SATURDAY Arsenal v PlymouthArsenal will be without defender Kolo Toure (groin) and midfielder Denilson (back). Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is set to make a rare start as manager Arsene Wenger looks set to include some of his fringe players, such as Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
However, striker Eduardo remains in recovery following a broken leg, while captain Cesc Fabregas (knee), Theo Walcott (shoulder), and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) are also sidelined.
With David McNamee suspended for Plymouth, on-loan Manchester United man David Gray will vie with Mat Doumbe for the right-back berth.
Paul Gallagher, on a season-long loan from Blackburn, is hoping to be passed fit after an ankle injury. Winger Craig Noone has recovered from a virus and captain Karl Duguid is set to be recalled but midfielder Simon Walton is banned.
Top scorers:Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal) 11; Paul Gallagher (Plymouth) 7
Match odds:H 1-7 A 14-1 D 9-2
Birmingham v Wolves
Former St Patrick's Athletic midfielder Keith Fahey could make his Birmingham debut if international clearance is granted in time.
On-loan defender Nicky Hunt has returned to Bolton and left sided player David Murphy is banned. Midfielder Sebastian Larsson could return after missing the last two games with a groin strain while Damien Johnson should again feature after a back problem. Gary McSheffrey (knee) and Garry O'Connor (groin) are out.
Wolves midfielder David Edwards is doubtful with a hamstring problem but winger Michael Kightly returns from suspension, meaning versatile Irishman Kevin Foley should drop back into defence and leave boss Mick McCarthy with plenty of options at the back. Makeshift defender Stephen Ward has fully recovered from a virus.
Top scorers:Kevin Phillips (Birmingham) 11; Sylvan Ebanks-Blake 15 & Chris Iwelumo (Wolves) 15
Match odds:H 13-10 A 7-4 D 21-10
Cardiff v Reading
Ross McCormack has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the start of December but could make his comeback for Cardiff at Ninian Park.
His availability would be a big boost to boss Dave Jones after on-loan striker Michael Chopra returned to parent club Sunderland earlier this week. Winger Wayne Routledge is not available under the terms of his loan from Aston Villa.
Reading captain Graeme Murty is set to make his first appearance of the season after calf trouble, with boss Steve Coppell vowing to make "wholesale changes".
Defender Alex Pearce has been recalled from his loan spell at Southampton and will feature while striker Leroy Lita is back from a spell at Norwich.
Top scorers:Ross McCormack (Cardiff) 14; Kevin Doyle (Reading) 16
Match odds:H 13-10 A 13-8 D 11-5
Charlton v Norwich
On-loan Fulham winger Hameur Bouazza is allowed to feature for Charlton while Darren Ambrose is also in the squad after returning from a loan spell with Ipswich.
However, Derby defender Jay McEveley and Sunderland striker Martyn Waghorn were refused permission to play by their respective parent clubs. Therry Racon (knee) and fellow midfielder Zheng Zhi (foot) miss out.
Striker Antoine Sibierski is available for Norwich after being given the go-ahead to play in the FA Cup by parent club Wigan — Leroy Lita has returned to Reading after his loan spell expired so there is a vacancy in attack.
Centre-half John Kennedy is back at Celtic after a knee injury cut short his loan spell and Dejan Stefanovic (knee) is out for the season but Darel Russell's suspension does not start until next week.
Top scorers:Andy Gray (Charlton) 7; Lee Croft & Artur Lupoli (Norwich) 7
Match odds:H 5-4 A 7-4 D 11-5
Chelsea v Southend
Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari will rest a number of players and England Under-21 defender Michael Mancienne will make his first start for the club after his three-month loan spell at Wolves ended.
Captain John Terry and midfielder Michael Ballack are suspended while Jose Bosingwa is carrying a slight knock.
Defender Alex and winger Florent Malouda are out with hamstring problems, goalkeeper Petr Cech will be rested and Scolari includes youngsters Lee Sawyer and Jeffrey Bruma in the squad.
Southend manager Steve Tilson may have striker Francis Laurent available after illness. Johnny Herd is set to be recalled after defender Dan Harding returned to Ipswich following the completion of his five-month loan.
Striker Lee Barnard could replace Alex Revell, while Jean Francois Christophe is available after securing a permanent transfer from Portsmouth following a successful loan spell.
Top scorers:Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) 16; Lee Barnard (Southend) 5
Match odds:H 1-10 A 16-1 D 11-2
Cheltenham v Doncaster
Cheltenham captain John Finnigan is very doubtful due to a leg injury. Centre back Drissa Diallo and striker Damian Spencer are out having sustained medial knee ligament damage while Northern Ireland Under-21 defender Shane Duff is still lacking match-fitness after an Achilles injury.
