Israel Saria
Eurosport –
A round-up of the weekend’s team news ahead of the FA Cup fifth round, with Chelsea skipper John Terry unable to turn out for his new boss.
Click on the relevant links below the picture to see predicted line-ups, players to watch and updates on injures and suspensions.
All matches kick off at 15:00 UK time unless otherwise stated.
Saturday February 14
Swansea City v Fulham (12:45)
Swansea full-back Angel Rangel is available again after missing the 3-0 win over Ipswich due to a one-match ban. Gorka Pintado will not feature as he is recovering from a hernia operation.
Olivier Dacourt – currently on loan at Fulham from Internazionale – replaced Dickson Etuhu at half-time in the 0-0 draw at Wigan last weekend. The French midfielder is likely to make his full debut at the Liberty Stadium.
Sheffield United v Hull City
The Blades will be hoping that skipper Chris Morgan can shake off a hamstring problem to return to their depleted side. Midfielder Gary Speed and defensive duo Ugo Ehiogu and Derek Geary are all out injured while trio Jamie Ward, Leigh Bromby and Arturo Lupoli are all cup-tied.
Hull boss Phil Brown will not have Jimmy Bullard available as the midfielder is still recovering from a knee injury. Craig Fagan is set to resume his lone striker role as Daniel Cousin is out with the same injury as Bullard.
West Ham United v Middlesbrough
No changes are expected for the Hammers. Captain Lucas Neill picked up his fifth booking of the season last weekend, but he will serve his one-game suspension the following week.
Boro defender Chris Riggott remains sidelined with a knee injury he picked up against Manchester City, so Justin Hoyte will start at right-back with David Wheater moving into the middle. Striker Jeremie Aliadiere is not due back until later this month.
Blackburn Rovers v Coventry City
Versatile Blackburn defender Aaron Mokoena is suspended for this tie after accumulating five bookings this season. A recent signing from Sunderland, El-Hadji Diouf, is cup-tied. Midfielders Brett Emerton and Steven Reid are both out for the season.
Scottish centre-back James McPake could keep his place in the side after making his debut in the 2-1 win over Wolves. Coventry midfielder Isaac Osbourne remains out with an ankle injury until next month.
Watford v Chelsea (17:30)
Watford hope to have captain Jay DeMerit return to the heart of their defence. Midfielder Gareth Williams and goalkeeper Mart Poom are long-term absentees.
Chelsea skipper John Terry is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season. With fellow centre-back Ricardo Carvalho not due back from injury until next week, Branislav Ivanovic and Alex will both start. Hilario will continue in goal in place of the absent Petr Cech – also due back next week – while Joe Cole and Michael Essien remain out long term.
Sunday February 15
Everton v Aston Villa (14:30)
Everton’s on-loan striker Jo is cup-tied after turning out for parent club Manchester City in the 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest in the third round. With Yakubu, Louis Saha, James Vaughan and Marouane Fellaini all out through injury and Steven Pienaar suspended, midfielder Tim Cahill will again spearhead the attack.
Villa are without both their captain and vice-captain as Martin Laursen remains sidelined through injury and Gareth Barry suspended for five bookings accumulated. Emile Heskey is cup-tied, having appeared for Wigan when they were eliminated in the thrid round. Luke Young could return to the side after pulling out of the last England squad with an ankle injury.
Derby County v Manchester United (17:30)
Derby full-back Jay McEveley is suspended, so Lewin Nyatanga is set to start at left-back.
United are unlikely to play Wayne Rooney, who is almost fit again after a hamstring injury, while Anderson is also missing. However, Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand are both fit.
Monday February 16
Cardiff City v Arsenal (Fourth-round replay, 19:45)
Cardiff skipper Darren Purse is set to miss out due to the return to fitness of Gabor Gyepes.
Over a year after breaking his leg at Birmingham City, Croatia striker Eduardo could return the Arsenal starting line-up due to Emmanuel Adebayor’s torn hamstring. Gunners fans will have to wait for new signing Andrei Arshavin’s debut though, as the Russian is ineligible having signed after the first match of this tie was played. A knee injury means former Cardiff player Aaron Ramsey will miss the chance to play against his old club.
Follow every one of the weekend’s FA Cup matches LIVE right here at eurosport.yahoo.com!!
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