It’s an interrupted Premier League gameweek with the FA Cup quarter finals running concurrently this weekend, and so the desire for those involved in league action to put some points on the board is palpable.
Four of the eight teams involved – Crystal Palace, Huddersfield, Stoke and West Brom – have relegation on their mind, while Liverpool will be looking to reassert themselves at the other end of the table following defeat to Manchester United last time out.
Here is the latest injury news starting with the Premier League, followed by the FA Cup encounters:
Premier League
Bournemouth vs West Brom (Saturday, 3pm)
There are niggling doubts concerning Josh King and Ryan Fraser, and so Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe will check on them on Saturday before naming his starting eleven. Marc Pugh is likely to miss out with a calf strain, and there is no end in sight for Tyrone Mings’ continued injury misery.
Jonny Evans could hand beleaguered Baggies boss Alan Pardew some light relief by returning against the Cherries, although Gareth Barry, Daniel Sturridge and Nacer Chadli aren’t expected back until after the international break.
Huddersfield Town vs Crystal Palace (Saturday, 3pm)
Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner can welcome back Philip Billing and Elias Kachunga for this relegation six-pointer, while Aaron Mooy is reaching full fitness after a cut knee became infected. Terence Kongolo and Sean Scannell won’t return until after the internationals, while Michael Hefele has had groin surgery and faces six weeks out.
The injury problems at Crystal Palace are receding somewhat, so much so that Yohan Cabaye and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could give Roy Hodgson a timely boost here. Joel Ward and Julian Speroni will return after the international break, but messrs Sako, Dann and Puncheon are out for the season.
Stoke City vs Everton (Saturday, 3pm)
Mame Biram Diouf is ‘touch and go’ as Stoke look to claim a much-needed three points, but Paul Lambert has no other injury worries to concern him.
Sam Allardyce has a couple of headaches with Gylfi Sigurdsson out with a knee injury for a minimum of four weeks and Ashley Williams suspended. Idrissa Gueye, Theo Walcott and Morgan Schneiderlin should be fit to start, while Ramiro Funes Mori is getting close to a first team return.
Liverpool vs Watford (Saturday, 5:30pm)
Ahead of a hectic run in to the end of the season, the good news for Jurgen Klopp is that he has just one player injured: Nathaniel Clyne, who has missed the whole campaign with a back injury. He is now back in light training.
In stark contrast to the Reds’ cosy situation, Watford remain one of the worst hit top flight sides in terms of injuries. This week it is Wague, Cleverley, Kaboul, Kabasele, Deulofeu, Chalobah and Cathcart who miss out.
FA Cup
Swansea vs Tottenham (Saturday, 12:15pm)
The big news for the Swansea vs Tottenham encounter is that Harry Kane will of course miss out with his ankle injury – he’s hoping to be back sometime in April. Mauricio Pochettino will make late checks on Toby Alderweireld (thigh) and Dele Alli (groin), while Ben Davies and Danny Rose are fit to compete for the left back berth.
Swansea are without the suspended Jordan Ayew, while Renato Sanches and Angel Rangel remain short of match fitness. Leroy Fer and Wilfried Bony will not return in 2017/18.
Manchester United vs Brighton (Saturday, 7:45pm)
Manchester United welcome Brighton to Old Trafford, and will do so without Ander Herrera and Phil Jones.
The Seagulls head north without the suspended Anthony Knockaert, while Jiri Skalak, Gaetan Bong and Dale Stephens will all need to pass late fitness tests.
Wigan vs Southampton (Sunday, 1:30pm)
Wigan will be looking for yet another Premier League scalp after accounting for Bournemouth, West Ham and Manchester City already in this year’s FA Cup. They will have to make do without the injured Nick Powell and the cup-tied James Vaughan, Devante Cole and Donervon Daniels.
Mark Hughes will take charge of Southampton for the first time on Sunday, and he will have to make do without Charlie Austin and Steven Davis. Maya Yoshida could yet return.
Leicester City vs Chelsea (Sunday, 4:30pm)
Leicester entertain Chelsea in Sunday’s tea time tussle, and the Foxes will be at full strength barring the absence of Daniel Amartey (hamstring). Chelsea will be without David Luiz (ankle) and Ross Barkley (hamstring).</p