Selected team news and statistics

Notts County v Manchester City

NOTTS County have concerns over the fitness of captain Mike Edwards, who missed his side’s last two matches with a hamstring problem. Striker Lee Hughes (calf) is also vying for a start after scoring from the bench in midweek and Liam Chilvers (knee) is in contention.

Apart from winger Adam Johnson who suffered an ankle injury in training Manchester City will be at full strength. Defender Micah Richards could come into contention after a back problem, while striker Edin Dzeko is set to make his debut in the competition.

Top scorers(all competitions): Lee Hughes (Notts County) 11; Carlos Tevez (Man City) 16.

Match odds: H 6-1 A 7-2 D 4-9.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

Everton v Chelsea

EVERTON forward Victor Anichebe is doubtful for the high-profile visit of Carlo Ancelotti’s side but that aside, David Moyes has no fresh injury worries. England defender Phil Jagielka could return from a groin problem but Tim Cahill remains on Asian Cup duty with Australia.

Frank Lampard remains a slight doubt for Chelsea having missed Monday night’s 4-0 Premier League win at Bolton with a calf injury. Gael Kakuta and Patrick van Aanholt both left Stamford Bridge on loan this week, while Alex (knee), Yury Zhirkov (calf) and Yossi Benayoun (Achilles) remain sidelined.

Top scorers(all competitions): Tim Cahill (Everton) 9; Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) 13.

Match odds: H 13-5 A 21-20 D 12-5.

Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

Southampton v Manchester Utd

DEAN Hammond and Adam Lallana face late fitness tests for Southampton, with skipper Hammond carrying a calf problem and Lallana struggling with a knee injury.

Manchester United will get a glimpse of life after Edwin van der Sar as the retiring Dutchman misses the trip to the south coast.

Recent signing Anders Lindegaard could make his debut instead, though may have to marshal a makeshift defence, with Rio Ferdinand (groin), Patrice Evra (family bereavement), and Rafael (concussion) all out.

Top scorers (all competitions): Adam Lallana Richard Lambert (Southampton) 9; Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd) 20.

Match odds: H 6-1 A 4-9 D 17-5.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Fulham v Tottenham

FULHAM loan signing Gael Kakuta is cup-tied having appeared already for Chelsea but new signing Steve Sidwell is available to play his second match following his arrival from Aston Villa. Bobby Zamora (leg), Philippe Senderos (Achilles) and Matthew Briggs (calf) are injured and Mark Schwarzer is on Asian Cup duty with Australia.

Gareth Bale is out for Tottenham with a back injury, though manager Harry Redknapp does not rate the problem as a serious one. Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee), Heurelho Gomes (shoulder) and Wilson Palacios (knee) should return.

Top scorers(all competitions): Clint Dempsey (Fulham) 9; Gareth Bale Rafael Van der Vaart (Tottenham) 11.

Match odds: H 21-10 A 13-10 D 23-10.

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Birmingham City v Coventry City

BIRMINGHAM’S Craig Gardner – goal hero in Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final extra-time win over West Ham – is doubtful with an ankle injury along with defender Roger Johnson (calf) and striker Cameron Jerome (hamstring).

Coventry manager Aidy Boothroyd must decide whether to hand Birmingham fan Ben Turner a place in the squad after three months out with a knee injury.

Former Blues skipper Lee Carsley will miss out on an emotional return to his old employers having undergone Achilles and hernia surgery.

Top scorers(all competitions): Craig Gardner (Birmingham) 6; Freddy Eastwood Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) 5.

Match odds: H 3-4 A 7-2 D 11-4.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).

Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers

ASTON Villa’s record signing Darren Bent is cup-tied having represented former club Sunderland already. With John Carew now having joined Stoke on loan, that means Emile Heskey is set to return to the starting line-up. Ciaran Clark (hamstring), Fabian Delph (knee) and Kyle Walker (back) are all available again.

Defender Ryan Nelsen will be missing for Rovers with a knee problem. Three midfielders are back from long injury absences however – Steven Nzonzi could start, while Keith Andrews and Vince Grella will also be part of the squad.

Top scorers(all competitions): Darren Bent (Aston Villa) 12; Mame Biram Diouf (Blackburn) 6.

Match odds: H 5-6 A 16-5 D 13-5.

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).

Wolves v Stoke City

STRIKER Sylvan Ebanks-Blake may return to the Wolves squad after starting training again following a calf injury, but defender Kevin Foley is ruled out with a hamstring problem. Jody Craddock, Steven Mouyokolo, George Elokobi and Dave Edwards are all available after playing a full reserve game in midweek.

Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross is suspended for the match, having been sent off against Fulham last weekend. Fellow defender Danny Higginbotham is manager Tony Pulis’ only doubt after missing out at Craven Cottage with a hamstring injury.

Top scorers(all competitions): Adam Hammill (Wolves) 8; Kenwyne Jones (Stoke) 7.

Match odds: H 7-5 A 21-10 D 21-10.

Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire).

West Ham Utd v Nottingham Forest

WEST HAM will have strikers Victor Obinna and Frederic Piquionne back from suspension and although new striker Demba Ba is eligible to play, he is short on match fitness following the Bundesliga winter break. Fellow new recruit Gary O’Neil is cup-tied following his move from Middlesbrough but full-back Lars Jacobsen is available.

Boss Billy Davies has promised to make changes for Forest ahead of the promotion challenge meaning the likes of Paul McKenna, David McGoldrick, Kelvin Wilson, Radoslaw Majewski and Dele Adebola could all come into the reckoning.

Top scorers(all competitions): Frederic Piquionne (West Ham) 8; Lewis McGugan (Nottm Forest) 10.

Match odds: H 23-20 A 12-5 D 23-10.

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).

Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic

BOLTON manager Owen Coyle has indicated he will freshen things up and could hand a debut to former Middlesbrough defender David Wheater, while striker Ivan Klasnic may come into contention after a groin injury. Goalkeeper Adam Bogdan is set to be recalled.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will give his fringe players another chance after their third-round efforts, with Callum McManaman, Jordan Mustoe, Jordan Robinson and Daniel Redmond all in the frame. Gary Caldwell is available again after suspension.

Top scorers(all competitions): Johan Elmander (Bolton) 10; Hugo Rodallega (Wigan) 6.

Match odds: H 7-10 A 19-5 D 11-4.

Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

Arsenal v Huddersfield

GOALKEEPER Manuel Almunia will return to the Arsenal squad for the first time since the end of September after recovering from elbow and then ankle injuries. Sebastien Squillaci (hamstring), Abou Diaby (ankle) and Tomas Rosicky (virus) all return. Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) remains out, while centre-back Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) is still some six weeks away from a possible return.

Huddersfield’s leading goalscorer Jordan Rhodes will miss the game after being ruled out for eight weeks with ankle ligament damage, so Alan Lee and Lee Novak are set to lead the line.

Top scorers(all competitions): Samir Nasri (Arsenal) 14; Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield) 16.

Match odds: H 1-8 A 18-1 D 15-2.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne Wear).