SATURDAY (3pm ko unless stated)
Arsenal v Sunderland
Alexis Sanchez will not be risked, with the forward still recovering from a hamstring injury. He has been pencilled in for a return at Stoke on January 17. Manager Arsene Wenger could make further changes for the visit of the Black Cats, with club captain Mikel Arteta pushing for a start having overcome a calf issue. Jack Wilshere (leg), Francis Coquelin, Danny Welbeck, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky (all knee) are missing.
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce will rest some of his key men as he attempts to manage a cluttered fixture list. Allardyce has indicated that at least one of his youngsters will start at the Emirates Stadium but he was not naming names. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and defender Tom Beadling seem the most likely candidates. New signing Jan Kirchhoff will not be involved as he awaits international clearance.
Top scorers (all competitions): Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) 15; Jermain Defoe (Sunderland) 9
Match odds: H 1-4 A 10-1 D19-4
Referee: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire)
Birmingham v Bournemouth
Birmingham could have two players back, with David Cotterill (knee) and Neal Eardley (groin) in contention to return from injury. The pair have recovered and trained this week but will be assessed ahead of the match to ensure they have not suffered any reaction. Koby Arthur (thigh) is expected to miss out but the winger is the only absentee for boss Gary Rowett, who must find a replacement for Demarai Gray after the winger joined Leicester on Monday.
Bournemouth coach Eddie Howe is expected to change his starting XI. Defender Simon Francis will be unavailable after his red card appeal for a tackle on Jamie Vardy in their 0-0 draw with Leicester last weekend was rejected. Howe will also be without new signing Juan Iturbe who is still waiting for his work permit to come through following his loan from Roma.
Top scorers (all competitions): Jacques Maghoma & Clayton Donaldson (Birmingham) 5; Junior Stanislas & Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) 5
Match odds: H 3-1 A 10-11 D 19-4
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)
Brentford v Walsall
Brentford will be without Spanish midfielder Jota due to a calf strain. Boss Dean Smith, who left the Saddlers to take over at Brentford in November, is still without defender Andreas Bjelland and striker Scott Hogan (both knee). Midfielder John Swift is available to Smith after extending his loan from Chelsea until the end of the season.
Tom Bradshaw, Rico Henry and Sam Mantom could make their Walsall returns after ankle injuries. Isaiah Osbourne has returned to training and is nearing a comeback following a knee injury which has sidelined him since signing in the summer.
Top scorers (all competitions): Alan Judge (Brentford) 9; Tom Bradshaw (Walsall) 12
Match odds: H 17-20 A 15-5 D 13-5
Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire)
Bury v Bradford
Veteran striker Ryan Lowe could be back in the Bury side after returning from loan at Crewe. Goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann is available with his loan from Stoke not due to expire until midnight after the game. The club are keen to extend the deal with Rob Lainton and Jack Ruddy both injured. Midfielder Tom Soares is hoping to be back in contention after a hamstring injury.
Bradford will be without on-loan defender Reece Burke but midfielder Josh Morris could return from a lengthy knee injury lay-off. Burke’s loan spell from West Ham has expired and although Bradford boss Phil Parkinson is keen to extend his stay again, a cut wrist sustained in last week’s defeat at Gillingham, which required surgery, has ruled the player out for two weeks.
Top scorers (all competitions): Leon Clarke (Bury) 13; James Hanson, Devante Cole (Bradford) 6
Match odds: H 13-8 A 13-8 D 12-5
Referee: Rob Lewis (Shropshire)
Colchester v Charlton
Colchester are expected to hand goalkeeper Jake Kean his debut after he signed on a month-long loan from Premier League side Norwich. Defender George Elokobi is a major doubt after suffering a hamstring injury in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Oldham, which ended a run of nine successive League One defeats. New manager Kevin Keen could bring Alex Wynter in at centre-back, while Matthew Briggs (chest) will be assessed. Midfielder Owen Garvan is pressing for a start, while veteran Darren Ambrose will be hoping to face his old club.
