Injury update

Damn those friendlies, my team is in shreds. Here's a quick run though of the injury news, with further updates to come in the week.

Arsenal
The big news out of the international break for the Gunners is that Walcott is out for as long as three months (shoulder). He is an obvious sell for anyone who has him. In terms of replacements, Eboue will get a game over the next few weeks, especially because Sagna is also injured (ankle). Eboue has been injured himself though maybe back this week to face City, though don't expect a clean sheet as City have scored a massive 16 in 6 at the Middle Eastlands this season.
Van Persie and Adebayour both return, though Fabregas will miss out due to suspension. The seemingly out of favour Toure has also picked up a knock and will probably not figure. A rare bright spot is that Eduardo is close to returning to training.

Aston Villa
Martin O'Neill is sweating on the fitness of Carew this week though he could be set to return having been named in the Norway squad for midweek but then not selected. The big man is not worth a gamble yet (particularly against United) but Villa have some decent games on the horizon and he may be worth consideration if you're in the market for a mid-range striker.

Blackburn
Warnock is set to miss out through suspension and he joins Emerton and Dunn on the sidelines. The rest of the team, include Santa Cruz, appears fit though are not a great play this week at Spurs. Should be a few goals mind, and I suppose Roque may be worth a punt.

Bolton
The Wanderers have a full strength side as they prepare to travel to Boro in what has 0-0 written all over it. If you have Bolton defenders then hold, but with Chelsea, Villa Pompey and Wigan coming up its time to start planning your exit strategy.

Chelsea
Physio room lists Chelsea as having 9 injuries at the moment, though all but Alex and Essien could figure this week. Its unlikely Lampard will miss out and Carvlaho may be rushed back due to lack of cover, if not Ivanovic becomes a steal. Start Cech (as always with 50-50 keepers) though Joe Cole is too risky right now. Drogba is still suspended.

Everton
Pienaar and Fellaini are both questionable, though Fellaini should hold his place in the improving Everton side. Yakubu and Saha are both fit and will hopefully start to forge their potentially sound partnership over the coming weeks, giving us two more decent mid-range striking options.

Fulham
Nothing to report here as Hodgson is free to name his best team. However, on the road to Liverpool is not a great place to be and Fulham players should be avoided this week.

Hull
Andy Dawson looks set to return (hopefully) as does long term casualty Anthony Gardner, though he won't be breaking into the first team any time soon due to the solid play of Turner and McShane.

Liverpool
Skrtel is still weeks away from returning so feel free to stick with Agger (surely Hyypia is an afterthought these days?). Keane looks to be a doubt, and with the return of Torres he looks a likely candidate to miss out. Gerarrd did not feature for England in midweek, though that doesn't seem to mean a great deal. Fulham have a very solid road defense but Liverpool are still a great play and I'd stick Gerrard in on the assumption that if he doesn't start he probably won't feature at all and therefore your sub will be brought in.

Man City
Joe Hart is out, though for less time than first suspected. If you're desperate to save cash Schmeichel at 3.9m will now feature, though that could be for two games against Arsenal and United so probably best to stay clear. No return date in sight for long term casualties Michael Johnson and Martin Petrov.

Man Utd
Berbatov joins the growing list of Pure Juice injuries after limping off for Bulgaria in midweek. He looks set to miss one or two games. Ferdinand and Rooney both missed the England game but will no doubt return when it matters for their club (that wasn't sarcastic, I really believe players should choose their club over a friendly).

Middlesbrough
The impressive Riggott and defensive partner Pogatetz are both doubts and should probably be avoided. This also devalues Turnbull and co and Boro lose some of their appeal this week though Bolton at home is still appealing. Meanwhile, Mido should be available.

Newcastle
Joey Barton is the only new injury concern for JFK (see football365) though as they are travelling to Chelsea they may as well all be out.

Portsmouth
Defoe could be out after getting injured for England which is a real blow for his owners as Pompey have a great run of fixtures coming up. Diarra is questionable and could be replaced by blog favourite Armand Traore. Sol Campbell and Kranjcar also look set to miss the match.

Stoke
Liam Lawrence is still a doubt and should be avoided. Everyone else is fit and the defense might be worth a punt at home to WBA is you have the nerve for it.

Sunderland
Craig Gordon looks set to miss out again though the outfield is looking healthy for Roy Keane. Cisse and Jones will look to flourish against a poor Hammers side coming to town.

Tottenham
Modric is still out though the likes of Bent and Bentley look like intriguing buys. Frazier Campbell may also prove to be a decent buy if he can force his way into the first team in Modric's absence.

WBA
No new injury worries here not that anyone owns any Baggies outside of their bench.

West Ham
New fresh injuries for West Ham as Zola looks to restart his faltering side's campaign. Hopefully that will be in the form of Carlton Cole who has gone off the boil what with his suspension and lack of goals in recent weeks.

Wigan
Koumas, Melchiot, Heskey and Zaki are all "50-50" for the visit of Everton. Zaki has a 'virus' and was sorely missed last week. Without him Wigan just aren't the same side: for the sake of the Juice I need him to return!