The latest injury and ban news from the English Premier League, brought to you from The Great Dane Football Blog.

Arsenal

Injuries: 7

Once again, Arsenal is in the top of the injury list. The new name on the list is the attacking player Gervinho who is suffering from an ankle injury, and will be out until late November. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is struggling with a hip injury, but is set to return on the 3rd of November. The same matters for the defender Kieran Gibbs. Diaby, Szczesny and Rosicky, is all reported to be close to a comeback, while Fabianski will be out until January 2013. 

Bans: 0

Manchester City

Injuries: 7

Manchester City will be without their star defender Micah Richards until February 2013. Furthermore, Kolarov, Rodwell, Garcia and Maicon are out for an unknown time. The City fans, however, can look forward to have Zabaleta and Silva back form their hamstring injuries, later this week.

Bans: 0

Aston Villa

Injuries: 6

According to fantasyfootballscout.co.uk, both Baker and Clark are close to a comeback this week. However, there  are no return dates for Herd, Dunne and Petrov, while Gardner will return from his ACL knee injury May 2013.

Bans: 0

Manchester United

Injuries: 6

The two defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are returning to the training pitch this week after a long injury time. Kagawa and Vidic are set to return on the 19th Novermber, while Keane is out for an unknown time. Lindegaard is available once again but is still struggling with his hand injury.

Bans: 0

West Bromwich Albion

Injuries: 6

Six players are doubtful for Monday's match against Southampton. Those are Yacob, Reid and Brent who are all out with a hamstring injury, as well as Jones, Myhill and Thomas who are out with different injuries.

Bans: 0

Liverpool FC

Injuries: 5

Glen Johnson is out for an unknown time with a muscle spasm, while Borini and Kelly will be unavailable until the start of next year. John Flanagan is still fighting to comeback in match fitness, while Leiva is out until the end of November.

Bans: 0

Newcastle United

Injuries: 5

Ba, Gosling and Elliott, are out for an unknown time and will not be playing this week against Liverpool. Both Vuckic and Taylor has been given return dates, however; these are in the next year.

Bans: 1

Tioté is serving one of his three match ban, in the weekend.

Southampton FC

Injuries: 5

Four Southampton players are close to return to the training ground next week. Richardson, Cork, Lee and Butterfield, recovering from their injuries. Ramirez, on the other hand, is out until November the 19th due to his dead leg.

Bans: 0

Tottenham Hotspur

Injuries: 5

There is a 75% chance that Adebayor and Dembele is back in action this week, according to fantasyfootballscout.co.uk. Assou-Ekotto is also recovering from his knee injury, while Kaboul is out until late December. There is still no return date of Scott Parker.

Bans: 0

West Ham United

Injuries: 5

Taylor and Demel is reported to be ready soon, while there is no return date of Diarra and Collison. Ricardo Vaz Te is out with his dislocated shoulder until January 2013.

Bans: 0

Sunderland AFC

Injuries: 4

Sunderland is missing four players for the weekend's match against Aston Villa. Sebastian Larson is out with a knock, while Brown is in lack of match fitness. Bramble and Rose is close to a comeback within this week.

Bans: 0

Queens Park Rangers

Injuries: 4

Park, Fabio and Dyer, are out this weekend but are close to comeback soon. Johnson is still out with his ACL Knee injury until March 2013.

Bans: 1

Stephané Mbia is serving the first of a three match ban.

Fulham FC

Injuries: 3

Chris Baird and Dimitar Berbatov are out for an unknown time. the first with an ankle injury and the latter with a rib injury. Simon Davies is out until January 2013.

Bans: 0

Norwich City

Injuries: 3

Mark Bunn is given a 50% chance of playing this weekend, after his back injury. Mark Bunn is out with a knock while Kane is suffering from a metatarsal fracture until November 10.

Bans: 0

Stoke City

Injuries: 3

Wilson and Sidibe is out for an unknown time, while Whelan is set to return from his hamstring injury on November 3.

Bans: 0

Swansea City

Injuries: 3

Michel Worm has been one of the profiles for Swansea the last two seasons. However, the Welsh will have to do without him until christmas. Bartley is also set to return in December, while Taylor returns May 2013.

