Team-new's 28/12

[tallipoika]

Aston Villa v Fulham
Aston Villa are sweating on the fitness of striker Juan Pablo Angel, who picked up an ankle injury against Leeds.

Dion Dublin's defensive form may mean Ronny Johnsen remains on the bench.

Fulham defender Jerome Bonnissel is doubtful after limping out of the victory over Southampton on Boxing Day and Jon Harley is set to deputise.

Sean Davis is struggling with a hamstring injury and Mark Pembridge is sidelined because of a calf problem.


Aston Villa (from): Sorensen, Delaney, Mellberg, Dublin, Samuel, Hendrie, McCann, Whittingham, Barry, Angel, Moore, Vassell, De la Cruz, Hitzlsperger, Johnsen, Postma, Ridgewell.

Fulham (from): Van der Sar, Volz, Inamoto, Saha, Clark, Boa Morte, Malbranque, Knight, Djetou, Bonnissel, Goma, Crossley, Davis, Harley, Melville, Sava, Hayles.

Bolton v Leicester
Bolton could make a number of changes following the Boxing Day defeat at the hands of Liverpool.

Defender Bruno N'Gotty is likely to return from a hamstring injury and Stelios Giannakopoulos and Ibrahim Ba could also be handed starts.

Leicester's Steve Howey is set to miss out because of a hamstring problem.

Defender Matt Elliott and goalkeeper Ian Walker are suspended so Danny Coyne will come in.


Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Charlton, Thome, N'Gotty, Gardner, Nolan, Djorkaeff, Frandsen, Okocha, Campo, Davies, Poole, Barness, Giannakopoulos, Pedersen, Ba, Jardel.

Leicester (from): Coyne, Impey, Scimeca, Thatcher, Scowcroft, Izzet, McKinlay, Stewart, Ferdinand, Bent, Dickov, Davidson, Hignett, Curtis, Gillespie.

Chelsea v Portsmouth
Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo, who missed Friday's defeat at Charlton because of blocked sinuses, is set to replace Adrian Mutu.

Eidur Gudjohnsen is pushing for a start but Juan Sebastian Veron and Emmanuel Petit are struggling with injuries.

Portsmouth's loan deal with Chelsea for Alexei Smertin means they are unable to field the Russian in this clash.

Richard Hughes may start but Amdy Faye, Gary O'Neil and Nigel Quashie are out.


Chelsea (from): Cudicini, Sullivan, Johnson, Melchiot, Desailly, Terry, Gallas, Huth, Bridge, Babayaro, Lampard, Makelele, Cole, Geremi, Gronkjaer, Mutu, Crespo, Hasselbaink.


Portsmouth (from): Wapenaar, Primus, De Zeeuw, Stefanovic, Stone, Berger, Barrett Taylor, Sheringham, Roberts, Srnicek, Zivkovic, Hughes, Foxe, Schemmel, Yakubu, Robinson.

Everton v Birmingham
Everton are hoping that striker Tomasz Radzinski will be fit after he missed Friday's defeat at the hands of Manchester United with a calf strain.

He could replace Wayne Rooney but Alessandro Pistone, Joseph Yobo and David Weir are all out.

Birmingham's David Dunn and Clinton Morrison are struggling to be fit.

Christophe Dugarry is still sidelined with a knee injury and Jamie Clapham is battling with a hamstring problem.


Everton (from): Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs, Unsworth, Naysmith, McFadden, Carsley, Gravesen, Kilbane, Campbell, Radzinski, Rooney, Simonsen, Li Tie, Ferguson, Linderoth, Jeffers, Osman, Clarke, Nyarko.

Birmingham (from): Taylor, Kenna, Upson, Cunningham, Lazaridis, Clapham, Johnson, Savage, Dunn, Clemence, Forssell, Morrison, Bennett, John, Cisse, Kirovski, Purse.

Man City v Liverpool
Manchester City will be without Joey Barton, who is suspended.

Striker Paolo Wanchope is sidelined for eight to 10 weeks because he requires a cartilage operation.

Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is sidelined for at least a month after breaking a finger and he will be replaced by Jerzy Dudek.

John Arne Riise and Steven Gerrard picked up knocks in Friday's win over Bolton but are expected to be fit.


Man City (from): Seaman, Jihai, Sommeil, Dunne, Distin, Wright-Phillips, McManaman, Reyna, Fowler, Anelka, Sibierski, Macken, Tarnat, Sinclair, Ellegaard, Berkovic, Wiekens, Tiatto, Bosvelt.

