Arsenal v Leeds: Midfielder Aaron Ramsey is back in contention after returning to the Emirates from a loan spell at Nottingham Forest. Emmanuel Eboue will come in at right-back for the suspended Bacary Sagna, while Kieran Gibbs is available after an ankle injury.
Captain Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere, Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri and Laurent Koscielny are set to be rested, so the likes of Denilson, Craig Eastmond, Nicklas Bendtner and Tomas Rosicky should all start.
Leeds trio Sanchez Watt, Lloyd Sam and Andy O’Brien are doubtful. Watt, on a season-long loan from the Gunners but with permission to play from Arsene Wenger, sustained a head injury after stepping off the bench in the midweek defeat at Cardiff, Sam is nursing a thigh strain and central defender O’Brien has a dead leg.
Top scorers (all competitions): Samir Nasri (Arsenal) 13; Luciano Becchio (Leeds) 13
Match odds: H 2-7 A 9-1 D 9-2
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
Blackburn v QPR
Jason Roberts is due to return for injury-ravaged Blackburn. Striker Nikola Kalinic is still suspended while Brett Emerton is with Australia for their Asian Cup campaign. Goalkeeper Paul Robinson, Steven Nzonzi, Phil Jones, Keith Andrews and Vince Grella remain sidelined.
QPR are without striker Patrick Agyemang, who may have suffered a stress fracture of the tibia. The squad is stretched as centre-half Matt Connolly is suspended, full-back Kyle Walker’s loan has expired, striker Antonio German is cup-tied and Peter Ramage, Akos Buzsaky and Lee Cook (all knee) are out.
Top scorers (all competitions): Mame Biram Diouf (Blackburn) 6; Adel Taarabt (QPR) 12
Match odds: H 19-20 A 14-5 D 5-2
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
Bolton v York
Bolton boss Owen Coyle could recall midfielder Tamir Cohen, who has been on compassionate leave following the death of his father. Martin Petrov, Robbie Blake and goalkeeper Adam Bogdan start but South Korea’s Lee Chung-yong is on international duty and Stuart Holden and Gretar Steinsson are unlikely to be risked.
York’s new signing Jamie Reed is available following his move from Bangor. Chris Smith, who has turned his loan from Mansfield into a permanent transfer this week, keeps his place after impressing since his arrival. Midfielder Andre Boucaud also turned his loan spell from Kettering into a permanent transfer but is cup-tied.
Top scorers (all competitions): Johan Elmander (Bolton) 9; Michael Rankine (York) 10
Match odds: H 2-9 A 10-1 D 11-2
Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire).
Brighton v Portsmouth
Chris Wood has extended his loan spell at the League One club from West Brom until the end of the season and is eligible to play. However, new signing Craig Noone is cup-tied having already played in the competition for Plymouth and Inigo Calderon serves the final game of his three-match ban.
Pompey are without Greg Halford (suspended) and Ricardo Rocha (hamstring). Two of Joel Ward, Hermann Hreidarsson and Ibrahima Sonko will come into the back four. Striker Dave Kitson has not trained all week due to a sore foot but should be available.
Top scorers (all competitions): Glenn Murray (Brighton) 11; Liam Lawrence & David Nugent (Portsmouth) 8
Match odds: H 8-5 A 17-10 D 23-10
Referee: Graham Scott (Oxfordshire).
Bristol City v Sheff Wed
City are monitoring the fitness of several players. Defenders Louis Carey (illness and calf), Liam Fontaine (ankle) and Jamie McAllister (calf) have missed matches recently and it remains to be seen if visit of the South Yorkshire club comes too soon for them to be involved.
Wednesday’s new signings Reda Johnson and Michael Morrison could make their debuts. Defender Jon Otsemobor is sidelined with a calf injury and although Lewis Buxton, who can play anywhere along the back line, is making good progress following a hamstring strain, he is unlikely to feature.
Top scorers (all competitions): Brett Pitman (Bristol City) 11; Neil Mellor (Sheff Wed) 12
Match odds: H 21-20 A 5-2 D 5-2
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex).
Burnley v Port Vale
Burnley caretaker boss Stuart Gray plans to send out a full-strength side, although John Guidetti has been recalled by Manchester City at the end of his loan spell at Turf Moor.
Vale are without star striker Marc Richards and in-form midfielder Doug Loft. Richards is suffering from a tear to a thigh muscle and scans have highlighted a tear to Loft’s calf so he is out for four weeks.
