Selection

I wrote earlier that we will have to wait for July to see how impressed Mark Hughes is with Elano's recent improvement. But we will get a sense of his thoughts much sooner than that; on Saturday in fact, when Shaun Wright-Phillips returns from injury. Mark Hughes said of the issue:

"Elano was fit to train again on Tuesday. Shaun did some field-based work on Monday and we need to see how he is, but we are hopeful that he will be an option. It's a case of seeing if there is any reaction to anything that he has done...

"Ela's done very well on that right-hand side - it's a role he knows well from playing many times there for Brazil, so there's an understanding of the role. But there is also a willingness to work hard and track back. He was at left-back at one point, he has been criticised at times but he works hard for the team."

My guess would be that Elano will be rewarded with a start, with SWP brought on some time in the second half. Although that would merely delay the crunch decision for the manager. But if SWP comes straight back into the side, it could well point to an exit for Elano in the summer.