Never Manage Alone - Injuries and Suspensions: International Break EditionThe Fantasy Soccer Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51007/nma-fav.png2012-10-17T16:48:52-07:00http://www.nevermanagealone.com/rss/stream/32400432012-10-17T16:48:52-07:002012-10-17T16:48:52-07:00Arsenal in keeper crisis
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<p>Arsenal have only third-choice keeper, Vito Mannone, available.</p> <p>Arsenal have only third-choice keeper, <span>Vito Mannone</span>, available for this weekend's match at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.flightofthecanaries.com/">Norwich City</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/10/17/3456670/szczesny-suffers-setback-fabianski-ruled-out-for-three-months-as-?source=breakingnews">Szczesny suffers setback & Fabianski ruled out for three months as Arsenal keeper crisis deepens - Goal.com</a></p>
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal's</a> goalkeeper crisis deepened on Wednesday after <span>Lukasz Fabianski</span> was ruled out for three months with ruptured ankle ligaments, while <span>Wojciech Szczesny</span> suffered a setback in his return from an ankle injury.</p>
<p>Goal.com has learned that Fabianski suffered the injury in training on Tuesday, just as he was closing in on a first-team comeback.</p>
<p>Szczesny has been wearing a protective boot for around 10 days as he steps up his recovery from the ankle injury which has kept him out for month, but Goal.com understands that he is still two to three weeks away from a return to training.</p>
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<p>Mannone has looked pretty good when used both this season and last. He's a pretty good short-term fantasy option with Norwich and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/queens-park-rangers">Queens Park Rangers</a> to face before Arsenal's fixture list toughens up considerably.</p>
https://www.nevermanagealone.com/2012/10/17/3518884/arsenal-in-keeper-crisisJeremy Spitzberg2012-10-17T16:38:38-07:002012-10-17T16:38:38-07:00Injuries pile up for Liverpool
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<figcaption>Shaun Botterill - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Several Liverpool players have been injured on international duty.</p> <p>It is no secret that Liverpool have a very thin squad. It's one of the major talking points in the League this season that the summer transfer window left the Reds with only two senior strikers, neither of whom are pure finishers. <span>Luis Suarez</span> creates a ton of chances, but doesn't convert them at a meaningful enough rate, and <span>Fabio Borini</span> was untried at the top level and has been deployed as a wide-man in Brendan Rodgers' 4-3-3.</p>
<p>Which means that this international break (pun not intended) has been very, very bad for Liverpool.</p>
<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Flatest-news%2Fborini-to-undergo-surgery&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nevermanagealone.com%2F2012%2F10%2F17%2F3518824%2Finjuries-pile-up-for-liverpool-ahead-of-reading-match" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Borini to undergo surgery - Liverpool FC</a></p>
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<p>Liverpool have confirmed Fabio Borini is to undergo an operation on a fractured bone in his foot....</p>
<p>Typically, an injury of this nature requires a three-month rehabilitation period.</p>
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<p>Borini had already missed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> match against Stoke and it looks like Suso will get further chances to prove his worth. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch...</p>
<p><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3841/world-cup-2014/2012/10/17/3456000/liverpool-keeper-reina-to-undergo-tests-on-injury-sustained?source=breakingnews">Liverpool keeper Reina to undergo tests on injury sustained in Spain warm-up - Goal.com</a></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3841/world-cup-2014/2012/10/17/3456000/liverpool-keeper-reina-to-undergo-tests-on-injury-sustained?source=breakingnews"></a>Liverpool will face an anxious wait over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110848/pepe-reina">Pepe Reina's</a> fitness after the goalkeeper picked up a muscle injury...</p>
<p>Reina told reporters: "The injury is not serious. I got injured at half-time. Today [Wednesday] I will do more tests at Liverpool."</p>
