In the preview of tomorrow's game I touched on news of a possible return to the line-up for Robinho, and the Mark Hughes has spoken of this possibility:

"He is back training with the group, which is pleasing from everyone's point of view," said Hughes. He is travelling with us and we will make a decision [on his fitness] tomorrow.

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Has Rafa Benitez lied over the fitness of Alberto Aquilani? Is it fair to label Liverpool's manager a liar over the regularly changing estimates about the Italian's return to fitness? That is the question being considered here.
Let's take a look at the evidence.
AUG 7th 2009: Statement on the official Liverpool FC website:
"Liverpool FC confirmed this evening that Alberto Aquilani has successfully completed a medical and agreed a 5-year contract with the club. Click to continue reading...

Arsene Wenger today confirmed Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner will be back in full training in three weeks. Nicklas was originally set to play against Manchester City in the Carling Cup tie at the City of Manchester but will now more than be short of fitness for the tie.

Nicklas comeback from injury is likely to be pencilled in for Arsenal's last group tie away in Greece, against champions Olympiakos.

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Eduardo's most common move, the ankle breaker
This is the most obvious Funny Feeling Friday selection in history - but the selection completely fits the award for the week - an unpopular, out of form, or underrated player who we think will perform over the next few weeks.
Couldn't be more obvious: it's Eduardo (7. Click to continue reading...

Eduardo has committed his future to Arsenal by signing a new long-term contract at Emirates Stadium.
The 26-year-old Brazil-born Croatia international suffered horrific leg and ankle injuries against Birmingham in February 2008 and was sidelined for almost a year as he battled his way back to full fitness. Click to continue reading...

Yesterday Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was handed a four-match touchline ban (two of which are suspended) and a £20,000 fine after remarks he made about referee Alan Wiley.


It is being reported today that there is still a chance that Wiley could sue Sir Alex for defamation. Click to continue reading...

Since his seventeen millions pounds move over the summer, Alberto Aquilani's return to fitness has been eagerly anticipated by the Anfield faithful. Rafael Benitez has been relentlessly criticised in signing the 25-year-old midfield maestro, with the Italian's career being blighted by injuries. The ‘little prince' is a replacement for firm fans favourite Xabi Alonso, who [. Click to continue reading...

A smart Alex.

Sir Alex Ferguson was given a four match touchline ban and a fine for 20,000 pounds following his attack on Alan Wiley's fitness. But the referees union is still baying for evermore blood. Here is Alan Leighton of Prospect, the referees union.

"From our point of view it is disappointing.

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Arsenal striker Eduardo, back to full fitness, revealed he's not interested in what position he plays for the Gunners as long as he can provide his contribution to the side. The 26-year old who is slowly ... Click to continue reading...

Arsenal striker Eduardo, back to full fitness, revealed he's not interested in what position he plays for the Gunners as long as he can provide his contribution to the side. The 26-year old who is slowly ...

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has received a two-match touchline ban for his comments about referee Alan Wiley's fitness. The Football Association handed the 67-year-old a four-game ban, with two of those suspended until the end of the 2010/11 season. Click to continue reading...

When Sol Campbell signed for The Magpies, there were many who thought he just got his directions wrong when he ended up at Notts County. An ex England international with a distinguished career, playing for a League Two club, but for how long? The accusations levelled against Campbell were that he walked out during a training session.

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With only three days remaining before they take on Real Salt Lake in the Eastern Conference Final, the Fire is looking for all of their injured players to return to the field to help Chicago advance to its first MLS Cup Final since 2003.

Unfortunately for the Fire though, it doesn't appear as if all of their banged-up players will be available on Saturday night at Toyota Park.

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Well Monday saw yet ANOTHER night of frustration with the players and the management together failing to see off another of the league's poorer teams. Rather than go over the same squad depth, tactics, selection, substitutions, performance, injury and fitness problems as we've all been discussing for what seems like an eternity I want to mention [. Click to continue reading...

Fernando Torres will defy doctor's orders to try to haul Liverpool out of their slump.
Groin-strain victim Torres wants to play against Birmingham on Monday despite being told not to play for THREE weeks.
It could spark a row with Spain who agreed not to pick Torres, 25, for their prestige date with Argentina. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insists he is in no rush for star duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard to have operations.
Torres is playing through the pain barrier to feature for the Reds while Gerrard is currently on the sidelines.
The Spanish striker is hampered by groin-related injury while Gerrard has been struggling since aggravating a similar injury on international duty. Click to continue reading...

Two more goals from Didier Drogba – who now has 12 goals from 13 appearances this season – were only slightly tarnished by Aguero's injury time equaliser last night. Chelsea are safely through to the knockout stages of the Champions League, and a rusty performance at the Vicente Calderon will be forgotten should Chelsea up the ante against United at the weekend.

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Two more goals from Didier Drogba – who now has 12 goals from 13 appearances this season – were only slightly tarnished by Aguero's injury time equaliser last night. Chelsea are safely through to the knockout stages of the Champions League, and a rusty performance at the Vicente Calderon will be forgotten should Chelsea up the ante against United at the weekend.

