Premier League - Wednesday team news

Eurosport - Wed, 29 Oct 15:42:00 2008

A look at all the latest team news ahead of Wednesday's fixtures, with leaders Liverpool still without their star striker.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Liverpool Fernando Torres - 0

Wednesday October 28 (kick-offs at 19:45 unless otherwise stated)

Liverpool v Portsmouth (20:00)

Despite being back in training, Fernando Torres will again miss out meaning that Robbie Keane will once more lead the line despite struggling with a slight groin strain.

Glen Johnson (pelvic) and Glen Little (hamstring) are both major doubts for new Pompey boss Tony Adams but Sol Campbell should recover from a slight hamstring strain in time to play. Sean Davis could also return after serving a one-match ban.

Manchester United v West Ham (20:00)

Michael Carrick is in line for a recall against his former club after fully recovering from the ankle problem that has limited him to just 70 minutes so far this season. He might have to settle for a place on the bench though but the likes of Anderson, Nani, Gary Neville and Carlos Tevez are all pushing for starts after being on the bench against Everton last Saturday.

Despite Carlton Cole being suspended for the trip to Old Trafford, new West Ham signing Diego Tristan is still unlikely to figure. Lucas Neill (virus) and Valon Behrami (groin) could return though after missing the weekend defeat to Arsenal but Mark Noble remains out with a calf problem.

Hull City v Chelsea

Hull full-back Andy Dawson should be back in contention after going off after 10 minutes with dead leg in 3-0 win over West Brom.

Joe Cole is back in training after recovering from the foot injury sustained against Aston Villa three weeks ago and could feature for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side. The Brazilian coach is still missing Michael Ballack (foot), Didier Drogba (knee) and long-term absentee Michael Essien (ACL).

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur (20:00)

Emanuel Adebayor should replace Nicklas Bendtner from the start of the north London derby after coming off the bench to inspire Arsenal to victory against West Ham. Midfielder Denilson recovered from a back injury and is set to start in place of Alexander Song, while Kolo Toure could replace Mikael Silvestre in defence.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has mixed news for his first official match is charge. Left-back Gareth Bale returns following his one-match suspension after being sent off in the 2-1 defeat at Stoke, but fellow defender Michael Dawson will serve the second match of his three-game ban for his own red card in the same match. Injury-prone club captain Ledley King looks set to play a rare third consecutive match in the centre of defence, though regular partner Jonathan Woodgate is still struggling with a groin strain.

Bolton Wanderers v Everton (20:00)

Bolton will make at least one change from the side that lost 2-0 at Tottenham with Gavin McCann serving a one match suspension after his red card in that game. Gary Megson could also make some changes in attack with Richardo Gardner, Ebi Smolarek, Riga and Heidar Helguson all pushing for places.

For Everton, Tim Cahill returns from suspension after his red card picked up during the Merseyside derby but he might have to settle for a place on the bench due to Marouane Fellaini's form since he moved into Cahill's more advance position. Tony Hibbert is also back after an ankle injury but David Moyes may go for the same 11 that performed so admirably against Manchester United on Saturday.

Middlesbrough v Manchester City (20:00)

Boro defenders Justin Hoyte (groin) and Robert Huth (ankle) are still missing but Julio Arca is in line for his first start of the season after recovering from an ankle injury. Egyptian striker Mido remains doubtful with a groin problem.

For Manchester City, Jo might once again miss out with tonsillitis meaning that Mark Hughes could name the same team that beat Stoke City 3-0. Chad Evans and Richard Dunne were both forced off in that game but are expected to be fit. Defender Pablo Zabaleta will complete his three-match ban. City lost this fixture 8-1 on the final day of last season.

Stoke City v Sunderland

Ryan Shawcross is set to keep his place in the Stoke defence as Ibrahima Sonko struggles to recover from the groin injury that kept him out of the 3-0 defeat against Manchester City. The Senegalese centre-back will face a late fitness test before the match at the Britannia Stadium. Fellow defender Andrew Davies is also still sidelined with a knee injury that could keep him out until the end of November.

Craig Gordon is rated as 50-50 for the match as he continues to nurse a twisted ankle sustained on international duty, meaning Hungarian goalkeeper Marton Fulop should keep his place. Striker Kenwyne Jones may feature from the start of the match making his return from the bench following four months out through injury at the weekend.

Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers

Villa midfielder Gareth Barry should be fit to play after limping off the field at the weekend, while striker John Carew should be restored to the starting line-up. Full-back Wilfred Bouma remains Villa's only long-term absentee.

Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy could earn his first start of the season alongside Roque Santa Cruz after working his way back to fitness and coming off the bench to score a late equaliser against Middlesbrough.

Fulham v Wigan Athletic

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is set to name an unchanged side from that which drew 1-1 at Portsmouth at the weekend. His only two injury concerns are Seol Ki-hyeon, who has a knee injury, and Toni Kallio, who has been struck down with a virus.

Wigan forward Emile Heskey has trained this week after picking up a knock in the 4-0 home defeat to Aston Villa, while midfielder Antonio Valencia returns from suspension.

