Arsenal
Arsene Wenger will welcome back four key players from injury for tomorrow's home match against Blackburn Rovers. Captain Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby all return after missing the 2-2 draw at West Brom in the Gunners' last outing almost a fortnight ago. Wenger, the Arsenal manager, is also optimistic that Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Aaron Ramsey will shake off knocks picked up on international duty. "I have not decided if they will start the game yet but they will all be available," Wenger told Arsenal TV yesterday.
Aston Villa
Robert Pires is weighing up whether to retire or to play abroad when his short-term contract with Aston Villa expires this summer. The former Arsenal midfielder, 37, will weigh up his options at the end of the campaign. He said: "I'm still playing in the Premier League so I get noticed. People haven't forgotten about me. I'm prepared to retire in May if that's what it comes to. But I am also ready to go wherever an interesting proposition comes along - be it Qatar or the United States. But it's a case of one thing at a time and I'll look at that at the end of the season."
Birmingham
Martin Jiranek has undergone a toe operation and is doubtful for tomorrow's home clash with Bolton. The Czech Republic international defender has been defying the problem for several weeks. Alex McLeish, the Birmingham manager, said: "Jiranek had a minor operation on his toe. He has been playing with that discomfort for the past eight to 10 weeks. We had to do something about it. He came off after 15 minutes of the Wigan game. He was clearly in distress and also being restricted in his running. He is a doubt at the moment for the weekend."
Blackburn
Steve Kean has ruled out midfielder Vince Grella for the remainder of the season after he underwent an Achilles operation. The Australian has played just seven times in the current campaign, only twice since October 24, and has not featured since February 26. "It has been hard for Vinny because he's picked up niggly injuries and this one has been quite a big operation on his Achilles," Kean, the Rovers manager, said. "He has had the plantaris removed and hopefully he can get some rehab under his belt and look forward to an injury-free season next season.
"I think he won't play again this season."
Blackpool
Charlie Adam will be to face Fulham on Sunday after an injury scare proved to be a false alarm. Adam, who has been a driving force in Blackpool's bid to beat the drop, hurt his knee during last Sunday's friendly between Scotland and Brazil, but has apparently reported no ill effects to the knock. Steve Thompson, Blackpool's assistant manager, told The Blackpool Gazette yesterday: "Charlie had a clash of knees in the Scotland game but he hasn't reported to [Blackpool physio] Phil Horner, so there should be no problems there." Stephen Crainey and David Vaughan should both also be fit after recovering from niggles.
Bolton
Adam Bogdan has signed a new contract to keep him at Bolton until 2014. The 23-year-old goalkeeper has been working with, and now providing competition for, Bolton's long-serving No 1 Jussi Jaaskelainen, who turns 36 next month. Owen Coyle, the Bolton manager, said: "We're delighted that Adam's committed himself to a new contract. It shows that we're investing in young players and trying to build the football club with that nucleus of young players. Since I came to the football club he's been outstanding and to have a young goalkeeper of that ilk commit himself is great news for everybody."
Chelsea
Nicolas Anelka believes he is a better player for Chelsea as a result of not playing for France. The striker was banned from playing for his country for 18 months for his role in the controversial mutiny against France head coach Raymond Domenech at the World Cup. His suspension ends just before Euro 2012, but Anelka denied he had any interest in playing for France again. "I don't miss it, I am glad to be out of it," he told Chelsea's website. "Of course it can help to not play, you play less games so it is perfect to be off and to think about something else for one or two weeks then come back fresh.
"You get some family life."
Everton
After nine years in charge at Goodison Park, David Moyes is still enjoying life as Everton manager and has vowed he will only walk away from the job if the fans ever want him out of the role. He told his club's website yesterday: It's not fashionable to be in a job for nine years," he said. "It's more fashionable for supporters to see a change, so I'm fortunate.
I've always said I wouldn't want the supporters to get fed up of me, because it's their football club. I'm there to do the job and do it the best of my ability. If I got the feeling they were fed up with me then I'd do something about it. But I don't at the moment."
Fulham
Mark Schwarzer has said he and his Fulham teammates will not take Blackpool lightly when the two sides meet on Sunday at Craven Cottage despite their opponents' recent slip down the table. Ian Holloway's men have picked up only eight points from 13 games this year to fall into the relegation battle, but Schwarzer is expecting a difficult game. The Australian goalkeeper told his club's website: "They've shown on their away trips that they're a very difficult team to play against.
"We know we're in for a very tough game. But we believe, especially at home, that we should be picking up three points."
Liverpool
Steven Gerrard will not be pressed into action before he is ready, according to Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool manager. The midfielder returned to full training this week after a groin operation on March 10. Earlier this week Gerrard said he hoped to be available for selection for tomorrow's trip to West Bromwich. However, Dalglish is wary of rushing back one of his more influential players. "He's certainly done a lot of training this week - not all the training the other lads have done, but a lot of it," the Scot said."But two weekends ago at Sunderland Jay Spearing played really well. There is no need for us to be in a rush to bring Steven back."
