Albion handed double injury boost
Thursday 28th October 2010, 1:18PM BST.
Jonas Olsson and Marc-Antoine Fortune have been given hope of making the Premier League trip to Blackpool on Monday after positive scan results.
The duo could still be ready to face the Seasiders at Bloomfield Road in Monday’s televised match after scans showed neither suffered serious damage during Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Fulham.
The pair limped off together in the second half of the Hawthorns match after Olsson aggravated an Achilles tendon problem and Fortune picked up an ankle injury.
But scan results received yesterday showed no major damage for either player – a major relief for the Baggies as they prepare for a busy pre-Christmas schedule.
And both will now redouble their efforts to recover in time for the meeting with Ian Holloway’s side on Monday with the Baggies looking to extend their impressive unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions.
Boss Roberto Di Matteo will be keen to have both men available with Olsson an influential figure at the heart of defence and Fortune fresh from his first goal since rejoining the Baggies from Celtic.
Fortune’s fitness is especially crucial with first-choice striker Peter Odemwingie still struggling to recover from his knee injury in time for Monday’s fixture.
The Nigeria international is making progress in his rehabilitation after three weeks on the sidelines but Di Matteo is anxious to take no risks with the 29-year-old.
Meanwhile, striker Luke Moore was set to formally extend his loan stint at Derby today as interest hotted up in Ishmael Miller with former Baggies boss Tony Mowbray the latest to be linked with a loan move.
Moore, who has spent the last month on loan at Pride Park, has agreed with both clubs to stay in the East Midlands for another month and the deal was set to be rubber-stamped later today.
And reports from Teesside suggest new Middlesbrough boss Mowbray, who signed Miller for Albion, might be ready to join the race to take the powerful forward on loan.
Leicester chief Sven-Goran Eriksson and Ipswich boss Roy Keane are also interested in borrowing the ex-Manchester City man.
However, it is likely Albion will want to assess the striker’s rehabilitation from a calf injury for a few days more in training before sanctioning a move.
UK Sport
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Wouldnt be a big problem if ollson was out for Blackpool, as we have Pablo to cover who is just as good anyway.
boing boing
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Fairly good news, especially regarding Marco as Osaze missed training AGAIN this morning.
Something does not seem to add up wit this Odemwingie injury if you ask me, we will have to wait and see I guess.
Regarding Jonas, if he is not 100%, leave him in the warm on the bench – after all a Spanish International called Pablo Ibanez is there ready and waiting.
(Was it me or was he that comfortable last weekend and at Leicester he brought a deck chair on with him).
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Great news re Olson and Fortune, although for once in my 30 years as a Baggies fan I feel much more relaxed when I hear key players are injured due to the quality and strength in-depth we now have. How many times have we had key players out and feared the worst for upcoming games whereas now Im more at ease with the back up we have. As for Moore and Derby Im pleased the lad is making a fist of it, and long may that continue. However, Im not convinced I would let Miller go out on loan. I know he isnt match fit and hasnt done much for us of late, but he can still contribute when needed. Not wanting to tempt fate but while all looks rosy in the Hawthorns garden now, come January when the Christmas deluge of games has taken its tole and some of the strikers have picked up knocks, we may need him more than we do now. Added to that I recon Bednar wont be too pleased with not getting in the first team that often and he could be wanting away come the transfer window re-opening. Just my opinion, but why rock a very HAPPY ship!!
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I remember last season when ish made his long awaited comeback against Blackpool at the shrine – he scared the life out of them and scored a good goal – I would have him on the bench for Monday just in case.
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Jonas Olsson is a inspirational leader, and he hums class, and determination in the defensive bedrock of stability that we have built.
He will be missed i am certain of that>> no matter who stands in his breech for even ! game.
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Just read some of the comments from the dark side, are they completley deluded! Tevez is out injured and they are conviced Man City will be a walk over. Laugh I thought me pants would never dry. Mugs
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I’d let Miller out on lone as it would only be short term and give him game-time which he needs at this point in time. We have a very reliable squad, no worries.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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(5)
Peter Pan,
Sorry pal, Ibanez is more than capable.
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5 Peter
I totally agree: Olsson is absolute class and we are lucky to have him. But Ibanez is more than capable of stepping in. The bloke is brilliant. Not many clubs right now would be able to drop a centre back who played as well as he did at Arsenal, yet he didn’t sulk, and went to Leicester with totally the right attitude. He was superb on Tues, never seemed to break into a trot and yet he was always there when it mattered. I know it was “only” Leicester but he was great at Arsenal too. He deserves a chance, so if Olsson’s not 100%, get him in.
Agree that we should have Ish on the bench for Blackpool if he’s able. Didn’t think much of Bednar on Tues to be honest, even if he never lacks effort.
Jarvis for England anyone??
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Delighted to see both are going to be OK. We shall need a full squad with the congestion coming up with the League Cup now very important. No one in this squad dare let their head drop and feel sorry for themselves. That’s as it should be. Mulumbu was responsible for giving away a goal against Fulham. He put it right by banging one in for us and dominating midfield. I’m not sure about letting Miller go anywhere unless it’s on an instant recall basis. St. Peter’s injury is dragging on, we could run short of strikers.
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Got great belief in whoever appears.
With the current set up why not leave them out 4 a full recovery and squad rotation.
Yes STEVEN B it does seem mysterious as RDM reckoned it was a minor injury at the time?
Think this BLACKPOOL game will be a tough test, will need to be up 4 it throughout.
They’ll certainly make a game of it.
BAGGIES 14 take no notice he’s probably had another look at MADMICKS programme notes, the brainwash has kicked in.
SILENCEISGOLDEN
BAGGIESBAGGIESBAGGIES
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good news, tevez is in argentina for the visit to the albion
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for me, olsson paired with tamas or pablo is much stronger than the tamas-pablo pairing as olsson seems to take charge and command the defensive partnership more readily.
just an observation in my opinion.
so long as meaty doesnt play, as his lack of pace makes him a walking red card in the prem!
do we give cox his chance this week?
wont be betting on my beloved baggies this week as odds far too low, lol
boingboing
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i see we been chose for sky tv agen,away at blackburn,that sky sure knows which team brings in the viewers,wim on more times than coronation street,aye boing boing
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Mornin’ Sir Tez. Actually Blackburn is on because I had a quiet word with Monsieur Murdoch. Told him I couldn’t do many away matches now and the computer was unreliable.
He said he’d see what he could do.
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Really wants Dorrans to hit some form, I was a little concerned on Tuesday, he looked really slow!
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if your worried about st peter take a look at w.b.a site they say he could have a chance for monday night if he doesnt make it then against man city but dont worry about mon night they allways say skill will prevail so three more points for W,B.A
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