Robin van Persie is back for United’s clash with Cambridge tonight. Brendan Rodgers is set to ring the changes as Liverpool host Bolton at Anfield, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Hector Bellerin are doubts for Arsenal, Adam Johnson is a concern for Sunderland’s home match with Fulham, whilst West Brom have worries over James Morrison.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) and Hector Bellerin (ankle) are both set for late fitness tests ahead of Arsenal’s cup clash with Brighton on Sunday, Arsene Wenger has revealed. The Gunners boss has also confirmed that Mesut Ozil is likely to start, though Danny Welbeck remains sidelined through injury.
James Morrison is a weekend doubt for West Brom’s cup clash with midlands rivals Birmingham, Tony Pulis has revealed. The Baggies boss has also confirmed he’s keen to bring Wigan wide man Callum McManaman and United’s Darren Fletcher to the Hawthorns before the end of the transfer window.
Frank Lampard could be set to miss City’s showdown with Middlesbrough tomorrow but is expected to be out for only “two to three days”, meaning he’ll be available to face former club Chelsea next weekend.
Mario Balotelli, Joe Allen and Glen Johnson are all available for Liverpool’s home encounter with Bolton this weekend. With a Capital One Cup semi-final second-leg against Chelsea to follow in midweek, Brendan Rodgers has confirmed he’s likely to make some alterations tomorrow.
“I think the players on the outside who haven’t been playing as much see clearly how the team functions and how well it has done so. But we’ve been able to work more in training, so it means those coming into that are into a system and way of working that suits them well. It’s always a balance between consistency and rotation, but it’s something we’re comfortable with. We’ll make changes this weekend, but it shouldn’t disrupt the flow of our play.”
Alan Pardew has confirmed that Marouane Chamakh is available for Palace’s clash with Southampton. The Eagles boss – who has been linked with a move for Bolton’s Lee Chung-Yong this week – has admitted he’s uncertain over Wilfried Zaha’s long-term future at the club:
“I am not sure about that option [making Zaha a permanent player]. What I do know is that he is a player who needs to get his career on the move again. He’s had a decent couple of games, he’s made an impact and he needs to build on that. That is where he’s at. He’s a talent who needs to nail down a permanent position, whether on loan or as a permanent signing, but I have been very pleased with what I have seen so far.”
Sunderland assistant boss Charlie Oatway deputised for Gus Poyet during yesterday’s press briefing and revealed the Black Cats are likely to be missing a trio of players ahead of their home clash with Fulham:
“There are one or two issues on the injury front. Adam (Johnson) has a bit of a calf problem, Wes (Brown) has a knock to his knee and Lee (Cattermole) has also got a bit of a problem with his knee. We are still monitoring those. Lee will be struggling for the weekend but it is not a major concern. We are confident he will be ready for next week.”
Robin van Persie has recovered from an ankle problem, whilst Luke Shaw has also been passed fit ahead of United’s clash with Cambridge this evening. Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling are both ruled out, though, and join Ashley Young on the treatment table.
Ronald Koeman remains without Morgan Schneiderlin, Victor Wanyama and Toby Alderweireld for Southampton’s match against Palace, though is optimistic on the trio’s chances of returning in the next fortnight:
“They are doing well, but they need time. When they got the injuries we said it’d be about three or four weeks, so that means there’s another two weeks from now until they’ll normally be back to play. Of course, we’d like to have all of our players available and maybe we will in two weeks’ time, but not for this Saturday. We won at Ipswich and Newcastle without those players, so we can beat Crystal Palace as well.”
Esteban Cambiasso and Dean Hammond are both available for Leicester’s trip to Tottenham tomorrow. Chris Wood is a doubt due to an ankle problem, whilst Nigel Pearson has also revealed he’s considering handing starts to new boys Mark Schwarzer and Andrej Kramaric.
Sam Allardyce has confirmed that, aside from the injured pair Diafra Sakho and James Collins, West Ham “are all fit and well” ahead of their fourth-round clash against Bristol City.
