Wenger told www.arsenal.com: “Hleb came back with a hamstring injury, so once again we lose someone during this [international] period. I think he’ll be out for 21 days.

“Flamini came back with a little thigh problem too. That will be one week maximum.”

Steve Bruce appears unlikely to be in charge of Wigan for their trip the Emirates Stadium.

The 46-year-old was expected to be unveiled as the new Latics boss yesterday after his embarrassing non-appearance at a press conference on Wednesday, but his appointment remains on hold due to an 11th-hour issue between Bruce and his former club Birmingham.

It appears Blues are claiming they are owed an advance payment of £225,000 by Bruce for image rights.

That is despite the fact Birmingham are due to receive £3million in compensation, with £2million payable immediately and another £1million due if Bruce keeps Wigan in the top flight.

Sebastian Larsson is confident Birmingham stand-in skipper Liam Ridgewell will “not be affected” by the despair of scoring an own goal against his former club and local rivals Aston Villa.

The Swedish international is backing the central defender to respond in positive fashion when the post-Bruce era begins with tomorrow’s home clash with Portsmouth.

Assistant manager Eric Black will be in charge against Harry Redknapp’s side - who were beaten 5-0 when they last visited St Andrews 20 months ago.

Larsson said: “I thought Liam did very well after conceding the own goal against Villa and nearly became the match winner with the late header cleared off the line.

“Those things happen in football. He will have been disappointed afterwards and everyone has said since, ’Don’t worry about it mate’ and I am sure he will be all right.”

Pompey boss Redknapp has warned his side must beware a dangerous Birmingham side.

“It’s always dangerous when teams lose a manager,” he told www.portsmouthfc.co.uk. “They can be dangerous opposition and they will want to come out and prove a point, so they’ll be up for it.”

Manager Gary Megson admits Bolton have begun preparing for the potential departure of star striker Nicolas Anelka during the transfer window.

Chelsea and Anelka’s former club Manchester City are reported to be lining up a January swoop for the French international, who is set to return against Manchester United after four games out with a hamstring injury.

Bolton have no desire to sell their top scorer but Megson acknowledges they may receive an offer too good to refuse.

“We’ve been doing a lot of work during the international break in terms of watching players,” said Megson. “It’s no good something happening and saying ’Well, we weren’t ready for it’.”

United could miss the man Ryan Giggs calls their “extra dimension” up front for their trip to the Reebok Stadium.

Carlos Tevez is facing a race against time to return from South America where he has been involved in two gruelling World Cup qualifiers with Argentina.

Tevez admits he is exhausted after the double-header against Bolivia and Colombia despite being sent off after just 24 minutes of the latter clash.

He said: “Coming to Argentina and playing in such conditions killed me. We are trying to rest to the maximum to recover from injury.”

Tyrone Mears has urged his Derby team-mates to set the record straight when they face Chelsea.

County were labelled the worst team to play in the Premier League after they were thrashed 5-0 at home by West Ham before the international break.

“It’s certainly been difficult after what happened against West Ham,” Mears admitted.

“I think we’ve all had to take a look at ourselves and I know that I have.”

Chelsea coach Avram Grant will welcome back Ashley Cole to the squad for the trip to Pride Park but may leave captain John Terry’s return until their Champions League clash with Rosenborg next week.

Terry trained with England at London Colney ahead of their midweek 3-2 defeat by Croatia but still lacks match fitness.

The England captain was struck down with a knee problem while training with the national side before their fixtures in October and subsequently missed out on the last round of qualifiers for Euro 2008.

Cole is set to return after recovering from ankle problems but Grant may decide to stick with Wayne Bridge at left-back.