Sunday's matches from
soccernet
Newcastle v Sunderland
Graeme Souness has described striker Michael Owen as 'touch and go' to be fit. Owen was the latest Magpies player to be struck down by a hamstring injury in training this week and Souness is hoping he comes through a late test. Souness' injury crisis is showing signs of easing a little, with Emre in contention for his first start since August and Nolberto Solano also set to make his first appearance since returning to the club. However Kieron Dyer, Albert Luque, Titus Bramble and Craig Moore (all hamstring), and Celestine Babayaro (groin) are all still sidelined.
Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca only rates himself as 50-50 with the toe injury which has kept him out of his side's last two games, but manager Mick McCarthy is less hopeful and has insisted he will not risk losing one of his most influential players for a longer period if he is not 100% fit. Christian Bassila will definitely miss out with a hamstring problem, while Stephen Wright, George McCartney, Colin Healy and Kevin Kyle remain on the long-term casualty list.
Bolton Wanderers v West Bromwich Albion
Bolton's injured trio Stelios Giannakopolous (groin), Gary Speed (back) and Jay-Jay Okocha (groin) could come into contention. They all sat out the
UEFA Cup game with Besiktas - which ended in a 1-1 draw - to have treatment and rest instead. Striker Jared Borgetti, who scored in Turkey, is pushing for a place in the starting line-up as is midfielder Joey O'Brien. Ricardo Gardner is absent through suspension.
Bryan Robson is contemplating changes despite his side's shock 2-1 win over Arsenal. Robson is mindful of combating the additional physical threat posed by Sam Allardyce's side compared to the silky skills of The Gunners. The Baggies ended up with three centre-backs in Thomas Gaardsoe, Neil Clement and Darren Moore for the final stages of a victory which moved them out of the bottom three. Robson has only one injury casualty in Hungarian skipper Zoltan Gera who is still sidelined with a groin problem.
West Ham United v Middlesbrough
Alan Pardew must decide whether to hand striker Bobby Zamora a start. Zamora scored a late goal - his first in the Barclays Premiership - at the end of last week's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City after coming on to replace veteran Teddy Sheringham. Jeremie Aliadiere could return to the squad as the French forward, on loan from Arsenal, continues his recovery from a hernia operation.
Middlesbrough striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink could be a doubt after turning an ankle late in the 1-0
UEFA Cup win over Grasshoppers in Zurich. Fabio Rochemback is available after sitting out the European tie because he is ineligible. Ugo Ehiogu could also return from a groin injury after just missing out on the trip to Switzerland.
Everton v Chelsea
Everton are highly unlikely to include winger Andy van der Meyde in their squad. The Dutchman made his first Everton appearance for the reserves this week, but he is not considered match-fit yet after his groin injury and may instead make his first-team debut in Wednesday's Carling Cup tie with Middlesbrough. But Everton expect striker James Beattie to have recovered from a minor leg injury to be involved. Beattie was sent off in last season's corresponding fixture. Mikel Arteta should also return following a head injury.
Chelsea have doubts over the fitness of striker Didier Drogba and winger Arjen Robben. Drogba injured a knee in the Champions League win over Real Betis on Wednesday - coach Jose Mourinho is hopeful he will be fit but Hernan Crespo and Carlton Cole are on stand-by - while Robben is still suffering with a hamstring strain and Shaun Wright-Phillips will continue to deputise should the Dutchman remain on the sick list.
Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff faces another three weeks out after cartilage surgery and is a definite absentee.