Top scorers (all competitions): Chris Iwelumo (Burnley) 10; Marc Richards (Port Vale) 14
Match odds: H 4-9 A 6-1 D 17-5
Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).
Burton v Middlesbrough
Aaron Webster was substituted just before half-time during Burton’s league defeat at Port Vale on Monday with a recurrence of a calf problem. Defender Scott Malone is available after extending his loan spell from Wolves until the end of the season.
Boro midfielder Gary O’Neil returns to the squad after two games out through illness but Kevin Thomson is a doubt after complaining of soreness in the leg he broke earlier in the season. Stephen McManus (ankle ligaments), Willo Flood (knee), Rhys Williams (pelvis) and Matt Kilgallon (back) are still sidelined.
Top scorers (all competitions): Shaun Harrad (Burton) 11; Tarmo Kink & Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough) 6
Match odds: H 12-5 A 11-10 D 12-5
Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset).
Coventry v Crystal Palace
The Sky Blues will be without Marlon King (suspended) and James McPake (back). Central defender Ben Turner is a couple of weeks away from his return from a lengthy knee injury, leaving manager Aidy Boothroyd with a defensive decision to make.
Palace will check on Darren Ambrose (leg) and Pablo Counago (hamstring). Full-back Julian Bennett’s loan has expired but centre-back Anthony Gardner has extended his deal until the end of the season. Midfielder Alex Marrow has completed his move from Blackburn but may not manage to shake off an ankle knock in time.
Top scorers (all competitions): Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) 5; Steffen Iversen (Crystal Palace) 9
Match odds: H 10-11 A 3-1 D 5-2
Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire).
Doncaster v Wolves
Rovers could be boosted by the return of George Friend, James Chambers, Martin Woods and Simon Gillett. Friend, Chambers and Gillett have all been struggling with knee injuries. Midfielder Woods also had a successful run-out following a long-term groin injury and is expected to return to the squad. But the home side will be without suspended defender Dennis Souza.
Wolves captain Karl Henry is set to be available after recovering from a knee injury but Sylvan Ebanks-Blake could miss out with hamstring trouble. Fellow frontman Kevin Doyle came off with cramp against the Blues as he made his return from a thigh injury, but should continue his comeback this weekend.
Top scorers (all competitions): Billy Sharp (Doncaster) 10; Steven Fletcher (Wolves) 5
Match odds: H 19-10 A 29-20 D 9-4
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire).
Fulham v Peterborough
Moussa Dembele is struggling to recover from an ankle injury for Fulham. Andrew Johnson is sidelined after suffering a minor hamstring tear and long-term casualty Bobby Zamora will also miss the game.
Posh will have loan players Adam Clayton and Kieran Agard available after their parent clubs gave permission for them to play but midfielder Lee Frecklington (ankle) is expected to miss out again.
Top scorers (all competitions): Clinton Dempsey (Fulham) 7; Craig Mackail-Smith (Peterborough) 16
Match odds: H 4-9 A 6-1 D 7-2
Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire).
Huddersfield v Dover
Terriers manager Lee Clark has no new injury or suspension problems. Defender Gary Naysmith (foot) and midfielders Damien Johnson (knee) remain long-term absentees.
Dover’s Elliott Charles is struggling with a hamstring injury and there will be no giant-killing heroics for cup-tied Donovan Simmonds. Midfielder Barry Cogan is a doubt with a knee injury and Matt Fish is receiving treatment for a groin problem.
Top scorers (all competitions): Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield) 14; Adam Birchall (Dover) 7
Match odds: H 3-10 A 17-2 D 9-2
Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire).
Hull v Wigan
The Tigers will be without recent signing Aaron Mclean, who is cup-tied. Another recent arrival, striker Matty Fryatt, is eligible following his permanent move from Leicester. Manager Nigel Pearson will be without fellow midfielder Tom Cairney, who is sidelined after burning himself on scalding water at home.
Wigan’s Tom Cleverley is out for up to four weeks with a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, who suffered a bang to the head in the same game, is not seriously injured but will not feature while striker Mauro Boselli (hamstring) will be out for seven days.
Top scorers (all competitions): Aaron Mclean (Hull) 14; Hugo Rodallega (Wigan) 5
Match odds: H 17-10 A 13-8 D 9-4
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).
Millwall v Birmingham
Millwall will be without Josh McQuoid (cup-tied) and Alan Dunne (suspended), but skipper Paul Robinson is set to return to the back four having proved his fitness following a hamstring injury. Fellow centre-half Danny Shittu has also been out with a hamstring problem and will be checked over.
