Bridge set to return for Palace showdown

5:00pm Wednesday 28th November 2012 in Sport By Andy Naylor

Wayne Bridge has missed the last three games Wayne Bridge has missed the last three games

Wayne Bridge is on course to return to the Albion defence in Saturday’s showdown against arch-rivals Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The former England left-back was missing for the third match in a row against Bristol City last night, due to a calf injury.

Marcos Painter deputised again but was forced off in the closing stages by a recurrence of cramps.

Manager Gus Poyet revealed to The Argus: “I am sure Wayne is going to be fit for Saturday, unless he has a setback.

“I’m looking forward to that because again we had the problem with Marcos and we needed to change him.

“I feel sorry for him but it’s difficult for me, because I need to hold one change back just in case he has the cramps.”

Albion go into the Palace clash undefeated for seven matches and up a place to seventh, a point outside the play-off zone.

Poyet said: “We are on a good run and it’s a great game for us. Motivation is not going to be an issue.”

Gordon Greer praised Painter for his performances as stand-in for Bridge. The skipper said: “We train with each other every day so it should be seamless when people come into the side. Paints has been great.”

Comments(20)

Alfie T says...
5:23pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Marcos is a true pro, does what's asked of him even if its to sit on the bench. Massive game Saturday and Bridge back in the side is a real bonus, missed his runs last night, best full backs in the Championship.

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weststandupperlacostearmy says...
5:29pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Good to hear Bridge back for Saturday. i think we will need his experience for Murray,Zaha and co. El-Abd Mckail -Smith should also start and leave Hoskins in the team.
Strange time looming for us BHA fans now as the likes of Bridcutt(who has been outstanding of late), Buckley and Mckail-Smith must be turning heads at a few clubs. Will Gus sell or will he keep?

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smilingseagull says...
5:37pm Wed 28 Nov 12

this report means he wont play, as per previous reports whenplayers have been fit and then not been around on the Saturday

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IRISHGULL says...
6:33pm Wed 28 Nov 12

fantastic news, bridgey back. Got a feeling we can nick a result up there. Would think they will look to attack us, and no doubt they have weapons up front, but feel their defence is not as solid as ours. 2-1 to the albion

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Alfie T says...
6:37pm Wed 28 Nov 12

IRISHGULL wrote:
fantastic news, bridgey back. Got a feeling we can nick a result up there. Would think they will look to attack us, and no doubt they have weapons up front, but feel their defence is not as solid as ours. 2-1 to the albion
Weapons up front, more like tools.

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lindfield2111 says...
6:41pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Alfie T wrote:
IRISHGULL wrote:
fantastic news, bridgey back. Got a feeling we can nick a result up there. Would think they will look to attack us, and no doubt they have weapons up front, but feel their defence is not as solid as ours. 2-1 to the albion
Weapons up front, more like tools.
This :)

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Chills says...
7:31pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Level of reporting by the Argus on B&HA.
While I read the Albion link on the Argus web site I find the coverage extremely limited.
Take position regarding Vicente. His 'thigh strain' has been ongoing for months. Why no updates?

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mark by the sea says...
7:44pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Chills wrote:
Level of reporting by the Argus on B&HA.
While I read the Albion link on the Argus web site I find the coverage extremely limited.
Take position regarding Vicente. His 'thigh strain' has been ongoing for months. Why no updates?
The argus only issue leads from the club, clearly. Vicente is more than a thigh strain.. But he will probably return when we need him, and he wants a new club to pay him big money next summer.

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Jonathan Mouette says...
7:55pm Wed 28 Nov 12

It is of course only my own humble opinion but I believe we could start against 'them' on Saturday with our full strength team, with Buckers, Orlandi, CMS and Hosko leading the assault... The news that WB is back is such good news. (No offence to Marcus P, sorry mate). Previous murmurings that Hosko isn't up to the task and only Ash can take on this role make me cringe. The only vital - and as yet unknown - ingredient here is the referee. Will he or won't he stand up to the inevitable provocation offered by 'them'... Will he or won't he provide protection to the ball players or will he succumb to the mob and their clogging heroes... Notice there are a lot of Wills in this. Hopefully too many on the pitch for 'them' to deal with... Fingers crossed - as you would expect.

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concernedofBrighton says...
8:07pm Wed 28 Nov 12

I tend to believe this is a classic game of 'smoke and mirrors' being played by Gus.

