Premier League team news and statistics

All the latest team news from across the Irish Sea ahead of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.

Saturday, February 25th

Chelsea (5) v Bolton (19)

Chelsea will be without captain John Terry after he was ruled out for up to six weeks with a knee injury. Ashley Cole is likely to return at left-back after being left out of the starting XI against Napoli and Fernando Torres is expected to be available despite missing training yesterday due to illness. Juan Mata is ready despite suffering a suspected broken finger against the Italians but Jose Bosingwa is out after coming off in the first half of Tuesday’s game with a muscle injury.

Bolton midfielder Mark Davies, who has been nursing a hamstring problem, is expected to be fit. Striker Marvin Sordell is eligible for selection again after being cup-tied for last weekend's FA Cup fifth-round victory over Millwall. Defender Joe Riley is a doubt due to a foot injury and forward Kevin Davies, who sustained medial ligament damage in his knee in the league defeat to Wigan on February 11th, is unlikely be ready to make his return to action yet.
Last season:Bolton 0 Chelsea 4, Chelsea 1 Bolton 0
Last five league matches:Chelsea W D D D L; Bolton L W D L L
Top scorers(all competitions): Frank Lampard & Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea) 11; Marvin Sordell (Bolton) 10
Match odds:H 3-10 A 9-1 D 4-1
Referee:Michael Oliver (Northumberland)

Man City (1) v Blackburn (17)

Manchester City defender Micah Richards is fit, despite requiring lengthy treatment to his knee during the midweek Europa League win over Porto. Midfielder Gareth Barry, who was withdrawn in that game to protect a muscle twinge, does not have a serious problem. Defender Kolo Toure, midfielder Yaya Toure (both international duty) and striker Mario Balotelli (suspension) return to domestic action after lengthy absences.

Blackburn midfielder David Dunn is a doubt due to a thigh injury. Winger Junior Hoilett, substituted early in the second half of the 3-2 win over QPR, is fit, but Jason Lowe begins a two-match ban and fellow defender Gael Givet is still suspended. Wantaway defender Christopher Samba appears poised to leave Rovers to join Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala.
Last season:Blackburn 0 Man City 1, Man City 1 Blackburn 1
Last five league matches:Man City W W L W W; Blackburn W D L L W
Top scorers:Sergio Aguero (Man City) 20; Ayegbeni Yakubu (Blackburn) 14
Match odds:H 1-6 A 14-1 D 13-2
Referee:Mike Jones (Cheshire)

Newcastle (6) v Wolves (18)

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will welcome back key midfield duo Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye. Tiote has missed the last seven games because of his involvement in Ivory Coast’s African Nations Cup campaign, while Cabaye has now completed his three-match ban. Utility man Ryan Taylor is also available after missing the 5-0 defeat at Spurs with an ankle injury, but Leon Best and Sammy Ameobi (both knee), Steven Taylor (Achilles) and Sylvain Marveaux (groin) remain on the sidelines.

Wolves midfielder Karl Henry is available following a three-match suspension for his red card against Aston Villa. Winger Michael Kightly is also back in contention after suffering a back injury against Villa nearly four weeks ago. Top scorer Steven Fletcher was unable to train earlier this week because of a virus and migraine, but new boss Terry Connor is optimistic he will be fit.
Last season:Newcastle 4 Wolves 1, Wolves 1 Newcastle 1
Last five league matches:Newcastle W L W W L; Wolves D L L W L
Top scorers:Demba Ba (Newcastle) 16; Steven Fletcher (Wolves) 10
Match odds:H 6-10 A 5-1 D 11-4
Referee:Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)

QPR (16) v Fulham (12)

On-loan midfielder Samba Diakite is in line to make his QPR debut. Diakite, who has joined from Nancy until the end of the season, will be in the squad for the first time, having reached the semi-finals of the African Nations Cup with Mali. Bobby Zamora also faces his old club, but Djibril Cisse is suspended and Heidar Helguson (groin), DJ Campbell and Luke Young (both hamstring) still injured.

Andrew Johnson will return to the Fulham squad, having been out for several weeks with a left adductor injury. Fellow strikers Pavel Pogrebnyak and Orlando Sa are also available, while Philippe Senderos returns after a grade two strain in his left adductor. Zdenek Grygera (knee) and Steve Sidwell (hernia) are the only first-team players unavailable.
Last season:No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches:QPR L W D L L; Fulham L W D L W
Top scorers:Heidar Helguson (QPR) 9; Clint Dempsey (Fulham) 16
Match odds:H 17-10 A 13-8 D 11-5
Referee:Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)

West Brom (14) v Sunderland (9)

West Brom midfielder Keith Andrews is in strong contention to make his full debut as a replacement for the injured Paul Scharner (rib) after impressing as a substitute and scoring during the 5-1 win over his former club Wolves. Skipper Chris Brunt (ankle) is close to fitness, but fellow midfielder Zoltan Gera (knee) remains a long-term absentee as the Baggies search for their first home win since November.

