Saturday's matches

Manager Paul Jewell will assess his 12 returning international players before he makes a final decision on his squad. Former Hearts centre-back Andy Webster stepped up his bid to get fully match fit, after his protracted summer transfer, with 90 minutes for the reserves earlier in the week but this fixture is likely to be too soon for him. Ryan Taylor and Steve McMillan remain long-term casualties.

Ryan Giggs and Gabriel Heinze have both been ruled out. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping Giggs will have recovered from his hamstring injury in time to face FC Copenhagen on Tuesday, while Heinze, who has a similar problem, has been pencilled in to face Liverpool next weekend. Ferguson reported a few bumps and bruises from the international programme, notably Cristiano Ronaldo, who picked up an ankle injury against Poland on Wednesday.

Left-back Gael Clichy will return to the sqaud after a long fitness battle. However, manager Arsene Wenger must do without injured trio Freddie Ljungberg (calf), Emmanuel Eboue (knee) and Julio Baptista (hamstring). Centre-half Philippe Senderos (shoulder) has, like Clichy, who is now recovered from a long-standing foot problem, been working on his match fitness in the reserves but will not be included on Saturday. Lauren (knee) and Abou Diaby (ankle) are all still some away from a return.

Chris Powell is back in the Watford squad for their daunting trip. The 37-year-old former England defender has missed the Hornets' last four matches due to a calf injury, but the two-week break for international football has enabled him to shake off the problem. Powell will compete with Jordan Stewart for the left-back berth, but defender Clarke Carlisle remains sidelined with a thigh injury. Defender James Chambers is missing after joining Cardiff on a month-long loan.

Striker Luke Moore is definitely out until the new year after undergoing a shoulder operation which could prompt a recall for Milan Baros. There are doubts over keeper Thomas Sorensen (shoulder), centre-back Olof Mellberg (knee) and utility player Peter Whittingham (thigh). If Sorensen is ruled out then Stuart Taylor will deputise while Martin Laursen would be the obvious candidate to replace Mellberg. Midfielder Steven Davis is expected to be available despite suffering a bruised foot on international duty for Northern Ireland.

Manager Martin Jol is sweating on the fitness of centre-half Ledley King and striker Jermain Defoe. King is struggling with a knee problem which forced him out of England's trip to Croatia this week while Defoe collected a foot injury during England's 2-0 defeat in Zagreb. Full-back Pascal Chimbonda is also a worry after damaging a calf in the win over Portsmouth last time out, while Teemu Tainio (hernia), Steed Malbranque (groin) and Aaron Lennon (knee) are definitely out.

Dirk Kuyt has definitely been ruled out after the Dutch striker damaged his ankle playing for his country last weekend and after an initial scan it had been hoped that he would be fit for the Blackburn match. But after a further assessment on Friday, Kuyt has been sidelined and has only a small chance of being available for Wednesday's Champions League game in Bordeaux. Liverpool also have doubts over Robbie Fowler, with a back injury, while Mohamed Sissoko has returned from international duty with Mali suffering from an ankle injury. Daniel Agger broke his hand playing for Denmark but there is a possibility he could face Blackburn wearing a cast.

Goalkeeper Brad Friedel injured his groin in the 2-1 win over Wigan prior to the international break and his recovery has not fully been assessed so Jason Brown stands by to make his full debut. The fitness of Australian duo Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton will also be checked on as they return on Friday after playing for the Socceroos in a 2-0 Asian Cup win over Bahrain on Wednesday. The only certain absentee is Steven Reid with an ongoing back injury.

Goalkeeper Nicky Weaver suffered a minor back injury in training on Friday and while the Blues are confident the Sheffield-born player will be fit, teenager Joe Hart could yet make his Premiership debut. Pearce will also take a late check on DaMarcus Beasley, who has been troubled by an ankle problem before finalising his side. Hatem Trabelsi is expected to be involved but Micah Richards (calf) and Stephen Ireland (hamstring) are both doubts while Andreas Isaksson (ankle), Ousmane Dabo (knee) and Ben Thatcher (suspension) are all missing.

Irish keeper Paddy Kenny is a major doubt after picking up a hamstring strain injury on international duty. Ian Bennett is set to start in place of Kenny but Blades boss Neil Warnock's hopes of fielding an otherwise unchanged side from the team that beat Middlesbrough suffered a blow when striker Colin Kazim-Richards hurt his knee in training. Steve Kabba is his likely replacement.