Lloyd Owusu should start. David Bird is also still out after failing to recover from a knee injury and fellow midfielder Josh Low is cup-tied.
Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll is likely to name an unchanged team, meaning defender Adam Lockwood will continue to sit on the bench after recovering from a facial injury he suffered against Wolves.
Top scorers:Lloyd Owusu (Cheltenham) 6; Steve Brooker 4 & Brian Stock (Doncaster) 4
Match odds:H 2-1 A 21-20 D 23-10
Coventry v Kidderminster
Coventry manager Chris Coleman expects to be without as many as seven players.
Dan Fox and Jay Tabb have been ill this week, Elliott Ward is still struggling with a knee injury, Michael Mifsud has a bruised foot and Guillaume Beuzelin is banned.
Isaac Osbourne and Scott Dann remain sidelined with ankle and shoulder problems respectively. Youngsters Adam Walker, Jordan Clarke and Curtis Wynter could win squad places.
Kidderminster manager Mark Yates will name an unchanged squad. Forward Stefan Moore was an unused substitute in last weekend's 1-0 win over Blue Square Premier rivals Torquay but Yates could recall him to the starting line-up in order to give his side some experience.
Top scorers:Clinton Morrison (Coventry) 10; Justin Richards (Kidderminster) 13
Match odds:H 4-11 A 6-1 D 3-1
Forest Green v Derby
Forest Green manager Jim Harvey has no new injury worries as his club bid to make it to the fourth round for the first time in their history.
Midfielder Alex Lawless should retain his place in the side after marking his return to full fitness from a back injury with a 90 minute run-out in the 2-1 victory over Barrow.
Derby defender Jordan Stewart is suspended and top scorer Nathan Ellington (hamstring) is a doubt. Defender James Tomkins has returned to West Ham following his month-long loan spell while Liam Dickinson is back at Pride Park after his loan stay at Blackpool — but is banned for this game.
Arsenal winger Nacer Barazite has extended his loan spell and is now eligible to play in County's cup games.
Top scorers:Andrew Mangan (Forest Green) 10; Nathan Ellington (Derby) 9
Match odds:H 7-2 A 8-13 D 5-2
Hartlepool v Stoke
Michael Mackay is expected to start for Hartlepool, with Kevin Kyle's loan deal at Victoria Park expiring after the 4-1 defeat at home to Crewe last Sunday.
Caretaker manager Chris Turner could ring the changes for the tie — with Jamie McCunnie pushing for a start at right back and Matty Robson set to return in midfield if he has recovered from illness.
Ricardo Fuller and Richard Cresswell are both banned for Stoke and Andy Griffin (knee) has joined Mamady Sidibe (knee), Amdy Faye (back), Salif Diao (calf), Leon Cort (groin) and Dave Kitson (knee) on the injury list.
Potters boss Tony Pulis will be boosted by the return of Liam Lawrence who is expected to play for the first time for three months after an ankle injury. There are also likely to be rare starts for Michael Tonge, Tom Soares, Andrew Davies, Vincent Pericard, Steve Simonsen and Carl Dickinson.
Top scorers:Joel Porter (Hartlepool) 13; Ricardo Fuller (Stoke) 6
Match odds:H 11-4 A 4-5 D 23-10
Histon v Swansea
Histon are expected to play new signings Adam Bygrave and Marlon Patterson, with Gareth Gwillim ruled out for up to two months with a knee injury and Craig Pope suffering from a bout of illness.
Striker Jack Midson must serve a one-match suspension but defender Matt Mitchel-King has completed a three-match ban.
Swans boss Roberto Martinez gives full back Federico Bessone (hamstring) a late fitness test. Midfielder Andrea Orlandi will continue his comeback from a thigh injury and is likely to start on the bench, while striker Jason Scotland may return to the starting line-up in place of midfielder Mark Gower.
Ferrie Bodde, Marcos Painter and Stephen O'Halloran all remain out with cruciate ligament injuries.
Top scorers:Jack Midson (Histon) 12; Jason Scotland (Swansea) 9
Match odds:H 9-2 A 8-15 D 5-2
Hull v Newcastle
Hull forward Craig Fagan, who suffered a broken leg against the Magpies in September, is set to make his first start in almost four months tomorrow.