Charlton can hand second debuts to Roger Johnson and Diego Poyet against Colchester. Defender Johnson, who had a spell at The Valley last season, has rejoined on an 18-month deal and midfielder Poyet is back on loan from West Ham. The returning duo boost a Charlton squad beset by injuries to Ademola Lookman, Patrick Bauer, Alou Diarra, Igor Vetokele and Ahmed Kashi. Tareiq Holmes-Dennis is suspended following his red card in the 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Top scorers (all competitions): George Moncur (Colchester) 9; Karlan Ahearne-Grant, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Johnnie Jackson, Ademola Lookman & Simon Makienok (Charlton) 3
Match odds: H 13-8 A 13-8 D 12-5
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire)
Doncaster v Stoke
Doncaster will still be without Felipe Mattioni. The Brazilian defender is back at his parent club Everton to receive treatment on a hamstring injury and Rovers manager Darren Ferguson does not know when, if at all, he will return to the Keepmoat Stadium. Striker Curtis Main is fit after a back injury which has seen him sidelined since the end of October. Gary MacKenzie is back from a troublesome ankle injury and hopes to start, but Cameron Stewart is still struggling with a back injury.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes is set to rest several regular first-choice players having named the same starting XI for the four games the Potters have played since Christmas and with a Barclays Premier League clash against Norwich to come four days after this tie. Stephen Ireland (hamstring), Geoff Cameron (ankle) and Phil Bardsley (groin) are doubts, while Shay Given (knee) remains sidelined.
Top scorers (all competitions): Andy Williams (Doncaster) 13; Marko Arnautovic (Stoke) 7
Match odds: H 15-5 A 17-20 D 5-2
Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire)
Eastleigh v Bolton
New signing Kaid Mohamed is available for Eastleigh after joining this week from Bath. Manager Chris Todd has no fresh injury concerns to contend with and can welcome back defender Jamie Turley from injury. The Hampshire side have not played since December 28 after last week's Vanarama National League clash with Bromley was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at the Silverlake Stadium.
Shola Ameobi will come back into Bolton’s squad but Emile Heskey will miss out. Heskey is still hampered by a calf strain but Ameobi is back in full training this week following a virus and will travel. Midfielder Liam Trotter has returned from a loan spell with Nottingham Forest and will be in the squad, while Arsenal loanee Wellington Silva has permission to play. Max Clayton (hamstring) is the club’s only long-term absentee.
Top scorers (all competitions): James Constable (Eastleigh) 12; Liam Feeney & Gary Madine (Bolton) 4
Match odds: H 21-10 A 5-4 D 23-10
Referee: Iain Williamson (Berkshire)
Everton v Dagenham & Redbridge
Everton captain Phil Jagielka will make a long-awaited return from injury after more than two months out with a knee injury. Full-back Seamus Coleman is sidelined for a month with a calf injury while in-form striker Romelu Lukaku and midfielder Tom Cleverley (calf) will not feature. Midfielders Darron Gibson and Aiden McGeady are likely to be given some rare pitch time while South American summer signing Leandro Rodriguez is finally in line for his debut.
Dagenham will be without Zavon Hines (knee) and Matt Richards (Achilles), but Oliver Muldoon could make his debut after joining on loan from Charlton. Josh Pask, Kyle Vassell, Ayo Obileye and James Dunne have returned to their parent clubs following the expiry of their loan deals.
Top scorers (all competitions): Romelu Lukaku (Everton) 19; Jamie Cureton (Dagenham) 6
Match odds: H 2-11 A 12-1 D 13-2
Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire)
Hartlepool v Derby
Jake Gray and Adam Jackson are likely to start for Hartlepool after extending their loan deals this week, but fellow loanee Kal Naismith has returned to Portsmouth. Pools look set to be without defensive midfielder Carl Magnay as he struggles to overcome a groin problem, while Michael Duckworth continues to be sidelined by a stomach strain. Billy Paynter (Achilles) and Harry Worley (ankle) remain long-term absentees, but Lewis Hawkins and Ebby Nelson-Addy have returned from loan spells at Spennymoor and Worcester and could be involved.
Derby defender Jake Buxton could make his first appearance since March as Rams head coach Paul Clement plans to make several changes to his starting line-up. Buxton underwent back surgery towards the end of last season and is only now fit enough to be eased back into first-team contention. George Thorne will not feature after he sustained a back problem during the defeat at Middlesbrough last weekend. The midfielder may also miss the home league game against Reading on Tuesday night. Nick Blackman could be involved after joining Derby from Reading this week but international clearance may prevent fellow new signing Abdoul Camara from making his debut.
Top scorers : Billy Paynter (Hartlepool) 7; Chris Martin (Derby) 9
Match odds: H 5-1 A 8-15 D 3-1
Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire)
Huddersfield v Reading
Huddersfield head coach David Wagner, keen to rotate since taking charge in November, has confirmed he will not be using the competition to experiment with his squad. Wagner has no new injury or suspension worries and midfielder Dean Whitehead, who has been sidelined since early December due to a knee injury, is the only absentee. Jason Davidson is likely to return at left-back following Ben Chilwell’s return to parent club Leicester.
Michael Hector returns to the Reading squad after suspension. Hector, who was bought by Chelsea in the summer and then loaned back to the Royals, served a one-match ban as Reading beat Bristol City 1-0 last weekend. He could replace fellow defender Paul McShane, who had to go off during the first half against the Robins with a calf injury. The Royals are without their match-winner against Huddersfield after top scorer Nick Blackman completed his move to Championship rivals Derby.
Top scorers (all competitions): Nahki Wells (Huddersfield) 8; Orlando Sa (Reading) 5
Match odds: H 7-5 A 8-15 D 12-5
Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire)
Hull v Brighton
Hull manager Steve Bruce is expected to make wholesale changes and could hand starts to winger Robert Snodgrass, midfielder Shaun Maloney and striker Adama Diomande. Striker Sone Aluko, goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, midfielder Tom Huddlestone and the versatile Ryan Taylor are also likely to be included in Bruce’s plans. Defenders Michael Dawson (knee) and Alex Bruce (back) are still working their way back from injury and will not feature for the 2014 finalists.
Brighton could hand a debut to former West Brom and Aston Villa defender Liam Ridgewell, who has joined Albion on a six-week loan spell from MLS side Portland Timbers. Boss Chris Hughton has indicated he also will rest players and could hand a rare start to goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa, who last played in place of David Stockdale in August’s Capital One Cup defeat to Walsall. Uwe Hunemeier (groin), Gaetan Bong (thigh), Liam Rosenior (knee), Solly March (knee), Sam Baldock (thigh) and Kazenga LuaLua (groin) are out injured.
Top scorers (all competitions): Abel Hernandez (Hull) 11; Tomer Hemed (Brighton) 6
Match odds: H 19-20 A 3-1 D 12-5
Referee: Geoff Eltringham (Tyne & Wear)
Ipswich v Portsmouth
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy expects to be “freshening things up a bit” and confirmed the likes of Australia international Tommy Oar, on-loan Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles, defenders Luke Hyam and Piotr Malarczyk could all get game time against Pompey. Teenage midfielder Teddy Bishop continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring problem.
Winger Kal Naismith is available for Portsmouth. Naismith has returned to Fratton Park to fight for a place in Paul Cook’s side after a loan spell at Hartlepool, who are struggling near the bottom of League Two. Cook will be without defender Christian Burgess and striker Matt Tubbs, who are both unavailable due to ankle injuries. Paul Jones remains sidelined after a knee operation as Pompey look to make it three wins in a row this weekend.
Top scorers (all competitions): Brett Pitman & Daryl Murphy (Ipswich) 7; Gareth Evans & Conor Chaplin (Portsmouth) 7
Match odds: H 17-20 A 16-5 D 13-5
Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire)
Leeds v Rotherham
Leeds midfielder Alex Mowatt is hoping to return to contention after missing the last four matches due to a groin injury. Head coach Steve Evans will rest several key players, with Chris Wood among them. The striker missed last weekend’s home draw against MK Dons due to a hamstring strain and will not be risked. Versatile defender Lewie Coyle, midfielders Kalvin Phillips and Tom Adeyemi, plus striker Lee Erwin, could all feature.
Rotherham skipper Lee Frecklington and on-loan defender Farrend Rawson both miss out with hamstring injuries while Leon Best (groin) and Stephen Kelly (calf) are no nearer returns. Richard Wood is ineligible having played for Chesterfield earlier in the competition while Tony Andreu, a starter in the last three games, has returned to parent club Norwich at the end of his loan deal. Loanees Grant Ward and Shay Facey have been given permission to play and Frazer Richardson is available after a bout of concussion.
Top scorers (all competitions): Chris Wood (Leeds) 8; Jonson Clarke-Harris (Rotherham) 6
Match odds: H 1-1 A 14-5 D 14-5
Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire)
Manchester United v Sheffield United (5.30pm)
Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard is available after he overcame a hamstring injury. Adnan Januzaj, who was recalled from his loan at Borussia Dortmund on Thursday, is not fit enough to play, but Will Keane may feature following his return from a temporary spell at Preston. Antonio Valencia (foot), Luke Shaw (leg), Marcos Rojo (shoulder) and Phil Jones (ankle) are out while Ashley Young is likely to be rested as manager Louis van Gaal says the winger is “in the red zone” in terms of his fitness.
Matt Done is in contention for Sheffield United after a hamstring complaint. There were fears that the Salford-born forward could be out for a prolonged spell after limping out of the win against Bradford on December 28, but he returned to training on Thursday. Blades boss Nigel Adkins says Done is desperate to play, as are several unnamed players who are nursing knocks ahead of the trip to Old Trafford.
Top scorers (all competitions): Anthony Martial (Man Utd) 9; Billy Sharp (Sheff Utd) 11
Match odds: H 2-7 A 10-1 D 17-4
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)
Middlesbrough v Burnley
Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka has no fresh injury problems but has made a habit of changing his team for cup games and that could mean rare starts for the likes of goalkeeper Tomas Mejias and midfielder Adam Forshaw. Jonathan Woodgate will be missing with a back problem, while fellow defenders Alex Baptiste and Damia Abella continue their recoveries from a fractured leg and knee ligament damage respectively.
Dean Marney is unlikely to feature for Burnley. The midfielder has missed the Clarets’ last two fixtures with a calf strain and manager Sean Dyche concedes it is unlikely he will return yet. Burnley, who could make several changes, could also be without Michael Duff (thigh), although the centre-back will be checked on Friday to determine if he can return. Attacking pair Ashley Barnes and Lukas Jutkiewicz (both knee) remain sidelined.
Top scorers (all competitions): Christian Stuani (Middlesbrough) 10; Andre Gray (Burnley) 15
Match odds: H 19-20 A 3-1 D 12-5
Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)
Newport v Blackburn
Newport striker Lennell John-Lewis damaged a hamstring in training and is set for a four to five-week spell on the sidelines. County boss John Sheridan hopes to recruit a couple of players who are not cup-tied on loan having allowed Cardiff youngsters Tommy O’Sullivan and Jazzi Barnum-Bobb to return to their parent club. Alex Rodman and Yan Klukowski remain out with hamstring problems but Medy Elito is available after serving a one-game ban for his Boxing Day red card.
Elliott Bennett could make his debut for Blackburn. The winger was reunited with his old Norwich boss Paul Lambert when he signed from the Canaries earlier this week and he goes straight into Rovers’ squad. Fode Koita (hamstring) and Nathan Delfouneso (knee) are missing, as is Jason Lowe (foot), while Danny Guthrie (hamstring) will need to be assessed, but Leicester loanee Tom Lawrence does have permission to feature.
Top scorers (all competitions): Scott Boden (Newport) 8; Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn) 9
Match odds: H 4-1 A 8-11 D 13-5
Referee: Charles Breakspear (Surrey)
Northampton v MK Dons
Northampton’s Alfie Potter is on course to recover from the rib injury that prevented him from playing in last Saturday’s 3-0 win over Barnet. Paul Corry is likely to miss the rest of the season because of a knee problem, but otherwise Northampton have a fully-fit squad. Cobblers signed James Collins on loan from Shrewsbury this week but he is cup-tied.
MK Dons manager Karl Robinson will make sweeping changes to his team, as Championship survival takes priority for the club. Cody Cropper will start in goal, with David Martin ruled out with a shoulder injury, while forward Daniel Powell (hamstring) and midfielder Carl Baker (ankle) are also likely to miss out. On-loan Southampton striker Sam Gallagher this week returned to his parent club so he will not be involved.
Top scorers: Marc Richards (Northampton) 15; Carl Baker (MK Dons) 5
Match odds: H 19-10 A 7-5 D 12-5
Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire)
Norwich v Manchester City (64)
Norwich boss Alex Neil has no fresh injury concerns. New signing Ivo Pinto is eligible for the match after completing his move to the Carrow Road club from Dinamo Zagreb on Friday, but he will not feature having last played on December 9. Meanwhile, long-term absentee Matt Jarvis is closing in on a return after being sidelined with a knee problem, but will not be risked against City.
Willy Caballero will retain his place in goal for Manchester City. The Argentinian has been preferred to Joe Hart in domestic knockout competitions this season and will continue after playing in the midweek Capital One Cup semi-final loss at Everton. Defender Eliaquim Mangala (hamstring) is out, leaving Martin Demichelis and Nicolas Otamendi as the only fit centre-backs in the continued absence of captain Vincent Kompany (calf). Striker Wilfried Bony is also still missing with a leg problem.
Top scorers (all competitions): Nathan Redmond (Norwich) 4; Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) 11
Match odds: H 4-1 A 4-6 D 14-5
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Nottingham Forest v QPR
Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman does not have many injury concerns and with Tuesday’s league clash at home to Birmingham in mind, he will take the opportunity to rest players. The likes of Chris Cohen, Jamie Ward, Dexter Blackstock, Chris O’Grady and Robert Tesche are all vying for recalls, while potential new signing Bojan Jokic is unlikely to be available as he awaits international clearance. Freedman remains without Andy Reid (groin), Britt Assombalonga (knee), Daniel Pinillos (knee) and Matty Fryatt (Achilles).
Ben Gladwin has been added to the QPR squad after he was recalled from a loan spell at Swindon. Boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has confirmed that the midfielder, who rejoined his former club in October, will be involved at the City Ground. Striker Charlie Austin remains doubtful with a hamstring injury and defender James Perch has a knee problem. Winger Jamie Mackie made a welcome return as a late substitute against Hull last Friday following three months out with a hamstring injury and should be involved against his former club.
Top scorers (all competitions): Nelson Oliveira (Nottm Forest) 6; Charlie Austin (QPR) 10
Match odds: H 6-5 A 23-10 D 23-10
Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands)
Peterborough v Preston
Martin Samuelsen is set to make his FA Cup debut for Peterborough after his loan from West Ham was extended until the end of the season. Michael Bostwick has an outside chance of returning after a scan on a muscle injury sustained at Walsall over Christmas showed no serious damage, while Kgosi Ntlhe was expected to return to training this week after a toe problem but will not be considered just yet.
Striker Callum Robinson comes back into the Preston squad. The Aston Villa loanee was given permission to feature straight away after he rejoined the club on loan for a third time this week. Simon Grayson is allowed to play all of his loanees so can call on Sam Johnstone, Marnick Vermijl, Adam Reach and Eoin Doyle. Jermaine Beckford, Stevie May (both knee) and Chris Humphrey (shin) are the club’s long-term injury absentees.
Top scorers (all competitions): Conor Washington (Peterborough) 14; Daniel Johnson (Preston) 7
Match odds:H 13-8 A 13-8 D 23-10
Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland)
Sheffield Wednesday (94) v Fulham (46)
Sheffield Wednesday forwards Marco Matias (hernia surgery) and Sergiu Bus could return to contention following injury, but Tom Lees (hamstring) and Michael Turner (knee) remain sidelined. Wednesday are hoping on-loan striker Gary Hooper is granted permission to play by parent club Norwich, while Sam Hutchinson, Lucas Joao and Jeremy Helan are pushing for recalls.
New Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic reported no fresh injury problems ahead of the FA Cup tie, but has suggested he may make changes. Veteran midfielder Scott Parker and 21-year-old forward Cauley Woodrow could be in contention having come off the bench in the second half of the Championship meeting with Wednesday. Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli (knee) and midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe (hamstring) both continue their rehabilitation.
Top scorers (all competitions): Fernando Forestieri (Sheff Wed) 10; Ross McCormack (Fulham) 15
Match odds: H 17-20 A 3-1 D 11-4
Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey)
Southampton v Crystal Palace
Graziano Pelle has failed to beat his knee injury in time and goalkeeper Fraser Forster will not feature either, even though he is finally on his way back after nine months recovering from knee surgery. Cedric Soares and Juanmi are both fit again, while Victor Wanyama starts his two-match ban after his red card at Norwich last week.
Manager Alan Pardew will have Bakary Sako available for selection. The forward has been out with a hamstring injury since November. Midfielder Yohan Cabaye is also back after serving a one-match suspension but Yannick Bolasie (hip/thigh) and Kwesi Appiah (knee) are still absent. Connor Wickham (calf strain) and Dwight Gayle (hamstring) will not be fit until Palace’s Premier League game against Aston Villa on Tuesday.
Top scorers (all competitions): Graziano Pelle (Southampton) 9; Yohan Cabaye (Crystal Palace) 5
Match odds: H 4-5 A 7-2 D 13-5
Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)
Watford v Newcastle
Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores may take the opportunity to rest a number of first-team regulars. The Hornets could hand a debut to summer signing Obbi Oulare if Sanchez Flores opts to rest either captain Troy Deeney or top goalscorer Odion Ighalo. Jose Holebas may also be drafted in but Nathan Ake remains suspended while Tommie Hoban (groin) and Joel Ekstrand (knee) are out.
Newcastle midfielder Jack Colback is a doubt due to a hamstring injury. The midfielder picked up the problem in last weekend’s defeat at Arsenal and is struggling, while Vurnon Anita (also hamstring) is out, although midfielder Rolando Aarons (foot), striker Emmanuel Riviere (knee) are back in contention and defender Steven Taylor (hamstring) is close to a return. Head coach Steve McClaren is hoping striker Papiss Cisse’s groin injury is not as serious as was first feared and he could return to training next week.
Top scorers: Odion Ighalo (Watford) 14; Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle) 7
Match odds: H 17-20 A 16-5 D 13-5
Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire)
West Brom v Bristol City
Ben Foster could return for the first time in 10 months after fully recovering from a serious knee problem. The goalkeeper played 45 minutes in a 4-3 win over Kidderminster under-21s this week and may start against Bristol City for the first time since last March following a cruciate knee ligament injury. Salomon Rondon and James McClean are available after suspension and Saido Berahino will be included in the squad, despite the ongoing uncertainty over his future, but Jonas Olsson remains a doubt with a hamstring injury with Victor Anichebe definitely sidelined with his own hamstring issue.
Bristol City centre-backs Nathan Baker and Derrick Williams are both nursing injuries and might not be risked ahead of Tuesday’s Sky Bet Championship home game with Preston. Midfielder Luke Freeman also picked up a knock in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Reading and could miss out. Cameroonian striker Arnold Garita is likely to be included if international clearance on his #50,000 switch from French club Chateauroux is completed in time.
Top scorers (all competitions): James Morrison, Salomon Rondon & Saido Berahino (West Brom) 3; Jonathan Kodjia (Bristol City) 9
Match odds: H 8-11 A 18-5 D 11-4
Referee: Graham Scott (Oxfordshire)
West Ham v Wolves
West Ham will be without Manuel Lanzini. The Argentinian midfielder suffered a recurrence of a thigh injury against Liverpool last weekend and faces another few weeks on the sidelines. Defender Winston Reid could return after a hamstring problem but winger Victor Moses (hamstring) and striker Diafra Sakho (thigh) are still missing.
Kenny Jackett could hand a Wolves debut to winger Michal Zyro, who signed from Legia Warsaw on a three-and-a-half-year deal earlier this month. Goalkeeper Emi Martinez is back after a thigh injury which has kept him out since November but defender Kortney Hause remains sidelined with a hamstring problem. Jordan Graham is rated 50-50 by Jackett after suffering an ankle injury in the 1-0 win at Brighton and will be assessed, with Wolves due to make a decision on Friday.
Top scorers (all competitions): Michail Antonio (West Ham) 6; Benik Afobe (Wolves) 10
Match odds: H 3-4 A 7-2 D 11-4
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)
Wycombe v Aston Villa (12.45pm)
Wycombe are set to be boosted by the presence of Marcus Bean and Paul Hayes, with the duo set to overcome ankle problems in time to feature for Gareth Ainsworth’s men, although goalkeeper Matt Ingram misses out due to suspension.
Aston Villa winger Adama Traore could be out for over two months after breaking his foot. The winger limped off in the defeat at Sunderland and is not expected back until March, while Alan Hutton and Carlos Sanchez (both hamstring) are out of the trip to Adams Park, along with Gabriel Agbonlahor (back). Jordan Ayew and Ashley Westwood return to the squad after serving one-match bans. Aly Cissokho made his Villa comeback against Sunderland after boss Remi Garde recalled him from a loan at Valencia and could again feature.
Top scorers (all competitions): Garry Thompson (Wycombe) 7; Scott Sinclair (Aston Villa) 6
Match odds: H 12-5 A 6-5 D 9-4
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)
SUNDAY
Cardiff v Shrewsbury (6pm)
Cardiff pair Peter Whittingham and Kagisho Dikgacoi seem set for recalls. Both central midfielders have been out of favour in recent weeks but first-choice pair Joe Ralls and Aron Gunnarsson could be rested with the Sky Bet Championship trip to Hull coming just three days later. Simon Moore is also on standby for his first start since the beginning of October as Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall is another who may be rested. With Kenwyne Jones having joined Al Jazira in Abu Dhabi, Slade’s striking options rest between Tony Watt, Joe Mason, Sammy Ameobi and Federico Macheda.
Abu Ogogo is out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury as Shrewsbury clear the decks in January. Jack Grimmer could play after rejoining the club on loan from Fulham following a similar spell last season and Andy Mangan has rejoined from Tranmere after only leaving Shrewsbury in the summer. Anthony Gerrard may feature against his former club after a hamstring injury but James Collins has joined Northampton and Tyrone Barnett has moved to Southend on loan, with Liam Lawrence poised to move to Bristol Rovers. James Wesolowski remains out for the season with a knee injury.
