Today
(Current league positions in brackets)
Aston Villa (2, Prem) v Fulham (1, Div2)
Stan Collymore is on stand-by for a Villa recall. The England international, unhappy at having been on the bench for six of Villa's last eight games, is poised to step into the side if Dion Dublin is ruled out with a groin strain.
Fulham defender Simon Morgan has recovered from a calf injury that kept him out for three weeks and is in contention for a place in the starting line-up. Ian Selley is back in full training after a long spell out with a broken leg but striker Paul Moody is expected to be on the sidelines for a further three weeks.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Aston Villa WLWDW, Fulham WWDWL
Top scorers: Dion Dublin (Aston Villa) 13
Geoff Horsfield (Fulham) 14
Match odds: H 4-11 A 8-1 D 11-4
Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill)
Barnsley (13, D1) v Bournemouth (6, D2)
Barnsley have defender Scott Jones ruled out through suspension and striker Don Goodman struggling to overcome a hamstring injury. Player-manager John Hendrie could include himself in the starting line-up.
Bournemouth midfielder John Bailey, who suffered a broken finger in last weekend's 2-0 win against Notts County, is likely to play wearing a protective cast. Former Chelsea striker Mark Stein, scorer of 21 goals this season, lines up alongside Steve Fletcher but former Manchester United midfielder Russell Beardsmore is ruled out with a long-term back problem.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Barnsley LWWLD, Bournemouth WWWLW
Top scorers: Jan Aage Fjortoft (Barnsley) 7
Mark Stein (Bournemouth) 21
Match odds: H 4-6 A 4-1 D 11-5
Referee: P Alcock (Kent)
Blackburn (16, Pr) v Sunderland (1, D1)
With Kevin Gallacher, Chris Sutton and Kevin Davies unfit and new recruit Matt Jansen cup-tied, Blackburn boss Brian Kidd seems set to continue with Ashley Ward and Nathan Blake up front. Skipper Tim Sherwood starts a two-match ban, and his place could go to David Dunn. Fit again keeper Tim Flowers is unlikely to dislodge John Filan.
Sunderland will hand late fitness tests to Michael Bridges and Nicky Summerbee. Bridges picked up a knock in the reserves' midweek win over Birmingham and Summerbee made his comeback from an ankle injury in the same game.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Blackburn DWDWL, Sunderland DLWDW
Top scorers: Ashley Ward (Blackburn) 15
Niall Quinn (Sunderland) 13
Match odds: H 4-5 A 7-2 D 2-1
Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley)
Bristol Rovers (15, D2) v Leyton Orient (11, D3)
Rovers will be without new signing Andy Thompson, who is cup-tied, and Mark McKeever who is ineligible. Stephane Leoni is ruled out by a one-match ban opening the door for youngsters Mike Trought and Mark Smith. Defender Dave Pritchard is also available after long-term injury and midfielder Michael Meaker returns after missing the Reading clash through suspension. Orient have a doubt about defender Stuart Hicks, who has a back problem, and rate his chances of being fit at 50-50. Striker Tony Richards is suspended and fellow striker Carl Griffiths is on loan at Wrexham.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Bristol Rovers DDWLW, Leyton Orient LDDDL
Top scorers: Jamie Cureton (Bristol Rovers) 16
Dean Smith (Leyton Orient) 8
Match odds: H 4-7 A 9-2 D 12-5
Referee: R Harris (Oxford)
Everton (15, Pr) v Ipswich (5, D1)
Everton are without injured defenders Richard Dunne, Slaven Bilic and Craig Short and Dave Watson is struggling to recover from a back injury picked up in Monday's defeat at Aston Villa. Dave Unsworth is back from suspension but Olivier Dacourt is serving his third ban of the season and Ibrahima Bakayoko is on international duty with the Ivory Coast. Youngsters Michael Branch and Danny Cadamarteri are set to form a new-look strike partnership.
Ipswich are boosted by the return of Mick Stockwell, who has missed the last 13 games following an ankle operation, while Tony Mowbray and Bobby Petta return from one-match bans.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Everton LDLDL, Ipswich WWLLL
Top scorers: Ibrahima Bakayoko (Everton) 5
David Johnson, James Scowcroft (Ipswich) 11
Match odds: H 4-5 A 7-2 D 2-1
Referee: M Riley (Leeds)
Leicester (12, Pr) v Coventry (17, Pr)
Leicester top scorer Emile Heskey, who missed last week's home defeat against Manchester United, has shaken off the flu and is expected to return. Defenders Matt Elliott and Frank Sinclair are back from suspension and winger Andy Impey has recovered from a calf strain.
