FA Premier League injury news May 1st + 2nd

Saturday 1st May 2010

Birmingham  v  Burnley (Kick off 12.45)

Birmingham should welcome back Scotland striker Garry O’Connor (one goal) from a hip injury but will be without David Murphy (hamstring) and Stephen Carr (suspended).
Already relegated Burnley could welcome back Chris McCann after knee ligament problems after he came through a 45-minute run-out for the reserves on Thursday night. Clarke Carlisle (ankle) definitely misses out. Want-away striker David Nugent (six goals, two assists) should have overcome his hamstring twinge.

Man City  v  Aston Villa (Kick off 15.00)

Sunderland’s third-choice goalkeeper, Marton Fulop has been recruited to fill the goalkeeping void at Manchester City left by shoulder injury victim Shay Given.
Other big outs for City include Joleon Lescott (hamstring), Martin Petrov (knee) and Michael Johnson (knee). Defenders Sylvinho and Micah Richards should return to the fray, while there is a slight doubt over Wayne Bridge’s fitness. Emmanuel Adebayor and Gareth Barry will face late fitness tests.
Fabian Delph (knee) joins Curtis Davies (ankle) on Aston Villa’s treatment table.

Portsmouth  v  Wolves (Kick off 15.00)

Portsmouth are still without Danny Webber (one goal, one assist) (knee) and Herman Hreidarsson (one goal) (calf), and they have been joined by Nadir Belhadj (three goals, two assists) and Ben Tal Haim (groin) for this visit of Wolves, who welcome back skipper Karl Henry from suspension. Michael Kightly (ankle) is still out.

Stoke City  v  Everton (Kick off 15.00)

Stoke should welcom back Mamady Sidibe (two goals, one assist) and Salif Diao (one goal, one assist). However, keeper Thomas Sorensen is out for the rest of the season with a dislocated elbow. Asmir Begovic will deputise.
Everton’s season is trundling to a finish but Dan Gosling, John Heitina and Manuel Fellaini will both be out until next season. Jack Rodwell and Leon Osman face late fitness tests.

Tottenham  v  Bolton (Kick off 15.00)

Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon should return to help Spurs’ push for automatic Champions League qualification but Jonathan Woodgate and Carlo Cudicini will miss out. Vedran Corluka has a sprained Ankle and will face a late fitness test.
Bolton are safe from the drop but have a long injury list. Out are Gavin McCann (ankle), Steve Davis (knee) and Joey O’Brien (knee). Stuart Holden is almost match fit following a leg break and Chris Basham could also make the squad after a knee problem. Andrew O’Brien has a thigh strain and is unlikely to feature.

Sunday 2nd May 2010

Fulham  v  West Ham (Kick off 15.00)

Fulham have big doubts over the participation of Bobby Zamora. Clint Dempsey has a thigh strain and faces a fitness test but Andrew Johnson will not feature until next season.
West Ham are almost secured of Premier League football for next season. Herita Ilunga (one assist) should return to the squad but James Tomkins, Jack Collinson (two goals, three assists), Kieron Dyer (one assist), Zavon Hines (one goal), all miss out.

Liverpool  v  Chelsea (Kick off 13.30)

Huge game for both sides. Liverpool need to win to help their outside chance of finishing fourth but if they beat Chelsea, they’ll be doing arch rivals Manchester United a massive title-winning favour.
The Reds have something of a striker crisis with Fernando Torres (18 goals, three assists), Dirk Kuyt (nine goals, three assists) and David Ngog (five goals) all carrying injuries. However, Kuyt played in Thursday’s Europa League game and should be fit enough to start this match. Expect Ryan Babel to start too. Emiliano Insua continues to struggle with a thigh strain.
Chelsea have John Terry back in their starting line-up following a suspension but Ricardo Carvalho is still out with a leg problem. Michael Essien, Jose Bosingwa and Jon Obi Mikel are all out.

Sunderland  v  Man Utd (Kick off 16.00)

Sunderland will be without long-term casualty Andy Reid (two goals, six assists) but should welcome back George McCartney and Lee Cattermole (three assists). A big doubt hangs over John Mensah (one goal).
Whatever the result in the earlier Chelsea game, United must win this. However, they’ll have to manage without Gary Neville, Danny Welbeck, Michael Owen and Anderson. Wayne Roone and Rio Ferdinand should start for the Red Devils.