Team news ahead of the weekend's Premier League action.
Saturday, March 3
Blackburn (18) v Aston Villa (15)
Blackburn welcome David Dunn back from a thigh injury but are sweating on the fitness of Martin Olsson, who picked up slight knee and ankle problems on international duty with Sweden. Olsson’s twin brother Marcus could make his home debut but defenders Jason Lowe and Gael Givet serve the final matches of their respective suspensions.
Aston Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov will return after recovering from a thigh injury. Right-back Alan Hutton (hamstring) and centre-back James Collins (knee) are expected to be available after withdrawing from mid-week international duty with Scotland and Wales respectively.
Last season: Aston Villa 4 Blackburn 1, Blackburn 2 Aston Villa 0
Last five league matches: Blackburn D L L W L; Aston Villa W D L L D
Top scorers (all competitions): Ayegbeni Yakubu (Blackburn) 14; Darren Bent (Aston Villa) 10
Match odds: H 7-5 A 2-1 D 11-5
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
Liverpool (7) v Arsenal (4)
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is awaiting an update on captain Steven Gerrard’s fitness after he injured a hamstring playing for England. Defender Glen Johnson is expected to be fit after pulling out of the national squad on Monday as a precaution. Centre-back Daniel Agger is expected to miss the next couple of weeks with a cracked rib, meaning Jamie Carragher is likely to get a recall.
Arsenal have injury concerns over captain Robin van Persie (groin) and centre-back Thomas Vermaelen (ankle). Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey (ankle) has already been ruled out while Czech winger Tomas Rosicky (groin) faces a fitness test. Abou Diaby returns from a long absence after a hamstring problem.
Last season: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1, Liverpool 1 Arsenal 1
Last five league matches: Liverpool D L W D L; Arsenal L D W W W
Top scorers (all competitions): Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 10; Robin van Persie (Arsenal) 29
Match odds: H 19-20 A 14-5 D 5-2
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
Man City (1) v Bolton (19)
Manchester City are close to full strength but manager Roberto Mancini is still to fully assess the fitness of all his players following their return from midweek international duty. Striker Carlos Tevez had a successful run-out for the reserves this week after returning to training but is not yet ready for a first-team comeback.
Bolton midfielder Mark Davies (hamstring) is hoping to prove his fitness while veteran striker Kevin Davies (knee) is again doubtful and Iceland defender Gretar Steinsson (calf) will be assessed after suffering a knock on international duty. On-loan Dedryck Boyata is ineligible to play against his parent club but fellow defender Joe Riley (foot) is back in contention.
Last season: Bolton 0 Man City 2, Man City 1 Bolton 0
Last five league matches: Man City W L W W W; Bolton W D L L L
Top scorers (all competitions): Sergio Aguero (Man City) 21; Marvin Sordell (Bolton) 10
Match odds: H 1-8 A 20-1 D 7-1
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).
QPR (17) v Everton (10)
Luke Young could feature for QPR after a month sidelined with a hamstring injury. Djibril Cisse and Samba Diakite will both miss the game through suspension.
Everton striker Nikica Jelavic could be set for a return to the squad after playing just 30 minutes since his January move from Rangers because of a groin injury. Midfielders Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and Leon Osman (knee) could also be in line for a recall after appearing for the reserves but Darron Gibson is missing with a knee injury.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: QPR W D L L L; Everton D D W D W
Top scorers (all competitions): Heidar Helguson (QPR) 9; Nikica Jelavic (Everton) 17
Match odds: H 2-1 A 7-5 D 11-5
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).
Stoke (12) v Norwich (8)
Stoke have defender Robert Huth back after he completed a three-match suspension following his sending-off against Sunderland last month. Manager Tony Pulis will check on the condition of midfielder Glenn Whelan, who picked up a knock on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, ahead of kick-off.
Midfielder Jonny Howson could make his Norwich debut after finally returning to fitness from a knee injury. Striker James Vaughan has picked up a hamstring problem which will delay his return from knee surgery, while full-back Marc Tierney (knee) is also out. Centre-back Daniel Ayala (hamstring) trained this week, but may not be rushed straight into action.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Stoke L L L L W; Norwich D L W W L
Top scorers (all competitions): Peter Crouch (Stoke) 10; Grant Holt (Norwich) 12
Match odds: H 10-11 A 3-1 D 12-5
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
West Brom (13) v Chelsea (5)
Winger Jerome Thomas is West Brom’s new fitness doubt after suffering a hamstring injury during the 4-0 win over Sunderland. Skipper Chris Brunt has returned to training after a two-month lay-off with a broken foot but Albion head coach Roy Hodgson is weighing up whether he is ready to return against the Blues. Fellow midfielder Paul Scharner is making good progress with his rib injury but, even if available, is only likely to be among the substitutes after the demolition of the Black Cats.
