Premier League roundup-United hoping for Nani return

Posted Sunday, January 02, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Brief news ahead of this weekend’s Premier League matches (all times GMT).

* Leaders Manchester United hope Nani will be fit as they try to improve their away form at West Bromwich Albion on New Year’s Day (1245). The Portuguese winger has been sidelined with a hip injury and manager Alex Ferguson will assess his condition later on Friday.

Ferguson said he may “freshen up” his side for the visit to West Brom although Paul Scholes is still missing with a groin injury. However, he does not envisage an active transfer window.

“We have no plans to bring anyone in when the window opens,” Ferguson said in his Friday news conference.

* Arsenal will have captain Cesc Fabregas available for the trip to Birmingham City (1730) after the Spaniard was suspended for the 2-2 draw at Wigan Athletic on Wednesday.

Wenger made eight changes at Wigan but will select his strongest available side for another testing away match, although Abou Diaby is sidelined with a calf injury.

* Joint leaders Manchester City have the squad to take the title race to the wire, according to assistant manager Brian Kidd as they prepare to face surpise side Blackpool (1500).

“We’re in a good position, but it isn’t done in January, it’s done in July,” Kidd told City’s website (www.mcfc.co.uk).

“You don’t want to be too far behind teams at this stage of the season. There’s five teams up there. The top four has been the priority but I believe with the manager and the players we’ve got, we can go the distance.”

* Chelsea, hoping to build on Wednesday’s narrow victory over Bolton Wanderers at home to Aston Villa on Sunday (1330), will be without defender Branislav Ivanovic who is suspended.

Brazilian centre back Alex is still missing with a knee injury.

Out-of-form Villa hope to have Ashley Young fit after he missed the Christmas fixtures with a knee injury while Emile Heskey could return after twisting his ankle against Spurs.

* Fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, unbeaten in eight Premier League games, have striker Jermain Defoe and defender Younes Kaboul suspended for Saturday’s visit of Fulham (1500) after both were red-carded over the Christmas period. William Gallas could return from a hamstring injury.

* Sixth-placed Bolton Wanderers could give Spanish defender Marcos Alonso his first Premier League start against Liverpool on Saturday (1500) after Paul Robinson picked up a fifth booking at Chelsea on Wednesday meaning a one-match ban.

“It opens the door for Marcos and he knows that he has to be ready to take his chance,” Bolton manager Owen Coyle told the club’s website (www.bwfc.co.uk)

* Liverpool striker David Ngog says he is desperate to start 2011 with a victory for the club’s disenchanted fans.

Defeat at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers left the club just three points above the bottom three and installed manager Roy Hodgson as the bookies’ favourite to be the next manager to get the sack.

“We have had a few indifferent results and we want to change that in the new year,” Ngog said on Liverpool’s website.

“We all hope 2011 is going to be a better year for the team. We can’t promise anything but I’m sure we will be better and we want to show Liverpool is getting back to their best.”

* Everton manager David Moyes hopes Dutchman John Heitinga and England defender Phil Jagielka could return for the New Year’s Day clash with Stoke City (1500).

Heitinga has a knee injury and Jagileka is struggling with a thigh strain. “Both have started some light training, so I’ve got to hope that maybe I can get one of them fit,” Moyes said at his pre-match news conference.

* Newcastle United will be without leading striker Andy Carroll for the away trip to Wigan Athletic on Sunday (1600) after he injured his thigh in the 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.

* West Brom manager Roberto di Matteo has selection problems in defence for the visit of Manchester United.

Gonzalo Jara and Gabriel Tamas are suspended and Paul Scharner is struggling with illness. Gianni Zuiverloon has been recalled from a loan spell with Ipswich Town.