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Premier League injuries / suspensions Team News 12-13 December 2009
 
Stoke City v Wigan Athletic
Stoke pair – manager Tony Pulis and striker James Beattie have apparently kissed and made up (after Pulis gave Beattie a Glaswegian kiss recently).
They will await a late fitness test on defender Ryan Shawcross(1 goal), but Abdoulaye Faye(1 goal) is again ruled out with a back injury.
James Beattie to score first goal perhaps??
Wigan first choice keeper Chris Kirkland could be ruled out with a back injury.
Former Man City left-back Michael Ball could sign on a free transfer to Wigan very shortly.

Birmingham City v West Ham
The Blues host a despondent West Ham side and hope that their fantastic run of form continues. However, they still have players missing; Stuart Parnaby, Garry O’Connor(1 goal), Teemu Tainio, Martin Taylor & David Murphy are all still sidelined.
Sadly it’s unlikely that we’ll see Ruud Van Nistelroy at St Andrews any time soon. It’s a strange fact that Birmingham have scored more goals away than at home so far this season – food for thought…
West Ham bid farewell to striker Dean Ashton who’s been forced to hang up his boots at the age of 26.
This leaves the Est London club woefully short of firepower up front as Carlton Cole, Luis Boa Morte and Zavon Hines are all out.
Added to this list are Valon Behrami and Callum Davenport although Mark Noble(2 goals,3assists), Robert Green and Luis Jiminez(1 goal,1 assist) should be fit to play.

Bolton v Manchester City
Bolton’s Sean Davis and Joey O`Brien are still sidelined as Megson seeks a much-needed win to keep his job intact.
Defender Danny Shittu and midfielder Riga Mustapha are expected to be fit for the visit of close neighbours Man City.
Man City will be missing key defender Wayne Bridge and Stephen Ireland,Vladimir Weiss,Micah Richards(1 goal,1 assist) and Craig Bellamy(5 goals,3assists) are doubtful.

Burnley v Fulham
Burnley expect to have injured trio Paterson, McCann and Rodriguez still out through injury, but otherwise no other injuries to report as The Clarets look to secure their sixth home win against visitors Fulham.
The Cottagers have Simon Davies(1 assist), Dickson Etuhu and Andy Johnson(1 assist) out injured, while striker Diomansy Kamara(1 goal) has another couple of weeks to be fit.

Chelsea v Everton
Chelsea look to extend their 100% home record against Everton but will have to do without influential midfielder Michael Essien(3 goals) with a hamstring injury. He joins Daniel Sturridge, Salomon Kalou(2assists) & Jose Bosingwa on the treatment table.
However, Alex, Joe Cole(1 goal) & Michael Ballack(3 goals,2assists) could return to the squad.
Everton have no less than 9 of their first team squad injured, but fear not, they look to have just landed LA Galaxy striker Landon Donovan who is expected to sign in January. I’ll stick my neck out and say that he will not make any kind of impact at Goodison Park. There, I’ve said it! Luckily, Tim Cahill’s still fit.

Hull City v Blackburn
Just when you thought Jimmy Bullard(2 goals) is back – bang, out injured again, along with long-term absentee Ian Ashbee, although Seyi Olofinjana(1 goal) may be fit again following a hamstring.
Blackburn have gotta fancy this one & record only their second away win.
However leading scorer David Dunn(5 goals) will have to pass a late fitness test.

Sunderland v Portsmouth
The Black Cats entertain cash-strapped Pompey at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand has been ruled out for a month which might just see fewer defensive errors in his absence.
He’s joined by keeper Craig Gordon and Lee Cattermole on the sidelines. George McCartney and John Mensah should be fit to play.
Portsmouth hope that keeper David James is fit to travel to Sunderland as they fight off the administrators.
It would be Avram Grant’s greatest success yet if he guides Portsmouth to another Premiership season I reckon.

Tottenham v Wolves
Spurs are set to be without defender Jonathan Woodgate, midfielder Wilson Palacios(1 goal,1 assist) and Carlo Cudicini.
Tottenham could go third above arch-rivals Arsenal with a win here against poor travellers Wolves.
Wolves will be without Michael Kightly, while Chris Iwelumo and David Jones could return but on the bench as they look to climb out of the relegation zone.

Manchester United v Aston Villa
Man United have a host of injuries ahead of their clash with Villa at Old Trafford – key defenders Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Wayne Brown all out injured.
Too many to mention here, but suffice to say you might get a bit of value on either a Villa win or +0.5 on this one.
Villa for their part have Wilfred Bouma and Curtis Davies(1 goal) out injured as they seek 3 points that could see them go third.

Liverpool v Arsenal
Liverpool striker Ryan Babel(2 goals,1 assist) is doubtful for the visit of The Gunners as Benitez now turns his attention to the Premiership – too late Benitez!
Arsenal have a whole team out injured including Van Persie,Bendtner & Rosicky. Can Wengers babes grab an unlikely victory here – maybe not. I think Benitez’s job is safe for at least another week.