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Where do you draw the line when it comes to Fernando Torres' fitness? That's the question I've been asking myself ever since I wrote yesterday's piece on Steve Gerrard's absence from the squad for Wednesday night's European tilt against Lyon. I read, re-read, and then read Rafa's comments regarding the injury numerous times before coming [. Click to continue reading...

Just as the referees' apparent lack of fitness stole the headlines in the aftermath of Sunderland's last game, their latest encounter – and encouraging performance – was lost amongst the furore surrounding that red balloon.
Journalists, match officials, and former referees were left to scramble through the rule book to work out whether the goal should have been chalked off, as confusion reigned at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has hinted that Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani will be ready for a first team start within the next couple of weeks.
The 25-year-old was signed by the Reds during the summer for around £17 million from Roma although an ankle injury has kept him sidelined for the first couple of months of the season. Click to continue reading...

Reportedly, Thierry Henry is on the verge of total recovery and could get the greenlight for this weekend's Liga meet with Osasuna - is there anyone not excited by his return? We've been missing him on the lineup and can't wait to see him back in action!
Same goes for Dani Alves, who's return is looking to be sooner than expected. Click to continue reading...

As their defense of the MLS Cup hits the postseason, Columbus Crew and head coach Robert Warzycha are still waiting on the injury status of Chad Marshall. The Crew's defender of the year has been missing in action since spraining his left knee in practice on September 15. While there was no reason to rush him back from the injury as Columbus secured their second consecutive Supporters' Shield, it looks like he will be ready to make his first start since the injury on Saturday night.

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As their defense of the MLS Cup hits the postseason, Columbus Crew and head coach Robert Warzycha are still waiting on the injury status of Chad Marshall. The Crew's defender of the year has been missing in action since spraining his left knee in practice on September 15. While there was no reason to rush him back from the injury as Columbus secured their second consecutive Supporters' Shield, it looks like he will be ready to make his first start since the injury on Saturday night.

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Emile Heskey has been offered words of encouragement from Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill. Heskey is known to be unhappy with his lack of playing time at Villa Park, and with his World Cup spot on the line, O'Neill indicated that Heskey still figures into his plans.

The former Liverpool striker has been heavily linked with a move in January, but O'Neill's comments suggest that he can relate to the striker's situation.

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REUTERS/Felix Ordonez

It is expected that Thierry Henry will receive medical clearance this week and will be activated for Sundays league match up against Osasuna.

Henry has been sidelined for just over a month due to a hamstring injury but has been training with the team and looks to be close to match fitness.

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Rafa Benitez believes Jamie Carragher proved with his performance against Manchester United that he is not at the end of his career just yet.
The Liverpool defender has been criticised for some of his displays during the early part of the season and there have been suggestions he is not the player he once was. Click to continue reading...

The sidelined Brazilian has been speaking again to radio in his home country:

"I'm very happy about the interest that Barcelona have in me, playing in the Nou Camp it is much easier to be the best player in the world than at City."
"I'm not forcing a hypothetical exit from England and neither do I have problems with my coach.

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Well we were sweating over the fitness of our two key men, obviously one has recovered quicker than Rafa thought and the doubful Gerrard isn't fit enough to start today. I've been told the team is as follows: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Insua, Kuyt, Benayoun, Lucas, Mascherano, Aurelio, Torres. Click to continue reading...

I know I know, no blog yesterday, very naughty. But it's ok, I slapped myself earlier so you don't have to worry about doing that. I'll not go into it, but i'll just say one word WORK. If you don't get what I mean, at least I know Jamrock will. And if it makes you feel better, I just sat through Wolves v Villa which was a significant punishment. Click to continue reading...

Sign him up Arsene! A big day's football tomorrow with Manu-Liverpool and our trip to Upton park. Eduardo is fit, Rosicky is not, Bendtner may be. Scott Parker returns from a one match ban for the hammers. Elsewhere Henri Lansbury looks impressive and demonstrated his fitness with a couple of goals on loan at Watford. Click to continue reading...

So almost without us (or me, anyway) even realizing it, we appear to possibly have a goalkeeping controversy on our hands.

After Manuel Almunia went down a few games into the season with a "chest infection", and last season's number two, Lukasz Fabianski, was also out with a long term injury, we had to hand the gloves over to young Italian Vito Mannone.

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Oguchi Onyewu had surgery on his torn patellar tendon today, but instead of a three- to four-month layoff, he will be out of action for up to six months. If he's not able to come back until April, that's not going to be enough time to get back to match fitness. Between Onyewu, Charlie Davies, and Jay DeMerit, the USA's chances for a successful summer in South Africa could be over before they start. Click to continue reading...

Alberto Aquilani is itching to make his first-team debut after making his Liverpool bow for the reserves.
The £20million summer signing came on for the final 15 minutes of the second string's 2-0 win over Sunderland at Tranmere's Prenton Park last night and was delighted to pull on finally a Liverpool shirt. Click to continue reading...

It's actually cold today in Frisco, or at least cold to a Texan as the temps are in the 50s. Hyndman cuts short training cause of the chill. He says he's been coaching so long he's learned to trust his instincts about weather. Good call I think, training a this time of year isn't about fitness. So cutting it short is a good idea, it's not worth the risk of injury. Click to continue reading...