.

Philip Senderos and Andrew Johnson are out long-term.

Monday 23rd August 2010

Barclays Premier League

Manchester City could give James Milner his bow against Liverpool. Boss Roberto Mancini has no major injury worries. Jerome Boateng has a gashed leg but should be passed fit to play but Aleksander Loarov is a doubt with an ankle injury. Striker Mario Balotelli’s fitness will be assessed after being taken off injured despite scoring the winner on Thursday against Timisoara.

Liverpool will have to manage without Joe Cole, who is suspended after getting sent off against Arsenal. Daniel Agger is still suffering with concussion but may be passed fit.

Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Glen Johnson, David Ngog and Martin Skrtel should all be back in the starting XI after being rested for Thursday’s Europe League game. Christian Poulsen is in contention for a Premier League debut after impressing on Thursday. New goalkeeper Brad Jones is likely to be on the bench. Fernando Torres is pushing for a start while Javier Mascherano is recovering well from a calf strain and could make a surprise start.