Birmingham v Blackburn
James McFadden and Liam Ridgewell are Birmingham’s main injury doubts, with McFadden suffering a reaction to the knee problem which required keyhole surgery five weeks ago. Ridgewell (ankle) was substituted at half-time during the 2-0 defeat at Fulham.
Rovers striker Benni McCarthy returns after missing the last two matches with a hamstring injury. Christopher Samba showed no ill-effects from a previous thigh problem as he managed 90 minutes in last weekend’s 3-1 victory over Derby and should continue in central defence.
Derby v Reading
Stephen Pearson, Mo Camara, Gary Teale, Lewin Nyatanga and Stephen Bywater have all returned to Pride Park after the conclusion of their loan spells, while David Jones has recovered from a calf injury. Rams boss Paul Jewell will hand a late fitness test to Jay McEveley (hamstring) but Dean Leacock requires a hernia operation.
Everton v Newcastle
Everton are likely to be unchanged asMikel Arteta is back in Spain following a stomach operation. Tony Hibbert will continue at right-back, with skipper Phil Neville in the holding midfield role he occupied in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.
Toon boss boss Kevin Keegan is without Mark Viduka (Achilles), while midfielder Joey Barton is unavailable. Keegan has told Stephen Carr he can leave and Peter Ramage has decided to quit St James' Park.
Portsmouth v Fulham
Pompey keeper David James is still not fit to return after a calf injury. Sol Campbell has tight hamstrings and will not be risked if the problem worsens. Midfielders Sulley Muntari (rib), Pedro Mendes (hip) and winger John Utaka (ankle) are all available again after injuries.
Roy Hogdson has a fully-fit squad to chose from. He is likely to keep faith with the starting line-up that defeated Birmingham but could opt for Erik Nevland ahead of Diomansy Kamara in attack.
Sunderland v Arsenal
Sunderland boss Roy Keane could start transfer-listed winger Ross Wallace after a knee problem. Loan signing Jonny Evans will play the last game of his second spell with the Black Cats before returning to Manchester United, while Phil Bardsley and Dickson Etuhu (both knee) are out.
Youngsters Kieran Gibbs and Mark Randall have been added to Arsene Wenger's squad. Midfielder Mathieu Flamini (ankle) may be given the chance to say his farewells after agreeing a free transfer to AC Milan. Striker Robin van Persie (thigh) remains a doubt, while winger Alexander Hleb is suspended. Tomas Rosicky (knee), Bacary Sagna (ankle), Abou Diaby (thigh) and Eduardo (broken leg) are all sidelined
Tottenham v Liverpool
Spurs kepper Paul Robinson (ankle) misses out but striker Dimitar Berbatov has recovered from a groin problem. Teemu Tainio has been back in training after an Achilles complaint but Aaron Lennon (knee) is a doubt and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee), Gareth Bale (foot) and Ledley King (knee) remain sidelined.
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is back in training after a broken metatarsal but will not be risked at White Hart Lane. Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio has recovered from a groin injury and could return. Boss Rafael Benitez may call on young reserves Damien Plessis and Emiliano Insua, while Peter Crouch, John Arne Riise and Jermaine Pennant all come into the reckoning for what could be their last games for the club
West Ham v Aston Villa
Hammers defender Anton Ferdinand is a doubt despite returning to training following a hamstring injury. Matthew Upson is in a similar position after suffering a calf problem. If the duo miss out, club captain Lucas Neill could continue in the middle alongside England Under-19 international James Tomkins.
Defender Olof Mellberg makes his final Villa appearance before joining Juventus on a three-year deal. Midfielder Craig Gardner is the only absentee as he recovers from the thigh injury picked up five weeks ago on England Under-21 duty.
