With apologies to our former colleagues at Yahoo!Eurosport, here's an early look at the team news floating around the interwebs in advance of tomorrow's pre-match press conferences.
Fit again Foster and Brown set to lift champions United
Ben Foster and Wes Brown are likely to be fit for champions Manchester United's opening Premier League game at home to Birmingham City after a close-season full of injuries and high-profile departures.
With first-choice goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar ruled out for several weeks with a broken finger, deputy Foster missed England's midweek friendly against Netherlands due to a knock.
However, Foster is set to return Sunday, as is defender Brown following his thigh injury.
With Nemanja Vidic poised for another week out, Nani a doubt with a shoulder problem, Gary Neville struggling with a groin injury and Owen Hargreaves still some way off a return, the availability of Foster and Brown would be a significant boost for manager Alex Ferguson.
Fergie hoping for historic season
Ferguson could have some good news on the injury front too as Wes Brown seems set to declare himself available to face Alex McLeish's newly-promoted Blues after sustaining a thigh injury in Munich during last month's Audi Cup.
Ben Foster may also be in contention, despite pulling out of England's friendly in Holland with a knee injury, althoughTomasz Kuszczak's excellent recent form makes that less of a worry for the United boss.
Ferguson has already been given a pleasant surprise with Nani getting through a 17-minute substitute appearance for Portugal against Liechtenstein last night casting aside fears he dislocated his shoulder at Wembley on Sunday.
Mancienne returns to Wolves
Wolves have re-signed Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne on a season-long loan.... He spent two months with the club in the Championship last season.
During that 10-game spell, the youngster made a huge impression at centre-back, even earning a call-up to Fabio Capello's full England squad in November.
Gerrard doubtful for opener
Benitez said: "I am not sure about Steven... As our game is on the Sunday, then maybe Steven will have a chance. If it was on Saturday it would be more difficult."
Da Silva cleared for action
The paperwork has now been completed and the central defender will arrive in the country ahead of Sunderland's Barclays Premier League opener at Bolton on Saturday.
Assistant manager Eric Black told the club's official website: ... "We will have to see where he is physically as we've not seen him for six weeks, but it's more competition for places."
Jo making progress
Brazilian striker Jo could feature in the season's opener for Everton against Arsenal on Saturday after recovering from an ankle injury.
Hughes won't rush Santa Cruz return
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes expects to be without Roque Santa Cruz until the end of August.
Irish held by Israel
Manchester United defender Jonny Evans sat out Northern Ireland's 1-1 draw with Israel at Windsor Park with an ankle injury.
He returned to his club on the day of the game for treatment as the province had to settle for a share of the spoils in this friendly.
The Foster/Kuszy thing is killing me. I wish Fergie would come out and say something!
ReplyDeleteWill John O'Shea play in both games with Brown fit?
ReplyDeleteI certainly think O'Shea will play at right back, especially considering Evans' injury and Brown being a more natural central defender. But per Basher's point... a lot is going to hinge on how garrulous Fergie is at his pre-match press conference. Here's hoping he opens up.
ReplyDeleteJeremy, on MU keeper selection, let just say that SAF still cryptic as ever on tomorrow press conference, will it be a good move to choose one keeper over the other? Or should we stay away from both?
ReplyDeleteNeal and I were talking about this earlier today. We both were leaning toward Given if the ManU situation wasn't clear. Kirkland would be a good two-game option but after being burned by him in the past we're worried that it won't click for the new Wigan regime just yet. Fulop has mixed fortune but we don't want to bet on him against Chelsea.
ReplyDeleteGiven seems to be a safe pick around the 6 price level. Only one match, but against a hurt and re-grouping Rovers which looks good for a clean sheet. Besides, we like the look of him for the rest of the season so if the ManU situation is unclear one might as well get on the bandwagon early.