Premier League briefing

  • Last Updated: February 24 2013, 12:38 GMT

Team news and statistics for the weekend's action in the Barclays Premier League.

Vincent Kompany: Doubtful for Manchester City
Vincent Kompany: Doubtful for Manchester City

Sunday, February 24

Man City v Chelsea

City captain Vincent Kompany remains a doubt - the Belgium defender has missed four games with a calf injury and manager Roberto Mancini has conceded the problem is taking longer to heal than expected. Midfielder Gareth Barry, forced out of the FA Cup win over Leeds with an ankle injury, will also be assessed while right-back Micah Richards (knee) remains sidelined.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard will return to the Blues' squad, after sitting out the 1-1 draw with Sparta Prague in the Europa League. Defenders Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic are in a similar position whilst striker Demba Ba also returns after being cup-tied. Manager Rafael Benitez confirmed a couple of his players are nursing knocks but has no fresh injury concerns with only midfielder Oriol Romeu (knee) absent.

Last season: Man City 2 Chelsea 1, Chelsea 2 Man City 1

Last five league matches: Man City W W D D L; Chelsea D W D L W

Top scorers (all competitions): Sergio Aguero & Edin Dzeko (Man City) 13; Juan Mata (Chelsea) 17

Referee: Andre Marriner.

Newcastle v Southampton

Tim Krul is a doubt with an ankle injury but Magpies boss Alan Pardew hopes the goalkeeper can retain his place in the team despite putting Rob Elliot on alert. Midfielder Cheick Tiote could return after illness, full-back Mathieu Debuchy and striker Yoan Gouffran - ineligible in Europe - are available, while Davide Santon is back in training after an ankle problem. However, Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring) remains sidelined.

Defender Luke Shaw and midfielder Gaston Ramirez are set to return to the Saints squad after recovering from knocks. Defender Jose Fonte remains out with a knee complaint and striker Guly do Prado is a doubt. Midfielder Adam Lallana could be back after knee trouble and defender Vegard Forren hopes for his debut.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Newcastle D L W W L; Southampton D D L D W

Top scorers (all competitions): Yoan Gouffran (Newcastle) 13; Rickie Lambert (Southampton) 11

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

Monday, February 25

West Ham v Tottenham

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed both James Collins and Joey O'Brien have been training this week and are in contention. Collins has been missing due to a hamstring problem while fellow defender O'Brien was sidelined with a thigh injury but both are now part of Allardyce's squad for the London derby. Left-back George McCartney (knee) is also on the comeback trail but this game will come too soon for him.

Hugo Lloris is expected to return in goal for Spurs after sitting on the bench for last night's Europa League draw at Lyon. Striker Jermain Defoe (ankle) returns to training next week and will not be considered for the match against his former club, while defender Younes Kaboul and midfielders Sandro and Tom Huddlestone (all knee) are unavailable.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: West Ham D L L W L; Tottenham D D D W W

Top scorers (all competitions): Kevin Nolan (West Ham) 6; Gareth Bale (Tottenham) 17

Referee: Howard Webb.


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