Saturday, February 14th
Blackburn v Coventry
Rovers boss Sam Allardyce will be without El-Hadji Diouf and Aaron Mokoena — Diouf is cup-tied as he played for Sunderland earlier in the competition while Mokoena is suspended. Allardyce is likely to shake up his side and give some of his fringe players a chance.
Coventry right-back Stephen Wright is banned but midfielder Aron Gunnarsson is suspension-free and will fill in. Dan Fox should continue at left-back despite a swollen knee, but midfielder David Bell is cup-tied. Striker Robbie Simpson (thigh) hopes to figure but Scott Dann is ill.
Top scorers: Benni McCarthy (Blackburn) 10; Clinton Morrison (Coventry) 10
Match odds: H 8-13 A 9-2 D 14-5
Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset)
Sheff Utd v Hull
Recent signings Arturo Lupoli, Leigh Bromby and Jamie Ward are cup-tied and striker Darius Henderson is banned. Gary Speed (back) and Ugo Ehiogu (Achilles) remain sidelined and skipper Chris Morgan is a big doubt for the Blades after missing the last two matches with a calf strain.
Hull hope Jimmy Bullard will be fit — the midfielder has been troubled by a knee injury but no surgery is required, the swelling has gone and manager Phil Brown says he will take the word of the player prior to the match. Brown will also check on Boaz Myhill (knee), Ian Ashbee (calf) and Craig Fagan (knee), Anthony Gardner (thigh) could return after five months out while Nick Barmby (calf) is also fit. Kevin Kilbane is cup-tied but Bernard Mendy returns from suspension. Daniel Cousin (knee) is still out but should return to training next week, while George Boateng (knee) is a long-term absentee.
Top scorers: Jamie Ward (Sheff Utd) 17; Geovanni & Daniel Cousin (Hull) 6
Match odds: H 11-8 A 15-8 D 12-5
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)
Swansea v Fulham
Swansea are without Gorka Pintado following a double hernia operation. Full-back Angel Rangel returns from a ban, Andrea Orlandi is expected to retain his place after ankle trouble, while 17-year-old goalkeeper David Cornell is in the squad for the first time.
Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu hobbled out of last week's draw with Wigan, paving the way for a full debut for on-loan Inter Milan midfielder Olivier Dacourt. Aaron Hughes is also struggling after sustaining a dead leg in Northern Ireland's midweek win over San Marino, while Clint Dempsey may be rested.
Top scorers: Jason Scotland (Swansea) 16; Andrew Johnson (Fulham) 8
Match odds: H 11-8 A 15-8 D 12-5
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)
Watford v Chelsea
Watford midfielder Jack Cork is ineligible to face his parent club so Lee Williamson should play. Don Cowie is pushing for a start but fellow new signing Aleksandrs Cauna is a week away from match fitness. Goalkeeper Mart Poom (shoulder) and Gareth Williams are long-term absentees.
Chelsea are without central defenders John Terry (suspension) and Ricardo Carvalho (hamstring). Michael Essien, although back in training, is not expected to return until the end of March. Midfielder Joe Cole is out for the season with knee damage but goalkeeper Petr Cech should have recovered from a back injury.
Top scorers: Tommy Smith (Watford) 12; Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) 17
Match odds: H 8-1 A 4-11 D 7-2
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
West Ham v Middlesbrough
West Ham give late fitness tests to defenders Valon Behrami and James Tomkins (both hamstring). Midfielder Radoslav Kovac could make his debut while midfielder Kieron Dyer — who had been out with a broken leg — has been having tests on a muscle injury. Striker Dean Ashton (ankle) and defender Danny Gabbidon (groin) remain sidelined.
Boro are without on-loan striker Marlon King (ineligible) and defender Chris Riggott (knee). Boss Gareth Southgate will check the fitness of several players who were on international duty in midweek before naming his side. Marvin Emnes and Tuncay Sanli are in the frame to replace King, while David Wheater could switch to central defence to replace Riggott — with Justin Hoyte set to be recalled at full-back.
Top scorers: Carlton Cole (West Ham) 10; Afonso Alves (Middlesbrough) 7
Match odds: H 3-4 A 4-1 D 12-5
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
Sunday, February 15th
Derby v Man Utd
The Rams are without suspended defender Jay McEveley for Sunday’s fifth round tie. Striker Luke Varney is sidelined with a groin strain.
Patrice Evra and Jonny Evans return to United's squad. Evra has been out since injuring his foot in January, while Evans has missed four games with a damaged ankle. Rio Ferdinand is expected to be involved after a stomach upset but Wayne Rooney (hamstring) seems set to remain on the sidelines.
Top scorers: Rob Hulse (Derby) 13; Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd) 14
Match odds: H 8-1 A 2-5 D 16-5
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)
Everton v Aston Villa
Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has been diagnosed with a small crack in a bone in his back. On-loan Manchester City striker Jo is cup-tied and boss David Moyes hopes Louis Saha will be able to return on the bench after hamstring trouble. Steven Pienaar, out for two weeks with a similar injury, is serving a ban following five bookings.
Villa stand-in skipper Gareth Barry is suspended — Steve Sidwell is the likely candidate to replace the 28-year-old. Villa are optimistic defender Luke Young will have recovered from the toe injury which forced him to withdraw from the England squad to face Spain in midweek.
Top scorers: Mikel Arteta & Tim Cahill (Everton) 6; Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) 11
Match odds: H 4-9 A 7-1 D 3-1
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
