Terry, Drogba and Essien in the running for returns for Chelsea. Saha’s glass legs could get a run for United. Wenger may have to play Pat Rice if you believe all you hear from the Emirates. Alves could be thrown in at Sheffield United who could play a balloon up front. Here’s my summary of the FA Cup team news…

Chelsea vs Huddersfield

Grant has plenty of options for this game – some unexpected. Terry’s rapid return to fitness from a fractured foot could see him in the squad and in the action ahead of next weekend’s Carling Cup Final. Elsewhere Lampard could also step up his match fitness with a start here following his appearance last weekend against Liverpool. Both are however, placed on four yellows which will mean that a booking in this game would put them out of the Wembley date. For me then, I’d expect to see them both on the bench with Alex retaining his place and Obi coming into midfield.

Essien, Kalou and Drogba are also set to feature having returned from the African Cup of Nations. Essien is set to replace Makelele but the Drogba situation is very interesting. He could get a start with Anelka rested to the bench but I feel it’s likely to be the other way around with Drogba appearing later in the game. Kalou could get a start in place of Joe Cole or Wright-Phillips. Shevchenko is nearing fitness but this one may come to early for him.

Ferreira and Bridge could come in for Belletti and Ashley Cole as Grant rotates his full-backs. He could also contemplate resting Cech for the Wembley final but that looks unlikely.

Predicted Lineup: Cech; Ferreira, Carvalho, Alex, Bridge; Essien, Ballack, Obi, Wright-Phillips, Kalou; Anelka.

Liverpool Vs Barnsley

Rafa could call on Torres after the striker returned to training this week but that looks unlikely with the Champions League tie with Inter looming in midweek. Expect Crouch and Kuyt to start again here then. Elsewhere Arbeloa and Aurellio could get returns at full-back as they also resumed training in midweek. New signing Skrtel is a doubt with a calf injury though, so Hyypia may have to be rushed back from injury to fill in alongside Carragher unless Rafa decides to pitch Arbeloa in the centre if fit. Agger is still sidelined with a broken metatarsal that has kept him out of action for five months.

Pennant and Kewell could be set for recalls after being on the bench at Chelsea with Babel and Lucas stepping down. Gerrard should start with Rafa not risking too much tinkering, Lucas will provide an ideal replacement from the bench if the game ever gets out of Barnsley’s reach.

Predicted Lineup: Reina; Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Aurellio; Gerrard, Mascherano, Kewell, Pennant; Kuyt, Crouch.

Man United vs Arsenal

Ferguson will be keen to gain a minor psychological advantage from this game, so despite the reported injury problems for Arsenal, you can expect United to put a strong side out despite the Champions League trip to Lyon in midweek. Even so, Ferguson has remarked that he’ll make changes, hinting to expect the unexpected.

Rooney and Evra are back from suspension and could go back into the lineup. However, with Saha fit and available, I’ve an inkling he’ll start up front with Tevez,although Welbeck could even feature. Elsewhere, Carrick and Hargreaves will push for starts with Scholes likely to be rested having been ever present since his return from injury. Ronaldo should be in from the start but Giggs seems likely to be on the bench again with Lyon in mind with Nani or Park getting the nod.

I’d expect Van der Sar to be rested with Kuszczak getting a rare start. Meanwhile, Neville is reportedly nearing fitness but this one is likely to come too soon for him.

Predicted Lineup: Kuszczak; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Ronaldo, Anderson, Park; Saha, Tevez.

Wenger reportedly has a string of injuries with Adebayor, Flamini, Senderos, Walcott, Sagna and Clichy the latest to join the list. With AC Milan in wait in the Champions League on Wednesday, it’s perhaps likely that the merest knock has turned into a “serious doubt” for this game, although Wenger is insisting that he has just 14 fully fit players for this tie.

Sagna will miss the game for personal reasons and could even miss the Milan game in midweek. Adebayor’s muscular injury seems him in the squad but he could well be rested with Bendtner such an obvious replacement. Clichy’s knee and hamstring injuries are likely to keep him out, particularly as Traore is another obvious alternative for Wenger. Sagna’s place is likely to go to Hoyte, while I expect Toure to get a start in defence for Senderos , having returned from the African Nations. Eboue is also back from the tournament and could start on the right of midfield. Rosicky has been ruled out of this game despite rumours that he would be available. Lehmann will continue in goal as it’s been decided that he’ll get all the FA Cup games.

Predicted Lineup: Lehmann; Hoyte, Toure, Gallas, Traore; Hleb, Fabregas, Eboue, Gilberto; Bendtner, Eduardo.

Preston vs Portsmouth

Pompey are expecting to have Distin back in their defence for the trip to Deepdale although Pamarot will miss out with a knee injury. Aubey could get a start at left-back, although Hreidarsson seems a more likely option.

Nugent has been ruled out so Kanu could start up front with Defoe cup-tied and Baros rested. I expect the pace of Utaka to be selected alongside fellow Nigerian. Johnson should make a return at full-back after missing last weekend’s trip to Bolton. Elsewhere Mendes and Davis will push for recalls having also missed the Bolton game. Muntari is back from the African Cup of Nations and I can see him coming in for Kranjcar for this one.

Predicted Lineup: James; Johnson, Distin, Campbell, Hreidarsson; Hughes, Bouba Diop, Diarra, Muntari; Utaka, Kanu.

Sheff United vs Middlesbrough

With so few Premiership sides remaining in the competition and Arsenal or United set to exit, Southgate will field a strong side here. Tuncay is back in training and being lined up for the visit to Anfield next weekend. Cattermole is also ruled out of this one and Mido is still struggling for fitness and won’t figure. Brazilian Alves could get a start however having trained this week following his appearance as sub last weekend, although I suspect he’ll start on the bench once again and appear in the second-half as Boro build his fitness.

Predicted Lineup: Schwarzer; Young, Huth, Wheater, Pogatetz; Rochemback, Arca, O’Neil, Downing; Lee, Aliadiere.