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LONDON - Brief news ahead of this weekend's Premier
League matches:
Champions Manchester United are boosted by the
return of defenders Gary Neville and Nemanja Vidic for the trip to
Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
However, Rio Ferdinand (thigh), Edwin van der Sar (finger) and
Rafael (shoulder) are all out.
Fulham will be without striker Andy Johnson for
two months, starting with their west London derby at home to
Chelsea on Sunday, after he dislocated his
collarbone in the 3-1 Europa League win over Russian side Amkar
Perm on Thursday.
"The opponent quite cold-bloodedly smashed into him. As a result
he will be out for eight weeks," manager Roy Hodgson said of the
incident.
Arsenal's Croatian striker Eduardo da Silva
should be fit to face Portsmouth on Saturday after
missing the Champions League playoff win over Celtic on Tuesday
when he suffered a tight groin in the warm-up.
England winger Theo Walcott (back) is still not fit and joins Tomas
Rosicky (hamstring), Samir Nasri (leg), Johan Djourou (knee) and
Lukasz Fabianski (knee) on the injury list.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes
will miss Sunday's London derby at West Ham United
after sustaining a groin injury, manager Harry Redknapp told
reporters on Friday.
Gomes was injured in the 5-1 victory at Hull City on Wednesday
and was replaced by Carlo Cudicini. Ledley King should return to
central defence after resting his knee in midweek.
Manchester City strikers Robinho (ankle) and
Emmanuel Adebayor (groin) are expected to shake off injuries for
the home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on
Saturday.
Manager Mark Hughes said on Friday that Carlos Tevez was ready
for 90 minutes after coming on as a substitute at Blackburn last
weekend and impressing in the friendly against Barcelona on
Wednesday.
Sunderland said French midfielder Steed
Malbranque could be available for Saturday's home match against
Blackburn Rovers after he missed Tuesday's 3-1
home defeat by Chelsea with an ankle injury but midfielder Lee
Cattermole is struggling with a back problem and goalkeeper Marton
Fulop has a sore heel.
Everton youngster Jack Rodwell could miss the
trip to Burnley on Sunday after twisting his knee
in Thursday's Europa League victory over Sigma Olomouc in which he
scored two great goals. Steven Pienaar also picked up a knock.
"Jack and Steven both came off with injuries and at this present
time are a doubt for the weekend. Jack has a twisted knee and
Steven got a kick on his foot," Everton manager David Moyes told
the club's website.