Some interesting team news ahead of today’s game against Villa.
Paul Konchesky will have a late fitness test on a knee problem that the Mail thinks he picked up in the Chelsea game. It may be related to the injury that forced him off against Stoke. Should our regular left back miss out, Chris Baird could replace him as Toni Kallio isn’t listed in the ‘provisional squad’.
More surprising is the fact that Andy Johnson seems to have made a swift recovery from the ‘slight’ medial ligament damage he sustained two weeks ago. I feared that Johnson might not be back again this season (or at least until the Everton game) but it appears he’s in contention to start. Bobby Zamora, who went off injured in the second half at Stamford Bridge last week, will also have a late check on his injury.
The good news is that in-form Erik Nevland – who has two goals in two games and probably deserves another start – has recovered from the dead leg that prematurely ended his impressive game at the Bridge. Another report has Diomansy Kamara in contention for a starting place, which I suppose he is if Johnson or Zamora – or both – miss out.
