Manchester United v Everton
Manchester United skipper Roy Keane is set to miss the St Stephen's Day encounter with Everton.
Keane is suffering from a tight hamstring and was unlikely to be considered for two games in three days anyway, so manager Sir Alex Ferguson will almost certainly try to ensure the influential Irishman is fit for Sunday's trip to Middlesbrough.
Rio Ferdinand has already been assured of his place in the starting line-up as United look to extend a run of 14 wins in 16 Premiership outings against the Toffeemen.
Everton are set to restore full-back Tony Hibbert to their team for the daunting trip because of an injury to Alessandro Pistone.
The Italian is sidelined for several weeks with a shoulder injury he suffered in Saturday's win over Leicester, while Joseph Yobo (neck) and David Weir (knee) are unavailable.
Manager David Moyes must decide whether to play Wayne Rooney from the start after two goalscoring appearances as a substitute or stick with the Kevin Campbell-Tomasz Radzinski partnership.
Teams:
Manchester United:(from) Howard, Carroll, G Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea, Fortune, Forlan, Fletcher, P Neville, Butt, Keane, Kleberson, Ronaldo, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Bellion, Djemba-Djemba.
Everton:(from) Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs, Unsworth, Naysmith, McFadden, Carsley, Gravesen, Kilbane, Campbell, Radzinski, Rooney, Simonsen, Li Tie, Ferguson, Linderoth, Jeffers, Osman, Clarke, Nyarko.
Arsenal v Wolves
Dennis Bergkamp is Arsenal's main injury concern for their Boxing Day clash against Wolves at Highbury due to a calf problem.
While Bergkamp is rated as a "slight doubt", Sylvain Wiltord is expected to be passed fit despite a minor ankle injury.
Ashley Cole is still suspended, with Gael Clichy again set to replace him at left-back, while Lauren will either return to start against Wolves on Boxing Day or Southampton three days later.
Oleg Luzhny is set for his second Premiership start for Wolves against his former club.
The ex-Arsenal defender will replace hamstring injury victim Denis Irwin in the starting line-up for the daunting St Stephen's Day visit to the Gunners.
Nathan Blake has failed to shake off a calf injury he sustained 18 days ago during his side's defeat at Tottenham.
Teams
Arsenal:(from) Lehmann, Stack, Toure, Lauren, Campbell, Keown, Cygan, Clichy, Vieira, Gilberto Silva, Edu, Parlour, Pires, Ljungberg, Wiltord, Henry, Bergkamp, Kanu, Aliadiere.
Wolves(from): Oakes, Luzhny, Butler, Craddock, Naylor, Rae, Newton, Andrews, Gudjonsson, Ince, Iversen, Camara, Kachloul, Kennedy, Miller, Cameron, Sturridge, Silas, Okoronkwo, Marshall
Chelsea v Charlton
Charlton boss Alan Curbishley must decide whether to break up the centre-back partnership which shackled Alan Shearer ahead of the St Stephen's Day visit of Chelsea at The Valley.
Centre-back Mark Fish is fit again after a fortnight out with a groin injury and could replace either Chris Perry or Jon Fortune.
Striker Jonatan Johansson is back from his thigh injury. However, quintet Shaun Bartlett, Luke Young (both ankle), Richard Rufus, Gary Rowett (both knee) and Kevin Lisbie (back) are all still sidelined.
Damien Duff is optimistic he will back playing in three weeks without the need for surgery after dislocating his shoulder.
Duff, who suffered the injury during Saturday's victory over Fulham, said on the club's website, www.chelseafc.com: "I'd far rather be playing than having an operation. I've been determined to come back as soon as possible.
"I'm sore but I feel much better already."
The £17million signing from Blackburn will miss the trip to Charlton but boss Claudio Ranieri has Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink back from his one-match ban for accumulating five yellow cards.
Eidur Gudjohnsen, Juan Sebastian Veron and Emmanuel Petit are still expected to miss out with their respective ankle, back and knee injuries.
Teams
Charlton(from): Kiely, Kishishev, Fortune, Perry, Fish, Hreidarsson, Parker, Jensen, Holland, di Canio, Euell, Royce, Powell, Johansson, Cole.
