Henry's all-clear for Derby clash

Steve Stammers13 April 2012

Thierry Henry is in line to play against Derby tomorrow after receiving the all-clear from a scan on his injured stomach muscle.

The news is a significant boost for Arsenal because they can pick the Premiership's leading scorer for a match that will take them to the top of the table if they win.

There were fears that the Arsenal striker, who was ruled out of Saturday's victory at Newcastle, would also miss the Highbury match with Derby, the FA Cup quarter-final at St James' Park and next week's Champions League game with Deportivo La Coruna.

But the scan was clear and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said today: "Thierry may be back to face Derby. There is no rupture, just a strain of his fibres."

This is an important week for Henry, who has scored 20 Premiership goals this season. On Wednesday, the French international appears before the Football Association to answer charges resulting from his tirade against referee Graham-Poll following the 3-1 home defeat by Newcastle in December. Arsenal are worried that Henry could receive a three-match ban.

Arsenal will also have Ray Parlour back for tomorrow's game after suspension.

Meanwhile, Dennis Bergkamp, who scored a masterful opening goal in the 2-0 win at Newcastle, is convinced Arsenal are showing the kind of spirit that helped them to win the Double four years ago. Although Manchester United went a point clear at the top their 2-2 draw at Derby yesterday, Arsenal have a game in hand on the champions.

Bergkamp said: "We have the same belief as we did in 1998 and we still have so many players to come back from injury.

"You are bound to get confidence from a win like that at Newcastle, a team who are also going for the title. It was a very important result. If you want to stay up there, you have to win that kind of game. That is easier said than done - but we did it."

It's Wiltord's time
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