Premiership Preview (22-23/08/06)

Pompey, who will be hoping to build on the 3-0 win over Blackburn at Fratton Park on Saturday, are travelling to Manchester for their latest Barclays Premiership match with Manchester City on Wednesday night, what about the others…

Tuesday 22/08/06
Tottenham v Sheff Utd, 20:00
Spurs should welcome back midfielder Teemu Tainio, but will still be missing Ledley King. Jermain Defoe has a bruised foot and could miss out as they aim to bounce back for the Bolton defeat.

Craig Short remains the only key man unavailable for Sheffield United as they travel to White Hart Lane following Saturday`s home draw with Liverpool.

Watford v West Ham, 19:45
Jay DeMerit has recovered from an ankle injury which caused him to miss the defeat at Everton and should be recalled to an otherwise unchanged Watford squad.

Jonathan Spector's shoulder injury has cleared up so he'll be added to the West Ham travelling party that beat Charlton at Upon Park on Saturday. Dean Ashton and Matthew Etherington remain sidelined.

Wednesday 23/08/06
Aston Villa v Reading, 19:45
After the draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium Martin O`Neill`s first home game in charge sees him include Kevin Phillips; despite him appearing on his way out of Villa Park. Villa will be without injured defenders Gary Cahill and Wilfred Bouma though, while Mark Delaney will have to come through a fitness test.

Reading, fresh from their comeback win against Middlesbrough, are without Dave Kitson (damaged knee ligaments.) England U21 International Leroy Lita, scorer of the winning goal at the Madjeski Stadium comes in for Kitson.

Blackburn v Everton, 19:45
Ryan Nelsen again misses out for Blackburn, as do Dominic Matteo and Zurab Khizanishvili (both groin.) Lucas Neill is suspended following his sending off in the Pompey defeat, but Andy Todd has had his red card overturned. Tugay continues his three-match ban.

Everton`s David Weir misses the game with a groin strain, while Nuno Valente picked up a dead leg in the win over Watford. If he misses out Joleon Lescott or Gary Naysmith will come in.

Charlton v Man Utd, 20:00
Charlton will be without Djimi Traore following his red card in the defeat at West Ham for the LIVE Sky Sports clash with Man Utd. Gonzalo Sorondo is likely to be Traore`s replacement. Cristian Bolanos is awaiting clearance on his work permit so misses out.

Gabriel Heinze, Nemanja Vidic and Michael Carrick will be missing through injury, but Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, who both came off in the 5-1 win over Fulham at Old Trafford should be OK. Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes begin their three-match bans.

Fulham v Bolton, 20:00
Chris Coleman will be hoping last seasons fine home form will continue. Claus Jensen`s calf injury and veteran Mark Pembridge`s Achilles problem sees them the only players, other than outcasts Steed Malbranque and Sylvain Legwinski unavailable.

With an Achilles injury ruling out Henrik Pedersen, and knee injuries still keeping out Ricardo Gardner, Abdoulaye Faye and Joey O`Brien Bolton boss Sam Allardyce will name the same side that beat Spurs on Saturday.

Middlesbrough v Chelsea, 20:00
Julio Arca will miss out after he broke a bone in his foot in the defeat at Reading. Either Emanuel Pogatetz or Andrew Taylor will replace the Argentine. After recovering from an ankle problem Lee Cattermole should return to the squad.

The Champions have new signing Khalid Boulahrouz available, while Claude Makelele and Michael Ballack are back in training and could play. Captain John Terry has a slight groin worry but he should be fit to lead the side following his goal in the win over Man City on Sunday.

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