Chelsea midfielder Ramires is banned for four matches after accepting an FA charge of violent conduct. Sylvain Distin joins Phil Jagielka on the sidelines for Everton’s visit to St Mary’s. Moussa Sissoko has returned to training for Newcastle, Michu is out of Swansea’s game with Villa, whilst Gareth McAuley faces a late fitness test ahead of the Baggies’ encounter with West Ham:
Chelsea will be without midfielder Ramires for the top-of-the-table clash with Liverpool. The Brazilian has accepted an FA charge of violent conduct for an off-the-ball incident against Sunderland and will now miss the rest of the season. Meanwhile reports suggest Eden Hazard will not be fit for the Anfield clash, though the winger is on course to return for the vital Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid in midweek.
Ryan Giggs has revealed Rafael and Robin Van Persie are still sidelined for United, though everyone else is fit.
Arsene Wenger has confirmed Thomas Vermaelen could return for Arsenal’s home clash with Newcastle. Kieran Gibbs remains out, whilst Abou Diaby is back on the injury list after picking up a groin injury during an outing for the club’s under 21 side earlier in the week.
Morgan Schneiderlin has been ruled out for Southampton’s home encounter against Everton after picking up “a last minute problem”, whilst youngster Harrison Reed is struggling with illness.
Roberto Martinez has ruled Sylvain Distin out of the weekend trip to Southampton, with the defender failing to recover from the hamstring injury that forced him off against United last week. Elsewhere, the Toffees has confirmed Phil Jagielka is also still out, whilst on-loan striker Lacina Traore is unlikely to be fit enough to play again this season.
Newcastle have been boosted by the return to training of Moussa Sissoko this week, with Alan Pardew suggesting that the midfielder “has got a chance” of featuring against Arsenal. On-loan forward Luuk de Jong remains a doubt with an ankle problem.
Norwich boss Neil Adams has confirmed that Joseph Yobo will miss the trip to Old Trafford, as the on-loan defender undergoes further treatment on a calf injury. Elliot Bennett though, is back in the squad following a knee problem, with Adams also reporting no fresh injury concerns.
Michu will miss Swansea’s vital clash with Villa through injury, though Garry Monk remains hopeful that the midfielder will return to play some part before the end of the season.
Aston Villa’s Joe Bennett is Paul Lambert’s only concern ahead of the trip to Swansea, with the defender nursing an ankle injury. Villa will also welcome back Nicklas Helenius into the squad, with the summer signing now fully fit, having overcome a recent thigh problem.
Pepe Mel has revealed that Gareth McAuley has failed to train after missing Monday’s defeat at the Etihad with a calf complaint. The Baggies’ boss has confirmed that the centre-half will face a late fitness test to ascertain his availability for the game against West Ham this weekend.
The Hammers themselves are expected to be without Matt Taylor this weekend. Sam Allardyce admitted he doesn’t think the midfielder will be available due to personal reasons.
All this and more is being updated as the day progresses in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter Stream as breaking news unfolds.
