Barclays Premier League
Saturday April 11th
Swansea v Everton (kick off 12:45)
Swansea will field Angel Rangel for the first time in two months after regular full-back Kyle Naughton was ruled out for the rest of the season due to ankle ligament damage. Jefferson Montero strained his hamstring while on international duty last month but he could be named amongst the substitutes this weekend.
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku is carrying a hamstring strain. He’ll face a fitness test early on Saturday morning but he will not be risked if he’s not deemed to be 100% fit. Aiden McGeady is a major doubt with a back injury while definite absentees are Darron Gibson (metatarsal), Bryan Oviedo (hamstring) and Tony Hibbert (muscle strain).
Southampton v Hull (kick off 15:00)
Southampton will entertain Hull without midfielder Filip Djuricic due to an ankle problem. A similar problem had been keeping Steven Davis on the sidelines but he’s back in the fray this weekend. Florin Gardos is also available for selection once again after shrugging off a minor knock. Fraser Forster is out for the rest of the season after a recent surgery on a knee problem while Jay Rodriguez is working his way back to full fitness after a lengthy lay off from a knee injury.
Hull boss Steve Bruce may drop keeper Allan McGregor due to loss of form. Steve Harper is standing by to deputise. Tom Huddlestone is back from a ban, but David Meyler is beginning a suspension of his own. Curtis Davis will face a fitness test on a thigh problem but Gaston Ramirez and Nikica Jelavic are both unavailable for this weekend.
Sunderland v Crystal Palace (kick off 15:00)
Sebastian Larsson is banned as Sunderland entertain Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. However, Jack Rodwell is reinstated in the match day squad after recovering from a hamstring strain, as is Will Buckley, who has overcome a knee injury. Wes Brown and Emanuele Giaccherini remain on the casualty list.
Crystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley is carrying a knock but will undergo a late fitness test. Mile Jedinak, who is returning from a four-match suspension is standing by to replace him. Marouane Chamakh and Fraizer Campbell (hamstring) and midfielder Jordon Mutch (thigh) remain out.
Tottenham v Aston Villa (kick off 15:00)
Spurs have big doubts about Jan Vertonghen taking part as Aston Villa come to town. The Belgium centre back has a virus. Kyle Walker and Hugo Lloris are definite absentees with a foot and knee injury respectively. It is being reported that Harry Kane will wear the Spurs captain armband.
Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood makes his first return to White Hart Lane after being sacked last summer. He’ll have to manage without Alan Hutton (ankle), Ashley Westwood (hamstring), Scott Sinclair (hamstring) and Carles Gil (dead leg). However, Aly Cissokho is back after a recent groin strain. Libor Kozak is back training after a long absence with a broken leg but this game comes too soon for him.
WBA v Leicester (kick off 15:00)
Craig Dawson returns to the West Brom line up after serving his one match ban. However, Youssouf Mulumbu begins a suspension of his own after being sent off last week. Ben Foster remains on intimate terms with the physio (knee) while Callum McManaman is on the comeback trail after a foot injury.
Leicester have Matt Upson and Dean Hammond back on the team bus for the trip to the Hawthorns after Achilles and calf problems respectively. Gaffer Nigel Pearson has no other selection worries to contend with as the Foxes aim to beat the drop.
West Ham v Stoke (kick off 15:00)
West Ham can recall Enner Valencia after the striker fully recovered from a toe injury. James Tomkins underwent surgery on his shoulder this week so he’ll be missing for the next couple of weeks. Andy Carroll continues to inhabit the long-term casualty list along with Doneil Henry (hamstring).
Stoke defender Marc Wilson will face the Hammers despite having a broken hand. He will wear a hand protector. Jonathan Walters is carrying a knee injury but he has been training and may be involved for Stoke.
Burnley v Arsenal (kick off 17:30)
Arsenal can welcome back Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby following their recent injuries but fitness tests will be administered to Laurent Koscielny (groin) and Wojciech Szczesny (ribs). Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is still nursing a groin problem but Mathieu Debuchy has shrugged off his recent knock and is in contention to feature.
Sunday April 12th
QPR v Chelsea (kick off 13:30)
QPR will face London rivals Chelsea without Richard Dunne (knee), Rio Ferdinand (minor knock), concussion victim Yun Suk-yeong, Eduardo Vargas (knee), Leroy Fer (knee) and Alejandro Faurlin (knee).
Chelsea travel across London without star striker Diego Costa. A hamstring injury is keeping him on the treatment table. John Obi Mikel is back in the squad after a knee injury while Cesc Fabregas will wear a protective mask over his broken nose alongside Nemanja Matic in the Blues midfield.
Manchester United v Manchester City (kick off 16:00)
Robin van Persie is back in training with Manchester United but he will not feature on Sunday. The striker is coming back from an ankle injury but is still working up to full fitness. Johnny Evans misses out on the Manchester derby due to suspension, while Chris Smalling is struggling with an illness.
Manchester City’s skipper Vincent Kompany is suffering with a tight hamstring and will face an early morning fitness test before being considered for selection. Definite absentees for City are Wilfried Bony (ankle), Stevan Jovetic and Dedryck Boyata.
