Birmingham v Blackburn
James McFadden and Liam Ridgewell are Birmingham’s main injury
doubts, with McFadden suffering a reaction to the knee problem
which required keyhole surgery five weeks ago. Ridgewell (ankle)
was substituted at half-time during the 2-0 defeat at Fulham.
Rovers striker Benni McCarthy returns after missing the last two
matches with a hamstring injury. Christopher Samba showed no
ill-effects from a previous thigh problem as he managed 90 minutes
in last weekend’s 3-1 victory over Derby and should continue in
central defence.
Derby v Reading
Stephen Pearson, Mo Camara, Gary Teale, Lewin Nyatanga and
Stephen Bywater have all returned to Pride Park after the
conclusion of their loan spells, while David Jones has recovered
from a calf injury. Rams boss Paul Jewell will hand a late fitness
test to Jay McEveley (hamstring) but Dean Leacock requires a hernia
operation.
Everton v Newcastle
Everton are likely to be unchanged asMikel Arteta is back in
Spain following a stomach operation. Tony Hibbert will continue at
right-back, with skipper Phil Neville in the holding midfield role
he occupied in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.
Toon boss boss Kevin Keegan is without Mark Viduka (Achilles),
while midfielder Joey Barton is unavailable. Keegan has told
Stephen Carr he can leave and Peter Ramage has decided to quit St
James' Park.
Portsmouth v Fulham
Pompey keeper David James is still not fit to return after a
calf injury. Sol Campbell has tight hamstrings and will not be
risked if the problem worsens. Midfielders Sulley Muntari (rib),
Pedro Mendes (hip) and winger John Utaka (ankle) are all available
again after injuries.
Roy Hogdson has a fully-fit squad to chose from. He is likely to
keep faith with the starting line-up that defeated Birmingham but
could opt for Erik Nevland ahead of Diomansy Kamara in attack.
Sunderland v Arsenal
Sunderland boss Roy Keane could start transfer-listed winger
Ross Wallace after a knee problem. Loan signing Jonny Evans will
play the last game of his second spell with the Black Cats before
returning to Manchester United, while Phil Bardsley and Dickson
Etuhu (both knee) are out.
Youngsters Kieran Gibbs and Mark Randall have been added to
Arsene Wenger's squad. Midfielder Mathieu Flamini (ankle) may be
given the chance to say his farewells after agreeing a free
transfer to AC Milan. Striker Robin van Persie (thigh) remains a
doubt, while winger Alexander Hleb is suspended. Tomas Rosicky
(knee), Bacary Sagna (ankle), Abou Diaby (thigh) and Eduardo
(broken leg) are all sidelined
Tottenham v Liverpool
Spurs kepper Paul Robinson (ankle) misses out but striker
Dimitar Berbatov has recovered from a groin problem. Teemu Tainio
has been back in training after an Achilles complaint but Aaron
Lennon (knee) is a doubt and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee), Gareth
Bale (foot) and Ledley King (knee) remain sidelined.
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is back in training after a
broken metatarsal but will not be risked at White Hart Lane.
Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio has recovered from a groin injury
and could return. Boss Rafael Benitez may call on young reserves
Damien Plessis and Emiliano Insua, while Peter Crouch, John Arne
Riise and Jermaine Pennant all come into the reckoning for what
could be their last games for the club
West Ham v Aston Villa
Hammers defender Anton Ferdinand is a doubt despite returning to
training following a hamstring injury. Matthew Upson is in a
similar position after suffering a calf problem. If the duo miss
out, club captain Lucas Neill could continue in the middle
alongside England Under-19 international James Tomkins.
Defender Olof Mellberg makes his final Villa appearance before
joining Juventus on a three-year deal. Midfielder Craig Gardner is
the only absentee as he recovers from the thigh injury picked up
five weeks ago on England Under-21 duty.