Nathan Doyle, Stelios Giannakopoulos and Nicky Featherstone are also in contention along with George Boateng, Dean Windass and Dean Marney, who missed out on Tuesday's defeat by Aston Villa. Andy Dawson (Achilles), Anthony Gardner (thigh) and Caleb Folan (knee) are still out.
Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given will play after manager Joe Kinnear insisted he will not be sold. Defender Sebastien Bassong also looks set to feature after his one-match ban.
Nicky Butt, who was forced out of Sunday's 5-1 home defeat by Liverpool with cramp, and Jose Enrique (calf) have a chance of making the game, but Habib Beye (ankle), Claudio Cacapa, Joey Barton (both knee), Obafemi Martins, Mark Viduka (both groin), Shola Ameobi (hamstring), Alan Smith (foot) and Ignacio Gonzalez (Achilles) are all out.
Top scorers:Geovanni (Hull) 6; Michael Owen (Newcastle) 9
Match odds:H 23-20 A 19-10 D 11-5
Ipswich v Chesterfield
Republic of Ireland defender Alex Bruce is expected to return to the heart of Ipswich's defence after suspension — with Ivan Campo likely to be the one to miss out.
Winger Danny Haynes (ankle) is a doubt while Darren Ambrose has gone back to Charlton after the end of his loan spell. Full back David Wright is expected to feature after a hamstring injury while boss Jim Magilton may hand a number of fringe players a game.
Alan Goodall is available again after suspension for Chesterfield in this first meeting between the two sides in any competition — but striker Jack Lester remains banned.
Captain Robert Page continues to struggle with the calf problem that has ruled him out of the last four matches while fellow defender Dan Gray also remains a doubt with an ankle injury.
Top Scorers:Pablo Counago, Kevin Lisbie & Jonathan Stead (Ipswich) 6; Jamie Ward (Chesterfield) 16
Match odds:H 2-5 A 6-1 11-4
Kettering v Eastwood Town
Poppies boss Mark Cooper will have on-loan Dagenham & Redbridge winger Richard Graham available but striker Mark Rawle has been released after failing to earn a permanent deal and fellow forward Nathan Smith (foot) remains a long-term absentee.
Captain Anton Foster is Eastwood's only absentee — the combative midfielder is suspended. Russell Cooke, Craig Swinscoe and Richard Cooper are all vying for a place in the centre of midfield.
Boss Paul Cox has another selection headache with the option to recall goalkeeper Shane Redmond after his loan from Nottingham Forest was renewed — but Ian Deakin has excelled in the last two games.
Top scorers:Gareth Seddon (Kettering) 13; Ian Holmes (Eastwood Town) 11
Match odds:H 4-7 A 4-1 D 5-2
Leicester v Crystal Palace
Paul Dickov could replace Matty Fryatt up front for Leicester if the top scorer fails to recover from an ankle injury. Defenders Marc Edworthy and Chris Powell will also hope to be involved against their old employers. Aleksandar Tunchev (groin) remains a doubt so Michael Morrison could keep his place in defence.
Palace are boosted by the return of defender Clint Hill from suspension. Paddy McCarthy faces a fitness test after a shoulder problem, with either Matt Lawrence or Danny Butterfield dropping to the bench if the centre back is fit again. Midfielder Ben Watson continues to recover from a hamstring problem.
Top scorers:Matt Fryatt (Leicester) 23; Shefki Kuqi (Crystal Palace) 6
Match odds:H 6-4 A 6-4 D 21-10
Leyton Orient v Sheffield United
Orient midfielder Sean Thornton is suspended, while on-loan Tottenham striker Simon Dawkins could return to the starting XI in place of Adam Boyd, who has also been struggling with a virus recently. Striker Wayne Gray remains a long-term absentee with a knee injury.
Blades striker Darius Henderson is available after suspension and midfielder Matthew Spring could return following illness. However, defenders Sun Jihai (hamstring), Derek Geary (knee surgery) and Ugo Ehiogu (Achilles) miss out — as does midfielder Gary Speed (back). Ian Bennett is expected to start in goal following injury to the transfer-listed Paddy Kenny.
Top scorers:Adam Boyd (Leyton Orient) 10; James Beattie (Sheff Utd) 12
Match odds:H 3-1 A 8-11 D 12-5
Macclesfield v Everton
Silkmen striker Francis Green returns from suspension, while James Jennings and fellow defender Richard Walker will hope to figure after impressing in the League Two defeat of Chester.
Tim Cahill is set to continue his stint up front for the Toffees with Louis Saha today ruled out for a further month with a hamstring complaint.
