Man Utd vs West Ham - 23.02.2010


Tuesday 23rd February 2010
Venue: Old Trafford
Kick-off: 20:00

Key defenders could make United return

Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic could be back to bolster Manchester United's flagging Premier League title challenge against West Ham tomorrow.

Sir Alex Ferguson has not had his first-choice central defensive partnership available since October but with Ferdinand now clear of suspension and Vidic over the nerve problem that has prevented him making an appearance in 2010, both are expected to start against the Hammers.

With the Carling Cup final just five days away, Ferguson might
have been tempted to rest Wayne Rooney but that hardly seems likely in the wake of Saturday's defeat at Everton that left the Red Devils four points adrift of Chelsea. Nani is still suspended.

As someone who has finished a champion in each of his three full seasons since his #18.6million move to Old Trafford from Tottenham, midfielder Michael Carrick is reluctant to let than run come to an end.

However, he knows extending it means inflicting some pain on West Ham, the club where he started his career and who he clearly retains a lot of affection for.

"West Ham gave me my chance," he said. "They took me away from home, taught me a lot of things and guided me through.

"They gave me a chance in the first team, so I have a lot to thank them for.

"I still have a lot of friends there who I like to see when I go back.

"But, obviously, when we kick off it is business as usual and I am desperate to get the win."

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has doubts over striker Benni McCarthy.

The South African star, who signed for the Hammers on the last day of the January transfer window, has been out with a knee problem since the 2-1 defeat at Burnley on February 10.

England midfielder Kieron Dyer and defender Danny Gabbidon (both hamstring) are not yet fully fit.

Herita Ilunga is set to miss out with a tendon injury while Luis Boa Morte (knee), Calum Davenport (leg) and Zavon Hines (knee) are all long-term absentees.

The victory over Hull on Saturday pushed West Ham into 13th place in the Premier League table and optimism has returned ahead of the trip to Old Tafford.

Midfielder Scott Parker said: "I said a few weeks ago when we were on a bit of a bad run of results that, if we could put two wins back-to-back, we could really go places.

"We've now got those two wins back-to-back and hopefully we can push on. We've had two good results against an in-form Birmingham and we came out worthy winners on Saturday.

"We've got a tough game at Manchester United and we go there with massive confidence.

"We all know how hard it is going to Old Trafford and they're coming off a little stinging at Everton but we'll go there and see what we can do."

VfB Stuttgart vs Barcelona - 23.02.2010


Tuesday 23rd February 2010
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Arena
Kick-off: 19:45

Puyol wary of Stuttgart threat

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol admits his side could be in for a bad night if they underestimate the threat posed by in-form Stuttgart in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Barca make the trip to Germany having bounced back from their first league defeat of the season eight days ago against Atletico Madrid by thumping Racing Santander 4-0 on Saturday night.

That was the Catalan giants` sixth
victory in seven league games, but they will now come up against a Stuttgart who are in just as good form.

Stuttgart may still be struggling down in ninth place in the Bundesliga but they too have won six of their last seven and at the weekend thrashed Cologne 5-1 away from home with Cacau netting four of his side's goals.

When the draw was made back in December Stuttgart were in the midst of a 10-match winless run in all competitions, but it is a different story now and a wary Puyol said: "They're playing better now and they are a dangerous team.

"If we don't go there focused, we could really have a bad time," added Puyol, who scored one of his side`s goals as they beat Stuttgart 2-0 away during the group stages of the 2007/08 Champions League.

Barca have struggled badly with absentees recently and the Champions League holders will again be without Seydou Keita and Eric Abidal.

Key duo Xavi and Dani Alves have at least made the trip to Germany, but neither has yet been given the all-clear to return to action following injuries.

Full-back Alves has been absent for a month due to a calf problem while Xavi picked up a thigh injury during the defeat to Atletico that had been expected to keep the Spain international out for around 15 days.

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was a late withdrawal ahead of Saturday`s win over Racing with an ankle problem, has also been included in a 20-man travelling squad in the hope he will be fit to feature.

Stuttgart coach Christian Gross is likely to be without left-back Arthur Boka for both meetings against Barca after he suffered a dislocated shoulder in training prior to the Cologne match that could keep him sidelined for a month.

That was one of the few negatives on what was a memorable weekend for the Bundesliga outfit, which saw striker Cacau make a stunning return from his four-week injury lay-off.

"I was really looking forward to this game after my long break," said Cacau. "And the way the game went makes it particularly beautiful."

Looking ahead to the clash, the Brazilian-born Germany international told Barca TV: "We've got nothing to lose. Barca are favourites and we maybe have a 20 or 30% chance of getting through, but we will be trying to make the most of our opportunities.

"We have to get a good result at home, because when Barca play at home it is very difficult to win. I hope they may be over confident and not commit themselves completely."

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