Premier League
Saturday
Manchester City v Tottenham (kick off 12.45)
Manchester City are virtually at full-strength as they entertain Spurs on Saturday afternoon. Samir Nasri is the only major absentee with a groin injury. Elkiaquim Mangala is carrying a thigh strain and will be given maximum time to prove his fitness.
The Spurs physio will be busy on Saturday morning performing fitness tests on several of the clubs stars. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is carrying a thigh injury, while Nacer Chadli is struggling with a hip problem – both will face the physio. Emmanuel Adebeyor and Nabil Bentaleb will have their fitness levels assessed after returning late from international duty. Long-term absentees remain Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker.
Arsenal v Hull (kick off 15.00)
Arsenal will be without defenders Calum Chambers (suspended) and Laurent Koscielny (Achilles), so expect full-back Nacho Monreal to line up alongside Per Mertesacker in the centre of the Gunners’ defence. Captain Mikel Arteta has shrugged off a calf problem and is available for selection but Mesut Ozil will be out for up to 10 weeks with a serious knee injury. Theo Walcott is back training following a serious knee injury of his own and is posied to appear for Arsenal’s U-21 side this week. Aaron Ramsey and Serge Gnabry continue to work their way back to full fitness but definite absentees this weekend are Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Debuchy and Yaya Sanogo.
Hull will face Arsenal without injured pair Robert Snodgrass and Allan McGregor. Both Mohamed Diame and Sone Aluko returned to the club late after international duty and will face fitness assessments close to kick off.
Burnley v West Ham (kick off 15.00)
Burnley’s injury list is shortening with Danny Ings, Nathaniel Chalobah, Dave Jones, Kieran Trippier and Michael Keane all returning to the match day squad. Dean Marney and Steven Reid remain on the casualty list while Achilles victim Matthew Taylor requires an operation.
West Ham’s medical team are hopeful of having Mark Noble fit for the trip to Burnley. The midfielder has been carrying a calf injury but is on the verge of returning to the first team. Enner Valencia is another on the brink of a return but remaining on the sidelines are Guy Demel, Andy Carroll, Joey O’Brien, Cheikhou Kouyate and James Collins.
Crystal Palace v Chelsea (kick off 15.00)
Crystal Palace have virtually a full squad to choose from as they prepare to face Chelsea. The only definite casualty is defender Scott Dann, who is carrying a minor knee problem, but should return next week.
Chelsea could face Palace without star striker Diego Costa, who is carrying a hamstring problem. Ramires and Didier Drogba are both rated as doubtful for this weekend. John Obi Mikel and Andre Schurrle (ill) are also on the doubtful list and will be assessed prior to kick off.
Everton v Aston Villa (kick off 15.00)
Everton midfielder Ross Barkley is back in full training following a knee ligament injury and could be included in the match day squad this weekend. Seamus Coleman, Steven Pienaar and James McCarthy could all back their returns too, but Kevin Mirallas and John Stones remain on the sick list.
A shoulder injury is keeping Aston Villa’s Fabian Delph in the company of the physio. He fell in training and the rumours are that the England midfielder dislocated the shoulder. Philippe Senderos (thigh) will also be watching from the stands, but cpatain Ron Vlaar is back after recovering from a calf problems.
Newcastle v Leicester (kick off 15.00)
Newcastle are slowly returning to full strength as making their returns this weekend should be Tim Krul, Daryl Janmaat, Paul Drummett, Cheick Tiote and Papiss Cisse. Making good recoveries from injury are Ryan Taylor, Siem de Jong and Rolando Aarons and they could make their comebacks within a week.
Leicester travel with virtually a fully fit squad on the team bus. Only Matthew Upson and Zoumana Bakayogo are definite absentees but boss Nigel Pearson is in the dark concerning Riyad Mahrez and Jeffrey Schlupp as the pair were late to return to the club following international action.
Southampton v Sunderland (kick off 15.00)
Southampton should be able to hand forward Sadio Mane a start on Saturday. He returned to the club late form international duty but should be passed fit. Otherwise, Saints boss Ronald Koeman has no injury concerns.
Sunderland will travel south without defender Billy Jones, who is suffering with a pulled muscle. He joins Sebastien Coates, Emanuele Giaccherini and Ricky Alvarez on the treatment table. Santiago Vergini is poised to deputise for Jones at right-back.
Sunday
QPR v Liverpool (kick off 13.30)
QPR must face Liverpool without midfielders Joey Barton and Jordon Mutch – both are ruled out with hamstring injuries. Niko Kranjcar has a broken toe but Harry Redknapp is hopeful he can play some part on Sunday while a definite absentee is Alejandro Faurlin (knee).
Daniel Sturridge could make his Liverpool comeback on Sunday afternoon – he’ll face a fitness test on his thigh just before kick off. Dejan Lovren is back in the squad following an abdominal problem, and re-joining him in the matchday squad is Joe Allen and Emre Can following their recent injuries.
Stoke v Swansea (kick off 16.00)
Stoke pair Victor Moses and Mame Biram Diouf appear to have shrugged off minor injuries and are available for selection on Sunday. However, Glenn Whelan, MArko Arnautivoc and Robert Huth are all carrying knocks and will miss out.
Swansea will travel without the suspended Jonjo Shelvey, while Angel Rangel returns from his ban. Leon Britton is still a week or two away from returning after a recent knee injury, but Jordi Amat is a definite absentee with a knee problem.
