Injury woes

It's a good job the club revamped the medical facilities last season as the treatment room is a crowded place currently:

"We have a couple of doubts. Kolo has not trained since Villa due to the bang on the heel he received there, and Craig Bellamy has a little bit of stiffness in his groin. He did not finish training on Thursday and will not train today.

"We're hopeful on Zabaleta but there is not a guarantee that he will be fit and well. Nigel de Jong is a little bit sore, and Martin Petrov also won't train today because of a sore knee."

Sunday's trip to Wigan has the banana-skin written all over it. Going up against a side we have been woeful against since they came into the Premier League, struggling with injuries and coming off international week.

That said, there is a reason Hughes added so much depth to the squad, and if we are to have any ambition this season it is games like this season where you need to come away with the points.

A big test awaits.