Weekend team news for cross-channel Premier League fixtures.

Saturday, February 26th

Aston Villa (16) v Blackburn (11)

Aston Villa’s January signing Jean Makoun will start a three-game ban and be unavailable to face Blackburn. Skipper Stiliyan Petrov, Barry Bannan and Michael Bradley, another of manager Gerard Houllier’s transfer window captures, will be in contention to replace Makoun. Left-back Nathan Baker will be available after completing a three-game suspension but central defender Carlos Cuellar is ruled out with the hamstring injury suffered at Bloomfield Road.

Blackburn are hopeful captain Christopher Samba will have recovered from a virus. Defensive partner Ryan Nelsen will play despite a difficult week following the earthquake in his home city of Christchurch while Gael Givet has recovered from a groin injury. Junior Hoilett (hamstring) is likely to miss out along with Phil Jones (knee), who is still three weeks away from a return. January signings Mauro Formica and Ruben Rochina have again been omitted from the squad as they build up to full match fitness.

Last season: Aston Villa 0 Blackburn 1, Blackburn 2 Aston Villa 1

Last five league matches:Aston Villa W W L D D; Blackburn L W L L D

Top scorers (all competitions):Darren Bent (Aston Villa) 13; Mame Diouf (Blackburn) 6

Match odds:H 4-5 A 19-5 D 23-10

Referee:Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Everton (14) v Sunderland (7)

Everton have a number of injury concerns. Key midfielders Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini are the latest additions to the casualty list with unspecified knocks and will be assessed before the game. Striker Louis Saha is hoping to shake off the hamstring injury while Jack Rodwell (groin) is also doubtful. Victor Anichebe is another doubt but Phil Jagielka has fully overcome a thigh strain.

Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon is a doubt with a knee problem and Belgian Simon Mignolet is standing by. Manager Steve Bruce is otherwise looking forward to having some of his long-term absentees back after defender Michael Turner was told the pain he was feeling in his knee following his return to training was nothing serious. Fraizer Campbell and David Meyler (both knee) are both due to see specialists on Monday. Skipper Lee Cattermole (back) and loan signing Danny Welbeck (knee) could return soon. Eighteen-year-old midfielder Billy Knott has been added to the squad.

Last season:Everton 2 Sunderland 0, Sunderland 1 Everton 1

Last five league matches:Everton D D L W L; Sunderland D W L L L

Top scorers (all competitions): Louis Saha & Tim Cahill (Everton) 9; Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland) 10

Match odds:H 8-11 A 4-1 D 5-2

Referee:Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).

Newcastle (9) v Bolton (8)

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will make a late decision on striker Peter Lovenkrands after the Dane limped off with a thigh injury after scoring in the 2-0 win at Birmingham last time out. Nile Ranger and Shefki Kuqi are on standby. Midfielder Danny Guthrie will miss out with a hamstring problem, while Shola Ameobi (fractured cheekbone) hopes to resume full training wearing a protective mask next week. Defenders Steven Taylor (hamstring) and Ryan Taylor (ankle ligaments) both return to the squad after lengthy lay-offs, but Stephen Ireland and Dan Gosling (both knee), Alan Smith (ankle) and Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg) remain on the sidelines.

Striker Daniel Sturridge returns to the Bolton squad after missing the last two games as he has been cup tied. Jussi Jaaskelainen will return in goal ahead of Adam Bogdan who was used for the FA Cup ties, while defender Gretar Steinsson could be available after being out for the last month with a knee injury. But the Magpies game is too soon for fellow full-back Jlloyd Samuel despite a reserve run-out this week following a six-month lay-off with a ruptured thigh.

Last season:No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches:Newcastle D L D D W; Bolton L L W L W

Top scorers (all competitions):Kevin Nolan (Newcastle) 10; Johan Elmander (Bolton) 10

Match odds: H 11-10 A 5-2 D 23-10

Referee:Chris Foy (Merseyside).

Wigan (18) v Man Utd (1)

Defender Emmerson Boyce is Wigan’s only major injury concern because of a hamstring injury which has dogged his season and will be assessed before the game. Callum McManaman is also a slight doubt after suffering a nasty cut in last week’s FA Cup fourth round loss to Bolton. Goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi should return after being ineligible to face his parent club while new signing Conor Sammon is also back in contention.

Michael Owen returns to the Manchester United squad. It was feared Owen’s season was in jeopardy when he suffered a groin injury in training last week but the former England star has recovered and could feature at the DW Stadium. Ryan Giggs is also in contention but Rio Ferdinand (calf), Jonny Evans and Antonio Valencia (both ankle), Park Ji-sung (hamstring) and Anderson (knee) remain sidelined.