Didier Drogba and Daniel Sturridge are expected to be fit for Chelsea. Drogba has shaken off the knee problem that forced him to miss the Ivory Coast’s friendly against Guinea, while Sturridge is expected to recover from the toe injury picked up in England’s defeat against Holland.
Last season: West Brom 1 Chelsea 3, Chelsea 6 West Brom 0
Last five league matches: West Brom W D L W W; Chelsea D D D L W
Top scorers (all competitions): Keith Andrews (West Brom) 11; Frank Lampard (Chelsea) 12
Match odds: H 3-1 A 10-11 D 12-5
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
Wigan (20) v Swansea (14)
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will have to make a late decision on the fitness of some of his internationals. Paraguay defender Antolin Alcaraz and Honduras defender Maynor Figueroa both had long trips after playing for their countries in South America and were not expected to arrive back until later this afternoon. Defender Gary Caldwell sustained a cut leg playing for Scotland in midweek but he is expected to recover.
Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm and strikers Danny Graham and Leroy Lita have overcome a virus and are available. Midfielder Kemy Agustien is facing a lengthy lay-off after surgery revealed that his ankle injury was worse than first thought.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Wigan L L D W D; Swansea L D W L L
Top scorers (all competitions): Franco Di Santo, Jordi Gomez & Ben Watson (Wigan) 4; Rory Donnelly & Danny Graham (Swansea) 12
Match odds: H 6-4 A 15-8 D 11-5
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
Sunday, March 4
Fulham (11) v Wolves (16)
Former Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra could make his Fulham debut after signing until the send of the season. Fulham right-back Stephen Kelly is a doubt with a tear in his right quad, while midfielder Dickson Etuhu will be assessed when he flies back from international duty today. Zdenek Grygera (knee) and Steve Sidwell (hernia) are the only first-team players unavailable.
Wolves’ leading scorer Steven Fletcher is available again after an illness. Caretaker boss Terry Connor has to decide how to accommodate Fletcher and fellow striker Kevin Doyle in the same line-up. Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and midfielder Dave Edwards should both be fit after being ruled out of the Gary Speed Memorial Match against Costa Rica with ankle injuries.
Last season: Wolves 1 Fulham 1, Fulham 2 Wolves 1
Last five league matches: Fulham W D L W W; Wolves L L W L D
Top scorers (all competitions): Clint Dempsey (Fulham) 16; Steven Fletcher (Wolves) 10
Match odds: H 4-7 A 5-1 D 14-5
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire).
Newcastle (6) v Sunderland (9)
Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse is expected to be fit after withdrawing from the Senegal squad in midweek with a groin problem. Cheick Tiote will also be available after being rested following his return from international duty with the Ivory Coast. However, striker Shola Ameobi is a doubt through illness.
Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill will assess striker Stephane Sessegnon after he was delayed returning from Benin’s African Nations Cup 0-0 qualifier draw in Ethiopia on Wednesday. Sweden midfielder Sebastian Larsson is expected to be available, despite complaining of feeling unwell before he scored twice in his country’s 3-1 victory in Croatia, as is striker Nicklas Bendtner (ankle), but keeper Keiren Westwood (wrist) is out and Craig Gordon is likely to take his place on the bench and full-back Phil Bardsley (calf) remains a doubt.
Last season: Sunderland 1 Newcastle 1, Newcastle 5 Sunderland 1
Last five league matches: Newcastle L W W L D; Sunderland W W W L L
Top scorers (all competitions): Demba Ba (Newcastle) 16; Stephane Sessegnon (Sunderland) 7
Match odds: H 11-10 A 13-5 D 11-5
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).
Tottenham (3) v Man Utd (2)
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is confident Gareth Bale will be fit despite missing the Gary Speed memorial match between Wales and Costa Rica. Kyle Walker is fit despite suffering an ankle injury against Arsenal last week and Redknapp is also confident that Rafael van der Vaart (calf) and Ledley King (knee) will feature. Scott Parker is suspended following his sending off at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.
Chris Smalling is Manchester United’s only doubt after he required stitches in a head wound sustained playing for England. Wayne Rooney has recovered from a throat infection but Antonio Valencia (hamstring), Tom Cleverley (ankle) and Michael Owen (thigh) are all out.
Last season: Tottenham 0 Man Utd 0, Man Utd 2 Tottenham 0
Last five league matches: Tottenham L W D W L; Man Utd W W D W W
Top scorers (all competitions): Jermain Defoe (Tottenham) 12; Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) 22
Match odds: H 9-5 A 6-4 D 11-5
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
