Squad-by-squad updates ahead of this weekend's English Premier League action.

Birmingham (17) v Arsenal (1)

Blues are boosted by the return from suspension of Olivier Kapo. Boss Alex McLeish admits he is still searching for the right combination up front with Garry O'Connor, Cameron Jerome and Mikael Forssell all in contention to partner James McFadden.

Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor (stiff neck) and Alexander Hleb (foot) are available but centre-back Kolo Toure (calf) is out, so Philippe Senderos should continue at centre-half. Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia expects to be back after a virus and Theo Walcott could start — but Emmanuel Eboue (suspended), Robin van Persie (thigh), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Abou Diaby (calf) and Johan Djourou (groin) are out.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Birmingham D L L D D; Arsenal D W W W W
Top scorers: James McFadden (Birmingham) 6; Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal) 22
Match odds: H 6-1 A 2-5 D 11-4
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)

Fulham (19) v West Ham (10)

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has to decide whether to reintroduce captain Brian McBride to the starting line-up. Hameur Bouazza's expected return could end Clint Dempsey's hopes of a return and also squeeze out Diomansy Kamara — while another American, Eddie Johnson, is pressing for a place after three reserve appearances since his move from Kansas. Fit-again Aaron Hughes replaces Chris Baird at the back.

Craig Bellamy is out for at least six weeks after abdominal surgery but Nolberto Solano, Luis Boa Morte and Mark Noble are set to return after injury. Julien Faubert is pushing for a start after coming through a full reserve team game but Bobby Zamora needs one more reserve match before returning to contention, so youngster Freddie Sears may be on the bench. Scott Parker (knee) is due to start full training next week.
Last season: West Ham 3 Fulham 3, Fulham 0 West Ham 0
Last five league matches: Fulham L L D W L; West Ham W D W L D
Top scorers: Erik Nevland (Fulham) 7; Dean Ashton (West Ham) 6
Match odds: H 7-5 A 8-5 D 21-10
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)

Liverpool (5) v Middlesbrough (12)

Liverpool have serious defensive problems, with Jamie Carragher ruled out due to a one-match ban, Martin Skrtel unlikely to have recovered from an ankle injury and Danish defender Daniel Agger still seeking full fitness after a lengthy metatarsal injury. Alvaro Arbeloa may partner Sami Hyypia in central defence.

Boro duo Robert Huth (foot) and Tuncay Sanli (hamstring) face late fitness tests. David Wheater plays his last game before suspension but Lee Cattermole (knee) and Chris Riggott (hamstring) are out.
Last season: Liverpool 2 Middlesbrough 0, Middlesbrough 0 Liverpool 0
Last five league matches: Liverpool D D L W D; Middlesbrough D D W D W
Top scorers: Fernando Torres (Liverpool) 18; Afonso Alves (Middlesbrough) 11
Match odds: H 2-5 A 6-1 D 11-4
Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

Newcastle (13) v Man Utd (2)

Newcastle could have Shay Given and Obafemi Martins back after respective groin and ankle problems. Charles N'Zogbia is available after suspension, while Abdoulaye Faye could also figure.

Ryan Giggs is expected to recover from a knock sustained during the Champions League draw against Lyon. Apart from Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre, manager Alex Ferguson has a full-strength squad to call on — and may decide to freshen things up with Carlos Tevez pushing for a place in the starting line-up.
Last season: Newcastle 2 Man Utd 2, Man Utd 2 Newcastle 0
Last five league matches: Newcastle L D L D L; Man Utd W W W D L
Top scorers: Obafemi Martins (Newcastle) 7; Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd) 27
Match odds: H 11-2 A 4-9 D 13-5
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Portsmouth (8) v Sunderland (14)

Jermain Defoe is almost certain to take the place of Kanu alongside either Milan Baros or John Utaka up front for Pompey. Goalkeeper David James is expected to shrug off a stomach virus and maintain his ever-present league record but midfielder Pedro Mendes (foot) and defender Noe Pamarot (knee) are out.

