Saturday, October 31, 2009
Ebooks : Get them easy
Gerrards fitness: A conern for Liverpool
Steven Gerrard's long-term fitness holds the key to what Liverpool can still achieve this season. Manager Rafael Benitez is still privately furious that Gerrard sustained and aggravated a groin injury on England duty. The midfielder is already out of Saturday's Premier League trip to Fulham and has little chance of being involved in the vital Champions League game at Lyon next Wednesday. Benitez is well aware that a poor result at Craven Cottage, followed by an almost certain exit from Europe if they lose in Lyon, will see him back in the firing line. But the prospect of an operation for Gerrard is not being ruled out, and that would mean an even longer absence. Fernando Torres, still not fully fit from his groin injury, will be pressed into service at Fulham and Lyon but Glen Johnson will not play tomorrow and is doubtful for Lyon.
A/c parts at the best rates and quality
Premier League Weekend Preview
Manager Phil Brown is desperate to turn Hull's fortunes around on the pitch and bring an end to a turbulent few days at the KC Stadium. The Tigers travel to Burnley in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday with question marks hanging over Brown's future at the club. Chairman Paul Duffen stepped down from his role today, prompting Brown to stress there was no change to his position as manager despite reports to the contrary this week. And Brown is keen to turn the focus back to the pitch as his players look to improve on their poor record of eight points from 10 games. Chelsea have no such concerns at the right end of the table, with Carlo Ancelotti's men leading the standings by two points. They take on Bolton for the second time in three days following their 4-0 demolition of the Trotters in the Carling Cup. Salomon Kalou is hoping the team can maintain their promising start to the campaign. Manchester United lie second in the standings and will be keen to keep the pressure on the Blues when they play host to Blackburn. Arsenal are closing in on the top two and face an intriguing derby against Tottenham on Saturday. The two teams are level on 19 points, and with no love lost between the north London rivals, Spurs striker Peter Crouch is expecting an entertaining match at the the Emirates Stadium. Portsmouth will be looking to escape bottom spot when they take on Wigan, while fellow strugglers West Ham make the long trip north to Sunderland. Also on Saturday, Everton host Aston Villa, Liverpool travel to Fulham and Stoke face Wolves. Mark Hughes takes his Manchester City side to Birmingham on Sunday.
Home theater seating : Best done here
Manchester United - Blackburn Preview
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is facing a defensive headache ahead of Saturday's clash with Blackburn at Old Trafford.Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are both doubtful with calf problems and Gary Neville is suspended. Ryan Giggs also has a knock and Danny Welbeck, who scored in the Carling Cup victory against Barnsley in midweek, is sidelined with a knee injury. Darren Fletcher and Ji-Sung Park remain absent with groin and knee injuries respectively.Blackburn, whose squad have been struck by swine flu, have lost all four games on the road in the league this season. Rovers were thrashed 5-0 by Chelsea at the weekend although, like United, they progressed in the cup at the expense of Peterborough, managed by Ferguson's son Darren. And with the increasing threat of swine flu for the Blackbrun players, Jason Roberts has become the latest Blackburn player to come down with suspected swine flu ahead of the clash. The striker did not report to training this morning and is almost certain to miss the encounter. One player also thought to have suffered with the virus is David Dunn, but the midfielder looked to be in good health when he came off the bench against Peterborough in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night, and is set to play again. Another is Chris Samba, who is back in training but unlikely to feature as he is still feeling weak. Pascal Chimbonda returns having recovered from his calf injury and Vince Grella is back in training after his thigh problem, but is unlikely to appear for the first team until next week. Blackburn go into Saturday's match having failed to pick up a point in their last nine away league games and Allardyce has called for a greater mental strength from his team.