Barclays Premier League
Saturday 31st January
Hull v Newcastle (kick off 12:45pm)
Hull should have Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez back in the team for the game with Newcastle after both have made sufficient recoveries from knee and groin problems. Andy Robertson and Alex Bruce are both available for selection again but remaining in the care of the physio are Liam Rosenior and James Chester.
John Carver will remain in charge at Newcastle until the end of the season and he should be able to recall Papiss Cisse to the fray. He was away on international duty with Senegal at the African Nations Cup but has been rushed back to Tyneside following his country’s elimination from the tournament. Siem De Jon is still out injured but Gabriel Obertan and Mehdi Abeid should be okay to feature in some capacity.
Crystal Palace v Everton (kick off 15:00)
Crystal Palace will give new recruit Jordon Mutch his debut after he joined from QPR. Fellow new signing Shola Ameobi is still working on his fitness while Jerome Thomas is sidelined with a minor injury. Yannick Bolasie and Mile Jedinak remain away on international duty.
Everton should be able to call upon James McCarthy, Sylvain Distin and Darron Gibson for the trip to London after the trio all recovered from niggles. Kevin Mirallas has shaken off a hamstring injury sustained last weekend while Tim Howard, Leon osman and Steven Pienaar are all on the long-term injury list.
Liverpool v West Ham (kick off 15:00)
Daniel Sturridge is poised to make his return to the Liverpool line-up to bolster the attack. Brendan Rodgers will make the call late whether to start the England international or use him as a substitute. Mamadou Sakho is carrying a back injury and will be assessed near kick off.
West Ham are hoping several first teamers can shake of minor knocks in time to catch the team bus to Anfield. Carl Jenkinson, James Tomkins and Alex Song all occupy the casualty list with unspecified problems and none may make the final squad. Joey O’Brien and James Collins are also carrying knocks and may not feature while it is hoped that midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate can make it back from Africa in time to strengthen the Hammers midfield.
Manchester United v Leicester (kick off 15:00)
Michael Carrick will be out of the Manchester United spotlight for a month due to a pulled muscle. Ashley Young is nearly ready for a return following a hamstring injury, so he misses out, as does Darren Fletcher, who’s on the verge of a transfer to West Ham. Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling return after minor knocks.
Leicester are definitely without the suspended Matty James, broken foot victim Kasper Schmeichel,Chris Wood (ankle ligaments) and Riyad Mahrez (international duty). However, in good news, Matt Upson is ready for his first team comeback after a lengthy absence with a foot injury.
Stoke v QPR (kick off 15:00)
Stoke must entertain QPR without Bojan Krkic. The playmaker has been ruled for the remainder of the season with a serious knee injury. Erik Pieters is also an absentee as he recuperates from hernia surgery. However, in good news for the Potters, Mame Biram Diouf is back in the matchday squad after returning from international duty.
QPR should have both Richard Dunne and Yun Suk-Young back in the squad for the trip to Stoke. Both have recovered from their respective injuries in time to be involved. However, Alejandro remains on the casualty list nursing his cruciate ligament injury.
Sunderland v Burnley (kick off 15:00)
Sunderland entertain Burnley in a six-pointer without Lee Cattermole, who is carrying knee and groin injuries. Jack Rodwell is banned but Wes Brown and Adam Johnson are reinstated to the matchday squad after their recent ailments.
Burnley have no new injuries to cope with. Kevin Long (knee) is the club’s long-term absentee but both Matt Taylor and Stephen Ward are well on the comeback trail after lengthy absences.
WBA v Tottenham (kick off 15:00)
New West Brom signing Callum McManaman has been added to the matchday squad as the Baggies entertain Spurs on Saturday afternoon. Boaz Myhill is on the sidelines with a sore finger following last week’s action, and he’s joined by Youssouf Mulumbu and Jonas Olsson.
Spurs are almost at full-strength for the trip to the Hawthorns. Nacer Chadli is back in the match day squad after a spell of compassionate leave meaning Nabil Bentaleb is the only absentee – he’s on duty at the African Nations Cup.
Chelsea v Manchester City (kick off 17:30)
Chelsea forward Diego Costa has been charged with violent conduct and will miss out this weekend. He’ll be in the stands watching alongside Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Filipe Luis (calf) and Branislav Ivanovic (foot). Kurt Zouma is expected to continue in the centre of the Chelsea defence meaning Gary Cahill will be a substitute again. Transfer speculation is mounting regarding Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah so expect that pair to be left out.
Manchester City could have Samir Nasri back in the squad after the France international has almost completely shaken off a calf injury. Eliaquim Mangala has a shoulder injury and will be assess close to kick off. Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony are away on international duty.
Sunday 1st February
Arsenal v Aston Villa (kick off 13:30)
Alexis Sanchez is carrying a hamstring injury and will probably miss out for the Gunners. New recruit Gabriel Paulista could be involved, though he’s probably facing a seat on the bench at best. Remaining on the absentee list are Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby, Mathieu Debuchy, thought the first two named should be back next weekend.
New Aston Villa winger Scott Sinclair will go straight into the match day squad. He’ll train with his new teammates on Saturday and then Paul Lambert will decide whether to give his new recruit a starting berth. Gabriel Agbonlahor is back in the fray after a hamstring complaint but absent are Joe Cole, Ron Vlaar, and Philippe Senderos.
Southampton v Swansea (kick off 16:00)
Southampton will be without Jack Cork for the visit of Swansea on Sunday afternoon. The midfielder is on the verge of a switch to Swansea, and will not be available for either club this weekend. The Saints can welcome back Sadio Mane and Maya Yoshida after spells on international duty while their lengthy injury list contains the names of Shane Long, Toby Alderweireld, Victor Wanyama, Morgan Schneiderlin, Sam Gallagher, Jay Rodriguez and Emmanuel Mayuka.
Swansea won’t be allowed to field their newest recruit Jack Cork, and they’ll also be without banned duo Gylfi Sigurdsson and Kyle Bartley. However, Ashley Williams is back after a shoulder problem and will be joined in the match day squad by Neil Taylor and Jefferson Montero.
