Barclays Premier League
Saturday May 9th
Everton v Sunderland (kick off 12:45)
Everton must again take to the field without Steven Pienaar. The midfielder is still suffering from a muscle injury which will keep him out of the team for the fourth successive match. Luke Garbutt returns to the squad after a touch of tonsillitis but he’ll only get a place on the bench. Long-term absentees remain Bryan Oviedo, Darron Gibson and Tony Hibbert.
Meanwhile, Sunderland skipper John O’Shea will be missing from the starting line up for the first time this season due to a rib injury sustained last weekend. He’ll be in the treatment room alongside Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and Steven Fletcher (ankle). However, Wes Brown is back in the fray following recovery from a knee injury.
Aston Villa v West Ham (kick off 15:00)
After a month in the company of the physio, Gabriel Agbonlahor is back in the Aston Villa squad and finally shaking off a hamstring problem. Shay Given may keep his place in the Villa goal, but definitely out are Nathan Baker and Ciaran Clark.
James Collins is confident of recovering sufficiently from a back spasm to feature for West Ham on Saturday. It’s a similar story for Alex Song, who could have a place on the bench. However, definite absentees are Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Guy Demel, Diafra Sakho, and Andy Carroll.
Hull v Burnley (kick off 15:00)
Hull must manage without Mohamed Diame for the rest of the season after the midfielder injured his knee which will require an operation. Nikica Jelavic could be handed a starting berth while Jake Livermore’s injured ankle will be assessed prior to kick off.
Burnley have Michael Duff back in the squad after his red card last weekend was rescinded. Sam Vokes will face a fitness test on a minor hip injury, while Kevin Long and Dean Marney continue to occupy the physio room.
Leicester v Southampton (kick off 15:00)
Leicester have David Nugent back in the squad for the visit of Southampton. He’s shrugged off a calf problem and is the only reported definite absentee for the Foxes. Marcin Wasilewski, Jamie Vardy, Leonardo Ulloa are all carrying minor knocks but will be passed fit to play.
Southampton travel without James Ward-Prowse (ban), Morgan Schneiderlin (knee) and Dusan Tadic (groin). Although Jay Rodriguez is back in training after a serious knee injury, this game comes too soon for him. Definite absentees are Fraser Forster and Emmanuel Mayuka.
Newcastle v WBA (kick off 15:00)
Newcastle will be boosted by the return of Papiss Cisse to their starting line-up after his seven-match ban. However, he is carrying a knee problem which may restrict him to a seat on the bench. Rolando Aarons is back after a long-term hamstring problem, but he too may only occupy a substitute berth. Mike Williamson and Daryl Janmaat are both banned, Siem de Jong is out with a thigh problem, while Paul Drummet and Adam Armstrong are both carrying knocks which will require a fitness test.
West Brom are travelling to Tyneside with several unnamed doubts requiring fitness assessments. The Baggies’ only definite absentee is Ben Foster.
Stoke v Tottenham (kick off 15:00)
Spurs welcome back Mousa Dembele and Andros Townsend to their matchday squad following their recent injuries. However, Kyle Walker has been ruled out with a foot injury. Ben Davies is also an absentee after undergoing shoulder surgery recently.
Crystal Palace v Manchester United (kick off 17:30)
Crystal Palace are reporting a fully fit squad as they prepare to entertain Manchester United. Fraizer Campbell and Marouane Chamakh have both shaken off hamstring problems, while Joel Ward is fully fit following a shin injury. Former United inmate Wilfried Zaha faces his old team-mates for the first time.
Manchester United are travelling with several doubts due to a virus sweeping around Old Trafford. The affected players were not named by Louis van Gaal. The Red Devils injured players include Rafael (rib) and Michael Carrick (calf), while coming back from injury are Luke Shaw (groin), Marcos Rojo (adductor), Jonny Evans (nerve), Phil Jones (ankle).
Sunday, May 10th
Manchester City v QPR (kick off 13:30)
Samir Nasri has strained his groin meaning his season for Manchester City is over. However, Vincent Kompany has recovered from his groin issue and is fit to feature, while Yaya Toure also returns after a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
QPR have plenty of injuries to contend with. Nedum Onouha is banned and Rio Ferdinand is on compassionate leave following the death of his wife. Knee injuries are keeping Eduardo Vargas and Alejandro Faurlin on the sidelines while doubts surround Steven Caulker (hand), Clint Hill (hamstring) and Mauricio Isla (knee). Bobby Zamora will face a late fitness assessment.
Chelsea v Liverpool (kick off 16:00)
Diego Costa’s season has been scuppered by consistent hamstring problems and it is not clear whether he will feature against Liverpool on Sunday. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has stated that he wants the striker to play. However, definitely missing the big game of the weekend is Oscar, who has received a thigh injury, which will also keep him out of this summer’s Copa America. Ramires is also on the casualty list with a kidney complaint.
Liverpool will be without Daniel Sturridge until September after the striker underwent hip surgery this week. Fellow striker Mario Balotelli has returned to training after a foot injury and could play some part on Sunday. Mamadou Sakho is out with a hamstring strain while Lucas Leiva may be handed a start.
