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Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is fit to return for Wednesday's Premier League game at bottom club Portsmouth but defender Branislav Ivanovic will be sidelined for a month.

All matches kick off at 19:45 unless otherwise stated

Wednesday March 24

Aston Villa v Sunderland

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has been ruled out of the clash with Sunderland. Agbonlahor is still struggling with the foot injury that forced him to miss last weekend's 2-2 draw against Wolves. He suffered the injury in training last week when he opened up a ligament in a joint. The England forward is to have tests to determine the full extent of the damage. In the continued absence of Agbonlahor, John Carew and Emile Heskey will again lead the Villa attack.

Villa also have a doubt over their Republic of Ireland international central defender Richard Dunne, who is battling to recover from a sore Achilles that forced him off during the second-half against Wolves last weekend. If Dunne is ruled out, Carlos Cuellar could move into the centre of defence with full-back with Luke Young on alert for a recall.

Sunderland skipper Lorik Cana returns from suspension for Wednesday night's Barclays Premier League trip to Villa Park. The Albania international is available once again after completing a two-match ban for reaching 10 bookings for the season. Manager Steve Bruce also hopes to have Kenwyne Jones (hip flexor) and John Mensah (knee) at his disposal. Lee Cattermole and Jordan Henderson suffered no reaction to their respective returns as substitutes in Saturday's 3-1 win over Birmingham, for which Bolo Zenden (knee) made the bench, and Bruce has only Andy Reid (hamstring) still on the casualty list.

Manchester City v Everton

Defender Joleon Lescott has been ruled out for up to five weeks with a hamstring problem and so will not face former club Everton. The England international was injured in the warm-up at Fulham at the weekend and his replacement at left-back then, Javier Garrido, is expected to keep his place with first-choice Wayne Bridge sidelined after a hernia operation. Striker Emmanuel Adebayor serves the final game of his four-match suspension.

Everton forward Victor Anichebe has returned to training ahead of the trip to Eastlands The Nigeria international was carried off during Saturday's defeat of Bolton after an apparent blow to the ribs but a scan has shown no damage. On-loan Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos, whose time at the club has been blighted by injuries, is also close to returning after a medial ligament strain. Manager David Moyes reports "one or two knocks and niggles" but otherwise long-term ankle injury victim Marouane Fellaini is the only major casualty.

Portsmouth v Chelsea

Portsmouth boss Avram Grant is without striker Aruna Dindane for his side's home clash with Premier League title-chasers Chelsea. The Ivorian has been declared unavailable by the club's administrators due to a clause in his loan deal from Lens, which states Pompey must pay the French side £4 million if he plays another game. Tal Ben-Haim and John Utaka both have groin injuries and miss out, while Hassan Yebda and Kevin-Prince Boatengare away having treatment on knee and ankle injuries respectively.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech will return from injury at Fratton Park. Cech has been sidelined with a calf injury sustained against Inter Milan in the Champions League last month. Deputy keeper Hilario misses out with a groin strain while Michael Essien (knee), Ashley Cole (ankle) and Jose Bosingwa (knee) are all sidelined along with Branislav Ivanovic (knee).

Blackburn Rovers v Birmingham City (20:00)

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce again has injury concerns ahead of his side's game with Birmingham. Goalkeeper Paul Robinson (calf), captain Ryan Nelsen (knee), Gael Givet (groin), Lars Jacobsen (hernia) and Vince Grella (calf) are all likely to be sidelined. Loan striker Franco di Santo comes back into the equation after being ineligible to play against parent club Chelsea in Sunday's 1-1 draw. Midfielder David Dunn is also available despite being withdrawn after 56 minutes with tightness in his calves.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has no fresh injury worries ahead of the encounter at Ewood Park. Defender Gregory Vignal, who was among the substitutes against Sunderland at the weekend, stepped up his fitness levels by playing 90 minutes for the reserves last night after a recent calf problem. On-loan Sunderland utility player Teemu Tainio is available again after being ineligible to face his parent club. James McFadden, Lee Bowyer and Sebastian Larsson are all contenders to start after being substitutes at the Stadium of Light.

PA Sport