Liverpool (from): Dudek, Otsemobor, Biscan, Hyypia, Henchoz, Riise, Traore, Diouf, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Kewell, Le Tallec, Heskey, Sinama-Pongolle, Luzi, Welsh, Cheyrou.

Middlesbrough v Man Utd
Danny Mills is pushing for a place in the Middlesbrough starting line-up after a bout of flu.

Fellow defender Ugo Ehiogu could earn his first start since tearing his cruciate ligament in April, with Colin Cooper set to make way for him.

Manchester United's Quinton Fortune is set to replace the injured John O'Shea.

Roy Keane or Gary Neville may play at centre-half or Wes Brown could return after his summer knee operation.


Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Mills, Downing, Southgate, Cooper, Ehiogu, Queudrue, Mendieta, Boateng, Greening, Zenden, Ricketts, Davies, Juninho, Riggott, Jones, Maccarone.

Man Utd (from): Howard, Carroll, G Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea, Fortune, Forlan, Fletcher, P Neville, Butt, Keane, Kleberson, Ronaldo, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Bellion, Djemba-Djemba.

Newcastle v Blackburn
Newcastle will make a late check on Kieron Dyer, who missed Friday's draw at Leicester because of a stomach bug.

Olivier Bernard will be assessed after being poleaxed by a clearance during that game and the fit-again Jonathan Woodgate may secure a start.

Craig Short may return to the Blackburn squad after a chest infection.

Winger Alan Mahon is pushing for a start but Steven Reid is still sidelined with a hamstring problem.


Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Hughes, Bernard, Woodgate, O'Brien, Bramble, Speed, Dyer, Robert, Jenas, Viana, Solano, Ambrose, Shearer, LuaLua, Chopra.

Blackburn (from): Friedel, Neill, Babbel, Short, Taylor, Todd, Johansson, Gresko, Emerton, Flitcroft, Tugay, Ferguson, Mahon, Gallagher, Cole, Yorke, Jansen, Enckelman.

Tottenham v Charlton
Tottenham's Darren Anderton missed the defeat at Portsmouth because of a calf injury but could be fit for this clash. Stephen Carr is suspended and Johnnie Jackson is set for another start.

Charlton are poised to keep faith with the side that defeated Chelsea 4-2 on Boxing Day.

The fit-again Mark Fish is set to once again start on the bench and Chris Powell and Paul Konchesky are also likely to be among the substitutes.


Spurs (from): Keller, Burch, Hirschfeld, Carr, Taricco, Jackson, Doherty, Gardner, Richards, King, Anderton, Poyet, Ricketts, Dalmat, Kanoute, Keane, Postiga.

Charlton (from): Team (from): Kiely, Kishishev, Stuart, Parker, Holland, Euell, di Canio, Hreidarsson, Johansson, Fortune, Perry, Royce, Powell, Fish, Konchesky, Cole, Campbell-Ryce.

Wolverhampton v Leeds
Wolves are waiting on the fitness of defender Denis Irwin, who is suffering from a hamstring strain.

Nathan Blake and Alex Rae have been ruled out through a calf injury and a suspension respectively.

Leeds could be without captain Dominic Matteo after he suffered a thigh strain in Friday's draw with Aston Villa.

David Batty is ruled out through suspension so Stephen McPhail is likely to come in.


Wolves (from): Oakes, Butler, Craddock, Naylor, Luzhny, Irwin, Newton, Andrews, Gudjonsson, Ince, Iversen, Camara, Kachloul, Kennedy, Miller, Cameron, Sturridge, Silas, Okoronkwo, Marshall.

Leeds (from): Robinson, Kelly, Harte, Matteo, Morris, Camara, Barmby, Bridges, Viduka, Pennant, Chapuis, Johnson, Duberry, Bakke, Olembe, McPhail, Lennon, Milner, Sakho, Kilgallon, Richardson, Carson.

Southampton v Arsenal
Southampton striker Marian Pahars is doubtful because of a thigh strain.

Danny Higginbotham is again set to deputise for Graeme Le Saux at left-back and Rory Delap could return to the squad after twisting an ankle.

Arsenal defender Gael Clichy is expected to continue to deputise for the suspended Ashley Cole.

The Gunners may make changes, with the fit-again Lauren and Martin Keown chasing first-team places.

Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Stack, Toure, Lauren, Clichy, Campbell, Cygan, Keown, Vieira, Gilberto, Edu, Parlour, Pires, Wiltord, Ljungberg, Henry, Bergkamp, Kanu, Aliadiere
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Bradford v Coventry

Bradford defender Jason Gavin and striker Michael Branch are both serving one-match suspensions.
Defender David Wetherall may be considered after returning to training following a lay-off with a knee injury.

