Arsenal FC

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• Manager:Arsene Wenger

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Wenger's injury headache

28 Feb 2007 - 11:15:40

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hopes to field a strong side for the FA Cup fifth round replay at Blackburn Rovers even though he expects to be without up to 10 players.

Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure are suspended after being sent off in the closing stages of the tempestuous Carling Cup Final defeat to Chelsea, while Robin van Persie is unlikely to play until April as he continues his recovery from a broken metastarsal.

"There are plenty of changes but it will still be a strong team," Wenger told the club's official website.

"We have lots of injuries. We don't have Adebayor, Thierry Henry (foot) and Tomas Rosicky (groin).

"At Cardiff on Sunday we also lost Abou Diaby through an ankle injury and Kolo Toure who was sent off. Fabregas will be rested as well."

Justin Hoyte is struggling with a hamstring strain while Johan Djourou has an ankle injury and Mathieu Flamini a foot problem.

However, there is some good news for Wenger, who added: "William Gallas is coming back, so are Hleb and Ljungberg. They will be involved.

"Denilson will be there as well. Clichy (foot) is in the squad but I am not sure he will play."