Premier League - Team news: Big guns back

Eurosport - Wed, 22 Apr 18:55:00 2009

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney are among the big names who should return for Manchester United against Portsmouth on Wednesday.

2008-2009 Champions League Porto-Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo Wayne Rooney - 0

Click the relevant links below the picture to see match facts, predicted line-ups, players to watch, injuries and suspensions.

Matches kick-off at 20:00 UK time.

Manchester United v Portsmouth

Ronaldo is expected to start while Rooney faces a late fitness test on his ankle injury.

Edwin van der Sar, John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher also stayed at home when United bowed out of the FA Cup to Everton on Sunday, while Michael Carrick is attempting to shrug off a minor knock and is rated as highly doubtful.

Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Dimitar Berbatov and Patrice Evra are all expected to return in a starting line-up containing only Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic from the semi-final team.

Scotland midfielder Fletcher is available again, having missed United's last three matches with a minor injury.

Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar will miss the trip to Old Trafford after being stretchered off with a damaged ankle in Saturday's 1-0 win over Bolton at Fratton Park after paramedics carrying oxygen equipment rushed to the scene.

Defender Younes Kaboul is also a major doubt after missing training with the thigh muscle injury that saw him replaced in the closing minutes against Bolton.

Manager Paul Hart may decide to revert England star Glen Johnson to his natural right-back role and recall winger Jermaine Pennant against the champions and league leaders.

Midfielder Sean Davis is set to be cleared to play despite reopening a cut to his knee against Bolton in his comeback from two games out.

Chelsea v Everton

Chelsea are still without two of their Portuguese stars, with right-back Jose Bosingwa and midfielder Deco both sidelined with hamstring injuries.

England midfielder Joe Cole and another Portuguese, full-back Paulo Ferreira, will not be returning this season, but otherwise manager Guus Hiddink has a full squad to choose from and may well field a side unchanged from the one which beat Arsenal at Wembley on Saturday.

Everton's injury list reads much the same as it has all year, with the strike duo of Yakubu and Victor Anichebe - as well as midfielder Mikel Arteta and defender Nuno Valente - out for the remainder of the season.

However, young striker James Vaughan came on as a substitute in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on Sunday - scoring a penalty in the shootout - and will be on the bench at Stamford Bridge.

Brazil striker Jo also returns to the side after being cup-tied for that match.

TeamTalk / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 14 of 34

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  1. What i couldn't understand was Sir Alex Ferguson­ said he choose the kids because of the wembley pitch,­ and he didn't want the major stars to get injured­ with big games coming up, but just say if 1 did, or­ even 2, Alex beleived in the young kids to play in a­ major semi final, so if any1 did get injured why­ couldn't the younger players take there role for­ the other matches coming up?

    From terri-ann, on Wed 22 Apr 12:13PM
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Come on Pompey, Do liverpool a favour tonight.

    From DJ Viper, on Wed 22 Apr 12:11PM
  3. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I-M-P-L-O-S-I-O-N imminent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yee-­ Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Game's up­ ManUre!

    From CutPR, on Wed 22 Apr 12:02PM

  4. jokes

    From Moyo D, on Wed 22 Apr 11:42AM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I discovered a hot place

    ------ W ealth yFi nd er C o­ M------­ where many sexy singles- who like dating and--­ chatting­ there. I'm an open- minded girl from US,­ I-- am­ Waiting 4 u

    From cherry.lee22, on Wed 22 Apr 11:37AM

  6. berbatov should not play, he lost us that game with his­ @#$% penalty, i hope he gets sold in the summer the­ lazy idiot

    From Tracey, on Wed 22 Apr 11:00AM

  7. #15 - slag

    From Ashley B, on Wed 22 Apr 10:57AM

  8. The last 2 Liverpool games have shown that their­ defence is under scrutiny as well as Utd's. If Utd­ win their 2 games in hand I think that will be it for­ Liverpool. It's been a great title race though.

    From , on Wed 22 Apr 10:48AM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Get ready for another installment of the ManU­ implosion... L. F. C. ­ f-o-r-e-v-e-r-ah-ha-ha-ha..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

    From CutPR, on Wed 22 Apr 10:33AM

  10. Come on Utd! Well have to make the Result last night­ count for something. Unt to will. Think Chelsea will­ also win as Everton will feel the effects of sundays­ pitch & long game.

    From andyprice17, on Wed 22 Apr 10:24AM

  11. I hope the ManU boys will play to their full potential­ tonight - no holding back and not a single foot off the­ pedal. Not till the end of the season. Not till the BPL­ is safe in the ManU locker. Go ManU.

    From cokrowinoto, on Wed 22 Apr 10:14AM

  12. Game set and match for ManU

    From Legolas, on Wed 22 Apr 10:01AM

  13. Utd to win chelsea to draw

    From alan, on Wed 22 Apr 10:00AM

  14. utd for the title and champs league the disappiontment­ of the fa cup will fire them forward

    From alan, on Wed 22 Apr 9:51AM
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