| Wigan Athletic | v | Manchester City |
|
|
|
Only striker David Cotterill (ankle) and long-term casualties Ryan Taylor and Steve McMillan are unavailable, but none of the three featured in last week's home defeat to Manchester United. Former Hearts centre-back Andy Webster stepped up his bid for full match fitness with another full 90 minutes for the reserves at Newcastle on Thursday night, but a place on the bench is probably the best he can hope for.
Goalkeeper Nicky Weaver remains a major doubt. The former England Under-21 international has only just returned to training after missing last week's home draw against Sheffield United with a back injury, so teenager Joe Hart is standing by to deputise once more. Sylvain Distin, Claudio Reyna and Hatem Trabelsi should all recover from minor knocks but Darius Vassell (knee) and DaMarcus Beasley (ankle) are definitely out, Ishmael Miller is doubtful with a hamstring strain, while Ben Thatcher serves the final game of his eight-match ban.
| Charlton Athletic | v | Watford |
| | |
|
Winger Jerome Thomas is pushing for a starting place after recovering from a broken foot. Defender Souleymane Diawara is expected to feature after suffering from cramp at the end of Monday night's defeat to Fulham, Uruguay midfielder Omar Pouso (hamstring) is also close to full match fitness. Djimi Traore (calf) is feeling the effects of a fractured leg, while Gonzalo Sorondo (back) has returned to training. Striker Kevin Lisbie (shoulder) and American defender Corry Gibbs (knee) are longer-term absentees.
Chris Powell is pushing hard for a return against his former club Charlton. The former England defender, 37, has not started a match since August 26 due to a calf injury, but has now recovered fully from the problem and will battle with Jordan Stewart for the left-back spot. Hornets manager Adrian Boothroyd, whose side are still looking for their first league win of the campaign, has no new injury worries, with defender Clarke Carlisle (thigh) the only absentee.
Hilario will continue in goal for Chelsea on his 31st birthday. Hilario kept Barcelona at bay in the Champions League in midweek as he stepped in because of injuries to Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini. Cech will not play in the near future but Cudicini hopes to be back in action next week. Jose Mourinho is without Mikel Jon Obi who has a one-ban for his red card at Reading. Michael Ballack is available again, after his serving three-match suspension from domestic football for his sending off against Liverpool last month.
Portsmouth will be without regular full-backs Glen Johnson and Dejan Stefanovic. Johnson, on loan from Chelsea, is ineligible against his parent club while captain Stefanovic has a knee problem and is due to will revisit a specialist on Monday. Noe Pamarot comes in at right-back with Matt Taylor likely to move from midfield into a defence which has conceded just three league goals, prompting a recall for Croatian star Niko Kranjcar. Manager Harry Redknapp is set to stick with Manuel Fernandes and Pedro Mendes in an all-Portuguese central midfield and Benjani Mwaruwari and Kanu up front despite Andy Cole's goal as a substitute against West Ham.
| Everton | v | Sheffield United |
| | |
|
With Tony Hibbert ruled out for up to two months with a bad groin tear, Everton are likely to switch versatile England international Phil Neville to right-back. Defender Alan Stubbs, back in training this week after a groin injury, is unlikely to make the starting line-up but could be on the bench. Boss David Moyes has James McFadden and James Beattie fighting for first-team starts while midfielder Simon Davies' return to the side last week gives his manager another option. Gary Naysmith and Alessandro Pistone are both long-term injury victims.
Centre-back Claude Davis faces a late fitness test. The club's £3million record signing missed six weeks of the season with a knee injury and came off after last week's goalless draw at Manchester City complaining of soreness so has been taking it easy in training. Rob Hulse, Michael Tonge and Chris Armstrong all complained of aches and pains this week but none are considered serious and boss Neil Warnock will hope to name an unchanged side.
Aston Villa midfielder Gavin McCann is doubtful. The former Sunderland player was unable to train on Friday because of a calf problem. Patrik Berger is also struggling to be fit after damaging his thigh in training in the latest in a long line of setbacks for the former Czech Republic international. But first choice keeper Thomas Sorensen could be back after resuming training following the shoulder injury which kept him out of the 1-1 draw with Tottenham.
Chris Coleman remains without captain Luis Boa Morte as they prepare to face unbeaten Aston Villa. Boa Morte fractured a cheekbone against Tottenham earlier this season and is not expected to return until early November. Simon Elliott and Mark Pembridge (both calf) are still unavailable but Philippe Christanval (knee) could be back in contention. Jimmy Bullard (knee) is out for the season.
