Centre back in the frame if he passes 'big fitness test'
Senderos may start at West Ham on Sunday
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By Richard Clarke
Arsène Wenger may recall Philippe Senderos to the Arsenal side as he rotates his squad for the FA Cup Third Round tie at West Ham on Sunday.
The centre back, who has played just two Carling Cup games for the Club in 19 months, was facing a “big fitness test” on his foot injury when the manager spoke to TV Online on New Year’s Day. His selection would be a welcome return to favour for the 24-year-old who spent the whole of last season on loan at AC Milan.
Tomas Rosicky is likely to start after returning from hamstring trouble as a substitute against Portsmouth on Wednesday.
Wenger described some of his squad as “on the edge” physically at Fratton Park. Therefore he will make changes for the trip to the East End but not dramatic ones.
“Yes I will rotate,” said Wenger. “We had a few players who played on the edge the other night and I will try not to take too big a risk for some players who are medically vulnerable at the moment, and protect one or two more. But we will have just as strong a side as we had at Portsmouth.
“We have a big test today with Senderos, he could be back. He has had an inflammation under his foot and every time he started to play the pain came back. That's why I am a bit cautious today but he will have a definite test and we will see how he responds to that.
“He is physically very sharp because he has worked a lot with our fitness coach [Tony Colbert]. I just want to see now how he responds in training. I don't know yet, it is too early. I still have 48 hours to decide.
“Rosicky was in the squad at Portsmouth and he could play on Sunday. But apart from that no one is back.”
[Friday, January 01, 2010]
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