Noel Whelan rejoins Coventry's squad after a one-match ban. Australian striker John Aloisi, left out at Chelsea last weekend, could also return. If Whelan and Aloisi play Paul Telfer and Trond Soltvedt are most likely to give way.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Leicester LWDDL, Coventry DDLWL
Top scorers: Emile Heskey, Tony Cottee (Leicester) 9
John Aloisi (Coventry) 18
Match odds: H 5-6 A 11-4 D 9-4
Referee: A Wilkie (Chester-le-Street)
Newcastle (14, Pr) v Bradford (2, D1)
Flu victim Steve Howey is a defensive doubt for Newcastle while skipper Rob Lee is definitely out with an Achilles injury. But Shay Given and Dietmar Hamann are available after suspension and Andreas Andersson is also back in the squad after missing out at Charlton last week through illness.
Bradford boss Paul Jewell is giving nothing away about his team selection for the trip to St James' Park. He is taking a squad of 18 to the North-East but will not reveal his starting line-up until an hour before kickoff.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Newcastle WLLLD, Bradford DWWWW
Top scorers: Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 9
Lee Mills (Bradford) 19
Match odds: H 8-11 A 4-1 D 2-1
Referee: P Durkin (Portland)
Portsmouth (20, D1) v Leeds (5, Pr)
Alan Knight, who has made a club record 668 league appearances for Portsmouth, is poised to return in place of on-loan Charlton goalkeeper Andy Petterson who is cup-tied. Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan McLoughlin is hopeful of recovering from a calf strain which has sidelined him for the last two weeks.
Leeds captain Lucas Radebe is on international duty with South Africa while striker Alan Smith and midfielders Lee Bowyer and Alfie Haaland all face one-match suspensions. Jonathon Woodgate returns from his ban to replace Radebe, with Harry Kewell likely to be given an out-and-out striking role alongside Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Bruno Ribeiro may get the nod to replace Bowyer while on-loan winger Willem Korsten could be handed his full debut.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Portsmouth LLDDW, Leeds LWDLW
Top scorers: Alan McLoughlin (Portsmouth) 8
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Leeds) 12
Match odds: H 4-1 A 4-6 D 11-5
Referee: G Willard (Worthing)
Sheff Wed (13, Pr) v Stockport (18, D1)
Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Wilson faces two pleasant selection posers for tomorrow's tie at home to Stockport. Striker Andy Booth is on the brink of a return having missed the last three matches with an ankle injury, although in his absence Ritchie Humphreys has scored three goals. Defender Dejan Stefanovic, meanwhile, is available after a onematch suspension.
Stockport will give a late fitness test to leading scorer Brett Angell, who has a hamstring injury. Paul Cook, Kevin Cooper and Wayne Phillips are in the frame after coming through a practice match.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Sheff Wed LLLDW, Stockport WLLLD
Top scorers: Benito Carbone (Sheff Wed) 5
Brett Angell (Stockport) 14
Match odds: H 1-2 A 11-2 D 12-5
Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe)
Swansea (13, D3) v Derby (10, Pr)
Swansea manager John Hollins will delay naming his side until shortly before kick-off. He is hoping midfielder Richard Appleby will recover from his ankle injury but he likely to have to settle for a place on the bench. Martin Thomas is sidelined by a knee injury and Damien Lacey takes his place. Kristian O'Leary will replace suspended centre back Jason Smith.
Derby will make a late decision on skipper Igor Stimac before naming their side. An ankle injury has kept the Croatian defender out for nearly three months but he has now proved his fitness in the reserves. Danish defender Jacob Laursen has recovered from flu but Italian forward Stefano Eranio is doubtful with a hamstring problem.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Swansea DWDWL, Derby DDWLW
Top scorers: Julian Alsop (Swansea) 9
Paulo Wanchope (Derby) 6
Match odds: H 10-3 A 8-11 D 9-4
Referee: G Barber (Pyrford)
Wimbledon (7, Pr) v Tottenham (11, Pr)
Joe Kinnear welcomes back Jason Euell from suspension. The Dons are without cup-tied record signing John Hartson and Nigerian forward Efan Ekoku, who is on international duty.