Last season:Man Utd 5 Wigan 0, Wigan 0 Man Utd 5

Last five league matches: Wigan L L D W D; Man Utd W W W L W

Top scorers (all competitions):Conor Sammon (Wigan) 18; Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd) 20

Match odds:H 11-2 A 1-2 D 3-1

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).

Wolves (20) v Blackpool (12)

Wolves striker Kevin Doyle has been declared fit after he suffered a painful blow to the hips during the 1-1 derby draw with West Brom last weekend in a clash with Jonas Olsson. But Doyle has now resumed training and will lead the attack against the Tangerines. Midfielder Stephen Hunt is still sidelined with a calf injury.

Blackpool will be without captain Charlie Adam who starts a two-match suspension. Striker Luke Varney should be involved having been rested for the midweek win over Tottenham, but Elliot Grandin and Gary Taylor-Fletcher (both hamstring) remain sidelined. Stephen Crainey has returned to training following his ankle injury, but will not be involved this weekend.

Last season:No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches:Wolves L L W L D; Blackpool L L L D W

Top scorers (all competitions):Adam Hammill (Wolves) 8; Dudley Campbell (Blackpool) 10

Match odds:H 4-5 A 16-5 D 11-4

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

Sunday, February 27th

Man City (3) v Fulham (13)

Vincent Kompany is a major doubt after the Belgium international limped out of the first half of the Europa League victory over Aris Salonika with a hip injury. Kolo Toure could come in as a direct replacement, although Jerome Boateng is also capable of filling the void. Micah Richards (calf), James Milner (hamstring), Nigel de Jong and Adam Johnson (both ankle) are all expected to miss out.

Bobby Zamora today suffered a fresh injury blow and is a doubt for Fulham. The striker, who only returned from five months out with a broken leg in Sunday’s FA Cup defeat to Bolton, went over on his ankle in training this morning and faces a fitness test tomorrow. Midfielder Steve Sidwell has been ruled out for four weeks after damaging knee ligaments, while Philippe Senderos and Diomansy Kamara will also miss Sunday’s match with back problems.

Last season:Fulham 1 Man City 2, Man City 2 Fulham 2

Last five league matches:Man City W L D W L; Fulham W L W D D

Top scorers (all competitions):Carlos Tevez (Man City) 21; Clint Dempsey (Fulham) 10

Match odds:H 1-2 A 13-2 D 11-4

Referee:Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

West Ham (19) v Liverpool (6)

Matthew Upson (Achilles) took part in a light training session today but is unlikely to be involved for West Ham. Victor Obinna is a doubt with a foot injury and Robbie Keane is out with a calf strain, but Danny Gabbidon is fit after recovering from a hamstring problem. Kieron Dyer is still a fortnight away from fitness, while Jack Collison is continuing his recovery from a long-standing knee injury.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could return after three games out with a groin injury. Gerrard was not risked in the Europa League game against Sparta Prague but manager Kenny Dalglish later said the midfielder was close to fitness.

The Reds will check on the fitness of Martin Kelly and Daniel Agger, who were both forced off against Sparta, and Glen Johnson (Achilles). Fabio Aurelio (adductor) is out and Andy Carroll (thigh) is still unlikely to make his

debut but Luis Suarez returns after being ineligible for the recent European games.

Last season:Liverpool 3 West Ham 0, West Ham 2 Liverpool 3

Last five league matches:West Ham L D W L D; Liverpool W W W W D

Top scorers (all competitions): Demba Ba (West Ham) 11; Andrew Carroll & Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 11

Match odds:H 14-5 A 1-1 D 9-4

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).

Monday, February 28th

Stoke (10) v West Brom (17)

Stoke winger Matthew Etherington is again a major doubt after he missed Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal with a back-related injury that initially forced him off after 38 minutes of last Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round win over Brighton. Defender Abdoulaye Faye is unlikely to figure after missing the last four matches with a hamstring injury, whilst striker Mamady Sidibe is out with a ruptured Achilles.

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson should have a full squad available. Goalkeeper Scott Carson missed last weekend’s 1-1 draw in the Black Country derby with Wolves due to illness but, like midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu (hamstring), will be available. Graham Dorrans and Jonas Olsson should also be fit after a slight knock and a bout of illness respectively.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches:Stoke L L W L L; West Brom L D L D D

Top scorers (all competitions):Kenwyne Jones, Robert Huth & Jonathan Walters (Stoke) 7; Peter Odemwingie (West Brom) 9

Match odds: H 19-20 A 3-1 D 23-10

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).