Coventry hope to receive clearance from the Football Association in time to allow Courtney Pitt to play.

Pitt, signed on loan from Portsmouth on Boxing Day, will come in for the suspended Michael Doyle if available.

Burnley v Stoke

Luke Chadwick is expected to replace the suspended Glen Little for Burnley while David May could return following an illness.
Arthur Gnohere is also suspended with Mark McGregor, Graham Branch and Jay McEveley vying to replace him.

John Eustace played in Friday's draw against Preston after overcoming a leg injury and should again be fit.

But fellow midfielder Darel Russell is struggling with a hamstring problem.


Derby v Norwich

Derby striker Marcus Tudgay is a doubt after being taken off with an ankle injury against West Brom on Boxing Day.
His replacement Candido Costa came on and scored in that game and the Portuguese winger is set to continue.

Norwich have completed the signing of forward Darren Huckerby but he was not registered in time and cannot play.

Instead, Mathias Svensson, who was on loan at Derby earlier this season, will lead the Canaries attack

Ipswich v C Palace

Ipswich striker Pablo Counago is set to start after his brace as a substitute in the Boxing Day win at West Ham.
He is likely to replace Darren Bent and if John McGreal fails to shake off a cold, Georges Santos will come in.

New Palace manager Iain Dowie says he is unlikely to change his side from the one who lost to Millwall on Friday.

Julian Gray and Neil Shipperley should continue after no adverse reaction to recent injuries.

Millwall v Gillingham

Millwall have concerns over three players who were substituted in the loss to Crystal Palace on Friday.
Neil Harris, Nick Chadwick and Peter Sweeney are hoping to overcome the food poisoning and sickness bug which has sidelined a number of players.

Gillingham striker David Perpetuini suffered a leg injury in the Boxing Day win over Watford but should be fit.

On-loan goalkeeper Nico Vaesen will keep his place in the side.

Nottm Forest v West Ham

Forest hope Michael Dawson, Matthieu Louis-Jean and Gregor Robertson will have overcome injuries to play.
The trio missed the Boxing Day loss at Norwich, which was defender Wes Morgan's last game before a suspension.

West Ham striker Marlon Harewood should be fit to face his former club despite suffering a "slight twinge" in the loss to Ipswich.

Fellow striker Jermain Defoe will play his last game before a five-match ban.


Preston v Crewe

Claude Davis will continue to deputise in central defence for Marlon Broomes, who suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up before Preston's game at Stoke.
Defender Michael Jackson incurred a red card at the Britannia Stadium on Friday but is available.

Crewe could be without as many as eight senior players for the Deepdale match.

Midfielder Justin Cochrane is the latest to join a lengthy injury list after picking up a hamstring strain.


Rotherham v Sunderland

Will Hoskins, 17, scored twice in three minutes as a substitute in the 2-1 win at Wigan and could start for Rotherham.
Martin McIntosh and Darren Garner could return to the Millers squad for the game but are not expected to start.

Sunderland are likely to be missing midfielder Paul Thirlwell with a calf strain and Alan Quinn or Darren Williams are set to deputise.

Defender Julio Arca returns to the side after a two-match ban.


Sheff Utd v Wigan

United midfielder Michael Brown misses the game as he is serving the second game of a four-match suspension.
Peter Ndlovu is again set to replace him while keeper Paddy Kenny is set to continue after returning at Coventry.

Central defender Matt Jackson is likely to go straight back into the Wigan side after completing a three-match ban.

Wigan, who were beaten 2-1 by Rotherham on Boxing Day, could also have Alan Rogers after a calf injury

Walsall v Reading

Walsall manager Colin Lee is expected to change the side who impressively beat Cardiff on Friday.
Neil Emblen scored the winner at Ninian Park but he is likely to have to make way for the return of Paul Merson.

Reading boss Steve Coppell is set to revert to 4-2-4 after his side suffered three consecutive 3-0 defeats.

On-loan Lloyd Owusu is set to partner Nicky Forster up front but Dave Kitson is unavailable and Shaun Goater is out

Watford v Cardiff

Watford are likely to bring in veteran goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain for on-loan Chelsea youngster Lenny Pidgeley.
Pidgeley is banned for one match after his dismissal against Sheffield United.

Cardiff goalkeeper Martyn Margetson and central defender Spencer Prior should retain their places against Watford.

