Team news for tonight's matches
Birmingham City v Manchester City
St Andrew’s, 7.45pm
NEW Birmingham City signings Obafemi Martins and Curtis Davies are both eligible for tonight’s clash. While Davies is likely to be on the bench, manager Alex McLeish will take a decision on Martins’s fitness nearer the match. Birmingham have no other new injury worries, other than long-term absentees James McFadden (knee) and Scott Dann (hamstring).
Micah Richards will be missing for Manchester City with an ankle injury. Although City do not believe the injury is serious, the damage sustained against Notts County on Sunday will be enough to keep him out. Adam Johnson has reported he does not require surgery on an ankle injury that is likely to keep him out for up to three months.
Roberto Mancini will reinforce his starting line-up by recalling Kolo Toure, Vincent Kompany, Nigel de Jong and David Silva, who all started the FA Cup game on the bench.
Blackburn Rovers v Tottenham Hotspur
Ewood Park, 8pm
BLACKBURN striker Roque Santa Cruz will be out for a couple of weeks with a groin strain, while Ryan Nelsen and Gael Givet will have late fitness tests. Manager Steve Kean will not throw transfer deadline day signings Mauro Formica and Ruben Rochina into the fray. With El-Hadji Diouf moving to Rangers there could be a start in attack for Nikola Kalinic.
Tottenham’s mounting injury problems in defence mean Jonathan Woodgate could make his first appearance for 14 months. The former England player has been out with a long-standing groin injury but he may have to start given Ledley King (groin), Younes Kaboul (knee) and Michael Dawson (suspension) are definitely out and William Gallas is struggling with a hip injury. Wilson Palacios has recovered from a knee injury but Gareth Bale (back) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) remain sidelined.
Blackpool v West Ham Utd
Bloomfield Road, 8pm
REPUBLIC of Ireland captain Robbie Keane could be in line to start his first Premier League game in three months after completing his loan move from Spurs. If picked, the Dubliner is likely to start up front alongside Victor Obinna after he netted a hat-trick in the FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest. That would leave Carlton Cole having to be content with a place on the bench. West Ham’s other new signings Demba Ba and Gary O’Neil are also in contention to make their club debuts.
Blackpool captain Charlie Adam will lead the side after failing to secure a transfer. Manager Ian Holloway strengthened his squad by bringing in four players on deadline day, including Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid. Strikers James Beattie and Sergei Kornilenko and midfielder Jason Puncheon are also in contention, while Holloway will hope to have left back Stephen Crainey back from an ankle injury.
Bolton Wanderers v Woles
The Reebok Stadium, 8pm
STRIKER Daniel Sturridge is set to make his Bolton debut after signing on loan from Chelsea. He will provide competition for Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander, while fellow January signing David Wheater could make his Premier League bow for the club after playing in the FA Cup draw with Wigan. Lee Chung-yong also comes into contention after returning from Asian Cup duty with South Korea, with Stuart Holden and Gary Cahill likely to be recalled.
Newcomer Jamie O’Hara is included in the Wolves squad after joining Mick McCarthy’s side on loan from Tottenham. The midfielder’s last senior appearance was in the FA Cup final when on loan to Portsmouth but he has now recovered from a long-term back problem. Fellow midfielder Stephen Hunt is sidelined with a calf injury, but international team-mate Kevin Doyle has recovered from illness.
Fulham v Newcastle Utd
Craven Cottage, 8pm (live on Sky Sports 2)
NEW loan signings Eidur Gudjohnsen and Gael Kakuta could make their first appearances for Fulham. Gudjohnsen has been registered for the Cottagers after completing his loan move from Stoke while Kakuta missed Sunday’s 4-0 win over Tottenham as he was cup-tied. David Stockdale is likely to continue in goal as Mark Schwarzer is tired after his exploits with Australia in the Asian Cup and Dickson Etuhu is a doubt with a hamstring injury.
Newcastle new boy Stephen Ireland will not figure after arriving from Aston Villa on loan with a hamstring problem. The midfielder is expected to sideline him for around two weeks.
Midfielder Cheik Tiote completes his three-match ban but skipper Kevin Nolan (ankle) and Danny Guthrie, who limped off with cramp during the 1-1 draw with Spurs last time out, will be available.
Liverpool v Stoke City
Anfield, 8pm
LIVERPOOL’S club-record €41 million signing Andy Carroll is still recovering from a thigh injury and is likely to be out for at least a month.The club are still awaiting clearance and a work permit for their other big signing Luis Suarez, who moved from Ajax for €26.7 million. If that comes through in time, the Uruguay international could play a part. With Fernando Torres gone to Chelsea either Dirk Kuyt or David Ngog may be given the striker’s role.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has defensive worries with captain Ryan Shawcross ruled out through suspension while Danny Higginbotham has a hamstring injury. Full back Andy Wilkinson has a back injury so Republic of Ireland defender Marc Wilson could come in, but Danny Collins is expected to return at left back. Asmir Begovic could return in goal despite Thomas Sorensen impressing in the FA Cup win against Wolves.
