Ebanks-Blake doubt for Wolves

Ebanks-Blake doubt for Wolves - Yahoo! Eurosport

Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is a major doubt for the Barclays Premier League derby with Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

Ebanks-Blake suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury after appearing as a substitute during the weekend home draw with Fulham, after initially suffering the injury in the previous game against Everton when he came off at half-time.

How many of you went with SEB? I'm too gun-shy when it comes to injury doubts so I stayed clear. Looks like it may work out for me this time. Maybe.

Halford ready to fill Kightly gap

Wolves’ new boy Greg Halford has vowed to make the most of Michael Kightly’s absence by gatecrashing Mick McCarthy’s Premier League starting line-up.

The £2million summer signing from Sunderland is set to replace Kightly, after the winger was ruled out for the start of the season as he makes his way back from a broken foot and hip injury.

Versatile Halford believes he can plug the gap, starting with tomorrow’s friendly at Doncaster.

The 24-year-old said: “Kightly is going to be out for the start of the season, so it gives me an opportunity and hopefully I’ll prove myself.

“I’ve been brought here as a right midfielder and I see myself playing there more often than not.

I'll save everyone the trouble... Halford is listed as a middie, not a defender, this time around.

Premier League Transfer Round-up for Tuesday

Today we see the culmination of several seemingly inevitable deals.

Man Utd sign Wigan winger Valencia
This has been rumoured for months, if not years, and Cristian Ronaldo's departure only made it more likely.  Certainly not a galactico, but Valencia is a proven Premier League player.  He's also a true right winger which is something ManU hasn't had for the length of CRon's conversion into a center forward.  He'll stretch the field, put in crosses, and has the potential to make everyone around him better.

It will be interesting to see how Wigan replaces him.  They've already signed Jordi Gomez but he's a central/left-sided player and not a like for like replacement.  In fact, Wigan are overloaded on the left with Koumas, Kapo and N'Zogbia as attacking flank players for that side.  Maybe Daniel de Ridder will prove himself at this level if given a run of games on the right.  However, he's been notable for not being notable at all in the Premier League so far.  Wigan will be linked with a lot of players such as Jermaine Pennant (available on a free), and David Bentley.  I'll suggest they look to Newcastle United's Jonás Gutiérrez.  He should be available and would give them all the running they could want on that side and no little invention as well.

Burnley land Fletcher
Burnley complete Mears deal
Burnley start building their squad for the next level, and are hoping that these two fit the bill.  However, Mears certainly hasn't proven himself yet and players who starred in Scotland but couldn't make the grade in England are a dime a dozen.  Mears was at least cheap at 1/2 million.  Compared to Glen Johnson's 17million price tag and you think if Burnley get a servicable 30 games from him they'll have found a bargain.

Wolves snap up record signing Doyle
Meanwhile Wolves continues their own rebuilding effort.  Again they've chosen to pick over the bones of Championship rivals Reading and now Doyle joins goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann back in the Premier League.  I think it's a good signing.  Doyle had a great rookie season in the Premier League and like the rest of the team, a lousy sophmore season.  But experience counts, good and bad.

Blackburn sign N'Zonzi
The next, next, next Patrick Viera.  He's only 20, so perhaps one for the future.  But at 6'2", he's a typical Big Sam signing.

The question becomes, if Big Sam continues to make over Blackburn in a Bolton mold, will fantasy manager be advised never to bet on or against them?

Round-up

Six footballers playing for Iran's national team, including the captain, have appeared in a World Cup qualifier in Seoul, South Korea, wearing armbands in green - the colour used by Mr Mousavi in his election campaign. Our correspondent says this was an incredible thing for them to do with the match shown live on Iranian television.

In other transfer news:

• Hahnemann joins Wolves A good signing. He's prone to do some stupid things from time to time, but a great shot stopper and with that vital Premier League experience.
• Kelly joins Fulham It doesn't bode well that he couldn't get a game at Stoke last season, but this is a good squad-building move for Fulham. Nothing more, however.
• Coyle ready for tough start Burnley's opening month fixtures are @Stoke, Manchester United, Everton, @Chelsea, @Liverpool. Ouch, baby. Very ouch.

Wolves sign star midfielder

Wolves have made Serbia midfielder Nenad Milijas their first signing of the summer as they prepare for life in the Premier League.

Milijas has signed a four-year contract at Molineux, subject to a work permit, after completing a move from Red Star Belgrade for an undisclosed fee.

"We're really thrilled to have started our summer recruitment with Nenad Milijas," said Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey.

The 26-year-old, who stands 6ft 2in tall, was the player of the year in the Serbian league last season.

Left-footed, dead-ball specialist, and scored 1 in 2 for Red Star Belgrade last season. As the song goes, "Heaven... I'm in heaven!" Cheap middie signed to a promoted side. You can cross that off my shopping list for next fantasy season.