Chelsea(from): Cudicini, Sullivan, Johnson, Melchiot, Desailly, Terry, Gallas, Huth, Bridge, Babayaro, Lampard, Makelele, Cole, Geremi, Gronkjaer, Mutu, Crespo, Hasselbaink.
Liverool v Bolton
Harry Kewell is expected to return for Liverpool at home to Bolton on St Stephen's Day after missing three weeks with an ankle problem.
But that is the only one of boss Gerard Houllier's injured stars who will be available for the crunch match with in-form Bolton. The Trotters beat Liverpool in the Carling Cup at Anfield earlier this month to increase the pressure on the Anfield chief.
Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher, Milan Baros, Steve Finnan, Salif Diao and Stephane Henchoz are all unlikely to play for the first team before mid-January, although Carragher and Henchoz are now back in training.
Such are the injury problems, Houllier will insist El Hadji Diouf does not join up with Senegal for the African Nations Cup until after the home match with Aston Villa on January 10.
The tournament starts on January 24th and countries are entitled to ask for their players three weeks beforehand.
But Houllier said: "We have a game on January 10th and he will stay until then. I will be telling him that.
"The African Nations Cup starts on January 24th so he will have plenty of time to join the Senegal squad."
Houllier will have Harry Kewell back against Bolton, the team he injured his ankle against three weeks ago.
Houllier believes Owen should be fit from his thigh problem to play in the FA Cup tie at Yeovil on January 4th.
Of the rest of his injured stars, Houllier said: "Jamie Carragher has been training with the first team, Milan Baros has not started ball work yet and his leg is still sore, while Michael will need another fortnight as will Steve Finnan."
Carragher has played in a practice match so his return may well be quicker than expected, although Houllier insists it will not be over the holiday programme.
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce will again be without Bruno N'Gotty for the St Stephen's Day trip to Liverpool.
N'Gotty has failed to recover from the hamstring problem that kept him out of last weekend's draw with Arsenal, although the defender could be fit to face Leicester on Sunday.
It means Allardyce is almost certain to name the side that grabbed a creditable draw against the Gunners, with goalscorer Henrik Pedersen having to settle for a place on the bench.
Teams:
Liverpool(from): Kirkland, Otsemobor, Biscan, Hyypia, Riise, Diouf, Le Tallec, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Sinama-Pongolle, Heskey, Smicer, Luzi, Cheyrou, Traore, Welsh, Medjani.
Bolton(from): Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Charlton, Thome, Gardner, Campo, Giannakopoulos, Frandsen, Nolan, Okocha, Ba, Djorkaeff, Davies, Pedersen, Poole, Jardel, Barness.
Leicester v Newcastle
Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson will have to use all his resources to find a strike-partner for skipper Alan Shearer for the St Stephen's Day trip to Leicester.
Shola Ameobi is out for a month with a fractured cheekbone and with Craig Bellamy (knee) and Carl Cort (hamstring) also on the casualty list, the 70-year-old could turn either to specialist frontmen Lomana LuaLua and Michael Chopra or opt to play attacking midfielder Kieron Dyer up front.
The Magpies will also be without midfielder Lee Bowyer, who may need surgery to repair a troublesome hip injury, and Steve Caldwell (thigh), but Titus Bramble returns from suspension and that means that Jonathan Woodgate is unlikely to be risked as he continues his recovery from a torn hamstring.
Leicester City manager Micky Adams's main fitness concern is central defender Steve Howey ahead of the St Stephen's Day clash with Newcastle at the Walkers Stadium.
Former Magpie Howey, who has formed an impressive partnership alongside Riccardo Scimeca, was substituted during the 3-2 weekend setback by Everton at Goodison Park with a hamstring injury.
Club skipper Matt Elliott will be available to plug the gap if Howey is side-lined before he has to serve a three-game ban for his sending off against Birmingham City.
Central defender Frank Sinclair has failed in his bid to recover from an Achilles injury in time for the Christmas programme.
