Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Carling Cup Tuesday Preview


It's Round 3 of the Carling Cup with Liverpool facing a tricky trip to Leeds whilst Arsenal take on high-flying West Brom.

Arguably the night's biggest game will take place at Elland Road where Simon Grayson's Leeds United entertain Liverpool. Leeds are currently top of League One and with a packed-house assured it will be a testing trip for Rafa Benitez's outfit.

Elsewhere expect a glimpse into the future as Arsene Wenger will once again use the competition to blood his youngsters. However it may prove to be a tough ask against a Baggies side that sit on top of the Coca Cola Championship and hit five against title rivals Middlesbrough at the weekend.


Arsenal vs West Brom

Arsenal are set to hand 19-year-old Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny his debut in Tuesday night's Carling Cup third-round tie against West Brom at Emirates Stadium.

Mexican forward Carlos Vela has recovered from an ankle injury and is also in the youthful Gunners squad, with Sanchez Watt, Kieran Gibbs, Fran Merida, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere all set to feature.

Centre-half Philippe Senderos should provide some experience at the back after remaining at Emirates Stadium despite the chance to leave during the transfer window, along with veteran Mikael Silvestre.

Gonzalo Jara could finally make his long-awaited West Brom debut.

The Chile international defender has been unable to feature for his new employers as he awaited a work visa to enter the country but he was finally granted clearance towards the end of last week.

However, he still missed Saturday's stunning 5-0 triumph at Middlesbrough as he only arrived in England on Friday.

His availability could be perfect timing for head coach Roberto Di Matteo with the news left-back Joe Mattock will be out with an ankle injury while the left-sided Marek Cech also remains sidelined with an ankle problem of his own.

Influential midfielder Chris Brunt (knee) has also been ruled out while long-term absentees James Morrison (heel), Neil Clement and Ishmael Miller (both knee) are still missing.

Arsenal (from): Szczesny, Gibbs, Senderos, Silvestre, Traore, Ramsey, Merida, Wilshere, Randall, Watt, Vela, Shea, Sunu, Bartley, Coquelin, Freeman, Frimpong, Murphy, Hoyte, Eastmond, Barazite.


Barnsley v Burnley

Owen Coyle is expected to make a host of changes to his Burnley team for the Carling Cup third-round visit to Barnsley.

Coyle put out almost an entirely new XI against Hartlepool in the previous round and he confirmed he will be resting a number of key personnel once again.

David Nugent, who came off the bench to score twice on his home debut against Sunderland on Saturday, is cup-tied so will not feature.

Midfielder Chris McCann has been ruled out of action for as long as three months having sustained medial ligament damage in his knee in the same match.

But Clarets club captain Steven Caldwell could be in contention for a run-out having returned to training today.

Defender Caldwell has been out with a groin injury he picked up while on international duty with Scotland and is yet to feature in the first team this season.

Burnley (from): Jensen; Mears, Eckersley, Duff, Carlisle, Bikey, Jordan, Alexander, Fletcher, Elliott, Blake, Paterson, Thompson, Guerrero, Eagles, Penny, Kalvanes, McDonald, Gudjonsson, Edgar, Rodriquez, Easton.


Bolton v West Ham

Bolton midfielder Sean Davis may need surgery to cure a knee problem.

Davis was on the bench on Saturday during the 1-1 draw against Stoke at the Reebok Stadium.

Trotters manager Gary Megson said: "We have an issue regarding Sean Davis about whether he needs an operation on his knee.

"We will speak to the doctors and the physio and decide what is best for Sean."

Megson has promised to field a strong squad in their home clash against West Ham in the Carling Cup. Midfielder Ricardo Gardner and striker Ivan Klasnic are both pushing for places in the starting line-up.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola could give Mexican striker Guillermo Franco his debut.

Luis Jiminez and Junior Stanislas will also come into the equation to strengthen West Ham's attacking options after missing the 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.

But the Hammers are set to be without Matthew Upson and Valon Behrami who were both injured at the weekend.

Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Al Habsi, Ricketts, Steinsson, Knight, Cahill, O'Brien, Samuel, Robinson, M Davies, Muamba, Cohen, McCann, Gardner, Taylor, K Davies, Klasnic, Elmander, Chung-Yong.

West Ham (from): Green, Faubert, Upson, Tomkins, Ilunga, Noble, Parker, Behrami, Cole, Jiminez, Dyer, Spector, Gabbidon, Collison, Stanislas, Hines, Nouble, Da Costa, Diamanti, Franco, Kurucz.


Carlisle v Portsmouth

Jamie O'Hara, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Tommy Smith and Mike Williamson are all cup-tied for Portsmouth's Carling Cup trip to Coca-Cola League One Carlisle.

Defensive duo Steve Finnan (hamstring) and Hermann Hreidarsson (foot) remain out.

