Injuries and suspensions report August 28th + 29th

By Joe Finegan

David Dunn (10 goals, four assists last season) returned to training this week to give a boost to Blackburn. They are aiming to get back to winning form following last week’s slip up at Birmingham. Vince Grella should be available for selection again following a calf strain and Gael Givet should also feature despite losing a tooth in the midweek game with Norwich. Keith Andrews misses out though with a groin strain. Pascal Chimbonda has a broken nose and it is unclear if he will play. On-loan striker Mame Biram Diouf could play a starting role following his midweek Carling Cup hat-trick.

Arsenal welcome back central defender Laurent Koscielny after his one-match suspension. New signing Sebastien Squillaci is not expected to be involved at Ewood Park, and Samir Nasri (knee), Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and Aaron Ramsey (broken leg) all remain sidelined. Van Persie and Fabregas could start after coming off the bench last weekend against Blackpool.

Blackpool were brought back down to earth last weekend by getting thumped by Arsenal. They will be looking to stop that trend now before it becomes a bad habit. Keith Southern (four goals, three assists in 2009/10) has a knee injury and won’t be seen in action until the middle of next month. Louis Almond (shoulder) and Billy Clarke (knee ligament) remain long-term casualties. Attacker Jason Euell is a doubt with a knee injury. Ian Evatt is available again for the club’s first home match in the Premier League after missing the Carling Cup defeat by MK Dons through suspension. Goalkeeper Paul Rachubka remains sidelined after having an operation on his knee.

Paul Konchesky may not feature for Fulham amid rumours he is on the verge of signing for Liverpool. Keeper Mark Schwarzer is a doubt with a back injury Philip Senderos and Andrew Johnson are long-term absentees.

Chelsea are on a serious run of form following two 6-0 victories and are expected to be unchanged for the visit of Stoke. Their only absentee is Jose Bosingwa with a knee injury.

Kenwyne Jones has an “outside chance” of making the trip to Stamford Bridge. He was carried off after 14 minutes of his debut against Wolves but is making a good recovery from his ankle injury. Liam Lawrence is struggling with a groin problem and may not feature. Mamady Sidibe is out until the New Year with a calf injury.

Jermaine Defoe‘s groin may not require surgery after all after he gave a positive report on his problem after Wednesday’s victory over Young Boys. However, goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has injured his groin and will be about for a few weeks. Luka Modric is recovering well from his hamstring strain and could feature. Ledley King should return to the starting line-up but Jamie O’Hara, David Bentley, Alan Hutton and Jonathan Woodgate are all on the sidelines. Bentley is expected to resume training on Monday.

Wigan are under pressure. Two games, no points, no goals, 10 conceded. England under-21 Victor Moses will miss the trip after damaging ankle ligaments in his side’s midweek Carling Cup victory over Hartlepool. Steven Caldwell is set to make his Premier League debut but his brother Gary remains sidelined following hip surgery. Miguel Figueroa remains on the long-term injured list.

Wolves should welcome back striker Steven Fletcher after a badly bruised foot caused him to miss the last two games. Defender Jelle van Damme is a serious doubt with a twisted ankle and will face a fitness test. Kevin Doyle will partner Sylvan Ebanks-Blake up front. Michael Mancienne could feature following his loan move to wolves for the third time.

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton rested the entire team that beat Aston Villa 6-0 last weekend in their midweek Carling Cup victory over Accrington Stanley (who are they?). They are all likely to be restored for the trip to Wolves. Dan Gosling, Leon Best and Steven Taylor are all sidelined.

Manchester United will be looking to bounce back to winning ways with the visit of West Ham. Wayne Rooney (one assist) has recovered from a stomach bug and will return to the starting XI. Rio Ferdinand is making progress from his knee injury and should be fit to return in two weeks. Anderson is still a month away from action with a cruciate ligament injury.

Like Wigan, West Ham are in big trouble. Thomas Hitzlsperger is still nursing a niggly thigh injury but Matthew Upson should return to shore up their leaky defence.

Ivan Klasnic is a big doubt for Bolton after being substituted at half time in their midweek Carling Cup game with a thigh strain. Gavin McCann should be ready for his return to first-team squad action but Sean Davis will be sidelined for two months with a knee problem.

Doubts surround James McFadden‘s (one assist) participation in the trip to Bolton. He scored a penalty against Rochdale on Thursday evening but was substituted with a tight groin. Stuart Parnaby is recovering well from a hamstring injury and could feature but Kevin Philips will definitely miss out.

Joe Cole is still suspended for Liverpool for the visit of West Brom. Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger may return following a back problem and concussion respectively. With Javier Mascherano leaving Anfield, Christian Poulsen is in contention for a Premier League start. Attacker Maxi Rodriguez is rated very doubtful as he is bed-ridden with a virus.

West Brom have worries with Jerome Thomas (ankle), Joe Matlock (foot) and Ishmael Miller (thigh). Midfielder Giles Barnes is likely to start. Miller’s continued absence means Peter Odemwingie should keep his place.

Sunderland will be up against it when they entertain Manchester City and will have to operate without Nedum Onouha, who is ineligible to face his parent club. Phil Bardsley or Marcos Angeleri will deputise. Andy Reid is getting very close to making the first team squad again after his Achilles problems, as is George McCartney. A hamstring strain is keeping defender John Mensah on the sidelines for another couple of weeks.

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli could return following a minor knee problem but Aleksandar Kolarov, Jerome Boateng and Wayne Bridge remain sidelined through injury.

Gabriel Agbonlahor made his comeback in the midweek European tie but was taken off suffering from “tight calves”. He may have to settle for a place on the bench for the visit of Everton. Carlos Cuellar (two goals in 2009/10) is back in the Premier League squad following a hamstring strain but Fabian Delph is still out. John Carew faces a fitness test with a knee problem along with defender Richard Dunne (back), but left-back Stephen Warnock and winger Stewart Downing will return to the team after being rested.

Everton should be at virtual full-strength for their trip to Villa Park. Phil Neville is back in contention following an ankle problem, as is Victor Anichebe. Yakubu Aiyegbeni will definitely the trip due to a calf strain.