It was reported elsewhere that Wayne Bridge told a group of fans last night before the game that he had suspected cartilage damage and would be out for a further few weeks.

So one of those two is a liar.

I see from the above article that Gus covers himself by mentioning that Bridge will play assuming 'no setbacks' this week.

Along with everyone else I hope he does start on Saturday, but I think Painter will be the starter.

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SecondReserve says...
8:07pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Great pity but I bet Bridge isn't in the 18 on Saturday. Statements like this from Gus rarely turn out to be true. El Abd and Bridge were going to be fit 3 ganes ago and how many times has Vicente been going to be 'in full training with us next week'?

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Old Scrote of the Amex says...
8:34pm Wed 28 Nov 12

concernedofBrighton wrote:
I tend to believe this is a classic game of 'smoke and mirrors' being played by Gus.

It was reported elsewhere that Wayne Bridge told a group of fans last night before the game that he had suspected cartilage damage and would be out for a further few weeks.

So one of those two is a liar.

I see from the above article that Gus covers himself by mentioning that Bridge will play assuming 'no setbacks' this week.

Along with everyone else I hope he does start on Saturday, but I think Painter will be the starter.
Whether or not Bridge is more seriously injured than we are led to believe, do you really think he would go against his manager's wishes and tell all and sundry he was going to be out for a few more weeks? One may indeed be lying, but I suspect it isn't Gus.

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objective view says...
9:27pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Followed Wayne and his georgeous girlfriend into the Amex yesterday and there was definitely a hint of a limp...not sure if was a football injury though!

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Eddy B says...
9:40pm Wed 28 Nov 12

These fitness updates are a waste of time really. Rarely do they turn out to be true.

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Eddy B says...
9:44pm Wed 28 Nov 12

It's great how a positive spin can be put on Albion's recent run. In truth they've dropped a hatful of points but seven unbeaten is on the contrary starting to sound like promotion form! Just naggingly troubling where we might be if we had secured 2 or 3 more deserved wins but then again I expect most teams in the div are thinking that. Form after Xmas is what is going to count.

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mr punch says...
11:55pm Wed 28 Nov 12

I was havin a pint with bridgey in the evening star and he rarin 2 go

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mark by the sea says...
3:43am Thu 29 Nov 12

Eddy B wrote:
It's great how a positive spin can be put on Albion's recent run. In truth they've dropped a hatful of points but seven unbeaten is on the contrary starting to sound like promotion form! Just naggingly troubling where we might be if we had secured 2 or 3 more deserved wins but then again I expect most teams in the div are thinking that. Form after Xmas is what is going to count.
In all honesty our football this season has been top class, missed chances has cost us, we should be top.

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magoo says...
8:36am Thu 29 Nov 12

Painter is a good defender but we lack that extra attacking threat on the left when Bridge is out. If he's fit he must play, no question.

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mark5 says...
9:44am Thu 29 Nov 12

Jonathan Mouette wrote:
It is of course only my own humble opinion but I believe we could start against 'them' on Saturday with our full strength team, with Buckers, Orlandi, CMS and Hosko leading the assault... The news that WB is back is such good news. (No offence to Marcus P, sorry mate). Previous murmurings that Hosko isn't up to the task and only Ash can take on this role make me cringe. The only vital - and as yet unknown - ingredient here is the referee. Will he or won't he stand up to the inevitable provocation offered by 'them'... Will he or won't he provide protection to the ball players or will he succumb to the mob and their clogging heroes... Notice there are a lot of Wills in this. Hopefully too many on the pitch for 'them' to deal with... Fingers crossed - as you would expect.
"Clogging Heroes", Ha,ha like that! However, you are wide off the mark in reality. Palace are a very strong, mobile side, who can pass the ball quickly and also withstand pressure. Add to this the customary vociferous support from the home fans (we will of course be well represented too!) and this will be our toughest test so far. We will not get much from this game in my opinion and I would be delighted with a point.

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CantUseNSCatWork says...
1:43pm Thu 29 Nov 12

magoo wrote:
Painter is a good defender but we lack that extra attacking threat on the left when Bridge is out. If he's fit he must play, no question.
Agree. I thought Painter had a good game Tuesday and is an able deputy, but Bridge brings more to the team with his forward play.

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