English Premier League, Weekend Injury/Suspension Report

There are no major additions to this round's injury ranks, though misses for Blackburn (Paul Robinson) and Bolton (Stuart Holden) could prove decisive this weekend. Amongst the suspended are Charles N'Zogbia and Jermain Defoe, while Lee Chung-Yong and Park Ji-Sung are already away on international duty.

Arsenal: In his first start back from an ankle injury, Abou Diaby hurt his calf. He's out for Saturday's match, as is Kieran Gibbs (ankle) and Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles).

Aston Villa: Midfielder Fabian Delph is a doubt with a knee problem, with Ashley Young and Emile Heskey expected to push through theirs. John Carew is deemed unfit, possibly having played his last match with Villa, while depth forward Andres Weimann is out for another month with an ankle problem.

Birmingham City: Alex McLeish's only major problem is Barry Ferguson, whose knee injury could see him out until early February.

Blackburn: Christopher Samba is a doubt with an ankle problem. Keith Andrews (groin), Vince Grella (groin), and Steven Nzonzi (hamstring) are all a week away. Jason Roberts' hamstring will see the forward out 'til mid-January, with goalkeeper Paul Robinson out until the end of the month. Phil Jones's knee injury could keep the defender out for the rest of the year.

Blackpool: Coming off a blinder at Anfield, Richard Kingson will keep his spot, with Matthew Gilks still a week away from returning from his knee injury. Likewise, forward Marlon Harewood won't be available until next week, recovering from a hamstring problem. French midfielders Maulary Martin and Elliot Grandin are another week out, recovering from knee and hamstring problems. Louis Almond is a long term absence with a shoulder problem.

Bolton: Paul Robinson is suspended. It took him this long to accumulate five yellows? Grétar Steinsson's out for a week more, which means Sam Ricketts and Marco Alonso start wide for the Trotters. A bigger loss: Stuary Holden looks to be out a week with a thigh problem. Sean Davis (knee), JLloyd Samuel (calf) and Ricardo Gardner (thigh) are also unfit, while Lee Chung-Yong and Tamir Cohen are on leave.

Chelsea: Though the Blues have Frank Lampard, José Bosingwa and Nicolas Anelka back, there are still a number of injury problems. Mikel John Obi's out another week with a knee injury. Alex is out until February, recovering from his own knee issue. Yuri Zhirkov's calf will keep him out a few more weeks. Daniel Sturridge is out until at least mid-week with knee issues, while potential replacement Fabio Borini's out until February with a shoulder problem. And of course, Yossi Benayoun's Achilles problem will keep him out until late in the season. Add to the laundry list: Branislav Ivanovic gets to serve a yellow card accumulation suspension on Saturday, vaulting Jeffrey Bruma into the starting XI.

Everton: Both John Heitenga (knee) and Phil Jagielka (ankle) and doubts. Leon Osman is out with an ankle problem, while Victor Anichebe serves the second of a three match ban.

Fulham: Moussa Démbélé may return from his ankle problems. He's listed as a doubt. Phillipe Sanderos and Bobby Zamora could see time in February.

Liverpool: Joe Cole is listed as doubtful with an ankle injury, but Steven Gerrard has the same status thanks to fatigue. That sounds like code for: didn't look good, needs more time. Jamie Carragher still has a month before he's ready to come back from shoulder surgery, but beyond that, only Jay Spearing is out, with his ankle needing another week.

Manchester City: Emmanuel Adebayor's ankle will keep him out of Saturday's match, and while Michael Johnson, still recovering from a knee problem, is also listed as an injury concern, the long lost prospect would be unlikely to feature regardless of match fitness.

Manchester United: Nani missed Tuesday's match at Brum but could return Saturday, recovering from a hip injury. Likewise, John O'Shea may be available, on his way back from a calf problem. Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes are both out for three more weeks with hamstring problems, while Antonio Valencia is still more than one month away from returning. Park Ji-Sung is on international duty.

Newcastle: Andy Caroll's thigh injury means he likely misses the match, though Shola Ameobi's expected to return. Hatem Ben Arfa (leg) and Dan Gosling (knee) are still a month away.

Stoke City: Matthew Etherington (ankle) and Jon Walters (shoulders) a doubts, and Mamady Sidibe's Achilles will keep him out until February, but aside from that trio Tony Pulis's only concern is a suspension for Robert Huth, who's proclivity for yellows see him miss this weekend's match.

Sunderland: John Mensah (ankle) and Michael Turner (knee) are both out, but Titus Bramble's slated to return. Lee Cattermole, Nedum Onouha and Asamoah Gyan are all doubtful with hamstring problems, with a neck injury to Danny Welbeck possibly keeping the loanee out. Frazier Campbell is two months away from returning from his knee problems.

Tottenham Hotspur: Having picked up straight reds in consecutive matches, Jermain Defoe and Younes Kaboul are suspended. Tom Huddlestone's ankle has him out for another month. Ledley King's groin still isn't ready. Robbie Keane's hamstring leaves him as a doubt.

West Bromwich Albion: Jonas Olsson is recovering from his Achilles problem but is still not match fit. Fellow defenders Gonzalo Jara and Gabriel Tamas are both out, serving suspensions.

West Ham United: With the Hammers on a small uptick, it's easy to overlook they've been over run with injuries. Mark Noble is still a week away from returning from a hip problem, having been out since his early December appendicitis. Hérita Ilunga is on the same timetable, returning from his hammy problem, though it's unclear where (if) he fits upon returning. Kieron Dyer (thigh) and Lars Jacobsen (foot) should return a week after that, while Jack Collison (knee), Manuel Da Costa (ankle), Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh) and Benni McCarthy (calf) are not expected to see action in the year's first month. Valon Behrami's a doubt for Saturday with a hip problem.

Wigan Athletic: Charles N'Zogbia starts a three match ban for his headbutt of Jack Wilshire. Also missing for Roberto Martínez: Emerson Boyce (leg), Franco Di Santo (ankle), James McCarthy (ankle) and Victor Moses. The first two could return mid-week.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Kevin Doyle isn't expected to be back from his thigh problem, though he could return mid-week. Likewise, Michael Mancienne (knee) and Steven Mouyokolo (back). Karl Henry (knee) is expected to return in late January, with vice-captain Jody Craddock (hip) and Adlène Guédiora (leg) ready come February.