Teams:
Leicester:(from) Walker, Impey, Howey, Scimeca, Thatcher, Scowcroft, Izzet, McKinlay, Stewart, Ferdinand, Bent, Dickov, Coyne, Davidson, Hignett, Curtis, Gillespie.
Newcastle(from): Given, Harper, Hughes, Bernard, O'Brien, Bramble, Dabizas, Speed, Dyer, Robert, Jenas, Viana, Solano, Ambrose, Shearer, LuaLua, Chopra.
Fulham v Southampton
Fulham midfielder Sean Davis looks set to miss his side's Barclaycard Premiership clash with Southampton at Loftus Road on St Stephen's Day.
Davis limped off with a hamstring injury in the 37th minute of Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Chelsea and is rated very doubtful, although he should recover in time for the Cottagers' match against Aston Villa two days later.
Mark Pembridge continues to be troubled by his calf problem with his rehabilitation taking longer than expected while Jerome Bonnissel is likely to be back in contention after recovering from is leg injury.
Midfielder Rory Delap is trying to shake off an ankle injury in time for Southampton's away clash with Fulham on Boxing Day.
The former Derby player suffered the injury last Friday and is touch and go to face the Cottagers.
Marian Pahars is expected to continue up front while Danny Higginbotham should again deputise for Graeme Le Saux, who missed the win over Portsmouth with a sore throat after recovering from a hamstring problem.
Teams
Fulham(from): Van der Sar, Volz, Melville, Knight, Goma, Djetou, Bonnissel, Inamoto, Malbranque, Clark, Boa Morte, Saha, Sava, Hayles, Pratley, Crossley.
Southampton(from): Niemi, Dodd, Lundekvam, M Svensson, Higginbotham, Telfer, Delap, Prutton, Marsden, Pahars, Beattie, Ormerod, Jones, Phillips, Delgado, A Svensson, Baird, McCann.
Leeds v Aston Villa
Leeds caretaker-boss Eddie Gray could turn to Matthew Kilgallon for the Boxing Day visit of Aston Villa after losing Lucas Radebe to a hamstring injury.
Radebe was stretchered off during Monday night's 1-1 draw at Manchester City after tearing his hamstring and faces at least two months on the sidelines.
Kilgallon, 19, is now poised for his first Barclaycard Premiership start after making just four substitute appearances to date, with his debut more than 13 months ago.
Aston Villa boss David O'Leary has a full squad at his disposal for his return to former club Leeds United.
His side will be looking for their sixth win in their last seven league and cup outings as they look to build on their first Premiership away win at Blackburn on Saturday.
O'Leary has to decide whether to persevere with youngster Stefan Moore - on target at Ewood Park - in preference to England striker Darius Vassell.
Dion Dublin's fine form as a striker turned defender may again mean Ronny Johnsen having to be content with a place on the substitutes' bench.
Teams:
Leeds(from): Robinson, Kelly, Harte, Matteo, Morris, Camara, Barmby, Bridges, Viduka, Pennant, Chapuis, Johnson, Duberry, Batty, Olembe, McPhail, Lennon, Milner, Sakho, Kilgallon, Richardson, Carson.
Aston Villa(from): Sorensen, Delaney, Mellberg, Dublin, Samuel, Hendrie, McCann, Whittingham, Barry, Angel, Moore, Vassell, De la Cruz, Hitzlsperger, Johnsen, Postma, Ridgewell.
Birmingham v Manchester City
Birmingham City full-back Jamie Clapham's ever present record for Birmingham City since moving from Ipswich 11 months ago is under serious threat.
Clapham is struggling to overcome a hamstring injury suffered in training ahead of the St Stephen's Day home meeting with Manchester City.
Striker Christophe Dugarry's suspension will be carried over to the Friday clash after the postponement of Saturday's clash with Middlesbrough.
But the French striker would have been ruled out in any case as he is still resting his knee while undergoing a series of injections.
Steve Bruce's side will be seeking their first home win since the 2-0 success over Portsmouth on September 27th.
Kevin Keegan is still searching for the winning formula with Manchester City.
Monday's 1-1 draw with Leeds was their ninth game without a victory, a run which has left them in the bottom half of the table.
