Premier League team news December 29+30

Dempsey back to bolster Spurs

Injuries & Suspensions

Saturday 29th December 2012
Barclays Premier League

 

 

Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur (kick off 12:45)
Sunderland will face Spurs without on-loan defender Danny Rose, who cannot face his parent club. Midfielder David Meyler has been recalled from his Hull loan and could feature and defender John O’Shea is also set for a recall to the Sunderland starting XI after his recent illness.
Spurs should be able to call upon Clint Dempsey and Tom Huddlestone for the trip to Sunderland as the pair are making excellent progress from their recent niggling injuries. Also possibly poised for a recall is Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) and Scott Parker is another pushing for a starting berth. Younes Kaboul is definitely out with a knee problem but Mousa Dembele will have to udnergo a fitness test (hip).

 

 

Aston Villa v Wigan Athletic (kick off 15:00)
Aston Villa are conteding with a long list of absentees as they entertain Wigan on Saturday afternoon. Ron Vlaar (calf), Nathan Baker (hamstring), Gabriel Agbonlahor (thigh), Charles N’Zogbia (knee), Richard Dunne (groin) and Andreas Weimann (calf) are keeping the physio on his toes.
Wigan boss Roberto MArtinez hinted he may make changes for the trip to Villa Park. Franco Di Santo is amongst those who could feature. Ivan Ramis, who is recovering from a hamstring strain, could make the bench.

 

Fulham v Swansea City (kick off 15:00)
Bryan Ruiz will make a welcome return to Fulham’s match day squad after he shrugged off a hamstring injury. Mahamadou Diarra and Mladen Petric are doubtful, while Damien Duff is not ready yet for a return.
Swansea travel to London without top scorer Michu (13 goals). He damaged his ankle on December 26th but should be passed fit next week. Danny Graham, Itay Shechter adn Luke Moore are all jostling for position to replace him. On the good news front, Pablo Hernandez and Angel Rangel have both been passed fit.

 

Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion (kick off 15:00)
With Wayne Rooney still out with a knee injury, Manchester United could be able to recall Danny Welbeck and Ashley Young to provide more attacking options. Shinji Kagawa is puyshing for a recall too after his recent knee injury but Phil Jones is still out. It is thought that Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes will be rested.
West Brom will make the daunting trip to Old Trafford without Jonas Olsson, Goran Popov and Youssouf Mulumbu, who all picked up injuries on Wednesday. Claudio Yacob is also out (hamstring).

 

Norwich City v Manchester City (kick off 15:00)
Norwich will entertain the champion without Steven Whittaker and ANdrew Surman. Ryan Bennett creeps back into the fray after a recent niggle whiole John Ruddy remains on the long-term absentee list.
Manchester City can welcome back Samir Nasri – the playmaker tweeted on Friday that he is fit and in the matchday squad. Carlos Tevez is also in the squad despite being ill over the past few days but a virus is keeping Mario Balotelli sidlined. Pablo Zabaleta is ready for action despite receiving a gash to his forehead on Wednesday but definite absentees are Micah Richards, Aleksander Kolarov, Maicon and Jack Rodwell.

 

 

Reading v West Ham United (kick off 15:00)
Carlton Cole’s ban was lifted following his red card earlier in the week so he is avbailable for selection for the trip to Reading. Andy Carroll (knee) is still out, while this game comes too son for Ricardo Vaz Te (dislocated shoulder). Injured Yossi Benayoun has returned to Chelsea while Mohamed Diame is out with a strung hamstring.

 

Stoke City v Southampton (kick off 15:00)
A defensive crisis is looming for Stoke as both Ryan Shawcross and Geoff Cameron are suspended. Matthew Upson and Ryan Shotton are being eyed up as replacements.
Southampton must face Stoke without captain Adam Lallana, who has an injured knee. The squad are carrying a couple of other knocks but boss Nigel Adkins expects a pretty much fully fit squad to travel.

 

 

Arsenal v Newcastle United (kick off 17:30)
Arsenal have Olivier Giroud and Tomas Rosicky at their disposal again after the pair recovered from recent illnesses. However, a stomach muscle problem is keeping Andre Santos sidelined, and Abou Diaby will not resume training again until next week (thigh).
Newcastle’s Vurnon Anita is out with an ankle injury but Cheick Tiote is back from a ban. However, Mike Williamson is dealing with a suspension of his own. Definite absentees are Jonas Gutierrez, Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa, Steven Taylor, Ryan Taylor, Dan Gosling and Haris Vuckic.

 

 

Sunday 30th December 2012
Barclays Premier League

 

Everton v Chelsea (kick off 13:30)
Darron Gibson is carrying a thigh injury and will face the Everton physio before being considered for selection. Fellow Irishman Seamus Coleman is expected to be passed fit but Marouane FEllaini is banned. Other notable absentees are Tony Hibbert and Kevin Mirallas.
Ramires is back in the Chelea squad for the trip to Merseyside but out is Joh Terry (knee). Daniel Sturridge will not be considered ahaed of his proposed move to Liverpool.

 

 

Queens Park Rangers v Liverpool (kick off 16:00)
A virus has sidelined QPR defender Ryan Nelsen. Also missing will be Nedum Onouha, Julio Cesar and Park Ji-sung. Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora are out with longer-term injuries.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers may make changes following a poor loss to Stoke. Luis Suarez is carrying an ankle knock but it is expected he will continue to feature. Raheem Sterling should be recalled along with Joe Allen.