Premier League Team News

Saturday's matches

All four of the Liverpool players sent to Belgrade this week for treatment for their injuries are in the squad. Glen Johnson, Fabio Aurelio, Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera have all been treated by Serbian physiotherapist Mariana Kovacevic this week and are all back in full training. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will also have Steven Gerrard in the starting line-up after a fortnight's break to allow a groin injury to heal. But striker Fernando Torres, on a three-week treatment programme to cure his more serious groin problem, will not be involved. Jamie Carragher returns after suspension.

Martin Petrov is feeling some pain from a previous injury to his knee and will sit out the trip to Anfield. Veteran full-back Sylvinho (calf) also misses out, while fellow Brazilian Robinho will travel to Merseyside but is unlikely to be risked as he nears recovery from an ankle injury which has kept him out for almost three months.

Midfielder Barry Ferguson will return after suspension. The former Scottish international missed the 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield after serving a one-game ban for his sending-off against Manchester City. Winger Keith Fahey is also in contention again after recovering from an ankle problem as Alex McLeish's side look to extend their unbeaten run to four games. But striker Garry O'Connor, midfielder Teemu Tainio, central defender Martin Taylor and left-back David Murphy are still sidelined through injury.

Fulham will once again be without Andrew Johnson and captain Danny Murphy. Both had been rested for the Cottagers' 1-1 draw with Wigan but Johnson (groin) and Murphy (knee) have failed to recover and Diomansy Kamara also misses out with an ankle injury. Simon Davies could make his first appearance for two months after recovering from a foot injury while all Roy Hodgson's international players, including the Republic of Ireland's Damien Duff and Stephen Kelly, are fit.

Manager Owen Coyle has no new injury worries. The Scot expects to name the same squad which drew 3-3 at Manchester City before the international break. Midfielder Chris McCann and forwards Jay Rodriguez and Martin Paterson are still some weeks away from full fitness.

Captain Stiliyan Petrov will return after suspension. The Bulgarian midfielder was banned for the 5-1 home win over Bolton a fortnight ago after incurring five bookings during the current campaign. Central defender James Collins and striker Emile Heskey could be available after injury against the Clarets. Collins missed the Bolton game a fortnight ago with a groin injury. Heskey picked up a back injury in the previous game at West Ham which ruled him out of England's friendly international with Brazil in Doha last weekend. Winger Stewart Downing is back in training after his lengthy lay-off with a broken foot but left-back Wilfred Bouma's comeback from a dislocated ankle has been further delayed by a toe problem.

Chelsea will be without Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Deco. Drogba is back in training after the rib injury he received against Manchester United but will be out for another week while Ballack (knee) should be back for the Champions League match against Porto on Wednesday. Lampard (thigh) is expected to be out for three weeks. Youngsters Fabio Borini, Nemanja Matic and Gael Kakuta are all expected to feature from the bench against Wolves.

Wolves are boosted by the return of right-back Kevin Foley. Foley has only made three appearances this season after twice suffering knee ligament problems and his return could not be better timed as defender Ronald Zubar is a major doubt after picking up a thigh strain in training this week. Wolves are definitely without on-loan Chelsea central defender Michael Mancienne who cannot face his parent club. Manager Mick McCarthy could also opt to rest striker Kevin Doyle after his two games for the Republic of Ireland against France and start him on the bench.

Playmaker Geovanni returns from suspension but Seyi Olofinjana is doubtful. Olofinjana suffered a hamstring injury on international duty with Nigeria this week and will be assessed ahead of the game. Goalkeeper Boaz Myhill (knee) is hoping to return after missing the last two games but is yet to prove his fitness. Captain Ian Ashbee, sidelined with a long-term knee problem, is the only other absentee.

Carlton Cole returns from injury after the England striker missed the Hammers' last game, a 2-1 defeat to Everton, with a hamstring problem. Forward Alessandro Diamanti (hip) is missing while left-back Herita Ilunga (hamstring) is a doubt, but long-term absentees Kieron Dyer (hamstring), Dean Ashton (ankle) and Luis Boa Morte (knee) remain out.

