Hull (18) v Burnley (19):George Boateng has been given a 45 per cent chance of playing despite being carried off on a stretcher in last Saturday's loss to Stoke after being struck in the face by Tuncay Sanli's overhead kick.
Scans and X-rays were clear and Tigers boss Iain Dowie is waiting to see if the midfielder shrugs off any sign of concussion. Republic of Ireland winger Stephen Hunt (foot) is almost certainly out, but Ibrahima Sonko returns after missing the defeat at parent club Stoke and Andy Dawson is in contention to start after returning to the bench at the Britannia Stadium following a hamstring problem.
Burnley captain Steven Caldwell could make his return from a four-month absence with groin and abdominal problems having featured twice for the reserves in the last fortnight. Stephen Jordan’s knee injury means he is still a doubt , while Chris McCann remains sidelined with his own knee problem. Laws has confirmed that Kevin McDonald will be included in the squad after the midfielder was fined for leaving Turf Moor without permission at half-time during last weekend’s 6-1 defeat to Manchester City.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches:Hull L L L W L; Burnley D L L L L
Top scorers (all competitions):Stephen Hunt (Hull) 6; Steven Fletcher (Burnley) 12
Match odds:H 7-10 A 4-1 D 13-5
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
West Ham (17) v Sunderland (13)
West Ham will be without suspended midfield talisman Scott Parker but boss Gianfranco Zola is expected to have Valon Behrami available after he was injured in the warm-up ahead of last weekend’s draw at Everton. Guillermo Franco and Alessandro Diamanti are also set to be available as the Hammers aim to take another step towards safety.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has a series of injury concerns. Skipper Lorik Cana is a doubt with a groin problem, while central defender Michael Turner is struggling with a combination of hamstring and tendon injuries. However, Alan Hutton (groin) was expected to train today and could have a chance of making the squad.
Last season:West Ham 2 Sunderland 0, Sunderland 0 West Ham 1
Last five league matches: West Ham L L L L D; Sunderland D W D L W
Top scorers (all competitions):Carlton Cole (West Ham) 9; Darren Bent (Sunderland) 23
Match odds: H 1-1 A 14-5 D 23-10
Referee: Michael Jones (Cheshire).
Sunday, April 11
Blackburn (11) v Man Utd (2)
Sam Allardyce will have to decide whether to stick with 18-year-old centre-back Phil Jones or recall skipper Ryan Nelsen. Jones has been superb in the last four games but Nelsen is back in the squad after returning from a knee injury. Keith Andrews and Vince Grella, out previously with calf and knee injuries respectively, are also included.
Manchester United will definitely be without Wayne Rooney after the England striker suffered a recurrence of his ankle injury in the Champions League exit against Bayern Munich. Dimitar Berbatov is expected to earn a recall with Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes all set to start at Ewood Park.
Last season: Man Utd 2 Blackburn 1, Blackburn 0 Man Utd 2
Last five league matches: Blackburn L D W W D; Man Utd W W W W L
Top scorers (all competitions):David Dunn (Blackburn) 9; Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) 34
Match odds:H 13-2 A 4-9 D 16-5
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
Liverpool (6) v Fulham (12)
Liverpool expect Fernando Torres to be fit to face fellow Europa League semi-finalists Fulham. Torres played on through slight discomfort in his knee to score twice in Thursday’s victory over Benfica before being substituted after 86 minutes. Daniel Agger could continue at left-back. Emiliano Insua was suspended against Benfica but has also suffered a knock, while Fabio Aurelio (thigh) remains sidelined.
Roy Hodgson is set to make several changes to his side following their victory in Wolfsburg. Striker Bobby Zamora is doubtful with an Achilles injury and Simon Davies could miss out after he picked up a rib injury in Germany. Clint Dempsey is ruled out with a thigh injury but David Elm could be available if he overcomes the virus which hospitalised him last weekend.
Last season:Fulham 0 Liverpool 1, Liverpool 0 Fulham 0
Last five league matches:Liverpool L W L W D; Fulham D L L L W
Top scorers (all competitions): Fernando Torres (Liverpool) 20; Bobby Zamora (Fulham) 18
Match odds:H 3-10 A 10-1 D 19-5
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
Man City (4) v Birmingham (9)
Manchester City full-back Sylvinho is struggling to be fit after he suffered a calf injury in the 6-1 victory against Burnley at the weekend. Micah Richards is also doubtful with a knee problem. Pablo Zabaleta remains sidelined through suspension while Stephen Ireland has an ankle injury and misses out.
Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor will make just his second Premier League appearance of the season at Eastlands. Northern Ireland international Taylor steps into the side to replace Joe Hart, who is unable to play as he is on loan from City. James McFadden will again continue up front alongside Cameron Jerome with Christian Benitez on the bench.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches:Man City D W L W W; Birmingham D L L D D
Top scorers (all competitions): Carlos Tevez (Man City) 26; Cameron Jerome (Birmingham) 9
Match odds:H 4-11 A 8-1 D 7-2
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
Wolverhampton (14) v Stoke (10)
Wolves will be without skipper Karl Henry through suspension as they face his former club. The midfielder starts a three-match ban for his red card against Arsenal. Adlene Guedioura, Nenad Milijas and David Edwards will all by vying for a starting place although Mick McCarthy could push Kevin Foley into a central role.
Striker Ricardo Fuller is Stoke’s only fitness concern. The Jamaica striker was forced off with an ankle injury at half-time at Hull last week. Tuncay or Mamady Sidibe, both substitutes last week, could come in alongside Dave Kitson if Fuller fails a fitness test with youngster Louis Moult moving up to the bench. James Beattie, out for seven weeks with a knee injury, is unlikely to come into contention despite an outing for the reserves on Tuesday.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Wolverhampton W D W D L; Stoke D D L W W
Top scorers (all competitions):Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton) 7; Ricardo Fuller (Stoke) 8
Match odds:H 13-10 A 11-5 D 11-5
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)