Premiership team news

(Saturday) Birmingham (18) v Sunderland (20) Martin Latka is Steve Bruce's only available senior centre-back with Kenny Cunningham, Matthew Upson, Martin Taylor and Olivier Tebily all injured and Alex Bruce suspended. Taylor has an outside chance of being patched up to play with an ankle problem but rookie Marcos Painter is poised to partner Latka, while DJ Campbell could make his first start for the Blues.

Rory Delap could make his Sunderland debut after shaking off an Achilles problem. The 29-year-old midfielder has been out of action since his move to Wearside from Southampton last month.

Blackburn (7) v Arsenal (5)

Paul Dickov is in contention for a place on the bench after five weeks out with a dislocated shoulder. The Rovers squad returned from warm-weather training in Dubai with no other injury concerns.

Freddie Ljungberg (calf) is out and Dennis Bergkamp is also not yet fully match fit after a similar problem. Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor returns after being cup-tied for the midweek Champions League tie while youngsters Arturo Lupoli and Theo Walcott are also included.

Charlton (12) v Aston Villa (15)

Alexei Smertin, Chris Powell and Talal El Karkouri are all pushing for recalls to the Charlton starting line-up after they were rested for the draw at Newcastle. Winger Jerome Thomas has recovered from a groin problem but although Dennis Rommedahl is back in full training following a rib injury he is unlikely to feature, with the same applying to Jonathan Fortune (rib) and Gonzalo Sorondo (foot).

Villa defender Mark Delaney has been ruled out for three weeks by the knee injury he suffered in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City. Liam Ridgewell has been recalled to replace Delaney and will start his first game of the year. Kevin Phillips is pushing to win a recall.

Chelsea (1) v Portsmouth (19)

Chelsea welcome back Michael Essien who missed Wednesday night’s 2-1 Champions League defeat by Barcelona through suspension. William Gallas, who also missed the Barca clash, could be back after his hamstring problem.

Manager Harry Redknapp may play Lomana LuaLua as a lone striker for Pompey if record signing Benjani Mwaruwari fails a late fitness test on a groin injury. Pedro Mendes should pass a late check on a thigh strain but Salif Diao is out through another hamstring problem.

Newcastle (13) v Everton (11)

Newcastle captain Alan Shearer will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness after missing the last two games with a calf problem and remains a major doubt, while Kieron Dyer and Titus Bramble (both hamstring) are definitely out and could be for up to three weeks. Celestine Babayaro returns after suspension, but Michael Owen (foot), Stephen Carr (hernia) and Steven Taylor (shoulder) remain on the casualty list.

On-loan goalkeeper Sander Westerveld will make his debut for Everton. The former Liverpool keeper has joined on a 28-day deal from Portsmouth because Nigel Martyn and Richard Wright are injured and Iain Turner is suspended. Phil Neville, Tony Hibbert and Duncan Ferguson are also banned while Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo returns to the squad after the African Nations Cup.

(Sunday)

Bolton (9) v Fulham (14)

Bolton utility player Henrik Pedersen (heel) is doubtful. He suffered the injury in the UEFA Cup defeat to Marseille — his first game in four months following an Achilles injury.

Fulham welcome Papa Bouba Diop back from African Nations Cup duty with Senegal. Manager Chris Coleman has plenty of options up front with Collins John, Brian McBride, Heidar Helguson and Tomasz Radzinski competing for starting places.

Liverpool (3) v Man City (10)

Liverpool are without eye injury victim Mohamed Sissoko and the suspended Jamie Carragher. Robbie Fowler will also be missing from the match under the terms of his recent transfer back to Anfield from Manchester City. Peter Crouch, a substitute in against Benfica in midweek, is expected to return to the attack while Daniel Agger or Djimi Traore could partner Sami Hyypia in defence.

Danny Mills (shin) and Ben Thatcher (chest infection) could return for Manchester City after coming through a reserve team appearance in midweek. Claudio Reyna (ankle) and Trevor Sinclair (groin) are also back in training but are unlikely to be involved, while FA Cup hero Micah Richards is struggling to get over a knee injury.

West Brom (17) v Middlesbrough (16)

West Brom welcome back Kanu and Diomansy Kamara from African Nations Cup duty, while Paul Robinson returns from suspension. Goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak is expected to recover in time from a collarbone injury.

Middlesbrough welcome back Emanuel Pogatetz who missed the 1-0 UEFA Cup defeat by Stuttgart through suspension. Manager Steve McClaren has no fresh injury worries and has 18-goal leading scorer Aiyegbeni Yakubu fresh after playing just the last few minutes against the Germans as a substitute.