The duo earned recalls - at the expense of Neil Alexander and Chris Barker - in the 1-0 defeat by Walsall at Ninian Park on Friday and are set to contiune.
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Barnsley v Chesterfield

Chesterfield will be without Steve Blatherwick, who serves a one-match suspension.
Alan O'Hare may return. but Matt O'Halloran (hamstring), Caleb Folan (ankle) and Steve Payne (knee) remain sidelined.

Barnsley team news will follow.


Bristol City v Bournemouth

Robins Striker Leroy Lita will have to settle for a place on the bench after scoring twice against Brentford.
Kevin Amankwaah is struggling to shake off the knee injury which kept him out of the trip to Griffin Park.

Bournemouth pair Brian Stock and Garreth O'Connor are both suspended.

Carl Fletcher is doubtful with a suspected hamstring injury but defender Neil Young may return to the bench.


Luton v Notts County

Kevin Hughes may return for Luton for the first time since August.
Paul Hughes is short of match fitness, following a broken leg, while Alan Neilson has a calf problem.

Notts County will be without the suspended Nick Fenton.

Ian Baraclough should feature after playing 90 minutes on Boxing Day.


Peterborough v Grimsby

Peterborough midfielder Matthew Gill misses out through a one-match ban.
Mark Arber's place is in jeopardy after manager Barry Fry criticised his display at Chesterfield.

Grimsby pair Jason Crowe and Darren Barnard both serve suspensions.

Mariners' striker Iffy Onuora is doubtful, with Simon Ford in line to replace him.


Port Vale v Stockport

Captain Sam Collins is Port Vale's only major concern after failing to appear for the second half at Sheffield Wednesday.
Collins' replacement Steve Booker is in line for a start after scoring the last-minute winner at Hillsborough.

Stockport could again be without on loan goalkeeper Nick Colgan, James Spencer is in line to deputise.

Danny Jackman and Jim Goodwin are also doubtful with a virus.


Oldham v Hartlepool

Oldham midfielder Paul Murray serves a one-match ban.
Joint caretaker-manager David Eyres may feature, having made his comeback from a knee injury as a substitute against Grimsby.

Hartlepool will be without striker Marco Gabbiadini, who is still recovering from knee surgery.

Manager Neale Cooper may change his strike force.


QPR v Colchester

QPR are monitoring trio Marc Bircham, Clarke Carlisle, and Martin Rowlands.
They returned to action on Boxing Day after recovering from flu.

Colchester boss Phil Parkinson is likely to name an unchanged side from that which drew at Luton.

Defender Alan White was sent off against Hartlepool but will not serve his ban until the new year.


Swindon v Brighton

Swindon midfielder Steve Robinson serves a one-match ban.
Robins' boss Andy King is unlikely to risk defender Matt Heywood who sustained a head injury at Brentford.

John Piercy is likely to return to Brighton's midfield after replacing suspended Leon Knight in attack.

Piercy scored twice against Luton but top scorer Knight is available after serving a one-match suspension

Tranmere v Sheff Wed

Tranmere striker Eugene Dadi serves a one-match ban, and midfielder Danny Harrison begins a three-game suspension.
Midfielder Paul Linwood is also doubtful after taking a knock at Sheffield Wednesday.

Sheffield Wednesday striker Grant Holt serves a one-match ban.

That could hand new loan signing Mark Burchill a starting place.


Wrexham v Blackpool

Darren Ferguson returns to Wrexham's squad after serving a three-match ban.
Craig Morgan has recovered from a hamstring injury, but Chris Armstrong faces a late fitness test.

Blackpool midfielder Richard Wellens is doubtful, and Matthew Blinkhorn completes a three-match ban.

Leam Richardson, Danny Coid and John Murphy are expected to figure after returning against Tranmere

Wycombe v Rushden

Dannie Bulmann could replace Chris Vinnicombe as Wycombe manager Tony Adams contemplates changes.
Craig Faulconbridge should retain his place, despite being replaced by Ian Simpemba in the 4-0 defeat at Brighton.

Defender Paul Underwood could return to the Diamonds line-up, despite needing knee surgery. Underwood will have surgery on 7 January,but will be included if he passes a fitness test.
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Carlisle v Darlington

Carlisle will have striker Richie Foran back after suspension and Peter Murphy is expected to keep his place.
But they will be without Mark Summerbell (shoulder), Steve Livingstone (back) and Des Byrne.

Darlington will be boosted by the return of striker Barry Conlon and defender Ryan Valentine after bans.

Boss David Hodgson has no other worries, with Michael Price likely to continue ahead of Andy Collett in goal

Huddersfield v Bury

Huddersfield have doubts over Danny Schofield and Paul Scott, while Nathan Clarke serves a one-match suspension.
John Thorrington could make a return to the bench after stepping up his recovery from an ankle injury.

