Sol on Champions League standby after Gallas injury
Published 22:30 15/02/10 By Martin Lipton
Sol Campbell was last night placed on standby for a remarkable Champions League return with William Gallas a doubt for tomorrow’s trip to Porto.
Gallas missed yesterday’s training session at London Colney after aggravating his long-standing back problem.
And while Arsene Wenger expects the French defender to pull through and make the flight to Portugal, Campbell is in line to play if Gallas does not recover.
It would represent a massive test for the 35-year-old Campbell, whose last taste of Champions League football saw him score the opening goal in Arsenal’s 2-1 Final defeat by Barcelona in 2006.
Campbell has made two appearances for the Gunners since signing on a short-term deal last month, starting the FA Cup defeat at Stoke and then replacing the injured Thomas Vermaelen in the goalless draw at Aston Villa.
The former England man’s fitness levels have surprised Wenger and the Arsenal boss does have faith in the veteran if required.
Gallas’ problem was the last thing Wenger wanted, however, with Andriy Arshavin and Alex Song both set to stay behind when Arsenal fly to Portugal and a further doubt over Tomas Rosicky.
Arshavin has already ruled himself out, targeting Saturday’s game with Stoke to return after the hamstring injury he sustained against Liverpol, while Song is suffering from a knee ligament problem.
Striker Eduardo and French midfielder Samir Nasri are both expected to be fit after coming through yesterday’s session unscathed but Wenger will have an anxious 24 hours before the Gunners jet out to Portugal after this morning’s training session at London Colney.
Opponents Porto, however, are in a similar state, with four key members of Jesualdo Ferreira’s squad potentially missing while Brazil strikwer Hulk has not played at all in 2010 because of suspension.
Uruguayan striker Christian Rodriguez, Italian attacker Ernesto Farias, youngster Orlando Sa and midfielder Ruben Michael, who damaged his shoulder in Friday’s win over Leixoes, all missed yesterday’s training session, although Portugal midfielder Raul Meireles does return after a back problem.
Hulk - full name Givanildo Vieira de Souza - has not played since being involved in a huge tunnel scrap with Benfica stewards on December 20 although his ongoing domestic ban does not apply tomorrow.
And central defender Bruno Alves claims the striker will take his frustrations out on the Gunners.
Alves said: “Hulk is ready. He has trained every day and is working very well.
“In my opinion, Hulk is a player with great potential. He is a physically strong athlete and a high technical quality, and has an awesome left foot. He wants to show what he can do.”