Antoine Sibierski's equaliser has put the Frenchman in line for a starting spot, while Paulo Wanchope and Jon Macken also impressed as late substitutes.
Darren Huckerby is not expected to be involved despite turning down a move to Norwich yesterday.
Birmingham(from): Taylor, Kenna, Upson, Cunningham, Clapham, Johnson, Savage, Dunn, Clemence, Forssell, Morrison, Lazaridis, Purse, John, Cisse, Bennett, Tebily.
Manchester City(from): Seaman, Ellegaard, Distin, Dunne, Sommeil, Wiekens, Jihai, Bosvelt, Berkovic, McManaman, Sinclair, Wright-Phillips, Reyna, Tarnat, Sibierski, Barton, Anelka, Fowler, Wanchope, Macken, Jordan.
Blackburn v Middlesbrough
Blackburn midfielder Steven Reid has been ruled out of the match against Middlesbrough on St Stephen's Day with a hamstring injury.
Reid could also miss the game with Newcastle as Rovers aim to get back to winning ways.
David Thompson, Lorenzo Amoruso and Alan Kelly are all sidelined with long-term injuries so manager Graeme Souness has recalled winger Alan Mahon from his loan spell at Ipswich.
Middlesbrough's Danny Mills admitted he was disappointed by the postponement of the weekend game at Birmingham.
Boro were aiming to extend their 10-match unbeaten run and now Mills has Blackburn in his sights.
He said: "We are on a good run and we wanted to try to keep that going.
"Now we will have to wait until Boxing Day and that is a big disappointment."
Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has no fresh injury worries ahead.
Brazilian midfielder Doriva is still missing with an ankle injury although reserve keeper Carlo Nash could return from a hand problem.
Long-term absentees Ugo Ehiogu and Stewart Parnaby are back in contention, but Malcolm Christie (fractured tibia), Joseph Job (knee) and David Murphy (ankle) remain on the sidelines.
Teams:
Blackburn:(from) Friedel, Enckelman, Jansen, Gallagher, Taylor, Johansson, Neill, Ferguson, Emerton, Yorke, Baggio, Tugay, Cole, Babbel, Todd, Gresko, Short, Flitcroft.
Middlesbrough(from): Schwarzer, Jones, Queudrue, Mills, Parnaby, Southgate, Cooper, Ehiogu, Riggott, Boateng, Mendieta, Zenden, Juninho, Greening, Downing, Maccarone, Ricketts, Nemeth.
Portsmouth v Tottenham
Senegalese midfielder Amdy Faye could be ruled out for Portsmouth until the middle of February, with a scan expected to show he has suffered medial knee ligament damage.
Former Scotland Under-21 international captain Richard Hughes hopes to continue for Pompey against Tottenham on St Stephen's Day.
Redknapp has three key players - Patrik Berger, Arjan De Zeeuw and Steve Stone - available again after suspension.
Now Hughes, a £50,000 signing from Bournemouth, awaits the decision of manager Harry Redknapp as Pompey prepare for the home clash with Tottenham on Boxing Day.
Shaka Hislop, Amdy Faye, Gary O'Neil, Vincent Pericard, Nigel Quashie and Svetoslav Todorov are all injured.
Darren Anderton faces a fitness test ahead of Tottenham's visit.
Anderton injured his calf against Manchester United last weekend and is doubtful for the trip to Fratton Park, while Stephane Dalmat must also be reassessed after sustaining a knock.
Stephen Carr's one-match ban does not begin until the following game, but Paul Konchesky has been recalled by Charlton from his loan spell and Christian Ziege, Simon Davies, Bobby Zamora and Jamie Redknapp are still ruled out.
Teams
Portsmouth(from): Wapenaar, Primus, De Zeeuw, Stefanovic, Stone, Sherwood, Berger, Smertin, Taylor, Sheringham, Roberts, Srnicek, Zivkovic, Hughes, Foxe, Schemmel, Yakubu, Robinson.
Tottenham(from): Keller, Burch, Hirschfeld, Carr, Taricco, Doherty, Gardner, Richards, King, Anderton, Poyet, Ricketts, Dalmat, Kanoute, Keane, Postiga.