English Premier League: Moyes backs Rooney’s recovery for West Ham clash

Manchester United take on Hammers at Old Trafford on Saturday

LONDON: Manchester United manager David Moyes is hopeful Wayne Rooney will have recovered from a groin injury in time to face West Ham at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Rooney, 28, missed United's 2-0 win at Stoke in the League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, but Moyes is desperate for the England forward to be fit to face the Hammers as he tries to restore the champions to the Premier League title race.

United are already 10 points adrift of leaders Arsenal heading into this weekend's fixtures. With Robin van Persie out for a month with a thigh problem, Moyes needs Rooney, who has scored 10 goals so far this season for his club, to climb off the treatment table.

"Yes he has a chance to play," said Moyes when questioned on Rooney's fitness.

Meanwhile, Ashley Young is hoping his first United goal since May 2012 will give him a chance of starting against the Hammers.

The England winger had been exiled by Moyes after a lacklustre start to the season, but he lashed in a fine second-half strike at Stoke to help United on their way to the last four.

"I was delighted to get the goal, but getting through was more important," he said.

"The boys were magnificent. We showed great spirit and character and hopefully we can take that into this weekend's game against West Ham."

Dzeko vows to fire City in Aguero's absence

Edin Dzeko is confident he can fire Manchester City's challenge for the Premier League title in the absence of injured star Sergio Aguero.

Aguero suffered a calf injury in City's 6-3 win over Arsenal last weekend and is likely to be sidelined for up to eight weeks.

Dzeko has been rarely used this season by City manager Manuel Pellegrini, despite promises he would have a more important role than under previous boss Roberto Mancini.

But the Bosnian international, who scored twice in City's 3-1 win over Leicester in the League Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday, is now hoping he is given a chance to shine up front alongside Alvaro Negredo.

"Sergio has had an amazing season, scoring a lot of goals, and he is an important player for us," said Dzeko.

"That's life and now we have to try to play games without him and try to win. This is very bad for the team but there are a lot of players who want to play.

"I am happy to score two against Leicester — that's my job. I hope it means I am back among the goals. I am a striker that has scored goals all my life, and I love to do it.

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers launched a strong defence of under-fire Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash at Anfield.

Mackay was publically criticised by Cardiff's Malaysian owner Vincent Tan this week after he stated he wanted to bring in new signings in January.

“I find it astonishing what he has had to go through and that is just looking at it from a distance,” said Rodgers.

"Malky walked into a club that had given him 10 players, 10 players he had that summer in 2011 when he took over and he had to build a new team.

"They brought in someone who totally transformed the mentality and the culture at the club.”

Saturday's Fixtures

Liverpool v Cardiff
Crystal v Newcastle
Fulham v Man City
Man United v West Ham
Stoke v Aston Villa
Sunderland v Norwich
West Brom v Hull