Birmingham have included promising midfielder Jordon Mutch in their squad after impressing during a loan spell at Watford. Midfielder Lee Bowyer will serve the second game of a three-match ban.
Top scorers (all competitions): Josh McQuoid (Millwall) 12; Craig Gardner (Birmingham) 5
Match odds: H 13-8 A 9-5 D 21-10
Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
Norwich v Leyton Orient
Midfielders Wes Hoolahan and David Fox could return from injury for Norwich, but Henri Lansbury, Elliott Ward, Stephen Hughes, Steven Smith and Andrew Surman are unavailable. Midfielder Owain Tudur Jones is cup-tied having been allowed to play for Yeovil earlier in the competition but new signing Aaron Wilbraham is available as he did not feature for MK Dons.
Terrell Forbes returns for Orient after completing a three-match ban for the red card he received in the 8-2 second-round win over Droylsden. Midfielder Stephen Dawson also hopes to figure despite being struck down with an illness this week. Striker Ryan Jarvis has returned from a loan spell at Northampton but is cup-tied.
Top scorers (all competitions): Grant Holt (Norwich) 12; Alex Revell (Leyton Orient) 12
Match odds: H 8-15 A 5-1 D 3-1
Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire).
Preston v Nottm Forest
New Preston boss Phil Brown will assess the fitness of defensive duo Wayne Brown and Leon Cort. Both have been struggling with hamstring problems. Despite North End suffering three defeats in a row, Brown may be reluctant to make many changes as he searches for new signings.
Forest midfielder Paul McKenna has recovered from illness and should return to the squad against his former club. Boss Billy Davies has no new injury problems but the Scot will be without Marcus Tudgay, who turned his loan from Sheffield Wednesday into a permanent deal this week, as the striker is cup-tied.
Top scorers (all competitions): Keith Treacy (Preston) 6; Lewis McGugan (Nottm Forest) 10
Match odds: H 21-10 A 13-10 D 23-10
Referee: Phil Crossley (Kent).
Reading v West Brom
In-form striker Shane Long is expected to be rested due to a bruised foot, with Simon Church coming in. Veteran full-backs Andy Griffin and Ian Harte are also set to be given a rest, while Royals club captain Ivar Ingimarsson may feature for the first time all season as he recovers from a serious hamstring injury.
West Brom are hopeful left-back Marek Cech will have recovered from a shin injury. Right-back Steven Reid will definitely be unavailable after undergoing a knee operation yesterday while the Baggies will also monitor the fitness of leading scorer Peter Odemwingie, who is struggling with a swollen ankle.
Top scorers (all competitions): Shane Long (Reading) 10; Peter Odemwingie (West Brom) 6
Match odds: H 11-8 A 19-10 D 12-5
Referee: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire).
Scunthorpe v Everton
Scunthorpe skipper Cliff Byrne is doubtful due to a nerve problem in his back and winger Garry Thompson could also miss out with a groin injury. However, towering centre-back Rob Jones looks poised to return after suffering sciatic trouble in his back.
Everton are without defender Phil Jagielka, who is suffering from a thigh strain. David Moyes has no other injury concerns with John Heitinga having come through his return to action from a knee problem unscathed, however top scorer Tim Cahill is on international duty with Australia at the Asian Cup.
Top scorers (all competitions): Martyn Woolford (Scunthorpe) 8; Tim Cahill (Everton) 9
Match odds: H 4-1 A 4-6 D 14-5
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).
Sheff Utd v Aston Villa
Blades boss Micky Adams is “down to the bare bones” with striker Richard Cresswell (shoulder) the latest casualty. Midfielder Stephen Quinn continues his three-match ban. Matty Lowton (groin), Richard Wright (thigh), Nyron Nosworthy and Stephen Jordan (both ankle) are sidelined while Jordan Slew will be assessed after reporting ill yesterday.
Villa’s new loan signing from Tottenham, right-back Kyle Walker, is included in the squad. Striker Emile Heskey will start a three-match ban, so Gabriel Agbonlahor is set to switch from a wide role into the main striking role. Defender Luke Young and midfielder Fabian Delph are still sidelined with knee injuries.
Top scorers (all competitions): Ched Evans (Sheff Utd) 7; Stewart Downing & Emile Heskey (Aston Villa) 6
Match odds: H 12-5 A 23-20 D 23-10
Referee: Michael Jones (Cheshire).
