FA Cup team news
All the latest team news ahead of the FA Cup weekend action.
SATURDAY
FIFTH ROUND
Arsenal v Blackburn
Arsenal will check on the fitness of captain Thomas Vermaelen (ankle), midfielder Jack Wilshere (thigh) and defender Laurent Koscielny (calf). Full back Carl Jenkinson is suspended after being sent off in last week’s Premier League win at Sunderland. Ivory Coast forward Gervinho could be back in contention after returning from the African Nations Cup. Left back Kieran Gibbs remains out with a thigh injury.
Blackburn will be without Josh Morris and DJ Campbell as both are cup-tied. Lee Williamson could make his debut after the midfielder signed on a free transfer. Star striker Jordan Rhodes broke his nose against Ipswich but was fit to feature in the midweek draw with Brighton. David Dunn’s calf injury leaves him sidelined along with Joshua King, Grant Hanley (both hamstring), Leon Best and Dickson Etuhu (both knee).
Top scorers (all competitions):Theo Walcott (Arsenal) 18; Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn) 22.
Match odds:H 2-9 A 15-2 D 9-2.
Referee:Mike Dean (Wirral).
Luton v Millwall
Luton boss Paul Buckle will be without defenders Simon Ainge and Steve McNulty and midfielders Dave Martin and Scott Neilson who are all cup-tied. Simon Hackney could make his debut after joining on a free transfer. JJ O’Donnell, Matt Robinson and Greg Taylor are all expected to be involved. Danny Spiller (Achilles), Garry Richards (ankle) and Lathaniel Rowe-Turner (suspension) are unavailable. Wayne Thomas hopes to get international clearance after signing from Greek side Veria.
Millwall will be without on-loan Arsenal striker Benik Afobe who is cup-tied. Martyn Woolford also played for former club Bristol City in the third round. Dany N’Guessan could feature and Tamika Mkandawire is in contention following a knee problem. Forward Nathan Tyson (ankle) and captain Paul Robinson (groin) are still missing.
Top scorers (all competitions):Andre Gray & Scott Rendell (Luton) 12; Andy Keogh & Liam Trotter (Millwall) 6.
Match odds:H 3-1 A 10-11 D 12-5.
Referee:Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
MK Dons v Barnsley
Izale McLeod will miss out as he is cup-tied. Defender Antony Kay and striker Ryan Lowe are suspended so Alan Smith could start up front. Wingers Luke Chadwick and Daniel Powell and centre-half Gary MacKenzie could continue after returning from injury. Dele Ali, Giorgio Rasulo and Brendan Galloway could be called up to the Dons squad.
Barnsley striker Jason Scotland could be handed his first start after scoring in each of his three substitute appearances since signing a short-term deal. Defender Scott Wiseman is a doubt after picking up a knock in training. Striker Chris O’Grady is pushing for his first start. Midfield pair Tomasz Cywka and Jacob Mellis, defender Bobby Hassell, plus youngsters Reuben Noble-Lazarus and Danny Rose could all come into contention. Midfielder Stephen Dawson (ankle ligaments) and defender Jim McNulty (hamstring) remain sidelined.
