Walcott and Denilson return for Bolton clash
By Richard Clarke
Theo Walcott and Denilson are back in the Arsenal squad for Wednesday night’s game against Bolton.
Arsène Wenger’s side can go top of the table if they repeat their 2-0 win at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday and the return of the two midfielders will only help their cause. The Brazilian has been out since he was stretchered off with a rib injury in the final minutes against Everton on January 9. Walcott has been missing since December 27 because of hamstring trouble.
On the downside, Fran Merida is out. The Spaniard suffered a kick on his ankle at Bolton just before he netted the visitors’ second goal 12 minutes from time.
Aaron Ramsey (thigh) and Samir Nasri (hamstring) suffered injuries in the build-up to that game. Both are expected to be out for three weeks.
However Nicklas Bendtner, who has been sidelined since October 31, has a return date. The Danish striker is pencilled in for a comeback at Aston Villa in 10 days’ time.
“Denilson and Walcott are available for Wednesday night,” Wenger told Arsenal TV Online on Monday afternoon.
“It is a big boost of course because they were out for a while and it gives us some fresh players. Walcott has been unlucky with some small niggling injuries and so it is good to have him back.
“Nicklas Bendtner should be available for the Villa game on January 27 too. He should be back from next week onwards – Monday or Tuesday. Maybe he will not be completely ready for Stoke but, after that, he should be able to be in the squad.
“Unfortunately we have lost Fran Merida who got kicked straight away when he came on [at Bolton] and his ankle was very bad today. But that is all we should lose from Sunday.
“However Nasri and Ramsey will be 21 days each. We could have a good surprise with both because they are usually quick recovering players but common sense tells us 21 days.”
Liverpool forward Ryan Babel comes back into contention for a place in the squad to face Tottenham after apologising to manager Rafael Benitez.
The Holland international accepted his mistake over remarks made on Twitter and Benitez has now deemed the matter closed.
Striker Fernando Torres (knee) and midfielders Steven Gerrard (hamstring) and Yossi Benayoun (rib) are all out.
Midfielders Alberto Aquilani and new signing Maxi Rodriguez could feature from the start if the Liverpool boss opts for a more attacking line-up at home.
Babel has been restored to the squad by Benitez after apologising to the manager.
The Holland international found himself in trouble at the club after revealing on his Twitter page last Friday that he had not been included in the party for the match at Stoke the following day.
However, the frustrated Dutchman has accepted his error and will now fight for a place in the squad to face Spurs.
"He came to my office and apologised,'' said Benitez.
"He knows he has made a mistake and for me that is enough and I don't need to talk too much about this.
"Ryan will be in the squad because we have 20 players ready for the training session tomorrow so it (selection) is between these 20 players.''
Jamie O'Hara has been included in the Tottenham squad.
O'Hara has returned from a loan spell at Portsmouth and is likely to start on the bench.
Spurs are without Tom Huddlestone (knee) while Ledley King will have a late fitness test on his long running knee problem.
Boss Harry Redknapp wants his side to be the big beneficiaries of the recent cold snap when they travel to Anfield to face a Liverpool side without Torres or Gerrard.
Spurs were due to face their rivals for a Champions League place earlier in the month but the match was postponed due to snow, with Gerrard and Torres then suffering injuries in the FA Cup defeat to Reading.
Redknapp's own options have been bolstered by the return of O'Hara as the Premier League's transfer embargo for Portsmouth meant the midfielder could not re-register on loan at Fratton Park.
"I'd be lying if I stood here and said that the absence of Gerrard and Torres won't matter,'' said Redknapp.
"Of course, they are two world-class players, and they will miss them.
"But they have a strong squad. I have never been there and had an easy game. It is a difficult place to go.''
Torres calls on Liverpool to sign either Villa or Silva
Fernando Torres has called on Liverpool to sign either David Villa or David Silva as they look to get their season back on track.
Torres is currently sidelined for around six weeks due to a knee injury and, with Steven Gerrard also struggling for fitness this season, the striker believes the squad lacks players who can change matches.
Rafael Benitez is thought to have limited transfer funds available but, after Torres told the club's owners to invest more money in the team last week, he has now revealed that he wants to see Liverpool try to sign Villa or Silva from Valencia.
"If I could, I would take David Villa or David Silva to Liverpool as a partner in attack," he said in the Daily Mail. "I wish they could come. It would be a great asset for our team.
"We need match-winners like Rooney or Tevez. We need footballers who break the deadlock in matches. Liverpool is losing the Premier League in home matches against average teams."
Liverpool are reported to working on a deal to sign Kenwyne Jones from Sunderland.
Beckford 'agrees' Everton deal
Grayson suggests striker has accepted move to Premier League
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson has suggested Jermaine Beckford has agreed a deal to join Everton at the end of the season.
Beckford, whose current Leeds contract expires in the summer, recently withdrew a request to leave Elland Road before the close of the transfer window.
He had been a target for Newcastle United, with the Championship leaders reportedly having several bids for the striker turned down by Leeds.
However, reports now suggest that Beckford has already signed a pre-contract to move to Premier League side Everton when his Leeds deal runs out.
Grayson intimated that a deal is in place between Beckford and the Toffees, but believes the 26-year-old could yet move to a bigger club.
"Pre-contract agreements aren't binding, so both parties could pull out at any time," said Grayson in The Sun.
"If he bangs in another 20 goals, there might be bigger teams than Everton coming in for him."
Reports also claim Leeds have agreed an undisclosed fee with League One rivals Southend United for striker Lee Barnard.
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