Premier League team news Dec 1+2

Lucas Leiva to make Anfield return

Injuries & Suspensions

Saturday 1st December 2012

Barclays Premier League

West Ham v Chelsea (kick off 12:45)

West Ham will have Mark Noble back from suspension for the visit of Chelsea. Andy Carroll (knee) will be assessed prior to kick-off. Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder), Alou Diarra (thigh) and Jack Collison (knee) are all definitely out, while Yossi Benayoun is unavailable due to the terms of his loan from parent club Chelsea.

Chelsea will be without the services of David Luiz (suspension), John Terry (knee), Frank Lampard (calf) and Daniel Sturridge (hamstring), although all are pushing to make their comebacks soon.

 

Arsenal v Swansea (kick off 15:00)

Bacary Sagna (foot) is a doubt while Theo Walcott (ankle) and Lukas Podolski (virus) will be assessed prior to kick-off. Laurent Koscielny (thigh) is a definite absentee while Andre Santos (stomach muscle) and midfielder Abou Diaby (thigh) continue their rehabilitation.

Pablo Hernandez (thigh) will miss the trip to the Emirates with Jonathan de Guzman set to return to the starting line-up in his place. Chico Flores (shoulder) should be available while Danny Graham has returned to training but will miss out as he is not match fit.

 

Fulham v Tottenham (kick off 15:00)

Kieran Richardson returns after recovering from a hamstring injury, although Alex Kacaniklic and Bryan Ruiz (both hamstring) are out for a further week. Brede Hangeland (suspension) and Simon Davies (hip) will miss out.

Steven Caulker should be in the Spurs squad after recovering from illness. Emmanuel Adebayor completes his three-match suspension, but Scott Parker (Achilles), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) and Younes Kaboul (knee) will watch from the treatment room.

 

Liverpool v Southampton (kick off 15:00)

Lucas Leiva returns to the Liverpool squad after a three-month injury absence. Joe Cole has overcome a hamstring problem and could take a place on the bench while Andre Wisdom is in contention for a starting berth after shaking off a knock to his knee.

Goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga looks set to keep his place after a series high profile mistakes have put him under scrutiny. Danny Fox (knee), Frazer Richardson and Richard Chaplow are closing in on a return.

 

Man City v Everton (kick off 15:00)

James Milner (hamstring) will miss the visit of the Toffees. Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and Gael Clichy (ankle) are close but not yet ready to return while Micah Richards (knee) is still sidelined.

Leighton Baines will be assessed before kick-off but is a major doubt. Either Sylvain Distin or Bryan Oviedo will fill in. Seamus Coleman, Kevin Mirallas (hamstring) and Victor Anichebe (hamstring) will miss out.

 

QPR v Aston Villa (kick off 15:00)

QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar (groin) is doubtful. Rob Green will deputise if Cesar fails to recover. Bobby Zamora (hip) and Andrew Johnson (knee) remain long term tenants in the treatment room.

Aston Villa left-back Enda Stevens (ankle) has been ruled out with Eric Lichaj set to take his place. Ron Vlaar (calf) remains a major doubt but Chris Herd is back in contention after recovering from a knee injury.

 

WBA v Stoke (kick off 15:00)

West Brom midfielder Zoltan Gera has recovered from a groin injury and is included in the squad for the clash with Stoke. Steve Clarke has a full squad to choose from with the exception of goalkeeper Ben Foster, who is recovering from a groin operation.

Stoke will make a late decision on whether Peter Crouch can take any part after having two teeth knocked out in midweek action. Michael Owen is likely to be on the bench after more than a month out with a hamstring problem while Andy Wilkinson (back) should also be among the substitutes

 

Reading v Man Utd (kick off 17:30)

Jimmy Kebe (groin) will watch from the stands while Danny Guthrie should be available following a thigh problem. Alex McCarthy and Jem Karacan are definite absentees.

United will be without Nani (hamstring) and Antonio Valencia (hip). Paul Scholes returns from suspension and Ryan Giggs has shrugged off a minor hamstring complaint. Both are expected to be in the squad for the trip to Reading.

 

 

Sunday 2nd December 2012

Barclays Premier League

Norwich v Sunderland (kick off 16:00)

John Ruddy (thigh) will miss out for Norwich. Mark Bunn is set to deputise between the sticks. Defender Russell Martin could make his first appearance in over a month after he overcame a back problem, but Michael Turner (shoulder) and Harry Kane (metatarsal) are definitely out.

Sunderland will be without Lee Cattermole (medial ligament), and could be out for two months. He is due to see a specialist to determine the extent of the injury. John O’Shea (calf) will watch the game from the stands.