One specialist striker, Victor Anichebe, may be available after playing 13 minutes as a substitute against Sunderland but manager David Moyes is likely to allow him more time to rest.
Top scorers:Martin Gritton (Macclesfield) 7; Ayegbeni Yakubu (Everton) 5
Match odds:H 7-1 A 3-10 D 10-3
Manchester City v Nottingham Forest
Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland (hamstring) is doubtful for City while Nedum Onuoha has already been ruled out because of a similar injury. Robinho, however, is expected to overcome a thigh strain in time.
Forest caretaker manager John Pemberton has no fresh injury or suspension concerns. Julian Bennett misses out with a cruciate knee ligament injury and fellow defender Joel Lynch is a doubt with a hamstring injury.
Pemberton will make a late decision on the fitness of centre back Kelvin Wilson who has been suffering with a virus and missed the victory over Norwich on Sunday.
Top scorers:Robinho (Man City) 12; Robert Earnshaw (Nottm Forest) 7
Match odds:H 3-10 A 7-1 D 10-3
Middlesbrough v Barrow
Brad Jones is poised to replace first-choice goalkeeper Ross Turnbull while Dutch winger Marvin Emnes is on the verge of making only his second Middlesbrough start since signing from Sparta Rotterdam in the summer. Both Mido (groin) and Adam Johnson (hamstring) are doubtful.
Barrow are set to hand a debut to on-loan striker Wayne Curtis after he signed from Morecambe despite the player suffering with a rib injury. Joint managers Dave Bayliss and Darren Sheridan are also boosted by the news goalkeeper Alan Martin has extended his loan from Leeds and is available.
Midfielder Matt Henney missed the 2-1 defeat to Forest Green last time out with a back injury but has recovered and should return.
Top scorers:Mido (Middlesbrough) 5; Jason Walker (Barrow) 12
Match odds:H 1-6 A 11-1 D 9-2
Millwall v Crewe
Winger Lewis Grabban is set to return after suspension at the expense of Chris Hackett. Tony Craig is banned, defender Andy Frampton hopes to be involved after concussion — but midfielder Danny Spiller (hip) is out. Defenders Marcus Bignot and Danny Senda continue their rehabilitation from knee injuries.
Crewe hope to have defenders Billy Jones and Julien Baudet and midfielder James Bailey available. Jones and Baudet have been sidelined with groin and knee injuries respectively while a bout of food poisoning has recently ruled out Bailey. Midfielders Kenny Lunt (hernia) and Steven Schumacher (ankle) remain out.
Top scorers:Tresor Kandol (Millwall) 8; Shaun Miller (Crewe) 6
Match odds:H 1-2 A 9-2 D 13-5
Portsmouth v Bristol City
Portsmouth will begin their FA Cup defence without striker Jermain Defoe, who missed training today after phoning in sick with a virus.
Peter Crouch will start up front on his own with David Nugent on the right-hand side of a five-man midfield. Defender Martin Cranie has returned from his loan spell at Charlton and will make his first Pompey start since August 2007.
Manager Tony Adams is without injured Glen Johnson, Richard Hughes, John Utaka and Younes Kaboul while club doctors are still to determine the severity of Papa Bouba Diop's knee problem.
City boss Gary Johnson gave little away as regards his team selection — but defender Jamie McCombe could come back into the reckoning after missing City's festive fixtures against Watford and Crystal Palace with pelvic and stomach problems.
Top scorers:Peter Crouch (Portsmouth) 12; Nicky Maynard (Bristol City) 8
Match odds:H 8-15 A 9-2 D 5-2
Preston v Liverpool
Preston manager Alan Irvine has been boosted by the availability of Ross Wallace who has been given permission to play by parent club Sunderland. Republic of Ireland 'B' international Eddie Nolan is also in the squad after his loan move from Blackburn was made
permanent. Former Reds striker Neil Mellor is vying for a place with Jon Parkin,
Chris Brown and Stephen Elliott. Goalkeeper Wayne Henderson and defenders Liam Chilvers and Neal Trotman are all continuing their rehabilitation from injury.
Preston are set to face a far stronger Liverpool side than they would have previously expected in the wake of the controversy surrounding Anfield skipper Steven Gerrard. Gerrard has been confirmed as a definite starter.
Fernando Torres, back from a hamstring injury, will also be involved at some stage. Boss Rafael Benitez also has Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel and Alvaro Arbeloa back in the squad following long-term injuries.