Southampton v Blackpool
Nigel Adkins has almost a full-strength Southampton squad at his disposal, but the manager could make changes with one eye on Saints’ League One promotion push. Winger Lee Holmes is the only absentee following his recent ankle surgery.
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway plans to make wholesale changes, with most of his first-choice team not even making the journey to St Mary’s Stadium. Goalkeeper Paul Rachubka is likely to make his first start for a year while there could also be opportunities for the likes of Keith Southern, Dekel Keinan, Rob Edwards and Alex Baptiste. Brett Ormerod and Jason Euell could face their former club.
Top scorers (all competitions): Adam Lallana & Richard Lambert (Southampton) 8; DJ Campbell (Blackpool) 7
Match odds: H 6-4 A 13-8 D 5-2
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
Stevenage v Newcastle
Stevenage are without Darius Charle, who is again suspended. Byron Harrison is also unavailable for boss Graham Westley after the recent signing played for non-league Carshalton in the previous round.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is sweating on the fitness of a series of key players. Wednesday night’s hat-trick hero Leon Best is struggling with a heel injury and youngster Nile Ranger is on stand-by — with Andy Carroll (thigh) and Shola Ameobi (ankle) already ruled out.
Top scorers (all competitions): Byron Harrison (Stevenage) 7; Andy Carroll (Newcastle) 11
Match odds: H 9-2 A 4-7 D 16-5
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
Stoke v Cardiff
Stoke have no new injury worries with striker Mamady Sidibe (Achilles) their only absentee. Manager Tony Pulis has pledged to send out a strong side but fringe players such as Tuncay Sanli, Glenn Whelan and Marc Wilson will be hopeful of a run-out.
Dave Jones will again assess his injury-hit Cardiff squad as late as possible. The majority of his concerns come in the attacking department with Jay Bothroyd (hamstring), Michael Chopra (ankle), Craig Bellamy (ongoing knee problem) and Jon Parkin (knee) all to be checked.
Top scorers (all competitions): Kenwyne Jones (Stoke) 7; Jay Bothroyd (Cardiff) 15
Match odds: H 4-5 A 17-5 D 13-5
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
Sunderland v Notts County
Midfielders Andy Reid and Jack Colback go straight into the Sunderland squad after being recalled from loan deals with Sheffield United and Ipswich respectively. Both are needed with David Meyler having damaged his cruciate ligament.
County boss Paul Ince will be forced into several other changes after a clutch of loan players returned to their parent clubs this week. Defender Stephen Darby and winger Thomas Ince have gone back to Liverpool while midfielder Alan Judge and forward Lee Miller have returned to Blackburn and Middlesbrough respectively. There are also concerns about the fitness of goalkeeper Rob Burch.
Top scorers (all competitions): Darren Bent (Sunderland) 10; Lee Hughes & Craig Westcarr (Notts County) 9
Match odds: H 2-5 A 13-2 D 15-4
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).
Swansea v Colchester
Swansea will again be without Alan Tate (suspended) and Neil Taylor (ankle). Andrea Orlandi has been ruled out for around two weeks with a slight thigh strain.
Kem Izzet and David Perkins return for Colchester after illness and suspension respectively. But defenders Marc Tierney (virus), Magnus Okuonghae and Brian Wilson (both ankle) are still on the sidelines along with long-term absentees John-Joe O’Toole and Morten Knudsen (both knee).
Top scorers (all competitions): Scott Sinclair (Swansea) 13; David Mooney (Colchester) 9
Match odds: H 1-2 A 11-2 D 16-5
Referee: Rob Shoebridge (Derbyshire).
Torquay v Carlisle
Guy Branston remains Torquay’s only doubt due to a hamstring injury. Chris Robertson is set to deputise. Otherwise, manager Paul Buckle has a fully-fit squad, with Nicky Wroe likely to continue his run in the team despite being transfer-listed.
New midfield signing Marco Gbarssin, who has signed an initial one-month deal, could make his debut for Carlisle. The visitors will be without Lubomir Michalik and Mike Grella, whose loan deals from Leeds have expired, but are boosted by the return of striker Jason Price following the end of his spell at Bradford.
Top scorers (all competitions): Elliot Benyon (Torquay) 13; Gary Madine (Carlisle)
Match odds: H 6-4 A 9-5 D 23-10
Referee: Phil Gibbs (West Midlands).