Bury have Joe O'Neill doubtful after limping out of the defeat at Carlisle after only nine minutes.

Simon Whaley is a doubt after knee surgery, but Lee Connell is pushing for a start after his hamstring injury

Hull v Doncaster

Hull have doubts over goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and striker Danny Allsopp as they hope to build on the win at York.
Allsopp is struggle with a groin injury while Myhill has flu, but Jamie Forrester could continue.

Doncaster have no fresh injuries, but loan striker Chris Brown is still out with a broken toe.

Fran Tierney hope to retain his starting place after playing 80 minutes against Scunthorpe following a lay-off.


Kidderminster v Bristol Rovers

Kidderminster have Adie Smith doubtful after he came off at the interval against Yeovil on Boxing Day.
Matt Gadsby will continue if he is out, while John Williams, Sean Parrish and Lee Jenkins all hope to start.

Bristol Rovers will be without Lewis Haldane as he serves a one-match ban, but Andy Rammell may return.

He could be back in the squad after hamstring trouble, but Paul Tait and Lee Hodges are still sidelined

L Orient v Torquay

Orient have Lee Thorpe suspended, while Gabriel Zakuani is a doubt and Simon Downer is out with hamstring trouble.
Dave McGhee (ankle) and Greg Heald (hernia) are doubtful, but goalkeeper Glenn Morris is back after a ban.

Torquay United hope Tony Bedeau will recover after picking up a calf injury in the draw against Swansea.

Martin Gritton should continue after returning to the starting line-up after three months out with groin trouble.


Lincoln v Cambridge

Lincoln City may be without Dene Cropper, who suffered a head injury in the win at Boston and could be rested.
Richard Butcher is also doubtful with a knee injury he picked up against Boston and faces a late test.

Cambridge will be without suspended Stevland Angus but Fred Murray may return after a ban if he is fit.

Francesco Nacca (ankle), Daniel Chillingworth (knee), Alex Revell (groin) are all doubtful.


Macclesfield v Mansfield

Macclesfield will be without suspended George Abbey and David Flitcroft is doubtful as he recovers from illness.
Tommy Widdrington should, however, be fit as he recovers from the back injury he suffered against Cheltenham.

Mansfield are without Neil MacKenzie and Iyseden Christie, but Adam Eaton may return after groin trouble.

Colin Larkin is set to continue up front after scoring against Rochdale while Liam Lawrence is in contention.


Northampton v Cheltenham

Northampton will be without Josh Low because of a foot injury, and Lawrie Dudfield may miss out with toe problem.
Tom Youngs (knee), Jerry Gill (knee) and Peter Clark (foot) are also unlikely to have recovered in time.

Cheltenham have no worries after Richard Forsyth and John Finnigan came through the win against Macclesfield.

Lee Howells could return to the squad after recovering from knee trouble as boss John Ward considers his options

Rochdale v York

Rochdale welcome back Lee McEvilly after his three-match ban and Matt Doughty should be fit to play.
Defender Michael Simpkins played the full game at Mansnfield despite a hamstring worry, and should play.

York may be without Jon Parkin after he injured his hamstring against Hull, but Richard Hope is back after a ban.

Mitch Ward, who has been a substitute in the last two games following calf and thigh problems, may start.


Scunthorpe v Boston

Boston have Tom Bennett (knee), Daryl Sutch (Achilles) and Stuart Balmer all close to making the starting line-up.
Graham Potter may be back in the squad after his return from a loan spell at Shrewsbury.

Scunthorpe veteran Peter Beagrie is expected to be out again with hamstring trouble picked up against Yeovil.

Lee Featherstone is expected to continue in his place, while striker Steve Torpey should also start.


Southend v Oxford

Southend will be without suspended quartet David McSweeney,Tes Bramble, Jay Smith and Mark Gower.
Jamie Fullarton may be back after his groin injury, as could Steve Clark following a foot problem.

Oxford have no new injury or suspension worries, but former Southend star Mark Rawle will be desperate to start.

Dave Waterman missed the Boxing Day victory over Leyton Orient and is again doubtful because of personal reasons

Swansea v Yeovil

Swansea striker Lee Trundle will return after completing a three match suspension.
Karl Connolly returned at Plainmoor but is a slight doubt after he suffered a reaction to his calf problem.

Yeovil striker Jake Edwards is missing as he starts a three-match ban.

Edwards was dismissed at Bristol Rovers and the club's appeal failed - meaning he will also miss the FA Cup tie with Liverpool and the league meeting with Rochdale.