Andy Reid may start for Sunderland after improving his fitness and Grant Leadbitter has recovered from a broken toe. Fellow midfielder Dwight Yorke (calf) is fit but Liam Miller (calf), Kieran Richardson (hamstring), Danny Higginbotham (broken toe), Carlos Edwards (broken leg) and Ross Wallace (knee) are out.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Portsmouth L W L D W; Sunderland W L W L W
Top scorers: Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth) 9; Rade Prica (Sunderland) 13
Match odds: H 8-15 A 9-2 D 5-2
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)

Wigan (16) v Derby (20)

Wigan expect Emile Heskey to be fit to lead their attack despite recent back trouble. Midfielder Ryan Taylor has been ruled out with a rib injury but Erik Edman could come into contention after calf trouble.

Jay McEveley is set to return for Derby after a seven-week lay-off with a knee injury. Captain Robbie Savage will play after recovering from a severely bruised foot, while on-loan Hossam Ghaly is available again after being ineligible to face his former club — but defender Darren Moore (hamstring) is doubtful.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Wigan W L L W L; Derby L L D D L
Top scorers: Marlon King (Wigan) 11; Kenny Miller (Derby) 8
Match odds: H 4-7 A 4-1 D 5-2
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)

Sunday, February 24th

Blackburn (9) v Bolton (15)

Hamstring injuries keep out Rovers defenders Andre Ooijer and Ryan Nelsen — although Christopher Samba returns from suspension, as do midfielders David Dunn and Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Bolton manager Gary Megson is expected to freshen up his side after their UEFA Cup exploits against Atletico Madrid. Gretar Steinsson and Tamir Cohen were cup-tied against the Spanish side  but are now available, while Ricardo Gardner and Heidar Helguson are fighting to be fit.
Last season: Bolton 1 Blackburn 2, Blackburn 0 Bolton 1
Last five league matches: Blackburn W D D D L; Bolton L D D W L
Top scorers: Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn) 15; Grzegorz Rasiak (Bolton) 8
Match odds: H 4-5 A 3-1 D 21-10
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)

Reading (18) v Aston Villa (6)

Royals defenders Ivar Ingimarsson (ban) and Andre Bikey (international duty) should figure, midfielder Emerse Fae is also back from the African Nations Cup and winger Bobby Convey is available following knee surgery. Defender Michael Duberry (knee), Brynjar Gunnarsson (groin) and Glen Little (heel) are sidelined.

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is winning his battle to be fit following a hamstring injury. Villa boss Martin O'Neill has to decide whether to persevere with Olof Mellberg and Stiliyan Petrov, who were both substituted at half-time during the 4-1 win over Newcastle.
Last season: Reading 2 Aston Villa 0, Aston Villa 2 Reading 1
Last five league matches: Reading L L L L L; Aston Villa W D D L W
Top scorers: Dave Kitson (Reading) 8; John Carew (Aston Villa) 9
Match odds: H 19-10 A 23-20 D 11-5
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)

Monday, February 25th

Man City (7) v Everton (4)

City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has close to a full-strength squad to choose from, with Elano and Vedran Corluka available after suspension. Midfielder Michael Johnson is also back in contention after returning to training following an abdominal injury, meaning Valeri Bojinov (knee) is the only absentee.

Joseph Yobo will return to Everton's squad having been left out of the UEFA Cup triumph over Brann. Mikel Arteta is struggling with a groin problem which kept him out of the first leg win in Norway last week but did not stop him figuring — and scoring — in the 6-1 win in the return.
Last season: Man City 2 Everton 1, Everton 1 Man City 1
Last five league matches: Man City L D D L W; Everton W W D D W
Top scorers: Benjani Mwaruwari (Man City) 13; Ayegbeni Yakubu (Everton) 12
Match odds: H 5-4 A 9-5 D 21-10
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire)