All the injury and team news ahead of this weekend's Premier League matches.
Saturday, August 30th
Arsenal (14) v Newcastle (6)
Arsenal captain William Gallas and forward Theo Walcott (both knee) have recovered from minor knocks picked up in the midweek Champions League victory over FC Twente, while winger Samir Nasri has shaken off a virus. Midfielder Cesc Fabregas came through unscathed following his return from a hamstring problem, but new signing Mikael Silvestre (thigh), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Abou Diaby (thigh), Amaury Bischoff (groin) and striker Eduardo (leg) remain in recovery.
Joey Barton could make a surprise return to the Newcastle squad. Barton, who is due to face Football Association disciplinary chiefs next Friday after admitting a charge of violent conduct, may be drafted in following James Milner's departure for Aston Villa and the news that Geremi has a knee ligament injury. Michael Owen could start Obafemi Martins (groin), Mark Viduka (Achilles), Damien Duff (knee), Claudio Cacapa (hamstring) and Andy Carroll (heel) all sidelined.
Last season: Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0, Newcastle 1 Arsenal 1
Last five league matches: Arsenal W W W W L; Newcastle D L L D W
Top scorers: William Gallas & Samir Nasri (Arsenal) 2; Michael Owen (Newcastle) 2
Match odds: H 4-9 A 7-1 D 3-1
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
Bolton (9) v West Brom (18)
Gary Cahill will start a three-match ban after being sent off in Bolton's Carling Cup defeat to Northampton, and will join Johan Elmander (hamstring) and Matt Taylor (broken toe) on the sidelines. Kevin Davies, Kevin Nolan and Andy O'Brien are expected to return after coming on as substitute in midweek.
West Brom's record signing Borja Valero is in line to make his league debut after getting his first taste of English football during the Carling Cup reversal at Hartlepool. Scott Carson, Paul Robinson, Gianni Zuiverloon and Ishmael Miller are poised to return after being rested.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Bolton D W D W L; West Brom W D W L L
Top scorers: Kevin Davies, Gretar Rafn Steinsson, Johan Elmander & Kevin Nolan (Bolton) 1; Robert Koren & Roman Bednar (West Brom) 1
Match odds: H 10-11 A 16-5 D 23-10
Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).
Everton (10) v Portsmouth (20)
Louis Saha and Segundo Castillo will not feature for Everton but fellow new signing Lars Christian Jacobsen should play. Saha has moved from Manchester United on a free transfer but needs to undergo a medical before the deal is sealed while Castillo's international clearance is not yet ready after his switch from Red Star Belgrade. The Toffeemen are still without Steven Pienaar (broken toe), Tim Cahill (foot), Tony Hibbert (knee) and Andy van der Meyde (hamstring)
Portsmouth are banking on forward Jermain Defoe recovering from a virus in time to start at Goodison Park. If the England striker is fit, boss Harry Redknapp is likely to stick with a 4-4-2 formation, but could revert to a five-man midfield if he fails to make it. Niko Kranjcar could be out until Christmas after an ankle operation while new winger Jerome Thomas (back) is a doubt.
Last season: Everton 3 Portsmouth 1, Portsmouth 0 Everton 0
Last five league matches: Everton D L W L W; Portsmouth L L L L L
Top scorers: Ayegbeni Yakubu (Everton) 2
Match odds: H 11-10 A 5-2 D 23-10
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
Hull (4) v Wigan (19)
Hull midfielder George Boateng is struggling to make the squad after missing last week's draw against Blackburn with a thigh injury which has not responded well to treatment. Striker Marlon King, on loan from Wigan, is ineligible to play against his parent club meaning veteran forward Dean Windass could start. Ian Ashbee, Andy Dawson and Geovanni have all overcome slight knocks to take their places in the squad.
Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland suffered a slight back spasm during the warm-up against Chelsea last weekend, which forced him to miss the game, but he should be fit to replace Mike Pollitt. Midfielders Paul Scharner and Jason Koumas are nursing ankle injuries — Michael Brown and Kevin Kilbane are standing by — while Henri Camara is pushing for a start after he scored twice in the Carling Cup defeat of Notts County.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Hull L W L W D; Wigan D W L L L
Top scorers: Richard Garcia, Dean Windass, Caleb Folan & Geovanni (Hull) 1; Amr Zaki & Henri Camara (Wigan) 2
Match odds: H 6-4 A 15-8 D 11-5
Referee: Michael Jones (Cheshire).