Bans: 0

Wigan Athletic

Injuries: 3

Wigan is missing three players this week. Miyachi is set to return, but is doubtful to be playing, while Crusat and Alcaraz is out for an unknown time.

Bans: 0

Chelsea FC

Injuries: 2

The two elder players from Chelsea, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole.

Bans: 1

John Terry is serving his last match ban against Swansea.

Everton 

Injuries: 2

Everton is missing Mirallas and Gibson this week.

Bans: 0

Reading FC

Injuries: 1

Reading is missing Karacan until late December, late to his MCL knee ligament injury.

Bans: 0

Mark Clattenburg is the hot topic today as Chelsea launch racism allegation against the referee.

The English referee made some rather doubtful decisions on Sunday night, during the match between Chelsea  and Manchester United. Clattenburg stole the stage with two red cards and failing to see an obvious offside. The first red card is not to be questioned, while Fernando Torres received his second yellow card for a dive that never was. However, it was not the controversial decisions that caused most rage on Sunday.

After the match, Chelsea lodged a formal complaint against Clattenburg for, ironically, racism. Media, today has revealed what the referee should have said on the pitch. According to the Daily Mirror, Clattenburg is alleged to have called John Obi Mikel a 'monkey' while he named Juan Matta as a 'Spanish twat'.

Furthermore, Mikel should have tried to force his entry in to the referees dressing room, yelling that he would break his leg.

All this comes after the John Terry saga finally seemed to be forgotten and will not be well accepted in the F.A., however; it was known today that Juan Matta never heard the referee calling him a 'Spanish twat' and this has raised doubt whether there has been any racism at all. According to Romeu, “Neither Juan nor Fernando [Torres] told me they heard it because from what I have understood they didn’t hear anything."

Clattenburg, who has denied the allegations, will now be investigated by the London Metropolitan Police, as well as The F.A.. The football world, will be following this closely. If it is proved that Mark Clattenburg has acted unprofessional and racist against the Chelsea players the F.A. will have to take action. John Terry was punished hard, even though the police cleared his name, and if the Football Association doesn't penalise Clattenburg just as hard they will be a laughing joke. That if he has acted as blamed.

Premier League Round 10

Old Trafford

03-11-12 @ 12.45 GMT

How is the two teams form?

Manchester United is unbeaten in the last three Premier League matches, winning 3-2 against Chelsea yesterday. The Reds are currently second in the league, one point after Chelsea. However, there has been bumps on the road for United this season losing against Everton and Tottenham Hotspurs. The defends have been the problem for United, struggling with several injuries. However, the defends seem to be in better shape at this point.

Arsenal is number six in the league after a lucky win against Queens Park Rangers this weekend. The club has played some impressing football but has also failed in matches they should have won. After their midweek loss to Schalke 04 in the Champions League and the win this weekend, Arsenal seems to be back in form. The Gunners are still struggling with injuries, but finally has both Bacary Sagna and Jack Wilshere back. The latter did well against QPR and we can expect more from him when he is back in the right fitness.

What will the starting XI look like?

It is most likely that Sir Alex Ferguson will use the same starting line as the match against Chelsea yesterday. I expect a single change in the Arsenal line up for this match, as Gervinho's speed can important. This means that Aron Ramsey will be pushed out on the bench.

De Gea

Rafael - Ferdinand - Evans - Evra

Carrick - Cleverley

Valencia - Rooney - Young

van Persie

----------------------------------------

Giroud

Podolski - Cazorla - Gervinho

Wilshere - Ateta

Santos - Vermaelen - Mertesacker - Sagna

What to expect from this match?

What are the odds?

The most popular bet is a Manchester United victory, according to oddschecker.com.

The latest version of Football Manager is to be released on Friday the 2nd of November. Great Dane Football Blog has taken a view on the BETA-version.

As an eager FM gamer since 2009, this writer knows a thing or two about the fantastic game, which seems to develop each year. This year the focus has been on the match engine, manager roles and the training. However, we start a whole other place:

The design

This year's version of Football Manager look much sharper and professional than earlier. However, it takes a while to find your way in the new menus. The players profile gives you more information than earlier and gives you a perfect overview of the positions the player is capable of playing.

The Database

The database is better and bigger now. However, your computer has to be in top form to use the largest database available. A solution is needed from the men behind as this seems to be a continuing problem.