Top scorers:Neil Mellor (Preston) 8; Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) 13
Match odds:H 6-1 A 2-5 11-4
QPR v Burnley
QPR manager Paulo Sousa is set to have a strong squad available, with striker Rowan Vine (leg) and midfielder Akos Buzsaky (knee) the only absentees.
Burnley defenders Stephen Jordan and Steven Caldwell are suspended. The Clarets suffered no new injury worries in their loss at lowly Doncaster and but Coyle may opt to make changes after the defeat with midfielder Joey Gudjonsson and striker Steven Thompson pushing for starts.
Top scorers:Dexter Blackstock (QPR) 11; Martin Paterson (Burnley) 14
Match odds:H 11-10 A 2-1 D 11-5
Sheffield Wednesday v Fulham
Strikers Leon Clarke and Akpo Sodje and winger Jermaine Johnson are unlikely to be included in the Owls squad but on-loan defender Lewis Buxton has been given permission to play by Stoke and Wade Small (eye), Francis Jeffers (groin) and Steve Watson (hip) all came through the match at Coventry.
On-loan midfielder Jimmy Smith will not be included so as not to be cup-tied ahead of his return to Chelsea next week.
Jimmy Bullard has been ruled out for Fulham through illness while Zoltan Gera (calf), Andranik Teymourian (knee) and Diomansy Kamara (knee) remain sidelined.
Top scorers:Marcus Tudgay (Sheff Wed) 7; Clint Dempsey, Andrew Johnson & Danny Murphy (Fulham) 4
Match odds:H 2-1 A 11-10 D 11-5
Sunderland v Bolton
Sunderland striker Michael Chopra is facing a race against time to be fit after returning from a loan spell at Cardiff with an ankle problem.
Anton Ferdinand and Andy Reid, who missed the 3-0 defeat at Everton through illness, should be available, while defender Danny Collins has recovered from a facial injury.
Craig Gordon (ankle) and George McCartney (foot) are still some way from returning despite resuming training.
Bolton will be without midfielder Gavin McCann as he is suspended. Full back Nicky Hunt could come into contention for a place in the side after being recalled from a loan spell at Birmingham. Gary Cahill remains doubtful with rib and hip injuries.
Top Scorers:Djibril Cisse (Sunderland) 8; Kevin Davies 5, Johan Elmander & Matt Taylor (Bolton) 5
Match odds:H 23-20 A 2-1 D 21-10
Torquay v Blackpool
Torquay winger Mustapha Carayol (groin) will be assessed before kick-off. Pacy forward Roscoe Dsane could come back into contention after flu, while goalkeeper Scott Bevan will keep his place after making his loan move from Shrewsbury permanent.
Blackpool are short of numbers after six on-loan players — Liam Dickinson, Lee Hendrie, Adam Hammill, Steve Kabba, Zesh Rehman and Graham Stack returned to their parent clubs. Striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher serves a one-match ban, captain
Rob Edwards has a hamstring injury, striker Steve McPhee (knee) remains sidelined and Danny Mitchley is also out as his foot problem continues to trouble him.
Top scorers:Tim Sills (Torquay) 15; Liam Dickinson (Blackpool) 10
Match odds:H 11-4 A 5-6 D 11-5
Watford v Scunthorpe
On-loan Arsenal defender Gavin Hoyte and Chelsea midfielder Liam Bridcutt could figure for Watford. Tamas Priskin returned from a back injury at QPR and should continue, meaning Grzegorz Rasiak will again be on the bench.
Forward Steve Kabba could feature after Blackpool terminated his loan stay but goalkeeper Mart Poom (shoulder) and midfielder Gareth Williams (knee) remain long-term absentees.
Scunthorpe striker Ben May will need a late fitness test on a groin strain, defender Krystian Pearce is a doubt with a knock, while midfielder Sam Togwell has been ill and could be replaced by Garry Thompson, who is fit after overcoming a foot injury.
Kevan Hurst and Kenny Milne remain sidelined with hernia and knee injuries respectively while Ian Morris also sits out with a knee injury.
Top scorers:Tommy Smith (Watford) 12; Gary Hooper (Scunthorpe) 16
Match odds:H 8-11 A 3-1 D 12-5
West Brom v Peterborough
West Brom could hand a debut to on-loan Arsenal striker Jay Simpson after the 20-year-old joined the Baggies for the remainder of the season and is eligible to face Darren Ferguson's side.
Defender Paul Robinson will return after serving a one-match suspension against Tottenham for incurring five bookings, but Gianni Zuiverloon (knee), James Morrison (groin) and Robert Koren (flu) are doubts.
