Vidic back to boost Rio-less Red Devils
Reuters - Friday 29 January 2010, 13:03
LONDON - Brief news ahead of this
weekend's matches in the Premier League:
Champions Manchester United head for a tough battle at
Arsenal on Sunday with England defender Rio Ferdinand out
of the side as he starts a four-match suspension.
However,
Nemanja Vidic, who has missed United's last six matches, could
return to the starting line-up after recovering from a calf
injury.
Arsenal hope that their central defender Thomas Vermaelen,
who did not suffer a broken leg against Aston Villa as first
feared on Wednesday, has a slight chance of playing against
United.
Eduardo, who pulled a hamstring against Villa, is
definitely out. Emmanuel Eboue and Alexander Song, who have
returned from the African Nations Cup, will be in the Arsenal
squad.
League leaders Chelsea, who travel to Burnley for a
Saturday evening kick-off, also welcome back Didier Drogba
and Salomon Kalou back in their squad after their return from
the African Nations Cup.
Burnley, who have lost all three matches since Brian Laws
replaced Owen Coyle as manager and have slipped into the
relegation zone, include new signings goalkeeper Nicky Weaver
and central defender Leon Cort in their squad.
Tottenham Hotspur, who are fourth, travel to Birmingham
City without winger Aaron Lennon, who could be sidelined for
another three weeks with a hernia injury and might need an
operation, manager Harry Redknapp said on Friday.
Striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, who joined Spurs on loan from
Monaco this week, will not be in the squad, while Russian
striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, linked with a move to Birmingham, is
nursing a groin injury, but could be included.
Birmingham, who lost for the first time in 15 matches at
Chelsea on Wednesday will have Craig Gardner, their new 3
million pounds midfield signing from Aston Villa
available for the first time, but striker Kevin Phillips is
still out with a groin strain.
Aston Villa, in the hunt for the fourth spot and a
Champions League qualifying place, have failed to score for
their last four league games and will be without midfielder
Nigel Reo-Coker and defender Stephen Warnock for the visit to
Fulham on Saturday.
Martin O'Neill, needing reinforcements, has recalled Nicky
Shorey from his loan move to Nottingham Forest.