Top scorers (all competitions): Joe Mason (Cardiff) 6; Sullay Kaikai (Shrewsbury) 5
Match odds:H 4-5 A 100-30 D 13-5
Referee: Peter Bankes (Merseyside)
Carlisle v Yeovil (2pm)
Carlisle boss Keith Curle has been boosted by the availability of defender Mark Ellis. The Cumbrians completed a permanent deal for Ellis, who had been on loan from Shrewsbury, in time for him to play a part against the Glovers. Striker Hallam Hope is also able to play this weekend — should he pass a fitness test on an ankle problem — after Carlisle reached a new agreement with his parent club Bury to extend his loan until January 22. Fellow forward Jabo Ibehre could return to the squad after missing last weekend’s 2-0 Sky Bet League Two defeat by Plymouth to be at his baby daughter’s bedside after she was rushed to hospital. She has now been discharged.
Kevin Dawson and Simon Gillett have an outside chance of playing some role for Yeovil. The duo have all but completed their recoveries from respective pelvis and knee injuries and are close to a return to first-team action. Forward Ryan Bird could be in line for a start after recovering from a dead leg but Josh Sheehan has returned to Swansea following the completion of his three-month loan spell.
Top scorers (all competitions): Jabo Ibehre (Carlisle) 14; Ryan Bird (Yeovil) 7
Match odds: H 11-10 A 12-5 D 5-2
Referee: Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire)
Chelsea v Scunthorpe (2pm)
Chelsea forward Eden Hazard is out because of a groin injury. Hazard sustained the injury in last week’s win at Crystal Palace and the Blues have no intention to rush him back, meaning the Belgian could miss both of next week’s Premier League fixtures with West Brom and Everton. Strikers Radamel Falcao (groin) and Loic Remy (calf) remain out, leaving Diego Costa as the only fit striker, so Guus Hiddink may call upon members of Chelsea’s youth squads.
Leading scorer Paddy Madden is expected to be fit for Scunthorpe. The 14-goal striker has had a tight hamstring this week but should retain his place in the starting line-up at Stamford Bridge. Iron boss Mark Robins has a handful of other players nursing minor knocks and niggles after three games in eight days over the Christmas and New Year period but he thinks everyone will be fit and available, which means Tom Hopper and Gary McSheffrey will return from injury. New signing Conor Townsend will not be involved as he is cup-tied.
Top scorers (all competitions): Willian (Chelsea) 8; Paddy Madden (Scunthorpe) 14
Match odds: H 1-5 A 12-1 D 11-2
Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)
Oxford v Swansea (12pm)
Oxford will have to make do without on-loan striker Chris Maguire. He has been told by his parent club Rotherham he cannot play in the competition. However, fellow loanee Jordan Evans has been given permission to play by Fulham. Johnny Mullin overcame a foot injury to play in the 4-2 win over Notts County and came through with no ill-effects, so should be fit to go again.
Swansea manager Alan Curtis will rotate heavily with Swedish goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt, central defenders Jordi Amat and Kyle Bartley and wide men Jefferson Montero and Modou Barrow among those set to come in. Left-back Frank Tabanou and striker Eder will feature if they have recovered from respective thigh and ankle injuries.
Top scorers: Kemar Roofe (Oxford) 13; Andre Ayew (Swansea) 6
Match odds: H 14-5 A 19-20 D 5-2
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)
Tottenham v Leicester (4pm)
Tottenham will be without midfield duo Ryan Mason and Mousa Dembele. Mauricio Pochettino is expected to rotate his side for the match at White Hart Lane but Mason and Dembele will both miss out with ankle injuries while Clinton Njie is also sidelined with a knee problem. Alex Pritchard is close to resuming training after four months out with an ankle injury but the winger is short of match-fitness and will not be ready this weekend.
Demarai Gray could make his Leicester debut. As he did in the League Cup this season, Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri will again make wholesale changes to his team and teenage winger Gray, who this week joined the club from Birmingham, is in contention to feature. Leading scorer Jamie Vardy will sit out the third-round tie after undergoing a minor groin operation but he could be back when Leicester return to north London next week in the Premier League.
Top scorers (all competitions): Harry Kane (Tottenham) 13; Jamie Vardy (Leicester) 15
Match odds: H 4-5 A 4-1 D 29-10
Referee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire)
