Saturday 09th March 2013
Barclays Premier League
Norwich City v Southampton (kick off 15:00)
A persistent knee problem is keeping Alex Tettey out of the Norwich squad while on-loan striker Kei Kamara is pushing for a starting berth. John Ruddy is still out injured, as is Andrew Surman (knee).
Southampton will hand fitness tests to Adam Lallana and Danial Fox, who are both suffering with muscular injuries. Luke Shaw is struggling with a thigh problem while Vegard Forren is anticipating his first-team debut.
QPR v Sunderland (kick off 15:00)
The QPR physio will be busy prior to kick off testing the fitness of Bobby Zamora and Julio Cesar. Both are carrying knocks, but Robert Green is on standby to replace Cesar.
Sunderland have Matthew Kilgannon and Danny Rose coming back from injury for the trip to Loftus Road as both have made giant strides on their rehabilitation from injury.Connor Wickham is set to be recalled from loan at Sheffield Wednesday but will not feature in this game.
Reading v Aston Villa (kick off 15:00)
Reading’s third-choice ‘keeper Stuart Taylor will again mind the nets with Adam Federici and Alex McCarthy both absent. Pavel Pogrebynyak is still banned and Jason Roberts is out with a hip complaint.
Fabian Delph is banned (10 yellow cards) but Aston Villa should be able to recall captain Ron Vlaar after the defender shrugged off a calf injury. Darren Bent is still an absentee with a foot injury.
WBA v Swansea City (kick off 15:00)
West Brom will be delighted to welcome back Romelu Lukaku, Goran Popov and skipper Chris Brunt for the visit of Swansea on Saturday afternoon. Brunt’s ankle is no longer causing problems, Popov has completed a ban and Lukaku was ineligible to feature last week against Chelsea. However, Shane Long will continue to watch from the stands as his ankle injury won’t shift.
Swansea will travel without Kemy Agustien and Chico Flores (ankle ligaments). Manager Michael Laudrup has a choice to make as to who to play behind Michu up front with Wayne Routledge, Nathan Dyer and Pablo Hernandez all pushing for that role.
Sunday 10th March 2013
Barclays Premier League
Newcastle Utd v Stoke City (kick off 15:00)
Papiss Cisse should return to the Newcastle starting line-up on Sunday afternoon after recovering from illness. Jonas Gutierrez was rested midweek but will be recalled on Sunday. Fabricio Coloccini is out until near the end of April with a back complaint while ‘keeper Tim Krul continues his rehab from an ankle knock.
Stoke could be able to count on the services of Matthew Ehterington once again as the winger has almost shrugged off a back injury. Robert Huth is banned but Michael Owen returns from a thigh issue.
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur (kick off 16:00)
Spurs’ winger Aaron Lennon will probably miss out on the trip to Anfield with a hamstring injury. However, Mousa Dembele should be declared fit after taking a minor knock midweek and will be joined by Emmanuel Adebayor, who has shaken off a knee injury. Definite absentees are Younes Kaboul, Sandro, Tom Huddlestone and Clint Dempsey.