Manchester City
Mario Balotelli, the Manchester City striker, has dismissed speculation he is unhappy at the club, saying it is "a great experience" at Eastlands. Balotelli has endured a troubled start to his career in England, having been sent off twice as well as suffering injury problems. However, Balotelli said in an interview with goal.com: "I hope the fans know that I like it here and I am really proud to write the history of this club. It is a great experience. All the people at Manchester City are fantastic and you can see the club growing every day. I try every day to repay the trust the club showed in me by signing me [from Inter Milan]."
Manchester United
Wayne Rooney says it would be "brilliant" if Manchester United were to win a record 19th title. Sir Alex Ferguson's side are on course to achieve that feat as they face West Ham tomorrow in pole position. United are five points clear of Arsenal, who have a game in hand. Rooney said: "I grew up an Everton fan so to be part of the team to overtake Liverpool's record would be brilliant. It would mean so much to us players as well as the fans. It is something I have been thinking about a lot. You look forward to every game at this stage and you've got to enjoy it, especially when you are in the running for a few trophies."
Newcastle
Alan Pardew, the Newcastle manager, knows exactly what is at stake as he looks to guide the club to Premier League safety. Newcastle entertain relegation-threatened Wolves tomorrow sitting seven places, but only four points, ahead of Mick McCarthy's men and knowing they need a victory to avoid being sucked into the fight for survival. Financial figures released this week showed Newcastle's relegation at the end of the 2008/09 season led to a loss of £17.1 million (Dh100.8m). "I am very conscious of that as a manager. That's what relegation brings, people lose their jobs, and we certainly don't want that to happen again."
Stoke
Tony Pulis, the Stoke City manager, is saddened that FA Cup semi-finals are no longer held in venues around the country. However he believes their supporters would rather play at Wembley rather than anywhere else. Stoke face Bolton at the national stadium on April 17. Pulis said: "I am a traditionalist and was brought up watching semi-finals at Villa Park, Old Trafford, Hillsborough and places like that. I really enjoyed it … But the chance to go to Wembley for our supporters is immense. It is the greatest cup competition in the world and that makes things extra special. They will have a great day I am sure."
Sunderland
Bolo Zenden has insisted he is not ready to move into coaching as he attempts to wring every last minute out of his playing career. The 34-year-old midfielder has had just two appearances as a substitute since his last start for the club at Blackpool on January 22, with the arrivals of Sulley Muntari and Stephane Sessegnon strengthening Sunderland's pool of players. Zenden said: "I still believe I have got loads left to offer and the coaching thing will come eventually - but not now. Maybe because of the situation I am in at the moment, that's something people will start speculating about. But I am not ready for that."
Tottenham
Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, is facing an injury crisis in defence. Redknapp revealed yesterday that Ledley King requires a second operation on the groin problem that has kept him out of action since October, while William Gallas suffered a knee injury. With Younes Kaboul out with a thigh strain and Jonathan Woodgate sidelined by a calf injury, Redknapp only has Michael Dawson and Sebastien Bassong fit to play at Wigan tomorrow. Redknapp admits his defensive troubles are a big concern. "We started the year with six central defenders here. Now we have two," he told Sky Sports News.
West Brom
Scott Carson has warned West Bromwich Albion to be on their guard against Andy Carroll during tomorrow's clash with Liverpool after the striker this week scored his first England goal. The goalkeeper was on the England substitutes' bench at Wembley when Carroll found the net in the 1-1 draw with Ghana. Carson said: "Andy Carroll scored a great goal for England on Tuesday night, so he'll be full of confidence. Maybe the goal for Andy came at the wrong time from our point of view did but everyone knows he's a handful and everyone knows his strengths. We've got to prepare for them and hopefully keep our own form going."
West Ham
Carlton Cole is preparing to play eight "cup finals" as West Ham United fight to secure their Premier League status. The task is a stiff one, with games against Manchester United - tomorrow - Chelsea and Manchester City all still to come. But he has urged his teammates to show the same fighting spirit displayed on the 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago to see them over the line. "Every game from now to the end of the season is a cup final for us," Cole told the club website. "We need to show the same endeavour we showed at Tottenham."
Wigan
James McCarthy has set his sights on being in the next Republic of Ireland squad after announcing his arrival on the international stage. The 20-year-old Wigan midfielder finally cemented his status as an Ireland player when he made his first competitive appearance in Saturday's 2-1 Euro 2012 qualifier victory over Macedonia and then played against Uruguay on Tuesday. Glasgow-born McCarthy said: "It was great to get a run-out. It's a dream come true to play for your country and get some game-time … It's my first proper start and I need to just try to kick on from it."
Wolves
Adlene Guedioura, the Wolves midfielder, has made a successful start to his comeback - six months after breaking a leg. The Algeria international played the full 90 minutes for the reserves against Blackpool on Wednesday and scored one of the goals in a 2-1 win. It was the first action for Guedioura since he suffered the setback against Aston Villa at Molineux in late September. Mick McCarthy, the manager, indicated before the game that Guedioura would be ready to join the battle for Premier League survival if he came through the game unscathed.