La Liga Previews: Henry back for Barcelona derby
Reuters - Friday 26 September 2008, 09:41
MADRID - Brief news from the Primera Liga
ahead of this weekend's matches:
France striker Thierry Henry has recovered from a throat
infection and will start in his first league outing with
Barcelona this season for Saturday's derby with Espanyol.
Cameroon striker Eto'o will be keen to better his compatriot
Carlos Kameni after scoring both of Barca's goals in a
successful partnership with Argentine striker Lionel Messi
against Real Betis on Wednesday.
Espanyol's captain and Spain striker Raul Tamudo is
expected to return for the home game against Barcelona after
being rested for his club's mid-week defeat to Sevilla.
League leaders Valencia will host mid-table Deportivo
Coruna on Sunday with Spain striker David Villa, who has
returned to form after injury with a brace in his side's 2-0
victory at promoted Malaga on Thursday.
Second-placed Villarreal travel to Gijon on Sunday to play
Sporting, who have yet to earn a point while conceding 19 goals
in just four games since promotion to the top flight.
Real Madrid's Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder has
returned to training with the rest of the squad after recovering
from his knee injury picked up in the pre-season, but is
unlikely to make the squad to face Real Betis.
The champions' Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy may be back
from resting mid-week when his side humiliated Primera Liga
newcomers Sporting Gijon with a 7-1 rout.
Real Betis Brazilian striker Edu is recovering from injury
and hopes to make the lineup who will host Real Madrid.
Atletico Madrid's Portuguese winger Simao Sabrosa will be
out for three weeks after straining a ligament in his right knee
during Wednesday's meeting with local rivals Getafe.
Compatriot Maniche is doubtful for Sunday's home clash with
Sevilla after the midfielder took a knock to his lower spine in
the Getafe match.
Dutch defender John Heitinga has been training and may be
back to relieve manager Javier Aguirre's squad woes, but
Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan is still on the injury list.
Sevilla's Colombia defender Aquivaldo Mosquera will be out
of action for three weeks with an ankle injury.
Osasuna defender Nacho Monreal will be out for two months
with a ruptured right ankle ligament.
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