Yuri Zhirkov

[Shane 2,275]

Can play anywhere along the left hand side and did a very very good job last season. How many times did he storm into the box, He won us a few penaltys aswell. 2 in one game if I remember correctly. When he had a good run last season he was excellent, and that goal against Spartak Moscow this year, Wow!

[Fulham Broadway 16,986]

Top player -one I'd call a 'creative' , of what we're lacking at the moment - and we need him back.

[- 25 - 167]

Returned to training today.

[Kostas 1,468]

[LDN Blue 7,903]

"Picked up a calf-strain on international duty"

And we were never told till now

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Our medical team again doing wonders, with a player being out for three and a half months because of a calf strain?! I'm sorry, it does not take that long to get over a calf strain, regardless of how severe. Excuse my naive medical knowledge, but coming from a family of medicine I know that unless there is a complete rupture of the muscle (which requires surgical attention and up to 4 months rehabilitation), there is no way it is just a calf 'strain.'

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

Didn't he have a knee problem that took him out for three months last year? We never knew why it took so long.

[Jose M 140]

SO is he back or not? How long till he can feature again??

[EskWeston 696]

Would like to see Zhirkov given an extended run in the side playing left winger, again cannot be worse than what we are currently seeing and it would only be fair to see him play in his best position.

[kwylino 329]

I wouldnt be calling him a full on flop just yet i like this player and i feel hes still got a bit to give to this team.I hope he comes back in and makes a difference.Gosh how we need it

[Jose M 140]

Quality goal at 0:30, He's world class cant wait for his pace and enthusiasm down our left side!

[caesarblues 51]

[eldo 868]

"Picked up a calf-strain on international duty"

And we were never told till now

In fact, Carlo said that months ago.

[spuz 143]

Yuri's back hoorah! Can't wait for Carlo to play him left back.

[HRiver 1,512]

I'm glad that he's back, and honestly I prefer him to Malouda, I think he'd perform much, much better.

[steve5221 91]

I would'nt say he is better than Malouda, but to be fair he has not had a run in the side in his more natural position on the left of a front 3.

[HRiver 1,512]

I would'nt say he is better than Malouda, but to be fair he has not had a run in the side in his more natural position on the left of a front 3.

I didn't say he's better than Malouda, but Malouda's not playing very well at the minute. So I think that Zhirkov could play better than him.

You can't really compare them anyways. They both play in the left flank but in different positions and they have different jobs to do.

[steve5221 91]

I get the impression from Carlo though that apart from the odd game Malouda's position is cemented in the side, the same with Essien.