The FA Cup fourth round is upon us, and now managers up and down the land must decide whether to stick or twist with their team selections.
There is a full Premier League gameweek next Tuesday and Wednesday, and so you’d expect those sides to perhaps field fringe players and youngsters in order to keep their main men fit and fresh. That, arguably, presents some giant killing possibilities for lower league teams with a desire to pick up a top flight scalp.
Here’s the latest FA Cup injury news to keep punters in the loop:
Peterborough United vs Leicester City (Saturday, 12:30pm)
Peterborough should be able to welcome back top goalscorer Jack Marriott for the visit of Premier League Leicester, although Gwion Edwards (ankle) sits this one out alongside the cup-tied duo of Joe Ward and Joe Cooper.
Robert Huth could return to the Leicester squad for the first time this season following a lengthy absence, and fellow defender Danny Simpson could join him on the bus to Peterborough. Wes Morgan is still out, however. Claude Puel has hinted that Fousseni Diabate, signed from Ligue 2 side Ajaccio this week, could make his full debut for the club.
Huddersfield Town vs Birmingham City (Saturday, 3pm)
Chris Lowe, Martin Cranie and Joe Lolley could all return for Huddersfield here, although Elias Kachunga and Jon Stankovic remain sidelined. Phillip Billing could make his long-awaited return as well, although new signing Alex Pritchard is cup tied.
Birmingham will be without Craig Gardner and Isaac Vassell for the trip north, although goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak could return.
Liverpool vs West Brom (Saturday, 3pm)
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is likely to rotate his starting eleven for this one, with a number of key players given rests. Jordan Henderson and Alberto Moreno may return, although Ragnar Klavan has been struggling with illness this week and may be given the afternoon off.
Alan Pardew confirmed in his press conference that a flu bug has swept the club this week, with Jay Rodriguez, James McClean, Ahmed Hegazi and Gareth McAuley all struck down. Nacer Chadli and James Morrison are still some way off full fitness.
Notts County vs Swansea City (Saturday, 3pm)
Notts County will be without goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimmons and defender Matty Virtue after the pair were sent off against Crawley, might fellow defender Matt Tootle also misses out through illness.
Carlos Carvahal has confirmed that he will rotate his squad for the trip to Nottingham, although Tammy Abraham is expected to start if he can shake off a hip injury in time.
Southampton vs Watford (Saturday, 3pm)
As sickness bug has affected Southampton too, although it appears the only potential absentees for Saturday’s game are Shane Long and Ryan Bertrand. Charlie Austin is still out with a thigh injury, although Maya Yoshida could return.
At what point does an injury problem become a crisis? New Watford boss Javi Gracia must be wondering what he has let himself in for: Kaboul, Chalobah, Hughes, Britos, Cathcart, Wague and Femenia are out, as is Heurelho Gomes. Troy Deeney hasn’t trained all week due to illness, while Tom Cleverley faces a late fitness test.
Newport County vs Tottenham (Saturday, 5:30pm)
There’s good news for Newport with club captain Joss Labadie, Matty Dolan and Ben White all expected to return, although Sean Rigg and Marlon Jackson are expected to miss out.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has some thinking to do ahead of this one. Hugo Lloris, Toby Alderweireld, Danny Rose, Serge Aurier and Harry Winks all miss out, while Christian Eriksen has been struggling with illness all week. Pochettino may be forced to start Harry Kane, despite wanting to rest him against the League 2 side.
Chelsea vs Newcastle United (Sunday, 1:30pm)
Alvaro Morata and Thibaut Courtois are absent for Chelsea, while Cesc Fabregas may not be risked ahead of the midweek game against Bournemouth. Willian could sit this one out with the hamstring strain he picked up against Arsenal.
Newcastle are without Florian Lejeune and Jesus Gamez and are sweating on the fitness of Chancel Mbemba, who has a knee problem. Aleksandar Mitrovic is in contention for a return.
Cardiff City vs Manchester City (Sunday, 4pm)
Aron Gunnarsson, Lee Peltier and Matt Connolly will all miss the visit of the Premier League table toppers, although Lee Tomlin and Craig Bryson could return.
Pep Guardiola has only Benjamin Mendy and Fabian Delph absent from his first choice squad, with Kyle Walker fit to start and Vincent Kompany approaching full fitness (or as close as he can possibly get!).