Israel Saria
Team news ahead of the weekend’s Premier League action, with Cesc Fabregas set to miss out for Arsenal‘s clash with Hull City.
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(All matches kick off at 15:00 UK time unless otherwise stated)
Saturday March 13
Tottenham Hotspur v Blackburn Rovers (12:45)
Tottenham pair Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker are back in contention after being cup-tied last weekend, but Ledley King (thigh), Tom Huddlestone (ankle), Jermaine Jenas, Aaron Lennon and David Bentley (all groin) are out.
David Dunn will be available for Blackburn after coming through a reserve game, but Lars Jacobsen (hernia), Ryan Nelsen (knee), and Vince Grella (calf) will miss the trip to White Hart Lane.
Birmingham midfielder Lee Boywer has recovered from illness, while Sebastian Larsson, James McFadden and skipper Stephen Carr are also in contention for a return. Veteran striker Kevin Phillips is battling to shake off a hamstring niggle, while right-back Stuart Parnaby, is ruled out with an ankle injury.
Everton will be without midfielder Leon Osman with a groin problem, while the match is expected to be Landon Donovan‘s final game for Everton before returning to Los Angeles Galaxy after a two-month loan spell.
Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic
Midfielder Tamir Cohen returns to the Bolton squad for the relegation clash with Wigan after serving a one-match ban, but full-back Sam Ricketts is out after being red-carded against Sunderland.
Boss Owen Coyle expects midfielders Fabrice Muamba and on-loan Jack Wilshere to have recovered from minor injuries but will lose midfielder Gavin McCann for the rest of the season due to an ankle operation.
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has reported no fresh injury worries ahead of his side’s trip to Bolton and is expected to stick with the same XI who recorded an historic first-ever victory over Liverpool.
Burnley v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Top-scorer Steven Fletcher could return for the Clarets after breaking his hand while on international duty with Scotland, but the game is likely to come too soon for Chris McCann (knee), while Steven Caldwell (groin) remains sidelined.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy could name an unchanged side for the fifth successive match, although striker Stefan Maierhofer is fit after recovering from an ankle injury and could feature on the bench.
Chelsea are without goalkeeper Hilario for Saturday’s game against West Ham, so rookie keeper Ross Turnbull will fill in with young keeper Rhys Taylor on the substitute’s bench.
Full-back Jose Bosingwa (knee), midfielder Michael Essien (knee), left-back Ashley Cole (ankle) and defender Ricardo Carvalho (hamstring) are also out.
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola welcomes back Danny Gabbidon and Benni McCarthy, but Julien Faubert (hamstring) and Manuel Da Costa (suspended) are the latest players to be ruled out, Mark Noble, Herita Ilunga, Zavon Hines, Luis Boa Morte and Calum Davenport remain on the sidelines.
Stoke trio Ricardo Fuller, Glenn Whelan and Danny Higginbotham could come into contention, with manager Tony Pulis due to make a late decision on all three players. Pulis is already without Ryan Shawcross through suspension, while Salif Diao has a calf strain.
Aston Villa’s leading scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor is expected to be fit after recovering from a stomach bug and Villa boss Martin O’Neill has no fresh injury worries as Villa gear up for a spell of five league games in 15 days.
Hull City v Arsenal (17:30)
Hull manager Phil Brown is set to retain Jimmy Bullard and Nick Barmby in his squad despite their bust-up this week, and will also welcome back both defender Andy Dawson and Dean Marney. Craig Fagan returns from suspension, but Stephen Hunt will face a late fitness test on his foot injury.
Arsenal look set be without captain Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) for the trip to the KC stadium, while winger Tomas Rosicky faces a fitness test. Bacary Sagna (ankle) is also a doubt, although veteran defender Sol Campbell is expected to be available. Midfielder Alex Song serves the second match of a domestic ban, while centre-back William Gallas (calf) is still sidelined.
Sunday March 14
Manchester United v Fulham (13:30)
Michael Carrick returns to the Manchester United squad for Sunday’s Premier League encounter with Fulham at Old Trafford, but Ryan Giggs is still a week away from a return after breaking his arm, while Ritchie De Laet is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a leg injury.
Fulham forward Clint Dempsey could be in line to make his first start for two months following a serious knee injury. Captain Danny Murphy faces a fitness test on a groin injury while Nicky Shorey, who was cup tied for the Juventus match, could replace Paul Konchesky at left-back.
Sunderland v Manchester City (16:00)
Sunderland will be without suspended skipper Lorik Cana, while Lee Cattermole is battling to shake off a hamstring problem. Kieran Richardson (calf) and Jordan Henderson (ankle) are also struggling and Andy Reid (hamstring) misses out. But David Meyler is available again after completing a three-match ban.
Manchester City defender Kolo Toure is pushing for a place after recovering from a knee injury, but Emmanuel Adebayor is absent through suspension while Martin Petrov is injured.
Monday March 15
Liverpool v Portsmouth (20:00)
Midfielder Yossi Benayoun will face a late fitness test after missing Thursday’s Europa League defeat in Lille with an ankle injury, but fellow midfielder Maxi Rodriguez returns to the domestic squad having been ineligible for Europe. Defenders Martin Skrtel (broken foot) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) are still out injured.
Portsmouth boss Avram Grant welcomes defender Ricardo Rocha back from a two-game ban, while Aaron Mokoena is also available after a knee problem. But Hassan Yebda and Kevin-Prince Boateng are receiving treatment on knee and ankle injuries respectively, while John Utaka is doubtful with a sore groin.
PA Sport
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