Wigan vs Sunderland Match Preview

Darren Bent could be back in contention for Sunderland against a Wigan Athletic side who have left back Maynor Figueroa returning from injury.
If fit, Figueroa will replace Erik Edman at left back.
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has no new injury concerns after his side’s 9-1 hammering by Tottenham and he may opt to shake up his [...] http://bit.ly/6qcsci

West Ham vs Burnley Match Preview

England international Matthew Upson is missing for West Ham Utd while Burnley have no new injury worries to contend with.
Upson suffered a hamstring injury in midweek and is set to be replaced by the fit again Danny Gabbidon for Gianfranco Zola’s West Ham side.
Also returning to full fitness for the Hammers are midfielder Mark Noble [...] http://bit.ly/80mCp1

Portsmouth v Manchester United Preview

New Portsmouth manager Avram Grant will be without his first choice goalkeeper, David James, as he faces Manchester United in his first match in charge of the club.
James is still sidelined with a calf injury, so Jamie Ashdown will deputise for the second match in a row.
Back from injury, however, are forward John Utaka, who [...] http://bit.ly/5KlJCB

Manchester City vs Hull Preview

Robinho could return for the first time since September for Man City, while Jimmy Bullard is back in contention for Phil Brown’s Hull City.
Bullard was rested for Hull’s midweek victory over Everton, but will return to a central midfield role, most likely in place of the veteran George Boateng.
Fellow midfielder Bernard Mendy is back in [...] http://bit.ly/5FHAcH

Fulham v Bolton Match Preview

Striker Bobby Zamora is rated doubtful for Fulham, while midfielder Tamir Cohen is back in contention for Gary Megson’s Bolton Wanderers side.
Cohen missed Bolton’s last Premiership match with a groin injury, but is fit again and expected to start against Fulham.
Also fit enough to start are Ricardo Gardner and JLloyd Samuel, despite both players picking [...] http://bit.ly/8aHzjJ

Blackburn v Stoke City Preview

With Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce recuperating from heart surgery, assistant manager Neil McDonald may make a number of changes ahead of the visit of Tony Pulis’ Stoke City to Ewood Park.
Full back Gael Givet has finally overcome a niggling thigh injury and is set to start in place of Lars Jacobsen, with Australian midfielder Brett [...] http://bit.ly/76LgRV

Everton Stadium Plans Rejected

Communities and Local Government Secretary John Denham has rejected Everton FC’s proposed new 50,000 seater stadium in Kirkby, Merseyside, which was to be built in partnership with Tesco.
Chief Executive Robert Elstone commented :
“The solution is not about finding land - this is a solution that is about finding money; it’s about affordability.”
“That was the big [...] http://bit.ly/6TgyD9

Ruud To Liverpool and Other Transfer Rumours

The latest on the future of Ruud Van Nistelroy has him moving not to Arsenal as first thought, but to Liverpool, if the Daily Mirror are to be believed.
Real Madrid are apparently prepared to let the player go on loan and Liverpool is thought to be his first choice. We’ll see…
Elsewhere, the tabloids are hyping [...] http://bit.ly/4tNmyB

Grant Becomes New Portsmouth Boss

Former Israel and Chelsea boss Avram Grant has been appointed the new manager of Portsmouth Football Club.
The appointment comes a mere 48 hours after the club sacked previous manager Paul Hart.
Grant had been waiting on a work permit that would allow him to work as technical director at the club and will have to continue [...] http://bit.ly/5eU4MN

Gibbs Fractures Metatarsal

Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs has fractured a metatarsal and will be missing for a number of weeks.
The young defender had only just returned from injury and suffered the fracture in the closing minutes of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Standard Liege, following a hefty challenge by Eliaquim Mangala.
Fellow defender William Gallas was also substituted during the [...] http://bit.ly/5hfZKb

Paul Hart Sacked By Portsmouth

Paul Hart has been sacked as manager of Portsmouth Football Club in controversial circumstances.
Portsmouth chairman Peter Storrie released the following statement on the official Portsmouth FC website :
“Paul has worked under very difficult circumstances with the financial restrictions the club has faced since he took over.
“However, the board feels that the team should have accrued [...] http://bit.ly/63r6k8

Zaki In Race Row

Former Wigan striker Amr Zaki, who had been one of the major targets for Portsmouth shareholder Sulaiman Al-Fahim, has claimed that he will not move to the South Coast club due to their employment of Israelis (Director of Football Avram Grant and defender Tal Ben Haim) and an Algerian footballer (left back Nadir Belhadj).
Talking on [...] http://bit.ly/77i3AJ

Whelan Backs Martinez

Wigan chairman, Dave Whelan, has backed Wigan manager Roberto Martinez after a 9-1 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Whelan commented :
“He will get up and over it.
“You have to say Tottenham played superbly well, I mean they were just lightning and Defoe was absolutely amazing and I look forward [...] http://bit.ly/8rCPND

Stoke City v Portsmouth Preview

Abdoulaye Faye is suspended for Tony Pulis’ Stoke City side, while Portsmouth have a number of key players rated doubtful.
Portsmouth’s top scorer Aruna Dindane has a hamstring problem, while midfielder Hassan Yebda has a calf injury and both players will face late fitness tests ahead of this match.
Back in contention, however, is left back Hermann [...] http://bit.ly/8P1NWM

Tottenham vs Wigan Preview

Tottenham centre back Ledley King is absent with a hamstring problem, while Roberto Martinez’ Wigan Athletic are still missing left back Maynor Figueroa.
Deputising for the Honduran will be former Spurs player, Erik Edman.
Figueroa aside, Wigan picked up no new injuries over the international break, so Trinidad international Jason Scotland and Columbia’s Hugo Rodallega will again [...] http://bit.ly/7kWqRv