Peterborough defender Gabriel Zakuani will partner Craig Morgan at the back for Posh after making his loan deal from Fulham permanent. Jamie Day (back) and Shane Blackett (shoulder) are out and with on-loan Gillingham midfielder Andrew Crofts cup-tied, youngsters Sam Gaughran and Lewis Webb could be involved.
Top scorers:Craig Beattie & Roman Bednar 6 (West Brom) 6; Craig Mackail-Smith (Peterborough) 17
Match odds:H 1-2 A 9-2 D 13-5
West Ham v Barnsley
Kieron Dyer is set to feature in the West Ham squad for the first time since breaking his leg 17 months ago. James Tomkins is also likely to be involved after returning from a loan spell at Derby.
Craig Bellamy is available after serving a one-match ban and Mark Noble has recovered from a virus — but Scott Parker is suspended for the clash with last season's semi-finalists.
Dennis Souza is expected to return to Barnsley's starting line-up following suspension, with Rob Kozluk out for a month after fracturing his cheekbone.
Stephen Foster is likely to switch to full back, while manager Simon Davey must also decide whether to recall midfielder Hugo Colace to the side.
Striker Iain Hume is continuing his recovery from a fractured skull, while winger Martin Devaney (ankle) is still out.
Top scorers: Carlton Cole (West Ham) 6; Jonathan Macken (Barnsley) 6
Match odds:H 4-11 D 7-1 D 11-4
SUNDAY
Gillingham v Aston Villa
Gillingham have a defensive crisis as right back Barry Fuller completes a three-match ban and he will be joined on the sidelines by suspended centre-back Garry Richards.
With on-loan defender Leigh Mills having returned to Tottenham the Gills have just two senior defenders available. Midfielder Mark Bentley is likely to deputise in the heart of defence while Stuart Lewis is set to continue at right back.
Midfielder Nicky Southall is cup-tied but on-loan Andy Barcham can return in his place. Winger Albert Jarrett is expected to be fit.
Villa manager Martin O'Neill is set to field his strongest available side after sending out second-string line-ups in the Carling Cup and several UEFA Cup ties earlier this season.
Skipper Martin Laursen (knee) will again be absent along with Carlos Cuellar (hamstring) and John Carew (back). Gareth Barry, Ashley Young and Stiliyan Petrov are all one yellow card away from suspension and a booking at the Priestfield Stadium would rule them out of the derby with West Brom.
Top scorers:Simeon Jackson (Gillingham) 11; Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) 10
Match odds: H 2-5 A 6-1 D 11-4
Southampton v Manchester United
Saints midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin could be recalled after hamstring trouble, while new signing Lee Molyneux is also in the squad.
Defender Alex Pearce has returned to Reading after his loan spell, winger Ryan Smith is waiting on Football Association clearance after his loan move from Millwall was made permanent but Michael Svensson (Achilles) and Wayne Thomas (knee) are still out.
Rio Ferdinand will miss the tie as he has been suffering from back spasms and the United medical staff are now working towards the 30-year-old being fit for the title clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford on January 11th.
Carlos Tevez is also absent having been given time off to visit his family in Argentina. Patrice Evra is suspended.
Top scorers:David McGoldrick (Southampton) 8; Cristiano Ronaldo 10 & Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) 10
Match odds:H 10-1 A 1-5 D 4-1
MONDAY
Blyth v Blackburn
Blyth Spartans boss Harry Dunn is hoping to hand defender Alex White his debut after he agreed to sign from Scottish side Stranraer, with only the paperwork needing to be complete for him to play.
Striker Robert Dale will be available once again after missing the 3-0 defeat to rivals Gateshead in the Blue Square North due to a one-match ban.
Forward Ged Dalton, who scored the last-minute goal against Bournemouth to secure Blyth's place in the third round, is a doubt with a shin injury. Midfielder Chris McCabe and Alex Gildea (both hamstring) and winger Andrew Wright (rib) are all doubtful.
Dutch defender Andre Ooijer and Ryan Nelsen are missing through suspension, which will pave the way for the return from injury of Vince Grella, and midfielder David Dunn and in-demand striker Roque Santa Cruz are still sidelined with hamstring and calf injuries respectively.
Johann Vogel may get a chance to impress new manager Sam Allardyce.
Top scorers:Robert Dale 3 & Shaun Reay (Blyth) 3; Benni McCarthy (Blackburn) 7
Match odds:H 17-2 A 2-9 D 4-1