Eurosport

Comment 36 - 55 of 55

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  1. Arsenal 5 Spurts 0
    Many thanks for the Arsenal­ fans' above comments vis-a-vis 'loyalty'of­ Harry Kidnapp.
    Up the Pompey, up the Gunners !

    From Ian, on Wed 29 Oct 7:09PM
  2. Be realistic everyone, there's obviously a lot of­ bias fans on here by some of the predictions made. Azy.

    From aron638, on Wed 29 Oct 6:50PM
  3. LIVERPOOL 2 POMPEY 1
    MANU 3 W HAM1
    HULL 1 CHELSEA­ 2
    ARSENAL 2 SPURS 2
    BOLTON 0 EVERTON 1
    BORO 1 MANC­ 1
    STOKE 1 SUNDERLAND1
    VILLA 2 B BURN 1
    FULHAM 1 WIGAN­ 2

    THATS MY GUESS LOL

    From steve, on Wed 29 Oct 6:50PM
  4. the prediction of @#$%!!

    From erch85_m, on Wed 29 Oct 6:42PM
  5. arsenal 115 - spurs 114 on double OT..bentley will miss­ his last 2 free throws after an offensive foul from­ fabregas

    From ekuy_ltd, on Wed 29 Oct 6:10PM
  6. Kathy Shouldnt you be in the kitchen washing up or­ summet , leave the football to the lads Eh...

    From elliott.billscutter, on Wed 29 Oct 5:22PM
  7. Come on the TIGERS!

    From Chewy, on Wed 29 Oct 5:10PM
  8. Wild= faggie @#$%

    From givingfruit, on Wed 29 Oct 5:08PM
  9. liverpool 3 pompey 1 and Crouch will get theirs as he­ used to get all ours in vital matches...Why did Rafa­ sell him?

    From steviecalrow, on Wed 29 Oct 4:45PM
  10. Kathy I thought I told you to go back and wash the­ dishes. Also the kids need picking up from school. Oh­ and buy me a four pack of Bud on your way home.

    From Wild 4 U, on Wed 29 Oct 4:45PM
  11. Wenger and the gooners will show Harry and Spurs the­ meaning of football and loyalty this eve... 4-0. Kathy­ do you support Man.U. or Chelsea... Your not alloweed­ both ok. Nick

    From nickjones.ac, on Wed 29 Oct 4:37PM
  12. I hope Arsenal trance the Spuds tonight just for what­ 'arry has done 'turn coat'
    And yes im an­ Arsenal fan too

    From dean, on Wed 29 Oct 3:31PM
  13. liverpool 2 - portsmouth 2
    man.u 1 - westham 1
    hull 0 -­ chelsea 4
    arsenal 6 - tottenham 0
    bolton 2 - everton­ 4
    boro 0 - man city 0
    stoke 2 - sunderland 0
    villa 4 -­ blackburn 1
    fulham 2 - wigan 1

    From curious_pappy, on Wed 29 Oct 3:05PM
  14. D oes anyone know if the Liverpool v Portsmouth is­ going to be on telly at any time,,,,Ta

    From Marge Simpson., on Wed 29 Oct 2:53PM
  15. Kathy, where will you post the beheading?? Youtube or­ bebo? Let us know so we can all tune in....

    From Ace, on Wed 29 Oct 2:35PM
  16. THE MARGIN OF GOALS SCORED WILL BE IMMATERIAL NOW, BUT­ FOR ALL I KNOW LIVERPOOL WILL NOT STOKE PUMPEY BUT­ SILENCE THEM AT LEAST FOR NOW. BEST OF LUCK KOPS.­ TOYIN, LIVERPOOL

    From Toyin ayobami, on Wed 29 Oct 2:02PM
  17. THE MARGIN OF GOALS SCORED WILL BE IMMATERIAL NOW, BUT­ FOR ALL I KNOW LIVERPOOL WILL NOT STOKE PUMPEY BUT­ SILENCE THEM AT LEAST FOR NOW. BEST OF LUCK KOPS.­ TOYIN, LIVERPOOL

    From Toyin ayobami, on Wed 29 Oct 2:00PM
  18. Liverpool 0 - Portsmouth 0
    Man.U 0 - West Ham 0
    Hull 0­ - Chelsea 0
    Arsenal 0 - Tottenham 0
    Bolton 0 - Everton­ 0
    Boro 0 - Man City 0
    Stoke 0 - Sunderland 0
    Villa 0 -­ Blackburn 0
    Fulham 0 - Wigan 0

    This is­ live of course!

    From slivatree, on Wed 29 Oct 1:54PM
  19. Oh Kathy, you are such an innocent human being, God­ bless u!

    From Nice One, on Wed 29 Oct 1:47PM
  20. who writes these things??'Gareth Barry,captain of­ villa'.......i musta missed laursens transfer or o­ 'neill's sack.someone needs a reality check!

    From Tunde I, on Wed 29 Oct 1:44PM
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