Portsmouth v Middlesbrough
Pompey: Harry Redknapp's side will return to their traditional
4-4-2 formation. Left back Djimi Traore, who was cup-tied for the
2-1 defeat at Old Trafford, returns to allow fellow new boy Lauren
to play in midfield. And manager Harry Redknapp must decide between
Andy Cole, Nwankwo Kanu and Benjani Mwaruwari for two starting
places up front after using all three in rotation against United.
Pompey could also have Lomana Lualua on the bench after eight weeks
out with a thigh injury, but defender Noe Pamarot (groin) and
midfielder Sean Davis (dental problems) are unlikely to
figure.
Squad: James; Johnson, Primus, Campbell, Traore, ONeil, Lauren,
Pedro Mendes, Taylor, Kanu, Cole, Mwaruwari, Douala, Lualua,
Hughes, Kranjcar, Davis, Pamarot, Ashdown
Boro: Boss Gareth Southgate will welcome captain George Boateng
back from suspension. The Dutchman missed Saturdays 2-2 FA Cup
fourth-round draw with Bristol City, because he was serving a
one-game ban. Striker Mark Viduka is back in training after a
hamstring problem but will not be risked if he is not fully fit,
while Brazilian Fabio Rochemback is also included - with
speculation over a return to former club Sporting Lisbon
receding.
Squad: Schwarzer, Xavier, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Boateng,
Cattermole, Arca, Morrison, Downing, Yakubu, Viduka, Jones, Davies,
Hines, Euell, Rochemback, Johnson, Christie.
Sheffield United v Fulham
Blades: Neil Warnock will make a late decision on whether to
include brothers Alan and Stephen Quinn as they cope with the
tragic death of their sisters boyfriend, who was shot dead last
week. The game comes too soon for Luton Shelton but fellow new
signing Ahmed Fathi could make his debut. Keith Gillespie is banned
following his sending-off at Reading last time out, captain Chris
Morgan completes a suspension of his own, while defenders Mikele
Leigertwood and Matthew Kilgallon (both ankle) are also sidelined.
Fellow defender Claude Davis is touch and go after suffering a
knock against Reading.
Squad: Kenny, Davis, Jagielka, Kozluk, Tonge, Armstrong, Bromby, A
Quinn, S Quinn, Montgomery, Fathi, Webber, Hulse, Law, Nade,
Kazim-Richards, Geary, Lucketti, Seck, Gerrard.
Cottagers: Boss Chris Coleman has no fresh injury concerns. New
signings Simon Davies and Alexei Smertin may well be included in
the team which is likely to be similar to the group involved in the
3-0 FA Cup win over Stoke at the weekend.
Squad: Lastuvka, Niemi, Rosenior, Davies, Christanval, Bocanegra,
Smertin, Queudrue, Routledge, Brown, Volz, Radzinski, McBride,
Jensen, Knight, Dempsey, Montella.
West Ham v Liverpool
Hammers: Defender Lucas Neill is out after damaging ankle ligaments
on his debut at the weekend. Calum Davenport is available after
being cup-tied for the defeat to Watford on Saturday, with Anton
Ferdinand (calf), Danny Gabbidon and James Collins (both groin)
missing that match. Carlos Tevez is struggling with a calf injury
but Marlon Harewood is available again after suspension.
Squad: Green, Carroll, Dailly, Spector, Pantsil, Mears, Konchesky,
Davenport, McCartney, Benayoun, Newton, Quashie, Reo-Coker,
Mullins, Mascherano, Etherington, Noble, Boa Morte, Sheringham,
Zamora, Cole, Harewood.
Reds: Liverpool could have midfielders Mohamed Sissoko and Bolo
Zenden back. Sissoko has recovered from a dislocated shoulder while
Zenden is now over an ankle problem. Both are back in full training
and could come into boss Rafael Benitezs thinking for a place on
the bench. Apart from Luis Garcia and Harry Kewell, still working
his way back from a groin problem, Liverpool have a virtually
injury-free squad.
Squad: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Riise, Aurelio,
Gerrard, Pennant, Zenden, Sissoko, Alonso, Fowler, Bellamy, Crouch,
Kuyt, Dudek.
Reading v Wigan
Royals: Shane Long is expected to return to the starting line-up
following a thigh injury, so Dave Kitson is likely to be given a
rest on the bench following his recent length lay-off. Brynjar
Gunnarsson will miss the trip to Wigan as he is still struggling to
shake off a hamstring injury, while Ibrahima Sonko is a long-term
injury problem due to his recent knee operation. Sam Sodje may
start in his place in defence, but manager Steve Coppell expects to
be without striker Kevin Doyle for at least three more weeks with
his hamstring problem.
Squad: Federici, Hahnemann, Murty, Bikey, Sodje, Ingimarsson, De la
Cruz, Shorey, Seol, Sidwell, Harper, Oster, Convey, Hunt, Little,
Lita, Long, Osano, Cox.
Latics: Striker Caleb Folan goes straight into the Wigan squad
following his £500,000 move from Chesterfield last week. Winger
David Cotterill is out after twisting his ankle in a reserve game,
while centre-back Fitz Hall is also unavailable with a groin
injury. They join long-term injured Henri Camara (knee), Arjan de
Zeeuw (toe) and Paul Scharner (knee) on the sidelines.
Squad: Kirkland, Jackson, Kilbane, McCulloch, Boyce, Johansson,
Landzaat, Heskey, Skoko, Baines, Granqvist, Haestad, Valencia,
Unsworth, Taylor, Cywka, Folan, Filan