Middlesbrough (11) v Stoke (15)
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones is back in training after dislocating a finger in the pre-match warm-up at Liverpool last weekend but Ross Turnbull will continue to deputise as the Australian recovers from minor ligament damage. England Under-19 keeper Jason Steele is promoted to the bench, while David Wheater and Andrew Taylor are both fit after suffering knocks.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis will return to his first-choice line-up after resting 10 players for Tuesday's Carling Cup victory at Cheltenham. Pulis is likely to field the team which beat Aston Villa in the Premier League last Saturday providing captain Andy Griffin comes through a fitness test on a bruised knee. Andy Wilkinson is on standby.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Middlesbrough L W W W L; Stoke W W D L W
Top scorers: Mido (Middlesbrough) 3; Ricardo Fuller (Stoke) 2
Match odds: H 8-13 A 5-1 D 13-5
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).
West Ham (16) v Blackburn (3)
West Ham skipper Lucas Neill was rested for the midweek Carling Cup win over Macclesfield and should return against former club Blackburn. Midfielder Valon Behrami broke his front tooth against the Silkmen but should be fit to play, while George McCartney has made his comeback from a virus. Craig Bellamy has been out with a hamstring injury but was considered a possibility earlier in the week. Kieron Dyer (broken leg), Jonathan Spector (hip), Danny Gabbidon (stomach), James Tompkins (leg) and James Collins (knee) are still out.
Blackburn are set to be without David Dunn after the midfielder missed training with an Achilles injury which forced him to sit out the Carling Cup victory over Grimsby. Stephen Warnock missed the game through illness but will return to the squad. New signing Keith Andrews is short of match fitness and Vince Grella is still awaiting international clearance. Strikers Matt Derbyshire and Carlos Villanueva are pressing their claims after scoring in midweek.
Last season: West Ham 2 Blackburn 1, Blackburn 0 West Ham 1
Last five league matches: West Ham D L D W L; Blackburn W W L W D
Top scorers: Dean Ashton (West Ham) 2; Matt Derbyshire (Blackburn) 2
Match odds: H 7-5 A 19-10 D 23-10
Referee: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).
Sunday, August 31st
Aston Villa (7) v Liverpool (2)
Villa could have new signing James Milner in their line-up. Gareth Barry is poised to play against a Liverpool side he had looked like joining earlier in the summer. Villa boss Martin O'Neill could recall Ashley Young, John Carew, Martin Laursen, Stiliyan Petrov, Luke Young and Nicky Shorey. Recent signing Carlos Cuellar has started training after a calf injury and may play some part.
Midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas are back in to Liverpool's squad following their return from the Olympics. Liverpool will be without skipper Steven Gerrard who is recovering from a groin operation. Defender Sami Hyypia is doubtful following a hamstring problem.
Last season: Liverpool 2 Aston Villa 2, Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 2
Last five league matches: Aston Villa D L D W L; Liverpool D W W W W
Top scorers: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) 4; Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard & Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool) 1
Match odds: H 2-1 A 11-8 D 11-5
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
Chelsea (1) v Tottenham (17)
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is monitoring the fitness of midfield duo Michael Ballack and Michael Essien. The pair have been playing with knocks and the Brazilian hinted that Ballack was most likely to miss the derby clash. Striker Didier Drogba remains unavailable because of a knee injury but has been pencilled in for a return for the Manchester City game next month.
Tottenham full-back Alan Hutton is still out with a stress fracture of his right foot. Head coach Juande Ramos will talk to Dimitar Berbatov, who has handed in a transfer request, before deciding whether the striker will play. Ramos has no other fresh injury worries as Spurs look for their first points of the season.
Last season: Tottenham 4 Chelsea 4, Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0
Last five league matches: Chelsea W W D W W; Tottenham D W L L L
Top scorers: Deco (Chelsea) 2; Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham) 1
Match odds: H 2-5 A 15-2 D 10-3
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
Sunderland (13) v Man City (8)
Steed Malbranque is unlikely to play for Sunderland because of an ankle injury. Anton Ferdinand will not be included in the squad after signing from West Ham this week, as he is not match fit. Michael Chopra is suspended and Teemu Tainio remains on the injured list. Kieran Richardson faces a late fitness check on a rib injury.
Mark Hughes reported no new injury concerns after Manchester City's Uefa Cup qualifier against FC Midtjylland. Micah Richards came through the match without any problems having suffered concussion against West Ham last week, while Hughes will be able to recall Vincent Kompany, who was ineligible for the European qualifier. Benjani Mwaruwari and Kelvin Etuhu did not travel to Denmark while Valeri Bojinov and Darius Vassell are long-term casualties.
Last season: Sunderland 1 Man City 2, Man City 1 Sunderland 0
Last five league matches: Sunderland W L L L W; Man City L L L L W
Top scorers: Djibril Cisse, Phillip Bardsley, David Healy & Kieran Richardson (Sunderland) 1; Elano (Man City) 3
Match odds: H 5-4 A 23-10 D 11-5
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
