Theo Walcott could return for Arsenal this weekend. Danny Simpson is out for Newcastle. Leighton Baines returns to training for Everton, Chris Smalling may not make United’s trip to Sunderland, while reports suggest Roberto Di Matteo will make sweeping changes to his Chelsea first XI for this evening’s trip to Liverpool:

Theo Walcott could be ready to return for Arsenal’s crucial trip to West Brom on Sunday afternoon. The winger limped out of the Gameweek 35 draw with Chelsea due to a hamstring injury and was expected to miss the rest of the season, but is reportedly expected to resume full training before the end of the week as Arsene Wenger’s side look to ruin Roy Hodgson’s final game in charge at the Hawthorns and clinch third place in the league.

The Mail reports that Petr Cech and Didier Drogba are both set to be rested for Chelsea’s trip to Liverpool this evening. With both players having such a crucial role in Saturday’s FA Cup Final win over the Reds, Roberto Di Matteo is keen to give them the night off as prioritises the Champions League Final later this month. The Blues are five points behind Spurs in fourth but despite having a game in hand, now look unlikely to finish above Harry Redknapp’s side – Hilario is set to take over tonight, then, with Fernando Torres prepared to lead the line against his former club. The Guardian have went one step further, suggesting that Ashley Cole, Juan Mata and Frank Lampard could all be set to miss out.

Danny Simpson has been ruled out of Newcastle’s trip to Everton on Sunday. Alan Pardew was straightforward in assessing the right-back’s chances of making the game earlier today, telling the press:

He’s got a bad ankle. He’s got no chance for Everton. I think his chances are for next year now.

James Perch looks likely to continue in Simpson’s absence ahead of Ryan Taylor, with the former having started Newcastle’s last two against Chelsea and City.

David Wheater could be sidelined for up to nine months after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The centre-half picked up the injury in last weekend’s draw with West Brom and hands Owen Coyle a selection headache ahead of the Trotters’ vital trip to Stoke on Sunday – Wheater has started every one of his side’s matches since Gameweek 21, with his absence affording Zat Knight a chance to partner Tim Ream at centre-back for the Potters’ clash.

Everton have been handed an injury boost ahead of their home clash against Newcastle this weekend. Leighton Baines, Darron Gibson and Phil Neville are all set to return to training, though it’s perhaps a little early to judge whether they will be fit enough to be pushing for recalls against the Magpies, according to the Toffees assistant boss Steve Round:

We believe they will all probably start training this week. Whether they will make Newcastle, we will see. But we are hoping that each of them becomes fit to train during this week.

Reports indicate that Chris Smalling is set to miss United’s final match of the season with a groin problem. The centre-half was limping towards the end of last Sunday’s game against Swansea but his injury is thought to be worse than previously anticipated. Rio Ferdinand is expected to be available, however; he was forced off with a groin problem at the weekend but returned to training yesterday.