Premier League - Team news: City doubts

Eurosport - Sun, 22 Mar 14:45:00 2009

Brief team news ahead of Sunday's Premier League action, with doubts over Manchester City's Stephen Ireland and Craig Bellamy.

FOOTBALL Manchester City Stephen Ireland - 0

Click on the links below the photo for predicted line-ups, players to watch and match facts.

Manchester City v Sunderland (15:00)

City pair Stephen Ireland (ankle) and Wayne Bridge (hamstring) both suffered injuries during Thursday night's dramatic UEFA Cup win over Aalborg and are doubtful. Vincent Kompany, who made his comeback from a toe injury in Denmark after passing a late fitness test, will also be assessed. But striker Craig Bellamy could be in contention after making a quicker than expected recovery from a knee injury.

Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia could welcome back defenders Anton Ferdinand and Nyron Nosworthy (both hamstring) while Tal Ben Haim misses out under the terms of his loan agreement with City. Midfielder Teemu Tainio is to see a specialist again over his knee problem after an injection failed to solve the problem, while Kieran Richardson completes a two-match ban.

Liverpool v Aston Villa (16:00)

Liverpool will welcome back Alvaro Arbeloa (hamstring) while Xabi Alonso (ankle) and Yossi Benayoun (hamstring) have been in light training and could feature at some stage. Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are both expected to start as the Reds look to continue their resurgence.

John Carew is pushing hard for a return to the Aston Villa starting line-up against Liverpool after convincing manager Martin O'Neill he is back to full fitness following a back problem. Wilfred Bouma is also pushing for a place after eight months out with a dislocated ankle and Steve Sidwell (ankle) could also come into the equation.

Follow all the weekend's action right here live on eurosport.yahoo.com!

TeamTalk / Eurosport

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  1. scouse = scroungers, liars, cheats, conmen, jobless,­ thieving twats, inbreds who interfere with their own,­ scumbags, braindead, dole ponces ------ up yours you­ scalleys

    From andyguy1962, on Sun 22 Mar 2:20PM

  2. Aston Villa 1 - Pool 1..

    From c.vijesh, on Sun 22 Mar 1:57PM

  3. Lets hope Liverpool do not waste this opportunity they­ hev the momentum when all about them seem to have lost­ their did some one say TWO NIL :-)

    From art_tidesco, on Sun 22 Mar 10:15AM

  4. Torres and Gerrard are the deadliest in the­ world.Particularly if you upset them in a­ nightclub.However,once you have taken the kicking,you­ will be due a nice payout to quell the pain and keep­ the matter away fromn the courts!

    From Perry Neeham, on Sun 22 Mar 10:05AM

  5. is the guy who looks like a thumb stephen ireland's­ fat brother?

    From Robert, on Sun 22 Mar 9:43AM

  6. "Captain Cesc Fabregas (knee) and striker Eduardo­ (groin) are both back in training but are not expected­ to feature until after the international­ break."

    Eduardo is in the squad

    From Cosia, on Sat 21 Mar 4:59PM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Hey, I'm an open minded girl from UK, I'm­ interested in exotic things, photography, dating and­ sports...I have my photos on --- Seekingtall Co m ---,­ I love tall guys!
    Do you love traveling and have some­ experience? Just find me out.

    From franlanpard07, on Sat 21 Mar 1:39PM

  8. Half a brain is Gay and proud.......

    From Nicholas, on Sat 21 Mar 11:51AM

  9. Torres and Gerrard should be called "The Golden­ Duo"!!!.

    From Mikel, on Sat 21 Mar 11:44AM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Lamest spitting excuse for Fabregas: Vol 2:­­ ''I wanted to spit on my hand and shake his­ like in Borat, but I missed the target as­ always''

    From Half A Brain, on Sat 21 Mar 8:54AM

  11. Lamest spitting excuse for Fabregas: Vol 1:­ ''It was not spitting. It is my Spanish­ accent''

    From Half A Brain, on Sat 21 Mar 8:49AM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Liverpool and Villa will draw. Typical inconsistent­ Liverpool

    From Half A Brain, on Sat 21 Mar 8:44AM

  13. torres n gerrard r the deadliest pair in the world..

    From capn_charisma16, on Sat 21 Mar 3:48AM

  14. liverpool wld win 2-0,3-0 or most unlikely 2-1

    From capn_charisma16, on Sat 21 Mar 3:47AM

  15. dicanio100uk go and roll another spliff mate.

    From sanchez.santos, on Fri 20 Mar 11:46PM

  16. Aston Villa Game is another test that would probably­ validate Liverpool performance and put them ahead of­ everyone if they can pull a win with excellence as they­ did with Real and MU. Villa is coming off a difficult­ time and is not gonna leave the field without a fight.­ I am looking forward to see Torres, gerrard and­ Liverpool squad manning up as they did and presenting a­ performance as the best and the most dominant soccer­ play you can see today.

    From mehdi y, on Fri 20 Mar 6:11PM

  17. Get him in a headlock and give him a nipple cripple !

    From Chris, on Fri 20 Mar 3:33PM

  18. I'd get his bo11ocks in a vice, if he done that too­ me !

    From Chris, on Fri 20 Mar 3:25PM

  19. I kneecap him with my bat, if he tried spitting at me !

    From Chris, on Fri 20 Mar 3:00PM

  20. dicanio100uk, Fabrigas would floor you mate!

    From Joseph, on Fri 20 Mar 2:52PM
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