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<p>At home, against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading">Reading</a>, Reina looked to be a good play at keeper for fantasy managers. If he can't go, then <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110066/brad-jones">Brad Jones</a> certainly becomes a value option. The danger is that we won't know in time to set our lineups. And that's the real shame.</p>
<p>In slightly older news (but it's certainly worth noting here)...</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.thefa.com/England/mens-under-21s/News/match-centre/2012/england-v-serbia/match-previews/pearce-preview-111012.aspx">TheFA.com - Stuart Pearce says Raheem Sterling has been 'outstanding' in training for England Under-21s</a></p>
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<p><span>Andre Wisdom</span> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a>’s midfielder <span>Nick Powell</span> have returned to their clubs due to injury and illness.</p>
<p>"Andre went over on his shoulder playing for his club and it was something that just didn’t ease up at all," revealed Pearce.</p>
<p>"We got him on the training pitch on Wednesday but we just felt that it wasn’t easing up, so he’s gone back to Liverpool.</p>
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<p>As with Reina/Jones above, Wisdom looks a good pick, hosting Reading. This is especially true since he's first choice with <a href="http://www.nevermanagealone.com/2012/10/10/3484254/jose-enrique-out-for-liverpool/in/3240043">Jose Enrique injured</a>, along with <span>Martin Kelly</span>. Here's hoping we have a better sense of his status before the week's fantasy deadline passes.</p>
https://www.nevermanagealone.com/2012/10/17/3518824/injuries-pile-up-for-liverpool-ahead-of-reading-matchJeremy Spitzberg2012-10-11T06:07:22-07:002012-10-11T06:07:22-07:00Fellaini Statement
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<p>Today we get a very non-comittal statement from Maruoane Fellaini regarding his injury.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2012/10/11/fellaini-not-too-serious-" target="new">Fellaini told evertonfc.com</a>: "As you have probably seen and heard I am currently suffering from a knee injury. Fortunately is is not too serious but I will have to miss the two games with Belgium.</p>
<p>"I am hoping to be back playing for Everton as soon as possible.</p>
<p>"I am extremely disappointed and I now have to rest in order to get back to full fitness so I can help the team with some important games coming up."</p>
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So we don't know anything new. He could still miss the Queens Park Rangers match, though I would guess they'll do everything possible to have him available for the following week's derby match against Liverpool.
https://www.nevermanagealone.com/2012/10/11/3488106/fellaini-injury-statementJeremy Spitzberg2012-10-10T10:47:03-07:002012-10-10T10:47:03-07:00Koscielny Injures Knee in Training
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<p>Bad news for <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal</a>. <span>Laurent Koscielny</span> left France training session with a knee injury. Looks serious.He had to be carried out of the pitch</p>
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) <a href="https://twitter.com/LaurensJulien/status/256084319964110848" data-datetime="2012-10-10T17:30:34+00:00">October 10, 2012</a>
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<p>Or not...</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theshortfuse.com/2012/10/10/3484902/arsenal-injury-news-koscielny-france-RMC-available">RMC: Koscielny injury "more fear than harm" - The Short Fuse</a></p>
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<p>According to RMC (via Google Translate), Laurent Koscielny's Wednesday injury scare was just that - a scare, rather than a serious injury - and he should remain available for both France games during this week's international break.</p>
<p>Via "a source close to the player," Koscielny suffered no serious knee damage and will not be re-examined on Thursday. He took a blow to the right knee from Franck Ribery, which led to him leaving training early, and there were fears that the injury was potentially serious - he was certainly visibly in pain - but it appears now that those totally rational fears can go by the wayside.</p>
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https://www.nevermanagealone.com/2012/10/10/3484434/koscielny-injures-knee-in-trainingJeremy Spitzberg2012-10-10T10:23:34-07:002012-10-10T10:23:34-07:00Whom do you trust?
