Week 10 - Update

Another week and another 100 comments in the Player Picks post - fantastic stuff guys, thanks for your continued support!

There's lots to get through today so lets get straight in to the team and injury news that we have confirmed at this early stage. A reminder this post will be updated throughout the day as we get information from manager's press conference.

The big news is on Carlos Tevez - he is 100% out of the Wolves game and has flown back to Argentina for further treatment on the thigh injury picked up vs Arsenal. We don't know how long he'll be missing for, but there are suggestions he'll be struggling to make the Manchester derby in 2 weeks time. Adebayor is being tipped to lead the line at Wolves, but Balotelli may have a chance.

Arsene Wenger has hinted he could start with the same team that won that City league encounter last weekend, but he's usually pretty helpful in his press conference so we'll know more around 1pm. What we do know is Vermaelen, Diaby, Van Persie, Gibbs, Ramsey & Almunia are injured, Wilshire is suspended and Koscielny is back. Upson could be back for the Hammers, but that might not be a good thing as he's quite rubbish.

Mikel Arteta is doing everything he can to get fit for Everton's winnable home game vs Stoke and we might have a better idea later whether he'll make it (Update: Moyes still isn't sure and will decide late tomorrow, so it's probably best to avoid him). Stoke themselves have problems with a virus going round the team - Kenwyne Jones & Jermaine Pennant are two of those affected and Etherington has an knock so all 3 are slight doubts.

Mark Albrighton is suspended for Aston Villa's game vs Birmingham after his sending off in the Carling Cup. Agbonlahor & Petrov are out so Sidwell & Reo-Coker will be paired in midfield with Heskey continuing up front (at least until he's carried off injured)

Peter Odemwingie is still having problems with his knee injury so is again a major doubt for West Brom. Shame as he would've been a good pick at a Blackpool side who are playing well but are also very open so  concede a lot of goals.

Frank Lampard is apparently still a week away from fitness, Malouda is a slight doubt with an ankle knock (but my gut says he'll be ready), we still don't know about Ramires so we can't be sure on Zhirkov's starting spot and Alex remains out. Samba is back from suspension for Blackburn & Nelsen returns from injury.

UPDATES @ 1pm....

Ancelotti has stated that Alex is ready to return and Fantasy Football Scout are contemplating whether this could mean Alex, Terry & Ivanovic all play to combat Blackburn's aerial threat. This would mean Bosingwa dropping to the bench, but you'll have to make your own decision on this one as we're unlikely to get confirmation either way. Lampard & Ramires are still out so Zhirkov should continue - no solid news on Malouda so I might stay away.

Man City have released a summary of Mancini's press conference where he suggests Balotelli could start at Wolves - very interesting piece of news, and I'm now considering him seeing he costs only 5.84. Kolarov could be back next week so I'll be keeping an eye on that one too.

The BBC are reporting Redknapp is considering putting Bale on the bench vs Man Utd ahead of the Inter game. Hopefully it's just more Harry bullshit, but I will be furious if he does this; the league is always priority. Tom Huddlestone is out of the frame with the ankle injury that kept him out of last week's draw against Everton. Ledley King and Vedran Corluka both remain out with groin injuries but better news sees Jermain Defoe making good progress after his ankle injury. He could be back next month.

That's it for now - please keep checking back throughout the day as I'll be adding any important team/injury news to this post. If you read/hear anything you feel may be of use please add it to the comments section below.

You have until 4pm today to vote towards The Blog Team: http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/506291

Cheers,
AM

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