Kolo's Injury Boost

Kolo Toure may be out for a shorter period than first thought.
The Ivory Coast defender was injured after only seven minutes of Arsenal's Champions League tie with Milan on Wednesday after he blocked Pato's drive.
Afterwards, Arsène Wenger suggested the 26-year-old would be missing for "three to four weeks at least". Speaking exclusively to Arsenal TV Online on Thursday it appears his prognosis may have been a little pessimistic.
"The news is maybe a bit better," said the Frenchman. "For me on Wednesday night it looked like he would be out for two to four weeks. The way he was walking perhaps four. But today the medical staff said to me it would be closer to two than four."
Of course Toure is definitely out for the trip to Birmingham at the weekend while his countryman, Emmanuel Eboue, is suspended after being sent off at Manchester United last Saturday. Manuel Almunia is likely to replace Jens Lehmann in goal and there are some question marks over Emmanuel Adebayor and Alex Hleb but otherwise Arsenal's squad will show few changes.
"We have some uncertainties," said Wenger. "The biggest are Alex Hleb, who hurt his foot and Adebayor who has a stiff neck.
"So yes, there are a few knocks and bruises but final decisions will be made on Friday. We know we'll lose Emmanuel Eboue through suspension and Kolo to injury. So the squad from Wednesday night will travel to Birmingham."