Goalkeeper Marton Fulop is set to begin an extended run in the side. Fulop is likely to take over from Craig Gordon, who will be out for three months after breaking his arm in the defeat by Tottenham a fortnight ago. Fraizer Campbell could start up front as Kenwyne Jones sits out the second match of a three-game ban while defender Michael Turner is also suspended. Midfielder Lorik Cana returns from a ban while John Mensah (calf) and Boudewijn Zenden (hip) are back in contention. Lee Cattermole (knee) is another long-term absentee.

Arsenal will be without striker Robin van Persie (ankle) and defender Kieran Gibbs (foot), but welcome back England forward Theo Walcott from a knee problem. Nicklas Bendtner (groin) is not yet match fit, so Croatia marksman Eduardo is likely to lead the attack while veteran defender Mikael Silvestre is set to fill in at left-back. Midfielder Denilson, Mexican forward Carlos Vela, defender Armand Traore and England Under-21 midfielder Jack Wilshere have all recovered, with goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (knee) also close to a comeback, but Abou Diaby (calf), Gael Clichy (back) and Johan Djourou (knee) remain sidelined.

Nemanja Vidic should return to the heart of defence at Old Trafford. The Serbian has been struggling with a calf injury but came through his country's midweek international with South Korea and is expected to feature as Rio Ferdinand (back) and John O'Shea (thigh) are definitely out. Jonny Evans (calf) and Michael Carrick (ankle) are also doubts, while Fabio (groin) is definitely missing.

Winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is suspended for the trip to Old Trafford. The Russia international serves the second of a three-match ban for his sending-off in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on October 31. Midfielder Tim Cahill has returned from international duty with Australia with a minor groin problem and is a slight doubt.

Sunday's matches

Full-back Jlloyd Samuel is available again after suspension. He could replace Paul Robinson following the heavy defeat by Aston Villa, which saw Wanderers slip down the table. Manager Gary Megson will monitor the fitness of Tamir Cohen over the next 24 hours as the midfielder has a groin problem.

Sam Allardyce will assess the emotional and physical effects of World Cup heartache on Keith Andrews before deciding on his side. Andrews was in the Republic of Ireland team which controversially lost the play-off to France in extra-time on Wednesday, remaining on the field for the full 120 minutes. Having also played the entire first leg in Dublin last weekend, Blackburn boss Allardyce might feel it is too much for Andrews to slot back into midfield for the Premier League contest. With Vince Grella (hamstring) now back to fitness, Rovers have a full squad to select from.

Centre-back Ledley King has a hamstring problem and will miss out. England winger Aaron Lennon, however, could be back following an ankle problem suffered before the international break. Luke Modric (fractured fibula) is still out.

Defender Erik Edman will face his former club as he continues to deputise at left-back for the injured Maynor Figueroa. The Swede made his first Premier League start since the end of last season last time out in the draw at Fulham as Figueroa was sidelined with a knee ligament problem and is still at least a week away from recovery. Honduras midfielder Hendry Thomas missed his flight back from international duty in Central America but will be back in time to train with the squad.

Stoke will be without defender Abdoulaye Faye as he serves a one-match suspension. And the Potteries side could also be without Republic of Ireland international Glenn Whelan, who suffered a groin strain playing in the World Cup play-off with France on Wednesday. He will have a scan and a late fitness test before boss Tony Pulis decides whether to risk the midfielder.

Manager Paul Hart may hand Icelandic international Hermann Hreidarsson his first appearance of the season. The 35-year-old has been plagued by a hamstring injury this term, but played 65 minutes of a behind-closed-doors friendly against Cheltenham on Tuesday and is training with the first team. Ivory Coast striker Aruna Dindane is a slight doubt after he returned from international duty with a chest infection, while Papa Bouba Diop remains out with a hamstring problem.