Barclays Premier League
Saturday February 28th
West Ham United v Crystal Palace (kick off 12:45)
West Ham will entertain Crystal Palace without strikers Andy Carroll (knee) and Carlton Cole (hamstring) so expect Nene to feature up front for the first time. The Hammers’ only other absentee will be the banned Morgan Amalifitano.
Crystal Palace have something of a striker crisis as they prepare to head across London to Upton Park. The Eagles are without Frazier Campbell, Marouane Chamakh and Yaya Sanogo – all are suffering with hamstring injuries. Also on the casualty list are Jonny Williams (groin) and Jerome Thomas (minor knock). However, Mile Jedinak comes back into the squad after an ankle knock, as does James McArthur.
Burnley v Swansea (kick off 15:00)
Dean Marney and Shane Long have both been ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining cruciate ligament damage. Burnley are reporting no new injury concerns meaning Matt Taylor is the only absentee as he works his way back to full fitness following Achilles surgery.
Swansea have no fresh injury concerns as they travel to Turf Moor. Swans boss Garry Monk may be tempted to revert to a 4-3-3 formation however, and it’s being reported that Jefferson Montero could be recalled on to the wing. Nathan Dyer was left out last week but may be handed a seat on the bench.
Manchester Utd v Sunderland (kick off 15:00)
Manchester United face Sunderland on Saturday without the injured Robin van Persie. The striker is staring at two weeks on the treatment table with an ankle problem. Michael Carrick is back in training after a five-week calf injury layoff, but is unlikely to be risked.
Jack Rodwell has been out for over a month with a groin strain but he still isn’t ready to line out for Sunderland this weekend. Billy Jones is another set to miss out with a swollen ankle. Both are expected to strip on Tuesday for the clash with Hull. Emanuele Giaccherini has had ankle surgery and will be out for the rest of the season.
Newcastle v Aston Villa (kick off 15:00)
Newcastle star Jonas Gutierrez is back in the match day squad for the first time since October 2013 after successfully beating testicular cancer. He’s joined by Daryl Janmaat, who has shaken off a minor knock but tenacious midfielder Cheick Tiote is out for the rest of the campaign after undergoing knee surgery. Others missing out this weekend are Siem de Jong (collapsed lung), Remy Cabella (knee), the suspended Jack Colback, Steven Taylor (Achilles) and Paul Dummett (knee).
Aston Villa will be missing defensive duo Ron Vlaar (suspended) and Kieran Richardson (calf) for the trip to St James Park. Fellow defensive colleagues Alan Hutton, Philippe Senderos and Aly Cissokho are all struggling with injuries leaving Tim Sherwood with a headache.
Stoke v Hull (kick off 15:00)
Stoke’s Geoff Cameron is back from a ban but Jonathan Walters, Erik Pieters, Marc Wilson and Stephen Ireland all return to the matchday squad following injuries. However, Ryan Shawcross and Bojan remain on the sidelines.
Hull’s Mohamed Diame has suffered a setback on his path to recovery following a knee problem and he’ll miss out this weekend. He’s keeping the physio occupied along with team mates James Chester (shoulder), Liam Rosenior (hamstring) and Robert Snodgrass (knee).
WBA v Southampton (kick off 15:00)
The West Brom physio will administer a fitness test to forward Saido Berahino. The striker, who’s banged in 16 goals already this season, is carrying a minor knock but should be passed fit. James Morrison is another facing a test – hhis hamstring is acting up, while Victor Anichebe is carrying a groin strain, but might be included amongst the substitutes.
Southampton could give Sadio Mane a start after the striker was dropped last weekend for disciplinary reasons. Toby Alderweireld is almost ready for first team action again following a hamstring strain but definite absentees are Jay Rodriguez and Emmanuel Mayuka.
Sunday March 1
Liverpool v Manchester City (kick off 12:00)
Liverpool are set to recall Philippe Coutinho to the side after the playmaker was rested for the trip to Turkey on Thursday. Jordan Henderson is nursing an ankle injury and he’ll face a fitness test on Sunday morning. Mamadou Sakho and Glen Johnson are both back in training after recent knocks and could be involved.
Manchester City travel to Anfield with a fully fit squad to choose from. Yaya Toure was banned for the midweek European excursions so expect him to be fresh on Sunday while Wilfried Bony is in line to make his first start in a City shirt.
Arsenal v Everton (kick off 14:05)
Jack Wilshere will be out for a short while after minor surgery on his ankle. His Arsenal team mates Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini are back in training after thier injuries but will not be considered for Sunday’s clash with Everton. Definite absentees are Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby and Mathieu Debuchy.
Romelu Lukaku should be fit for Everton’s clash with Arsenal at the Emirates. He was substituted as a precaution midweek but should be fit enough to lead the line on Sunday. John Stones and Aaron Lennon weren’t available on Thursday but both return for this league clash but definite abentees are Steven Pienaar, Aiden McGeady (both knee), Christian Atsu (illness), Bryan Oviedo (hamstring) and Tony Hibbert (knee).
