A round-up of all the Premiership team news ahead of the weekend's return to action.
Saturday, September 15th
Birmingham (16) v Bolton (19)
Blues captain Damien Johnson is still sidelined with a hamstring problem but midfielders Borja Oubina and Wilson Palacios are in the squad. Boss Steve Bruce has to decide whether to switch on-loan Arsenal player Johan Djourou from midfield to defence.
Swedish midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson injured a thigh on international duty against Denmark last Saturday but after a week of treatment he is expected to be available for Bolton. Stelios Giannakopoulos expects to return to training next week after a summer hernia operation while Ricardo Gardner (hamstring) and Joey O'Brien (knee) are still not quite fit.
Last season:No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches:Birmingham L D L W L; Bolton L L L W L
Top scorers:Cameron Jerome & Garry O'Connor (Birmingham) 2; Nicolas Anelka (Bolton) 4
Match odds:H 11-8 A 13-8 D 21-10
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
Chelsea (4) v Blackburn (7)
Striker Didier Drogba has a knee injury while Frank Lampard also misses out with a thigh problem. Ricardo Carvalho (thigh), Michael Ballack (ankle) and Wayne Bridge (ankle) are out and striker Claudio Pizarro is a doubt as he was yet to return from international duty but Andriy Shevchenko is included in the squad.
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is waiting to confirm the fitness of Roque Santa Cruz, Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena after international duty, but expects the trio to be fit. Rovers have had 11 players away on international duty during the past fortnight and Hughes is confident all will be available for selection.
Last season:Chelsea 3 Blackburn 0, Blackburn 0 Chelsea 2
Last five league matches:Chelsea W W D W L; Blackburn D W D D W
Top scorers:Frank Lampard (Chelsea) 3; Roque Santa Cruz & Benni McCarthy (Blackburn) 3
Match odds:H 4-11 A 7-1 D 11-4
Referee:Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)
Everton (3) v Man Utd (8)
Stefan Wessels is standing by to replace Tim Howard, who has a finger injury. Everton chief David Moyes has injury problems elsewhere in his squad, but refused to divulge them. Loan midfielder Thomas Gravesen is out with a knee problem but Joleon Lescott, Phil Neville and Andrew Johnson returned from England duty unscathed. Scotland's goal hero in France, James McFadden, is unlikely to start.
Wayne Rooney returns to United's squad after fracturing a foot and Sir Alex Ferguson must decide whether or not to start him. Cristiano Ronaldo does start after suspension but Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea are out after picking up knee injuries on midweek international duty. Gary Neville is still out and Owen Hargreaves has been pencilled in for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon.
Last season:Everton 2 Man Utd 4, Man Utd 3 Everton 0
Last five league matches:Everton W W L D W; Man Utd D D L W W
Top scorers:Joleon Lescott & Leon Osman (Everton) 2; Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Nani & Louis Saha (Man Utd) 1
Match odds:H 10-3 A 8-11 D 11-5
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)
Portsmouth (13) v Liverpool (1)
Pompey have captain Sol Campbell (groin and hamstring) and striker Benjani Mwaruwari (neck) back, while midfielders Niko Kranjcar (Croatia) and Sulley Muntari (Ghana) will be assessed after returning from international duty. Linvoy Primus (knee) is out for two more weeks.
Steve Finnan is battling to overcome a knee injury but fellow Reds defender Jamie Carragher should be available after a broken rib. Steven Gerrard is also expected to be available — although the reaction to playing two England games with his damaged toe will be assessed. The likes of Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun and Jermaine Pennant were not involved in midweek internationals and could start the match.
Last season:Portsmouth 2 Liverpool 1, Liverpool 0 Portsmouth 0
Last five league matches:Portsmouth D D W L L; Liverpool D W D W W
Top scorers:Noe Pamarot, Benjani Mwaruwari, John Utaka & Kanu (Portsmouth) 2; Fernando Torres & Andriy Voronin (Liverpool) 3
Match odds:H 10-3 A 8-11 D 11-5
Referee: Mike Riley (Yorkshire)
Sunderland (17) v Reading (18)
The Wearsiders are without midfielder Kieran Richardson (back) striker Andrew Cole (calf), winger Carlos Edwards (hamstring), midfielder Dean Whitehead and defender Stanislav Varga (both knee). Striker Kenwyne Jones and Russell Anderson are expected to shake off calf problems and fellow defender Danny Collins (ankle) should also be fit, while former Reading right-back Greg Halford is available after suspension.
Reading are likely to be without utility man Brynjar Gunnarsson, who has not trained since suffering a knee injury in the defeat by West Ham on September 1. The Royals must also check on the fitness of defender Michael Duberry, who has been laid low by illness. Wingers Glen Little (Achilles) and John Oster (ankle) are still sidelined but new signing Liam Rosenior is hopeful of a debut.