Nicklas Bendtner could return to the Sunderland squad after recovering from a facial fracture. The striker has returned to training wearing a protective mask. Midfielder David Vaughan is back in training after an ankle problem, but the game is likely to come too soon for him, and only Wes Brown (knee) and Titus Bramble (Achilles/calf) remain on the long-term casualty list.
Last season:Sunderland 2 West Brom 3, West Brom 1 Sunderland 0
Last five league matches:West Brom L W D L W; Sunderland L W W W L
Top scorers:Keith Andrews (West Brom) 10; Stephane Sessegnon (Sunderland) 7
Match odds:H 7-5 A 19-10 D 9-4
Referee:Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Wigan (20) v Aston Villa (15)

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has a fully-fit squad to choose from. Striker Callum McManaman has recovered from a back problem while a number of players were able to overcome colds and viruses during the club’s recent trip to Oman. Midfielder Mohamed Diame may be set for his first appearance since returning from the African Nations Cup, having remained on the bench a fortnight ago for the vital win at Bolton.

Aston Villa welcome Gabriel Agbonlahor back after he missed their last three matches with back and hamstring problems. Chris Herd could also be involved after coming through an hour in a reserve match unscathed. The midfielder has been out for around two and a half months with ankle ligament damage. Richard Dunne (shoulder) and Ciaran Clark (knee) are both long-term casualties.
Last season:Aston Villa 1 Wigan 1, Wigan 1 Aston Villa 2
Last five league matches:Wigan L L L D W; Aston Villa D W D L L
Top scorers:Jordi Gomez, Franco Di Santo & Ben Watson (Wigan) 4; Darren Bent (Aston Villa) 10
Match odds:H 15-8 A 6-4 D 11-5
Referee:Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)

Sunday, February 26th

Arsenal (4) v Tottenham (3)

Arsenal defenders Laurent Koscielny (knee) and Kieran Gibbs (groin) face fitness tests. Midfielder Aaron Ramsey (ankle), defender Francis Coquelin (hamstring) and centre-half Sebastien Squillaci (groin) are all sidelined. Centre-back Per Mertesacker (ankle) is a long-term absentee, along with full-back Andre Santos (ankle), midfielders Abou Diaby (hamstring) and Jack Wilshere (ankle).

Tottenham forwards Emmanuel Adebayor (knee) and Rafael van der Vaart (calf) have trained this week and are expected to be fit. Benoit Assou-Ekotto (groin) and Luka Modric (illness) should also be available to return. Ledley King (knee) faces a late fitness test, Sandro is a major doubt due to a calf injury, and William Gallas (calf) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) are long-term absentees.
Last season:Tottenham 3 Arsenal 3, Arsenal 2 Tottenham 3
Last five league matches:Arsenal L L D W W; Tottenham D L W D W
Top scorers:Robin van Persie (Arsenal) 28; Jermain Defoe (Tottenham) 12
Match odds:H 7-5 A 9-5 D 5-2
Referee:Mike Dean (Wirral)

Norwich (8) v Man Utd (2)

Zak Whitbread could return to the Norwich fold after recovering from a hamstring injury, but his fellow defender Daniel Ayala continues to miss out. Marc Tierney (groin) and Jonny Howson (knee) are both on the comeback trail, although Norwich manager Paul Lambert believes this weekend’s game might be beyond them.

Rio Ferdinand will return to the Manchester United squad, having been rested for last night's Europa League defeat to Ajax. Wayne Rooney (throat) is a doubt, whilst there is also speculation midfielder Tom Cleverley has suffered a recurrence of his ankle injury.
Last season:No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches:Norwich W D L W W; Man Utd W W W D W
Top scorers:Grant Holt (Norwich) 11; Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) 22
Match odds:H 5-1 A 8-15 D 16-5
Referee:Andre Marriner (W Midlands)

Stoke (13) v Swansea (11)

Stoke boss Tony Pulis will make significant changes from the side knocked out of Europe last night. The Potters boss left nine first-team players at home for the 1-0 defeat by Valencia, including the likes of Peter Crouch, Jon Walters and Matthew Etherington, and all are likely to come back in. Robert Huth serves the final match of a three-game ban, but Rory Delap is available after having his red card at Crawley overturned, while Pulis could give Asmir Begovic a start in goal ahead of Thomas Sorensen.

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers has a near full-strength squad to pick from. Rodgers, who is himself in a race against time to shake off a bout of flu before the match, will be boosted by a return to fitness by midfielder Joe Allen after he missed the 3-2 home defeat by Norwich. However, Kemy Agustien looks set to miss out after he picked up a knock in training and fellow midfielder Andrea Orlandi (hamstring) is also a doubt. Right-back Curtis Obeng could be in line for his debut following his recent arrival from Wrexham.
Last season:No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches:Stoke D L L L L; Swansea W L D W L
Top scorers:Peter Crouch & Jonathan Walters (Stoke) 9; Rory Donnelly & Danny Graham (Swansea) 12
Match odds:H 11-10 A 13-5 D 9-4
Referee:Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)