Previews: No Gallas or Fabregas for Gunners
Reuters - Friday 12 March 2010, 13:42
LONDON - Brief news ahead of this
weekend's Premier League action.
Arsenal defender William Gallas is back to square one
after breaking down in training this week.
Manager Arsene Wenger had hoped the Frenchman could return
for Saturday's trip to Hull City but he has suffered a setback
in his recovery from the calf injury sustained in the 1-0 win
over Liverpool a month ago.
"The scan showed nothing major, but every time he starts to
push a little bit he falls back so it has not completely
healed," Wenger old Arsenal's website.
Midfielder Cesc Fabregas is also out with a hamstring injury
and right back Bacary Sagna is doubtful with an ankle injury.
Midfielder Alex Song is suspended.
Ryan Giggs will miss Manchester United's home match
against Fulham on Sunday but will return for the clash with
Liverpool the following week, manager Alex Ferguson said.
Giggs has been sidelined by a fractured arm but will be
ready to return for the climax to the season as United chase the
Premier League title and the Champions League.
"Ryan has been training well, and he'll be getting a
different plaster cast on his arm today," Ferguson told the
club's website on Friday. "He's had a month's rest now and he's
going to come back very fresh."
United have no new injury worries after their 4-0 defeat of
Milan on Wednesday.
Tottenham Hotspur's injury-prone central defender Jonathan
Woodgate is out for the rest of the season after groin surgery
in Australia, the club's website said.
Fourth-placed Tottenham are without midfielder Tom
Huddlestone for Saturday's visit of Blackburn Rovers.
Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor should return for
Saturday's clash against Stoke City after missing last weekend's
FA Cup action because of a virus.
Agbonlahor's absence was a bonus for John Carew who replaced
him up front against Reading and scored a hat-trick and the
Norwegian is relishing the chance of a battle at Stoke.
"It will be a physical game on a tiny pitch," Carew told the
club's website. "It is one of the most difficult away games in
the Premier League."
Champions League chasing Manchester City are without
suspended striker Emmanuel Adebayor for their visit to
Sunderland but midfielder Patrick Vieira is available again
after serving a three-match ban.
Wigan Athletic captain Mario Melchiot is still out with a
foot injury so Emmerson Boyce will continue at right-back at
Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Bolton are without Sam Ricketts
who is suspended.