Under-fire Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski could find himself taken out of the firing line if regular number one Manuel Almunia is passed fit for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash against Sunderland.
The Poland international had an evening to forget at Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday night, as his costly errors saw the Gunners suffer a controversial 2-1 defeat against Porto that leaves their hopes of making it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League hanging in the balance.
Captain Cesc Fabregas said: "Lukasz is a very good keeper. He had his chance and sometimes it doesn't go your way. But we will stand up and support him until the end because he is a good character and I am sure he will be back."
Manager Arsene Wenger had spoken of his complete confidence in the "massive potential" of the young Pole in the build-up to the first leg of the last 16 tie, and refused to single out the 24-year-old for blame after the latest in a series of unimpressive displays.
Should Almunia recover from a twisted finger, Fabianski could again find himself warming the bench.
Alex Song is expected to be back after missing the Porto trip but Wenger revealed fellow midfielder Abou Diaby has picked up a knee problem.
William Gallas (calf), Andrey Arshavin and Eduardo (both hamstring) are still out.
"We lost Abou Diaby," Wenger said. "It is not understandable. I don't know how it happened but he has a medial knee ligament injury. However, Song could be available, we have a test on him on Friday.
"I don't know about Almunia, we'll have a test on him too. I'd say Song is 80% to be back in the squad. Almunia is 50/50 but Diaby is zero.
"Arshavin, Gallas and Eduardo will still be out."
Source: PA
