Wenger to make late Ade call

And Emirates boss is preparing for Rosicky and Eduardo returns

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 14th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wenger to make late Ade call

Wenger: Injury boost

Eduardo is close to full training and should be playing in two to three weeks.

Arsene Wenger
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will make a late decision on the fitness of Emmanuel Adebayor before naming his first XI to face Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Togo striker has missed the third-placed Gunners' last two games after picking up an ankle injury in the 2-1 defeat to Stoke a fortnight ago.

But Adebayor has returned to Wenger's squad and could start at Emirates Stadium as Arsenal look to extend a 19-game unbeaten record against Villa, who sit fifth in the Premier League.

Wenger previously described Adebayor as '50-50', but he is now more optimistic regarding his star striker.

Problem

"Adebayor is back in the squad," Wenger told Sky Sports News on Friday. "I will decide (if he plays) tomorrow."

Wenger is expected to name Manuel Almunia in his side after confirming that the goalkeeper is fully fit following a head injury suffered in last week's victory over Manchester United.

"Almunia is doing well and has recovered completely," added Wenger.

Meanwhile, Wenger expects midfielder Tomas Rosicky - who has undergone surgery in a bid to cure a niggling tendinitis problem - to return to action in 2009.

Delay

"The surgery went very well," said Wenger. "He should be back with us in six to eight weeks, but that doesn't mean he will be back playing.

"He will start training. I think a reasonable delay is to consider the beginning of next year."

Wenger also had bright news regarding the fitness of Croatian striker Eduardo, who suffered a horrific broken leg at Birmingham back in February.

"Eduardo is close to full training and should be playing in two to three weeks," concluded the Arsenal boss.