Injuries and Suspensions - Week 4

Premier League team news - Barclays Premier League - ESPN Soccernet

First, the good news - Yahoo! has added the new players (Squillaci, Van Der Vaart, et al) who came in at the end of the transfer window so as you make your final adjustments, you will have them as options. 

Here's a quick list of some of the potentially interesting newbies:
Squillaci (D, Arsenal), Gyan (F, Sunderland), Pletikosa (G, Tottenham), Gallas (D, Tottenham), van der Vaart (M, Tottenham), Boateng (D, Citeh - back from injury), Ramires (M, Chelsea - Lamps hurt), Cleverley (M, Wigan), Ben Arfa (M, Newcastle), Benjani (F, Rovers).

This isn't to say I recommend any of the above highly - Gyan and Boateng are the only two who I'd really consider too strongly with Pletikosa added to the mix if Gomes is definitely out.  If I was sure Ramires would start, I'd be interested there too but the rest are more "wait and see" and be poised to pounce before the Barn Door closes if one or more looks good.



Out

• Everton Forwards - Saha, Anichebe, and Vaughn are all unavailable meaning that either Beckford will start or EVE will go 4-6-0 with Cahill and Fellaini acting as "strikers" - regardless, a match against ManYoo isn't exactly when you want to join managers in their experimental line-ups;
• Jack Rodwell - I don't think you were considering him but if you were, don't - he's out for up to 3 months with an ankle injury (popular injury this week, huh?)
• Jermain Defoe - Also out for 3 months with an ankle injury - Robbie Keane is likely to become a great fantasy option unless Redknapp decides to go 4-5-1 and make some of his midfield toys (newly healthy Modric, Van Der Vaart, Kranjcar, Bentley, Lennon, Bale, THud) happy with a start.
• Thomas Vermaelen - I didn't see this one coming or any stories about it but this leaves new boys Squillaci and Koscielny as the starting pair in central defense for Arsenal.  Hard to say what to expect but a home match with a mediocre team means that both are at least interesting options.
• Theo Walcott - I'm sure you've all seen this news but worth repeating as the reports were varied about the length of his absence.  The reports seem to have settled on 6 weeks so no reason to keep him at a discount in hopes that he'll be back in a week or two.
• Robin van Persie - Out until October at which point I'm sure he'll injure another part of his body.
• Jussi Jaaskelainen - I can't imagine that you were thinking of taking the Bolton keeper on the road at the Emirates but he's suspended as the result of his red card two weekends ago so probably not a great idea;
• Mario Balotelli - Out for six weeks with a knee injury - I wonder if someone else will get a chance to, you know, score some goals for Citeh;
• Alex Baptiste - A popular choice over the last couple of weekends for fantasy managers but he'll be out with a broken hand so time to find a new cheap defender - may I introduce you to Sebastien Squillaci?
• Frank Lampard - Still out after Hernia surgery so the question is whether Yossi (fairly cheap at 8 and change) gets the start or if Ramires comes in at a rock bottom 4.93.  With an attacking spot available in Lampard's absence, you could do worse than taking a chance (and if it were me, I'd take the chance on Ramires both due to cost and I think they'll try to work him in and see what they have).
• Frazier Campbell - He's out for around six months so Gyan will likely be thrown into the deep end of the pool.  If you believe in the power of the debut goal then he may be a solid bet against Wigan.
• Dirk Kuyt & Joe Cole - Crocked and (still) suspended respectively and really leaving Liverpool as the two man team that we all believe them to be anyway.  Ngog (healthy again) and Jovanovic are likely the fantasy beneficiaries but I can't say I'm making a lot of efforts to get either in my team.
  

Fitness Challenges

• Wayne Rooney - I'm not sure there's any actual evidence that SAF might rest him due to his "personal issues" but it certainly is making the rounds in the press - I'd go with Drogs or Cesc over Rooney at those prices given even a little uncertainty over the England striker's starting prospects;
• Andy Carroll - He has resumed training but still managed to make it into the injury report so there's at least some doubt about his participation;
• Graham Dorrans - Not sure what "personal issues" means but apparently Dorrans may be sidelined by them this weekend.  Maybe he's secretly Wayne Rooney's wingman and everyone is now on to that fact.
• Heurelho Gomes - He is unlikely to be fit so Stipe Pletikosa is likely to deputize in what may be a nice value play.  I haven't seen him play enough to make a strong recommendation but a) he has to be better than Cudicini; and b) the match-up is very favorable;
• Alex Hleb - Apparently the curse of the Arsenal training room extends even to former players as Hleb hurt himself before he even made his debut for Brum.  The comments are hardly certain but I'd wait until I was sure before adding him into my line-up.
• Stephen Ireland - The hamstring injury from pre-match warm-ups two weekends ago may continue to keep him out.  The fact that there is no firm pronouncement means that both he and Albrighton are of questionable value as either may start.  If you just MUST have one or the other, go with Albrighton.  But at the same time, you should also be checking your priorities in life.