Watford v Hartlepool
Malky Mackay is without a host of first-team players. Left-back Andrew Taylor and midfielder Jordon Mutch have returned to parent clubs Middlesbrough and Birmingham respectively after their successful loan spells ended. Captain John Eustace is also definitely out with a calf strain, and top scorer Danny Graham (hamstring) and winger Don Cowie (calf) are doubtful.
Hartlepool coach Mick Wadsworth is once again without captain Sam Collins, injured during the win over Oldham on New Year’s Day. Strike duo Adam Boyd and James Brown are pushing for starts after they occupied the bench in the defeat at Meadow Lane.
Top scorers (all competitions): Danny Graham (Watford) 16; Antony Sweeney (Hartlepool) 9
Match odds: H 8-15 A 5-1 D 16-5
Referee: Russell Booth (Nottinghamshire).
West Ham v Barnsley
Zavon Hines and Jordan Spence could both feature for West Ham. Mark Noble is fit again after a hip injury but on-loan defender Tal Ben Haim has returned to Portsmouth. Thomas Hitzlsperger has returned to training after a long-term thigh problem and he could be back in action by mid-February.
Barnsley’s on-loan defender Matt Hill has been given permission to play by Wolves. Mark Robins has no new injury or suspension problems. Striker Garry O’Connor is expected to start following his permanent move from Birmingham with Andy Gray on the bench.
Top scorers (all competitions): Scott Parker & Frederic Piquionne (West Ham) 6; Adam Hammill (Barnsley) 8
Match odds: H 4-7 A 9-2 D 3-1
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).
Sunday, January 9th
Chelsea v Ipswich
Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole and Michael Essien all face fitness checks. Striker Drogba picked up a knock in training, while full-back Cole and midfielder Essien were unable to train after hurting themselves in Wednesday night’s shock Premier League defeat at Wolves.
Ipswich caretaker boss Ian McParland could be without three key men. Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback has been recalled early from his loan spell, while Plymouth striker Rory Fallon is also ineligible after playing for Argyle in an earlier round. Midfielder Grant Leadbitter is also absent through suspension.
Top scorers (all competitions): Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) 10; Jason Scotland (Ipswich) 7
Match odds: H 2-9 A 12-1 D 5-1
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
Leicester v Man City
On-loan full-back Greg Cunningham has returned to City to start his rehabilitation after suffering a broken leg at Hull last weekend. Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba did not receive international clearance in time to feature against Swansea on Monday following his arrival from Hibernian, but is set to play a part.
Roberto Mancini will not have Edin Dzeko in his squad in time. Although City are in the process of completing the signing of the Bosnian, the deadline for registrations ahead of this weekend’s games has passed. However, Pablo Zabaleta will be available after the FA overturned a three-match ban for his dismissal for violent conduct at Arsenal on Wednesday.
Top scorers (all competitions): Andy King (Leicester) 9; Carlos Tevez (Man City) 12
Match odds: H 4-1 A 4-6 D 11-4
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).
Man Utd v Liverpool
Alex Ferguson checks on the fitness of Wayne Rooney and Edwin van der Sar before finalising his team. Rooney has an ankle injury while Van der Sar has missed two games due to a flu virus. Ferguson stated he is picking from the same squad he used over the Festive period, which rules out Paul Scholes (groin) and John O’Shea (calf), although new arrival Anders Lindegaard is available to bolster his goalkeeping ranks.
Roy Hodgson is likely to make changes with Daniel Agger coming into central defence to replace Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Dirk Kuyt could be recalled, which would mean Joe Cole or Maxi Rodriguez missing out. Midfielder Raul Meireles, who missed the Blackburn defeat with an ankle injury, is fit again.
Top scorers (all competitions): Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd) 15; Steven Gerrard & David Ngog (Liverpool) 8
Match odds: H 4-7 A 9-2 D 3-1
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
Tottenham v Charlton
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp will rest several of his regulars. Back-up players Vedran Corluka, Sebastien Bassong, Niko Kranjcar, Sandro and Wilson Palacios are likely to play while Jermain Defoe could start after suspension.
Charlton striker Paul Benson begins a three-match ban after losing his appeal. But Keith Peacock, appointed caretaker manager following the sacking of Phil Parkinson, does have Matt Fry available after he extended his loan from West Ham for another month.
Top scorers (all competitions): Gareth Bale & Rafael Van der Vaart (Tottenham) 11; Johnnie Jackson (Charlton) 13
Match odds: H 1-4 A 10-1 D 5-1
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
