Friday, February 15, 2013

FA Cup Weekend Team News

A round-up of team news ahead of this weekend's FA Cup fixtures.


Arsenal will chesck on fitness of captain Thomas Vermaelen (ankle), midfielder Jack Wilshere (thigh) and defender Laurent Koscielny (calf). Full-back Carl Jenkinson is suspended after being sent off in last week's Barclays Premier League win at Sunderland. Ivory Coast forward Gervinho could be back in contention after returning from the African Nations Cup. Left-back Kieran Gibbs remains out with a thigh injury.
Blackburn will be without Josh Morris and DJ Campbell as both are cup-tied. Lee Williamson could make his debut after the midfielder signed on a free transfer. Star striker Jordan Rhodes broke his nose against Ipswich but was fit to feature in the midweek draw with Brighton. David Dunn's calf injury leaves him sidelined along with Joshua King, Grant Hanley (both hamstring), Leon Best and Dickson Etuhu (both knee).
Oldham vs Everton
Matt Smith, who netted twice in the 3-2 defeat of Liverpool, could return from a shoulder injury. Fellow forward Robbie Simpson has made his comeback from a hamstring injury. Three loan players - Reading midfielder Jordan Obita and strikers Chris Iwelumo and Lee Barnard, from Watford and Southampton respectively - have been given the go-ahead to play. Teenage defender Glenn Belezika is training with the youth team following a four-month absence with a fractured ankle.
Everton manager David Moyes should have defender Sylvain Distin fit again. Distin pulled out of Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Manchester United just before kick-off through illness, but is poised to return. Striker Victor Anichebe is a doubt with a knock sustained at Old Trafford, while the game looks set to come too soon for right-back Seamus Coleman who has been out with a thigh injury.
Man City vs Leeds
Manchester City captain and defender Vincent Kompany (calf) is again unlikely to be risked in the tie with Leeds. Striker Carlos Tevez is available after personal issues and defender Matija Nastasic (knee) could also return but midfielder Gareth Barry is unlikely to feature because of an unspecified problem. Back-up goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon could be given another chance, in keeping with previous cup ties, but defender Micah Richards (knee) remains sidelined.
Leeds goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown could start with manager Neil Warnock set to keep faith in cup competitions rather than use regular number one Paddy Kenny. Warnock has no major new injury or suspension worries, but could rest players who are nursing knocks. Recent signings Steve Morison and Stephen Warnock started in Tuesday night's defeat at Middlesbrough and are both available, while striker El-Hadji Diouf and midfielder Rudy Austin are hoping to return to the starting line-up.
Chelsea vs Brentford
David Luiz, Demba Ba, Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel are available for Chelsea after missing the Europa League win at Sparta Prague. Luiz was suspended, Ba ineligible and Moses and Mikel rested, after winning the African Nations Cup with Nigeria, while John Terry and Ashley Cole were unused substitutes. Cole had a cold and Terry was not risked after a setback in his recovery from a knee injury, but the captain is in line to return in defence against the Bees. Oriol Romeu (knee) is a long-term absentee.
Brentford manager Uwe Rosler has no fresh concerns. Long-term absentees striker Farid El-Alagui (knee) and midfielder Kevin O'Connor (ankle) miss out. Toumani Diagouraga and Marcello Trotta are expected to return for the Bees after starting on the bench during the 2-0 win over Stevenage in midweek.
Man Utd vs Reading
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed he will make changes for the tie with Reading. Javier Hernandez, Ashley Young and Nani are amongst the most obvious candidates to come in, with skipper Nemanja Vidic also primed for a recall. Paul Scholes (knee) definitely misses out.
Reading manager Brian McDermott will fully utilise his squad for the tie at Manchester United. Forwards Adam Le Fondre and Noel Hunt are back in contention after coming off the bench in last week's Barclays Premier League defeat at Stoke. Striker Jason Roberts (hip) and goalkeeper Alex McCarthy (shoulder) continue their rehabilitation.

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