Papa Bouba Diop (hamstring) is sidelined while new striker Aruna Dindane is undergoing a two-week fitness programme in a bid to overcome a knee injury.

Centre-half Richard Keogh is back for Carlisle.

The former Republic of Ireland U21 international has returned to training after recovering from his ankle injury.

Keogh, an unused substitute in Carlisle's 2-0 defeat to Oldham on Saturday, is challenging Danny Livesey and Peter Murphy for a first-team spot.

Youngster Simon Lakeland is ruled out with a medial ligament injury but manager Gregg Abbott has no other injuries in his squad.

However, Abbott may shuffle his strikers after two games without a goal.

Joe Anyinsah and Gary Madine are expected to be recalled for the Cumbrians, who have reached the third round of the Carling Cup after victories over Oldham and Bristol City.

Portsmouth (from): James, Ben Haim, Vanden Borre, Belhadj, Kaboul, Brown, Mokoena, Piquionne, Webber, Begovic, Kanu, Utaka, Mullins, Yebda, Ward, Basinas, Hughes, Hurst, Mahoto, Ashdown.


Leeds United v Liverpool

Daniel Agger could be included in Liverpool's squad for Tuesday night's Carling Cup tie at Leeds.

The Denmark international has been out all season following a back operation, but returned to full training last week.

Liverpool are expected to make several changes from the side that won 3-2 at West Ham on Saturday, with full-back Fabio Aurelio standing by for his first start of the season after a knee problem.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson faces a selection dilemma over fit-again skipper Richard Naylor.

Naylor has not featured for the Whites this season following back surgery in the summer, but has proved his fitness in a reserve-team appearance and is ready to return in the third-round tie at Elland Road.

Leigh Bromby has helped fill the gap in central defence so far this season, but the recent recruit from Sheffield United is cup-tied and Rui Marques is out with an Achilles injury, so Grayson must opt for Naylor or Lubo Michalik to start alongside Patrick Kisnorbo.

Grayson, who has no other new injury or suspension problems, confirmed he will pick from a full-strength squad, but hinted he could make changes to his line-up as he already has one eye on next Saturday's League One clash at MK Dons.

Liverpool (from): Cavalieri, Degen, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Dossena, Aurelio, Riera, Spearing, Babel, Voronin, Ngog, Reina, Benayoun, Lucas, Plessis, Darby, Kelly, Eccleston, Ayala.


Nottm Forest v Blackburn

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce will make wholesale changes for their Carling Cup third-round tie at Nottingham Forest.

Strikers Nikola Kalinic and Benni McCarthy are likely to be given run-outs after only making the bench for Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Everton.

Midfielders Steven Reid, who so far this season has played only in the last round of the cup at Gillingham, Steven Nzonzi and Brett Emerton are in contention for starting places.

Defender Gael Givet injured a knee at Goodison Park and definitely will not feature, while on-loan forward Franco Di Santo is unavailable as Chelsea do not want him to be cup-tied.

Defender Lars Jacobsen could also return having missed the Everton defeat after his wife gave birth on Sunday.

Blackburn-born Joe Garner will return to the Forest squad.

Garner, who began his career with the Lancashire club, was suspended for Saturday's league defeat to Blackpool but will compete for a striking role along with Dele Adebola, Dexter Blackstock, Robert Earnshaw, David McGoldrick and Nathan Tyson.

Boss Billy Davies is likely to make changes and Paul Smith could replace Lee Camp in goal having played against Bradford and Middlesbrough in previous rounds.

Radoslaw Majewski is unlikely to be risked. It was hoped the Polish midfielder, whose extra-time goal against Boro got the Reds to this stage of the competition, might return from a knee problem against Blackpool but he suffered a slight setback on the eve of that game.

Blackburn (from): Brown, Jacobsen, Salgado, Chimbonda, Samba, Nelsen, Dunn, Grella, Reid, Pedersen, Emerton, Diouf, Andrews, Roberts, Hoilett, Kalinic, Robinson, Nzonzi, McCarthy, Van Heerden, Olsson.


Peterborough v Newcastle

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson is set to name a full-strength side for the Carling Cup tie with Newcastle.

Ferguson saw his side finally claim their first league win of the season against Reading on Saturday and is likely to field the same XI against the Magpies at London Road.

Posh were again indebted to their front three of George Boyd, Aaron Mclean and Craig Mackail-Smith at the weekend and all three will line up on Tuesday night.

The trio all scored against the Royals and have now contributed 133 goals between them since the start of the 2007/08 season.

Utility man Charlie Lee remains sidelined with the ankle injury he picked up in training last week but Ferguson has no other injury problems.

He confirmed all three of the players he replaced during Saturday's win, Chris Whelpdale, Toumani Diagouraga and Tommy Williams, were substituted for tactical reasons and should all start.


