Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is out for 'a few weeks' after suffering a torn thigh muscle.
Lampard picked up the injury during the 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Boxing Day and was replaced by Michael Ballack after 26 minutes.
Lampard out 'a few weeks'
Walcott is the only doubt for North London derby
“The injury news is quite good compared to last week,” Arsène Wenger told Arsenal TV Online on Thursday afternoon. “The only one who is problematic is Theo Walcott. He is not fit to practice. He has had flu and has not recovered completely. Everybody else is available.”
Therefore Emmanuel Eboue is fit despite being stretchered off against Avram Grant’s side.
Therefore Emmanuel Eboue is fit despite being stretchered off against Avram Grant’s side.
Castillo hopes for City bow
The City boss added: "He's a very good player, he's quick, has good technique and can play wide midfielder or can play second striker, so I think he will fit in very, very well with our style of playing and how we're trying to play.
Larsson open to offer
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could again turn to Henrik Larsson when the transfer window opens in January.
...Ferguson is now weighing up his options and will consider a second call to Larsson.
The former Celtic and Barcelona star's contract has expired at Helsingborgs and he is keen to bring the curtain down on his much-decorated career with one last hurrah in either England or Scotland.
Eriksson: Hart is my number one
Sven-Goran Eriksson admits he would not be surprised if Andreas Isaksson asks to leave Manchester City after being told Joe Hart is number one.
After switching the two men around over the past month, Eriksson vowed to make a final decision on his first-choice in the aftermath of Tuesday's Carling Cup defeat by Tottenham.
Although Hart was beaten twice by Spurs at Eastlands, Eriksson saw enough ability in the England Under-21 star both this week and in his eight previous first-team appearances for the Blues this term to place his trust in the former Shrewsbury man.
...
It was planned for Castillo to make his debut in the January 2 meeting with Newcastle at St James' Park.
Instead, red tape could delay his official signing by 24 hours, meaning he would not be able to play until the following weekend's FA Cup tie at West Ham.
Meanwhile, Eriksson has confirmed young midfielder Michael Johnson is unlikely to figure against Aston Villa on Saturday.
The England Under-21 international has reported some discomfort from the abdominal surgery he had last month and while Eriksson is confident Johnson will not require another operation, the player has been advised to rest for a couple of days.
Spurs linked with Dutch ace
Ajax defender Urby Emanuelson is a target for Tottenham, according to the player's agent.
Spurs boss Juande Ramos is weighing up his options as he ponders bolstering his squad when the transfer window reopens next month.
Ramos could be in the market for a new left-back with Gareth Bale facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.
Emanuelson is regarded as one of the best young players in Europe having come through the famed Ajax youth ranks.
City complete loan deal for striker Castillo
Manchester City have confirmed the capture of Nery Castillo from Shakhtar Donetsk on a year-long loan deal.
The Mexico forward only signed for the Ukrainian outfit in the summer in a lucrative £15million deal from Olympiacos, but after failing to impress he will now join Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad in January.
Preview: City v Bolton
Rolando Bianchi, who, after his confidence-boosting goal at White Hart Lane, is set to start a league game for the first time in three months.
Wenger unsure over trio
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he is unsure if any of Cesc Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb will be fit to face Chelsea in Grand Slam Sunday.
Star midfielder Fabregas has been out of action since picking up a hamstring injury against Sevilla last month, while Flamini and Hleb have missed the last three games after suffering knocks at Aston Villa.
The midfield trio are back in light training, but Wenger insists they are all still doubtful for Sunday's tussle with title rivals Chelsea.
Robin van Persie could start against Chelsea after making a successful return to action against Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday.
The Dutchman has recovered from the knee injury which sidelined him for two months and he is keen to feature against Chelsea.
However, Wenger will wait on the advice of his medical staff before making a decision on Van Persie's involvement.
"At the moment, he does not have the green light medically," added Wenger.
"Once he gets that, we have to test him on the pitch with the other players and then we can make a decision."
Fulham's McBride suffers injury setback
Fulham captain Brian McBride has suffered a minor setback in his recovery from a knee injury and is unlikely to return until the New Year.
Cottagers boss Lawrie Sanchez had provisionally pencilled in the American striker to make his comeback against Wigan Athletic before Christmas.
But the 35-year-old will not play until January after having a cortisone injection following a visit to the specialist.
Lehmann to risk Euro 2008 place
Jens Lehmann looks all set to remain at Arsenal until next summer despite not playing regular first-team football.
The German goalkeeper has stated his desire to remain in London until the summer of 2008 so as not to disrupt the lives of his young family.
LEHMANN LINKED WITH CITY
Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann is being linked with a loan move to Manchester City.
The Evening Standard says that City are looking for an experienced custodian and will look to bring in the German.
Lehmann has been told he has no future at Arsenal but he needs first-team football to keep his place as Germany's number one at Euro 2008.
Wenger admitted: "I can't guarantee he will be here for the second half of the season but I can't make that guarantee about anybody.
Out of favour Lehmann to return for Arsenal
Veteran German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is set to return to the Arsenal team for Wednesday night's final Champions League Group H clash against whipping boys Steaua Bucharest at Emirates Stadium.
Striker Robin van Persie will also be in the squad, having recovered from a knee problem which sidelined him since October, while midfielder Abou Diaby is fit again following a back problem.
Elano back to boost City
Sven Goran Eriksson will be able to call on the services of Elano again when Manchester City face Bolton on Saturday.
The influential Brazilian has missed the last two games with a hamstring problem and without his creative influence City have only picked up one point from a possible six...
"Elano is almost sure to be fit for the Bolton game," the Swedish boss told the Manchester Evening News.
"The plan is that he will return to full training today (Tuesday)."
Hobbs set for first start
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is set to give Jack Hobbs his first Premiership start against Reading if Jamie Carragher fails to make it.
Centre-half Carragher appears to be losing his race to be fit enough for the trip to the Madejski Stadium on Saturday following his clash with Pepe Reina during the 4-0 win over Bolton which left him with bruised ribs.
If there are any doubts over the defender's fitness then Benitez will not risk him, with massive games coming up against Marseilles in the Champions League and Manchester United in the Premiership.
Hobbs looks set to start although Benitez may opt to push Alvaro Arbeloa to centre-back should Steve Finnan recover from a calf injury in time to face Steve Coppell's men.
NO INJURY RELIEF FOR WENGER
"No Fabregas, no Hleb, no Van Persie, no Flamini will be back for the weekend," admitted Wenger in his post-match press conference at St James' Park.
Cech eyes Black Cats return
Petr Cech has set his sights on a return to action against Sunderland this weekend.
The Czech Republic international has missed the last four games with a calf injury.
However, Cech is back in training and he is hopeful of being available for the clash with Roy Keane's Sunderland...
"I couldn't make it against West Ham last weekend but hope to play on Saturday."
Chelsea rocked as scan shows Drogba needs knee operation
Didier Drogba requires surgery on a knee problem which could keep him out for several weeks although the club have yet to decide when the operation will go ahead. The Ivory Coast striker had a scan yesterday, which showed that the injury to his left knee, first picked up while on international duty last month, has not healed. Chelsea's medical team will now examine the scan and talk to the player before making a decision on what action to take.
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