Cole future remains in doubt
Arsene Wenger looks set to plan for life without defender Ashley Cole when he names his side for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership opener against Aston Villa.
The future of the England full-back seems certain to lie away from the Emirates Stadium, although talks over a move to Chelsea appear deadlocked over the size of the fee.
Cole, 25, did not feature in the recent Champions League qualifying win against Dinamo Zagreb and is not in this season’s official team photo.
Cole’s controversial book is due to be launched in a fortnight’s time – a publication which has brought him into conflict with his employers after criticising the club over the ’tapping-up’ saga last season.
Wenger could, of course, still pick Cole but the Arsenal boss last night admitted: “I do not think he will be in for the game at the weekend.”
New Villa boss Martin O’Neill admits he is facing a race against time to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes.
With the takeover by American billionaire Randy Lerner still to be completed, O’Neill is in the dark over his budget for the season ahead.
He said: “Saturday might be rather too early but we have got until the end of August, by which time we will have played three games.
“Obviously I am trying to assess everything as quickly as possible. There would be no point turning round and saying there is something imminent – at the moment there isn’t.”
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce admits his club must start to grow more of their own players.
Allardyce has had a difficult summer in the transfer market and goes into his side’s clash with Tottenham after making just two summer signings in Manchester United discard Quinton Fortune and Abdoulaye Meite from Marseille.
He said: “We have to start developing our own players. We are trying to do as much as we can as quickly as we can and we have done well with the likes of Nicky Hunt, Kevin Nolan, Joey O’Brien and Ricardo Vaz Te.
“But we are still behind because we have had to focus on the first team for so long so we must start pursuing this avenue more vigorously than we ever have before.”
Spurs boss Martin Jol is hopeful Republic of Ireland international Robbie Keane will have recovered from his thigh strain to feature at the Reebok Stadium.
The injury forced the Irish striker out of last weekend’s friendly against Real Sociedad and the international clash with Holland in midweek.
Jol said: “We’ll see how he trains. He’s a quick healer and hopefully he’ll be fit for selection.”
Charlton boss Iain Dowie would rather be facing West Ham with Dean Ashton leading their line and “all guns blazing” at Upton Park.
The £7.25m (€10.6m) Hammers striker is facing up to around three months on the sidelines after breaking his ankle while training with England earlier this week.
Former Crystal Palace manage Dowie, preparing for his first competitive match in charge, said: “It is a tragic blow, both for the lad and the club.
“That is not the way you want to play West Ham – you want to play West Ham with all guns blazing.
“We all hope Dean has a quick recovery. I tried to sign him when I was at Palace, and the regard I hold him in is extraordinary.”
Robert Green has set his sights on Paul Robinson’s England goalkeeping jersey after completing his move back to the Premiership.
Green severed ties with Norwich earlier this week after 10 years at Carrow Road to sign a four-year contract with West Ham.
The 26-year-old, who missed out on the World Cup after rupturing his groin playing for England B against Belarus, said: “If you are not going to believe in yourself then no-one will and if the opportunity arose with England I’d do myself justice.”
Green is about a week away from being ready to challenge Carroll for his place.
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp finds himself short of players as his Fratton Park revolution stutters into action at home to Blackburn.
Redknapp, backed by new owner Alexandre Gaydamak, has been linked with a long list of big-name signings during the summer.
But after being snubbed in a series of bids for players such as Tottenham’s Jermaine Defoe, Celtic’s Stilian Petrov, Fenerbahce’s Nicolas Anelka and Blackburn’s Ryan Nelsen, Redknapp will have to field a side weaker than he would have liked against Rovers.
Redknapp admitted: “We’ve tried for some big targets all summer but clubs don’t want to sell their best players – at any price.
“There is not a problem with money. The new owner is willing to put up the cash if we can find the signings but too many have just dragged on.
“We will keep trying to sign people and keep looking. We have two weeks before the transfer deadline but this is the smallest squad with which I’ve ever started a season and a run of injuries would be bad news.”
Blackburn midfielder Steven Reid believes Craig Bellamy’s departure has quickly been forgotten.
Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts have since formed an explosive double act, scoring six of Rovers’ eight goals between them in their last three friendly outings.
Reid said: “I had full confidence in the manager that he would bring in his targets, and he’s compensated for Craig by bringing in Benni, who is looking unbelievable.
“Jason’s looked good too. They’ve been banging in the goals and they are going to be a real handful for any defence this season.”