Robert Huth could make hisPremiership debut for Middlesbrough after Jonathan Woodgate was ruled out through injury. The German international, a £6million signing from Chelsea, and youngster Matthew Bates will battle it out for selection with Woodgate (thigh) missing out. Julio Arca returns after breaking his foot on the opening day of the season, while skipper George Boateng is also included in the squad following his recovery from a knee problem.

Manager David Moyes has fitness doubts over Phil Neville and Nuno Valente. Moyes is also waiting to see whether striker Andrew Johnson has recovered from a hamstring problem. Neville damaged a hamstring while on England duty and Valente suffered a groin problem while he was away with Portugal. Johnson missed the England double-header and it is hoped he will be fit to lead the attack at the Riverside. Moyes also expects a problem of jet lag with midfielder Tim Cahill, who was due to arrive back from international duty in Australia at lunchtime on Friday. Tony Hibbert should return from an ankle problem while Gary Naysmith and Alessandro Pistone are both still long-term injury victims.

Benjani Mwaruwari may be recalled to replace Lomana LuaLua in attack but Kanu is fit to start after a thigh injury. Matt Taylor is pushing for a recall in midfield or at the back after the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham and winger Rodolph Douala has recovered from a torn hamstring. Andrew Cole could feature again as a substitute along with Portuguese midfielder Manuel Fernandes.

The Hammers had only four fit defenders for the defeat to Reading before the international window but Anton Ferdinand and Tyrone Mears are both fit. Danny Gabbidon expects to be available despite taking a bang during Wales' win over Cyprus, though James Collins (groin) and John Pantsil (knee) are still out. Pardew has had to wait until Friday to assess the fitness of striker Carlos Tevez, who reportedly picked up a knee injury on international duty with Argentina.

Reading expect skipper Graeme Murty and striker Kevin Doyle to be passed fit. Defender Murty missed Scotland's double header with France and Ukraine with a hamstring injury while an ankle problem prevented Doyle from representing the Republic of Ireland against Cyprus or the Czech Republic. Defender Ibrahima Sonko has recovered from a groin problem but Dave Kitson (knee), Sam Sodje (knee), Peter Mate (knee), Aaron Brown (ankle) and Simon Cox (broken leg) remain sidelined and winger Seol Ki-Hyeon could miss out if he returns too tired from international duty with South Korea.

Ashley Cole is the main doubt after suffering a leg injury in the second half of England's 2-0 defeat by Croatia in Zagreb. Cole was forced to remain on the pitch, because England had used all their substitutes. German midfielder Michael Ballack is still suspended, after being sent off against Liverpool last month.

Sunday

Glenn Roeder could restore fit-again midfielder Nolberto Solano and full-back Stephen Carr. Defender Titus Bramble returns from suspension and loan signing Giuseppe Rossi is available after being ineligible for the 2-0 defeat by parent club Manchester United. Kieron Dyer (hamstring) and Olivier Bernard continue their fights for match fitness, but Michael Owen (knee) and Shay Given (abdominal surgery) remain on the sidelines.

Bolton duo Nicolas Anelka and Abdoulaye Faye are both doubtful because of thigh injuries. However former Manchester United utility player Quinton Fortune returns to the squad following a groin problem. Defender Joey O'Brien had minor knee surgery on Friday while Ricardo Gardner and Henrik Pedersen also remain ruled out through injury.

Monday

Fulham trio Carlos Bocanegra, Ian Pearce and Papa Bouba Diop are available. Bocanegra has made a full recovery from his groin injury, Pearce has overcome a virus and Diop has returned fit from his stint on international duty with Senegal. But Luis Boa Morte (cheekbone), Jimmy Bullard (knee), Ahmad Elrich (knee), Simon Elliott (calf), Philippe Christanval (knee) and Mark Pembridge (calf) are out.

Charlton may welcome winger Jerome Thomas back into the squad after his recovery from a broken foot. Souleymane Diawara (hamstring) also featured for the reserves this week, while Uruguay midfielder Omar Pouso (hamstring) is close to full match fitness. Dennis Rommedahl and Andy Reid will be assessed following their return from international duty, but Gonzalo Sorondo (back) and Djimi Traore (leg) will not be ready to return on Monday. Striker Kevin Lisbie faces three months out after surgery on a shoulder problem.