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<p>Apropos of nothing, I found it interesting that the day after <a target="new" href="http://www.belgianfootball.be/nl/nieuws/marouane-fellaini-out-voor-servi%C3%AB-en-schotland">Royal Belgian Football (KBVB) stated plainly</a> that:</p>
<blockquote>It has been agreed with his club that he will rehabilitate in Belgium during this period.</blockquote>
<p>... <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> FC told a very different story about <span>Marouane Fellaini's</span> injury (italics mine).</p>
<blockquote>The Blues medical team have reviewed his scans and will assess him fully <strong><em>when he returns to Finch Farm on Monday</em></strong>.</blockquote>
<p>It just shows how fluid these situations are, and how you really do have to wait until all the details are out before we really know what is happening, and being able to act on the news as fantasy managers.</p>
https://www.nevermanagealone.com/2012/10/10/3484300/fellaini-injury-doubtsJeremy Spitzberg2012-10-10T10:15:03-07:002012-10-10T10:15:03-07:00Jose Enrique Out for Liverpool
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<figcaption>Michael Steele - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Fullback Jose Enrique is not expected back in training for another ten days.</p> <p>Fullback <span>Jose Enrique</span> has had a terrible start to the season. But crucial to <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool's</a> plans moving forward is the question of whether or not his poor form is temporary, or a more permanent issue. Perhaps, we're learning that the issue is just an injury. Brendan Rodgers admits that Enrique has knee pain, and is not expected back in training for another ten days.</p>
<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Flatest-news%2Fbr-on-enrique-robbo-and-allen&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nevermanagealone.com%2F2012%2F10%2F10%2F3484254%2Fjose-enrique-out-for-liverpool" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">BR on Enrique, Robbo and Allen - Liverpool FC</a></p>
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<p>Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Jose Enrique is closing in on a return to full training at Melwood – and the boss is hopeful of having the full-back available for selection in the not too distant future.</p>
<p>A knee complaint has meant the Spaniard has not figured for the Reds since the Europa League tie against Young Boys on September 20, and has featured just twice in the Barclays Premier League.</p>
<p>Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com: "He hasn't been [available for selection] in the last couple of weeks. It's unfortunate - he's got a pain in his knee that he was struggling with. We've been trying to treat it conservatively.</p>
<p>"Hopefully within the next week to 10 days he'll be back out on the training field and hopefully there will be no reaction.</p>
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<p>This indicates that youngster <span>Andre Wisdom</span> will continue in the side for the time-being. Wisdom has played well and is returning fantasy points on the back of Liverpools nil-nil draw with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city" class="sbn-auto-link">Stoke City</a>. Next up for the Reds is a home date against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading" class="sbn-auto-link">Reading</a> which should see significant fantasy investment in Liverpool, including the likes of Wisdom (still well priced in the Yahoo! game), <span>Steven Gerrard</span>, <span>Luis Suarez</span>, and Jose Reina.</p>
https://www.nevermanagealone.com/2012/10/10/3484254/jose-enrique-out-for-liverpoolJeremy Spitzberg2012-10-10T09:54:19-07:002012-10-10T09:54:19-07:00Everton Responds to Fellaini Injury News
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> FC have released an official statement about the injury suffered by star midfielder, <span>Marouane Fellaini</span>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2012/10/10/fellaini-latest">Fellaini Latest / News Archive / News / evertonfc.com - The Official Website of Everton Football Club</a></p>
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<p>Fellaini picked up a knock during the 2-2 draw with Wigan Athletic last weekend and although he managed to complete the game, the significance of his injury only became apparent 48 hours later. </p>
<p>He was withdrawn from the World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Scotland and had the injury scanned in Belgium. </p>
<p>The Blues medical team have reviewed his scans and will assess him fully when he returns to Finch Farm on Monday.</p>
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<p>Seemingly we won't know more until next week, but it is interesting that the injury happened against Wigan. Fellaini is prone to go into the red (negative fantasy points) when the game isn't going his way, but now we can add the injury to the list of reasons why.</p>
https://www.nevermanagealone.com/2012/10/10/3484168/everton-responds-to-fellaini-injury-newsJeremy Spitzberg2012-10-10T09:40:25-07:002012-10-10T09:40:25-07:00Cabaye out for France
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<p>Nebulous "abdominal pains" sidelines Yohan Cabaye. Is he a doubt for Sunderland?</p> <p><a href="http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/8155545/">Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye could be a doubt for the Tyne-Wear derby with abdominal pains | Sky Sports</a></p>
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<p><span>Yohan Cabaye</span> could be a doubt for the Tyne-Wear derby after suffering from a stomach problem which has all but ruled him out of France's friendly against Japan on Friday.</p>
<p>The midfielder - who was at the centre of an elbow storm involving <span>Robin van Persie</span> during <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle's</a> 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United at the weekend - is also a doubt for Les Bleus' crucial World Cup qualifying clash against Spain in Madrid next Tuesday.</p>
<p>Head coach Didier Deschamps confirmed that the 26-year-old former Lille star sat out Tuesday's training session due to abdominal pains and is unlikely to make an appearance at the Stade de France.</p>
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<p>"Abdominal pains" is pretty vague, and it sounds like he could even be available for France in their second qualifying match. But it's enough of a concern to flag.</p>
https://www.nevermanagealone.com/2012/10/10/3484070/cabaye-out-for-franceJeremy Spitzberg