Scunthorpe v Port Vale

Scunthorpe striker Gary Hooper is a serious injury concern for the Carling Cup third-round tie against Port Vale at Glanford Park.

The 21-year-old, who is the club's top-scorer with five goals, hobbled off with a hamstring injury in the second half of the 1-1 draw with Bristol City on Saturday.

Manager Nigel Adkins has revealed Hooper is unlikely to feature against the Valiants, who have knocked out both Sheffield clubs in this year's competition.

He told the Scunthorpe Telegraph: "I would say it is unlikely Gary will be fit because he has pulled his hamstring but we will just have to treat it the best we can and go from there."

Youngsters Peter Winn and Matthew Godden are vying to replace Hooper on the substitutes bench. Northern Ireland midfielder Grant McCann could be recalled after his late leveller at Ashton Gate, with Michael O'Connor likely to make way.

The Iron are seeking a place in the last 16 of the Carling Cup for the first time in their history.

Port Vale manager Micky Adams should have the same squad at his disposal as he had for Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Bury.

Assistant player/manager Geoff Horsfield remains sidelined with the groin strain he picked up in training on Friday, with Adams not expecting to see the striker in a playing capacity for another couple of weeks.

Fellow forward James Lawrie has returned to training after having his appendix out but this game is expected to come too soon for him, while goalkeeper Joe Anyon continues to make progress with his recovery from a broken leg.

Midfielder Dave Howland may again find himself on the bench having showed plenty of character since finding himself on the transfer list at the start of the season.


Stoke v Blackpool

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway will be without defender Ian Evatt when his side travel to Stoke in the Carling Cup third round.

The centre-back sustained a hamstring injury during Saturday's 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest and was withdrawn in the first half.

He is set for at least a fortnight on the sidelines and Rob Edwards, who came off the bench to replace Evatt on Saturday, will start at the Britannia Stadium.

Holloway is set to again be missing a number of players through injury as defender Danny Coid (tibia), midfielder Ishmel Demontagnac (hamstring) and forwards Ben Burgess (knee), Daniel Nardiello (hip), Gary Taylor-Fletcher (ankle ligaments) and Stephen McPhee (knee) could all remain sidelined.

Arsenal refused Blackpool permission to play on-loan midfielder Jay Emmanuel-Thomas against Wigan in the previous round but are hoping they will allow him to feature against Stoke.

Uruguay international Diego Arismendi will make his eagerly awaited Stoke debut when Tony Pulis fields his shadow squad.

The 21-year-old defensive midfielder, who has impressed in two reserve outings, has been given time to settle since a £2.75million move from Club Nacional just before the transfer deadline.

None of Stoke's starting line-up from Saturday's draw at Bolton are likely to feature, but the fit again James Beattie, Tuncay, Liam Lawrence and Andy Wilkinson could be included.

Stoke (from): Simonsen, Wilkinson, Cort, Higginbotham, Griffin, Lawrence, Arismendi, Amdy Faye, Pugh, Beattie, Tuncay, Cresswell, Tonge, Soares, Sorensen, Dickinson, Shotton, Wedderburn, Lund, Parton.


Sunderland v Birmingham

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will hand summer signings John Mensah and Paulo da Silva their first home starts in Tuesday night's Carling Cup third-round clash with Birmingham.

Ghana international Mensah made his debut as a substitute in the 4-1 Barclays Premier League victory over Hull on September 12, while Paraguay skipper da Silva started the 4-1 win at Norwich in the second round.

However, midfielder Lee Cattermole, who missed Saturday's defeat at Burnley with a heel problem, remains a doubt, while keeper Marton Fulop (also heel) is still out.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish does not have the option of resting players with his squad ravaged by injury.

Wide man Sebastian Larsson (hamstring) is a recent addition to the injury list, while full-back Stephen Carr has suffered a recurrence of his thigh problem.

James McFadden (thigh), Cameron Jerome (ankle), Franck Queudrue, Gregory Vignal, Marcus Bent (all hamstring), Martin Taylor (ankle), Lee Carsley (back), Damien Johnson (strain) and David Murphy (knee) all remain unavailable.

Liam Ridgewell is expected to return at left-back having made a quick recovery from a broken leg, while there may be a debut for Giovanny Espinoza.

Sunderland (from): Gordon, Carson, Bardsley, McCartney, Ferdinand, Turner, Nosworthy, Da Silva, Mensah, Cana, Cattermole, Richardson, Reid, Malbranque, Henderson, Bent, Jones, Campbell, Murphy, Healy.

Birmingham (from): Hart, Taylor, Doyle, Parnaby, Johnson, Ridgewell, Dann, Espinoza, Fahey, Ferguson, Bowyer, Tainio, O'Connor, Phillips, Benitez, McSheffrey, O'Shea, Sammons, Preston.

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