England pair Darren Anderton and Les Ferdinand are set to return for Tottenham. Teenage centreback Luke Young is also available again after recovering from flu but midfielders Allan Nielsen and Stephen Clemence are out through suspensions and John Scales is still on the injured list.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Wimbledon LWDWD, Tottenham LDWDD
Top scorers: Marcus Gayle, Jason Euell (Wimbledon) 8
Chris Armstrong (Tottenham) 11
Match odds: H 11-8 A 15-8 D 15-8
Referee: D Gallagher (Banbury)
Wrexham (17, D2) v Huddersfield (10, D1)
Wrexham hope midfielder Gareth Owen, who dislocated his shoulder in the midweek win over Chesterfield, will be fit. Karl Connolly and Phil Hardy are set to return from injury but Carl Griffiths and Jeff Whitley are ineligible. Ian Rush, the FA Cup's leading goalscorer, is also fit and may feature.
Town have fit-again pair Sean Hessey and Tom Cowan back in contention but Barry Horne has not recovered from ligament damage and former Manchester United winger Ben Thornley will not be rushed back after recovering from a fractured bone in his foot.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Wrexham LLLLW, Huddersfield WWLDL
Top scorers: Karl Connolly (Wrexham) 11
Marcus Stewart (Huddersfield) 18
Match odds: H 13-8 A 11-8 D 11-5
Referee: P Jones (Loughborough)
Third Round Replay
Notts County (21, D2) v Sheff Utd (12, D1)
County are without injured trio Sean Farrell, Mark Robson and Duane Darby and loan players Paul Bolland and Kim Grant are ineligible. Tony Garcia has a chance of recovering from a back problem and Craig Dudley has been recalled from a loan spell at Hull.
The Blades are without suspended midfielders Shaun Derry and Paul Devlin. Defender Roger Nilsen is doubtful with a calf injury and on-loan Middlesbrough striker Andy Campbell is ineligible. Bobby Ford returned for the reserves in midweek after flu and is in contention to return, but goalkeeper Simon Tracey (flu) is still sidelined.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Notts County LWLLL, Sheff Utd LLWDL
Top scorers: Gary Jones (Notts County) 6
Graham Stuart, Petr Katchuro, Marcelo (Sheff Utd) 6
Match odds: H 15-8 A 6-5 D 9-4
Referee: A Wiley (Burntwood)
Tomorrow
Man Utd (3, Pr) v Liverpool (6, Pr)
Gary Neville, out since the end of December through suspension and injury, is fit again and United manager Alex Ferguson could draft him in at the expense of Wes Brown at full-back or Henning Berg at centre back. Steve Staunton is a major doubt for Liverpool because of a groin strain and Steve Harkness is on standby. Phil Babb and Karlheinz Riedle are suspended but Dominic Matteo is set to play only his second game of the season and Steve McManaman has a chance of recovering from an Achilles problem.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Man Utd LWDWW, Liverpool WWWDW
Top scorers: Dwight Yorke (Man Utd) 16
Michael Owen (Liverpool) 17
Match odds: H 5-6 A 11-4 D 9-4
Referee: G Poll (Tring)
Wolves (11, D1) v Arsenal (4, Pr)
Wolves, bidding for revenge after last season's semi-final defeat, have no new injury problems and new signing Havard Flo will again partner Robbie Keane up front. Neil Emblen returns to the squad after suspension and could go straight into the starting line-up.
Arsenal have Martin Keown and Patrick Vieira suspended and Luis Boa Morte is out of the reckoning following a cartilage operation. Matthew Upson is favourite to replace Keown. Nicolas Anelka is fit despite limping off with a bruised ankle in France's friendly against Morocco on Wednesday. Steve Bould is still out with a knee injury but midfielders Stephen Hughes and Fredrik Ljungberg are fit again.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Wolves LLWWD, Arsenal WWWDW
Top scorers: Robbie Keane (Wolves) 14
Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal) 7
Match odds: H 7-2 A 4-5 D 2-1
Referee: S Dunn (Bristol)
Match odds supplied courtesy of William Hill