Match Engine

The match engine has been updated but still has much the same look as the last couple of years. However, the small mistakes from last year have gone. Now, the players don't suddenly fly from one side to the other or stops to 'think' before playing the ball. The game also seems to flow better, and you now has more angles to see your goals in replay.

Furthermore, you now get advice from your Assistant Manager during the match as well as ratings and body language from your players. This gives you an overview over which players are doing good and who needs to be substitued off.

Manager Roles

This year you  chose what you as the manager will do. You have the ability to give your assistants more power and put some of the pressure of your shoulders. For example, ask your Assistant Manager to find youth talents to the youth department or ask him to take care of the pre match talks or instructions on opposition players.

The coaches and assistants also gives you more help towards the media and what your players should train this week.

The Training

The training is now more simple to overview and as mentioned before you get more help from your staff. Now you also have the option to send your staff to acquire more skills as well as send your entire squad on a training camp.

After a couple of hours play, I was addicted to the new version! Football Manager is and will always be the best manager game on the market... So Bhoys! Get to the store on the 2nd of November and pick up your game! Good luck in the new season!

A football referee always try to stay anonymous during a match. However, these five would probably wish they were not even on the pitch!

More players are getting fit for the weekend, while a couple of goalkeepers are still struggling. Here, is the Wednesday Update!

Arsenal

Injuries: 8

Szczesny and Fabianski is till out with injuries, the latter until January 2013. Diaby, Walcott and Rosicky, is set to return on the 3rd November, while the two defenders Gibbs and Sagna can be in play for the weekend. The same matters for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who is suffering from a hip injury, and will be spared to night against Schalke 04.

Danny Butterfield was rules out last week, but is set to return from his knee injury on the 27th October. The same matters for Lee and Shaw, who has been out with an arm injury and illness. There is currently no return date for Daniel Fox or Fraizer Richardson, while Gastón Ramírez and Jack Cork will return early November. 

Bans: 0

Aston Villa

Injuries: 6

According to fantasyfootballscout.co.uk, there is a 75% chance for Ciaran Clark and Enda Stevens to be playing in the weekend. Meanwhile, there is no return date of Baker, Dunne or Petrov, while Gardner is out until May 2013. 

Bans: 0

Manchester United

Injuries: 6

Shinji Kagawa picked up a knee injury last night against Braga, and there is still no date of a return for the Japanese. The same matters for goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard and the talented William Keane, the first is struggling with a hand injury and the latter a knee injury. Vidic, Smalling and Jones, are are set to return during November. 

Bans: 0

Fulham FC

Injuries: 5

The Kick It Out campaign has existed since the start of the 90's, but given the latest events in the Premier League question raises if racism has been kicked out of football?

A number of players boycotted the campaign in the weekend, and denied wearing the Kick It Out T-shirt during their warm-up. Anton Ferdinand, who was the one side of the John Terry saga, was one of the players who ditch the shirt. The same matters for Rio Ferdinand as well as the whole Swansea squad. However, more and more players, especially black, has denied wearing the shirt since 2007.

But how has the a campaign with such a great message, gone so wrong? Well, one of the reasons why is the shared feeling amongst black players, that KIO is not doing enough to battle racism. Joleon Lescott was the first player to refuse to wear the shirt, after his involvement in the Joseph Yobo vs. Emre Belozoglu. Emre was not punished in the racism case, even though Lescott had given written evidence.

The weekend's protest is more or less a result of the John Terry saga, as many of the players feels that the Chelsea captain was getting off easy from his alleged racism case. Furthermore, we see a tendency of more and more racial abuse in the Premier League, and it seems that Kick It Out and the F.A. have trouble stopping it.
 

Since Kick It Out was established there has been at least fifteen incidents of racism - which we know of - and several of them has either been without any intervention from KIO or have ended without any or a small punishment.

The message of keeping racism out of football has been shattered the last couple of years, and it seems unlikely that the body behind can collect all the pieces and reestablish it to was it was; at least in England. However, racism has to be KICKED out of football, but some new initiatives have to be made - fast! As Sir Alex Ferguson says:.

"This is a moment where we have to take stock. I think we should do something about it if it's surfacing again, and be really hard and firm on any form or shape of racism."