FA Cup 3rd Round - Team News for Midlands sides
By Jemma Tappenden
January 5 2008
West Bromwich Albion take on Charlton Athletic this afternoon at the Valley in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, as they look to embark on another impressive cup run. There are six ties this weekend featuring our West Midlands clubs, so lets take a look at the team news that could be making the difference for the clubs involved.
Charlton Athletic v West Bromwich Albion: The Valley 3pm ko
West Brom welcome back both Filipe Teixeira and Chris Brunt, who have missed out through illness and injury respectively. Both players made the bench against Scunthorpe United for Albion’s 5-0 league victory last weekend, but are both now back to full fitness. Martin Albrechtsen, Craig Beattie and Roman Bednar will also be hoping for first team recalls.
Charlton will be without defender Sam Sodje – who West Brom fans are more than familiar with after his onloan spell at the club last season. He completes the third of his four match ban. Defender Kelly Youga, who played against the Baggies last weekend for Scunthorpe United has been recalled from his loan spell and looks set to feature for the Addicks. Alan Pardew also welcomes back full backs Yassin Moutaouakil and Grant Basey from ankle and groin injuries respectively.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Cambridge United: Molineux 2pm ko
Wolves, who face non-league opposition in Cambridge United will once again be without Michael Kightly, who began his lengthy struggle for a comeback finally this week. But he could make the bench. Striker Andy Keogh, scorer of Wolves only goal at Norwich City last weekend has been struggling this week with a chest infection, and could make way for Freddy Eastwood. Wolves will also miss defender Jody Craddock who is still carrying a calf strain.
Cambridge manager Jimmy Quinn is looking on better fortunes for this tie, he has no injury worries and has a fully fit squad to select from. He also has Paul Carden onloan who will most likely feature today at Molineux.
Aston Villa v Manchester United: Villa Park 5.15pm ko
Aston Villa who will pay their third round tie in front of the television cameras will most likely be without striker John Carew who picked up a knee injury. Martin O’Neill might look to Shaun Maloney to start after Luke Moore wasted two golden opportunities against Spurs last week. Manchester United welcome back goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar after a groin injury, and Wayne Rooney looks likely to take a place on the bench after recovering from a virus. Carlos Tevez is a serious doubt with an ankle injury, but defender Wes Brown who has been linked this week with a January move to Newcastle United will be in the squad.
Huddersfield Town v Birmingham City: Galpharm Stadium 3pm ko
Skipper Damien Johnson is still absent for Blues due to a skull fracture, but midfielder Mehdi Nafti who has a viral infection is Alex McLeish’s only new worry. McLeish has included 16 year old Jordan Mutch in his squad.
Huddersfield will miss defender Nathan Clarke and striker Danny Cadamarteri who are both suspended, and gaffer Andy Ritchie has major worries over his skipper Jon Worthington who is suffering with a hernia problem. But the Terriers will welcome back Malvin Kamara and Phil Jeavons who are now both fully fit.
Chasetown v Cardiff City: The Scholars 1pm ko
Chasetown will be without skipper Lee Parsons who is a long term absentee with cruciate ligament damage. New signings Nathan Lamey, Scott Clamp, Dave Woodvine and Lee Bullimore cannot feature because they are all cup-tied.
Cardiff boss Dave Jones will be forced to make changes as Stephen McPhail is banned. Ricardo Scimeca, Robbie Fowler and Trevor Sinclair are all injured, which means Steve Thompson will start for the Bluebirds alongside either Steve MacLean or Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Walsall v Millwall: Bank’s Stadium 2pm ko.
Walsall will be without defender Anthony Gerrard who is suspended and onloan Peter Sweeney who cannot play as Stoke City do not want him cup tied. Tommy Mooney is likely to miss his third consecutive game after picking up a hamstring injury on Boxing Day.
For Millwall, Dave Brammer and Neil Harris are banned but in better news Ahmet Brkovic, Marcus Bignot and Bryan Hodge are all available to play their first game for Millwall into their loan spells. New boy Adrian Forbes is also in the squad after joining from Blackpool.
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