Last season:No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches:Sunderland W D L L L; Reading D L W L L
Top scorers:Michael Chopra (Sunderland) 2; Andre Bikey, Leroy Lita & Stephen Hunt (Reading) 1
Match odds:H 5-4 A 9-5 D 21-10
Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset)
Tottenham (14) v Arsenal (2)
Spurs winger Aaron Lennon is in contention after recovering from knee surgery. Darren Bent (thigh), Anthony Gardner (thigh) and Michael Dawson (ankle) are also in the squad but Ledley King remains on the sidelines as he recovers from an operation on his knee.
Manuel Almunia is set to play in goal again for Arsenal as Jens Lehmann struggles with an elbow injury. Full-back Bacary Sagna is now fit, while Gilberto may be asked to play in the centre of defence. New signing Lassana Diarra could make his debut, but Philippe Senderos is suspended, while WilliamGallas (groin) and Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) are also out.
Last season:Tottenham 2 Arsenal 2, Arsenal 3 Tottenham 0
Last five league matches:Tottenham L L W L D; Arsenal D W D W W
Top scorers:Steed Malbranque (Tottenham) 2; Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) 4
Match odds:H 17-10 A 11-8 D 2-1
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
West Ham (11) v Middlesbrough (12)
Summer signings Scott Parker (knee) and Freddie Ljungberg (thigh) are back in full training and should be involved for West Ham. Bobby Zamora (knee) is also available after missing the 3-0 win over Reading but fit-again Dean Ashton expects to keep his place in attack.
Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is expected to pass a late fitness test after suffering a knee injury while playing for Australia against Argentina on Tuesday, while number two goalkeeper Brad Jones was left out of Wednesday's reserve game at Wigan as a precaution. Boss Gareth Southgate has the option to hand #5million new signing Gary O'Neil his first start, though the former Portsmouth player could well be on the bench.
Last season:West Ham 2 Middlesbrough 0, Middlesbrough 1 West Ham 0
Last five league matches:West Ham W L W D W; Middlesbrough L L W D W
Top scorers:Craig Bellamy (West Ham) 3; Mido &
Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough)
2
Match odds: H 10-11 A 13-5 D 21-10
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)
Wigan (9) v Fulham (15)
Kevin Kilbane is banned and Emmerson Boyce looks set to fill in at left-back with Salomon Olembe not yet fully match-fit. Dutch winger Rachid Bouaouzan is included in Wigan's squad for the first time but Antonio Valencia (knee) and Denny Landzaat (fractured eye socket) are out.
Aaron Hughes is available to make his Fulham debut after overcoming ankle trouble but Lee Cook's knee injury keeps him on the sidelines, alongside Philippe Christanval, Brian McBride and Jimmy Bullard. Fulham's medical team are checking up on David Healy's recent calf complaint, but he is expected to start.
Last season:Wigan 0 Fulham 0, Fulham 0 Wigan 1
Last five league matches:Wigan L W W D L; Fulham L W L L D
Top scorers:Antoine Sibierski (Wigan) 3; Alexey Smertin, Diomansy Kamara, Clint Dempsey & David Healy (Fulham) 2
Match odds:H 11-10 A 21-10 D 21-10
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire)
Sunday, September 16th
Man City (5) v Aston Villa (10)
City defender Richard Dunne is suspended and manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has indicated that Vedran Corluka will partner Micah Richards in central defence, with Nedum Onuoha likely to return at right-back. Midfielder Geovanni is expected to be available after returning to training following a calf injury.
Striker John Carew is Villa's only concern after aggravating a groin injury on duty for Norway in midweek. On-loan West Brom defender Curtis Davies is in the squad after a hamstring problem.
Last season:Man City 0 Aston Villa 2, Aston Villa 1 Man City 3
Last five league matches:Man City W W W L L; Aston Villa D L D W W
Top scorers:Rolando Bianchi & Geovanni (Man City) 2; Shaun Maloney (Aston Villa) 3
Match odds:H 11-10 A 11-5 D 2-1
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)
Monday, September 17th
Derby (20) v Newcastle (6)
Rams boss Billy Davies hopes to start striker Kenny Miller with Craig Fagan banned. Defender Dean Leacock hopes for a recall after toe trouble, while midfielder David Jones and American winger Eddie Lewis are close to match sharpness. Giles Barnes is still two weeks away from a comeback as he recovers from a foot injury and Darren Moore is doubtful with knee problem.
Magpies boss Sam Allardyce does not want to risk Michael Owen picking up a fresh injury because of fatigue and will make a late check. Mark Viduka (hamstring) should be fit, but Emre is a doubt after picking up a knock on international duty while Peter Ramage (knee), Stephen Carr and Celestine Babayaro (both hamstring), Joey Barton (metatarsal) and Damien Duff (ankle) are out.
Last season:No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches:Derby D L L L L; Newcastle D W D D W
Top scorers:Kenny Miller (Derby) 3; Obafemi Martins (Newcastle) 3
Match odds:H 13-5 A 10-11 D 21-10
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
