It has been reported today that he will definitely be available for the match at Villa Park on Sunday, and there is even a possibility that he'll be able to hang on for the League Cup semi-final first leg at home to Boro on Tuesday.

With Dennis, Wiltord, and Aliadiere all injured, Wenger would have had to push Freddie up front alongside Henry at Villa (or risk an untried youngster, something we know he's loth to do in the league).

I suppose I should have trusted in Kanu's influence and importance to Nigeria, and in the fact that at the end of the day they can't afford to say no to him. There is still a possibility that he'll be dropped by the coach, but it'd take something special in his absence, from the other players at the training camp and in the friendlies: Kanu's been in good form of late.