By TRAVIS CLARK
With Carlos Tevez missing, the Manchester City attack has stagnated. Since the Argentinian striker took off for his homeland on compassionate leave, the Citizens have managed just two goals in three games.
Tevez will also miss tomorrow's FA Cup clash against Stoke City, but coach Roberto Mancini said in a press conference this week that the club expects Tevez to catch a flight back either Thursday or Friday and could be available for Saturday's match against Chelsea.
The striker had returned to Argentina after the premature birth of his child.
Here are a few other stories for Tuesday:
PORTSMOUTH FINANCIAL PROBLEMS CONTINUE
Unless another buyer can be found on Friday, Portsmouth will go administration as early as next week, the BBC reports. The struggling club has debts valued in the range of £70 million, and if they go into administration will also be docked nine points in the Premier League table. If administration does occur, the winding up order will be suspended, allowing the club to finish out the 2010 season.
Reports that a group led by Victor Cattermole, a businessman based in New Zealand may consider a purchase but insists that nothing will be rushed.
LENNON SUFFERS INJURY SETBACK
Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon, who had been closing in on a return from injury, suffered a blow this week when a scan revealed a new groin injury. Lennon last featured for Tottenham at the end of December, and was expected to return for Spurs in the next week or two. The new injury, picked up in training over the weekend, could set him back another two weeks.
BENITEZ TO KEEP TORRES OUT OF SPANISH FRIENDLY
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is closer and closer to full fitness — returning this weekend against Manchester City — but manager Rafa Benitez wants to ensure that his prized striker takes no part in Spain's upcoming March 3 friendly against France. Rumors are swirling that Torres will be a part of the squad for next week's match, but Benitez is quick to refute those claims, stating that Torres needs to be brought back slowly to avoid re-injuring himself.
What do you think of Tevez's return? Will he inspire a win against Chelsea? What will happen to Portsmouth? Can Lennon keep himself fit to make the World Cup squad? Will Torres stay healthy?
Share your thoughts below.
ahh yeah I’m excited!
Most exciting ???…. Not really, at least not my opinion. The most exciting games i have seen this year were in La Liga and Bundesliga. Although i would say that the “EPL” has the strongest top four.
Most exciting? Probably, yes. Best league in the world…um…no.
Can’t believe Mancini called out Tevez like that in the press. I mean his daughter was born 6 wk prematurely. It’s not like Tevez went to Argentina to go clubbing (like some of those Brazilian national players).
Man City could have probably done better in the last few games without Tevez only if Mancini started C bellamy.
Jonathan Spector gets the “honor” of dealing with Antonio Valencia this afternoon. Kinda torn as a United fan as I want to see Valencia torch him, but at the same time, it would be encouraging to see Spector hold his own against one of the faster players in the world
sorry tommorrow
fa cup replay against spurs. today.
Who is this “Benitz” guy and why is he being allowed to make any decisions about Fernando Torres??
Could it be that the “EPL” is the best and probably most exciting league in the world?
When is that Bolton game? Tomorrow right?
No, they’ll play out the string. But since Pompey currently sits 8 points from safety, another nine puts them at 17 out with 12 to play. Without a full review of the match grid, you can’t say that relegation would be 100% guaranteed, but yeah.
As a United fan, I guess I’m going for a tie between Chelsea and City. Obviously if either one loses that is great news to me, but also bad news. I do want Chelsea to lose all three points, but I don’t want City to win such a huge game. A point for each seems fair, but I could live with a Chelsea loss I suppose, as long as Tevez doesn’t score…
So if Pompey goes into administration, its just an automatic relegation right and they don’t finish the season? Or is there more to it??
Stories are written in English?
I find these “tickers” have a very big bias in favor of the EPL – any reason for this? Would love to see news out of Asia, Africa, and the rest of Europe…
Holden debut confirmed by Coyle.
http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~1974629,00.html
ya i just saw that too.. this is stu’s chance to impress for EPL action.
It’s a 9 point penalty for Premiership teams going into administration; 10 point penalty for the three remaining tiers of the Football League.
Tevez= Man City Win
Not to nitpick, but I thought administration carried a 10 point penalty, not 9. Either way, it’d mean near-certain relegation for Pompey
Just saw Holden listed on a preliminary roster for Bolton v. Tottenham. We’ll see.