Saturday, January 27
Barnet v Plymouth
Ian Hendon and young midfielder Dean Sinclair are unavailable for Barnet because of suspension, while fellow defender Adam Gross (ankle) is unlikely to be involved. Forward Jason Norville (thigh) is definitely out with a thigh injury and striker Jason Puncheon is doubtful with a knock.
Argyle boss Ian Holloway recalled on-loan QPR striker Kevin Gallen and winger Peter Halmosi for the Coca-Cola Championship win over Coventry — and both are available. Nick Chadwick (groin) and skipper Paul Wotton (knee) are out while new striker Rory Fallon is cup-tied.
Top scorers:Ian Hendon (Barnet) 5; Barry Hayles (Plymouth) 11
Match odds: H 11-4 A 4-5 D 23-10
Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).
Birmingham v Reading
Blues midfielder Stephen Clemence is back in first-team contention after a calf injury and defender Radhi Jaidi is expected to be recalled after missing the third round replay rout of Newcastle due to suspension. On-loan Nicklas Bendtner has recovered from an ankle problem and is in the squad but Mikael Forssell has yet to complete his rehabilitation following knee surgery and fellow striker Rowan Vine is cup-tied.
Shane Long faces a late fitness test on a thigh problem, with a similar injury set to delay the comeback of fellow forward Dave Kitson. Striker Kevin Doyle (hamstring), defender Ibrahima Sonko (knee) and utility man Brynjar Gunnarsson (hamstring) are out but left-back Nicky Shorey has recovered from food poisoning.
Top scorers:Gary McSheffrey (Birmingham) 16; Kevin Doyle (Reading) 10
Match odds: H 7-5 A 8-5 D 21-10
Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire).
Blackpool v Norwich
Blackpool manager Simon Grayson is set to name an unchanged side, although Keigan Parker is pushing for a recall at the expense of either Scott Vernon and Andy Morrell, having been confined to bench duty since serving a suspension. Marc Joseph remains short of match fitness after a hamstring strain.
Chris Brown is set to partner Paul McVeigh in attack for Norwich, with Robert Earnshaw ruled out until at least April with a groin injury. Defender Jason Shackell (ankle) is almost certain to miss out so Dion Dublin reverts to a defensive role alongside Gary Doherty. On-loan Celtic goalkeeper David Marshall makes a belated debut.
Top scorers:Scott Vernon (Blackpool) 12; Robert Earnshaw (Norwich) 17
Match odds:H 11-8 A 13-8 D 21-10
Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).
Bristol City v Middlesbrough
City may have a striker crisis — a late decision will be made on Steve Brooker (hamstring) but Phil Jevons (ankle) is already out and on-loan Wayne Andrews is cup-tied after playing against City for Coventry in the previous round. Jennison Myrie-Williams is likely to partner Enoch Showunmi up front if Brooker fails to make it. Elsewhere, Jamie McCombe serves a one-match ban and Brian Wilson is cup-tied.
Boro striker Mark Viduka (hamstring) is struggling and, with Lee Dong-Gook unavailable, Gareth Southgate faces a choice between playing one up front or finding a new partner for Aiyegbeni Yakubu. Skipper George Boateng is banned, with Lee Cattermole set to deputise and James Morrison taking over on the right.
Top scorers:Enoch Showunmi & Phil Jevons (Bristol City) 13; Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Middlesbrough) 11
Match odds: H 12-5 A 10-11 D 9-4
Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire).
Crystal Palace v Preston
New Palace signing Dave Martin is cup-tied, as are goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly and midfielder Tommy Black. Boss Peter Taylor has no new injury or suspension worries, with Danny Granville (hamstring) and Gary Borrowdale (hernia) fit again. Keeper Julian Speroni is in contention after a groin injury and could replace Scott Flinders, but Marco Reich remains sidelined with a broken arm.
Wantaway Preston goalkeeper Carlo Nash is likely to be on the bench due to a hamstring problem — Andy Lonergan will step in. Utility man Callum Davidson (hamstring) and Joe Anyinsah (knee) are still out, while midfielder Jason Jarrett is a doubt with a groin problem.
Top scorers: Clinton Morrison & Shefki Kuqi (Crystal Palace) 6; David Nugent (Preston) 10
Match odds: H 13-10 A 13-8 D 11-5
Referee: L Probert (Gloucestershire).
Derby v Bristol Rovers
Rams boss Billy Davies has revealed he may make some changes to his side, with Dean Leacock suspended, fellow defender Paul Boertien hampered by calf and knee problems and winger Gary Teale cup-tied.
Rovers captain Stuart Campbell and fellow midfielder Sammy Igoe are back from bans. Sean Rigg should keep his place in the squad after a fractured jaw, leaving defender Byron Anthony (knee) as the only absentee.
Top scorers:Steve Howard (Derby) 12; Richard Walker (Bristol Rovers) 13
Match odds:H 1-3 A 7-1 D 3-1
Referee: A D'Urso (Essex).
Fulham v Stoke
Vincenzo Montella is set to start his first game for Fulham, replacing the suspended Heidar Helguson. Collins John has returned home to Holland for personal reasons, while goalkeeper Antti Niemi is back in the squad but not ready to play following a neck injury.
Salif Diao returns to the centre of the Stoke midfield after joining on a free transfer from Liverpool until the end of the season. Ricardo Fuller continues in attack alongside Mamady Sidibe, while Liam Lawrence will continue on the left of midfield. Clint Hill (knee) remains the only injury concern.
Top scorers: Brian McBride (Fulham) 9; Ricardo Fuller (Stoke) 7
Match odds: H 4-7 A 4-1 D 5-2
Referee: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
Ipswich v Swansea
Ipswich have a minor defensive crisis. Skipper Jason De Vos is out with a cracked bone in his foot, while fellow back four players David Wright and Alex Bruce are suspended. Fabian Wilnis is expected to play as acting skipper Richard Naylor's central defensive partner with Spaniard Sito Castro set to return to the side at right-back. Midfielder Owen Garvan is a doubt after missing two games with a cut foot.
Swansea defender Kevin Austin and midfielder Kristian O'Leary are banned, midfielder Ian Craney is cup-tied but new signing Pawel Abbott is available. Kevin Amankwaah, Andy Oakes, Darren Way, Garry Monk, Steve Watt and Owain Tudur Jones are out but on-loan Birmingham defender Marcos Painter (groin) hopes to play.
Top scorers:Alan Lee (Ipswich) 11; Lee Trundle (Swansea) 12
Match odds: H 10-11 A 5-2 D 11-5
Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).
Luton v Blackburn
Midfielder Ahmet Brkovic (ankle) and keeper Marlon Beresford (back) are major doubts for Luton, youngster Dean Brill is on stand-by to deputise again after Dean Kiely returned to Portsmouth. Warren Feeney and Leon Barnett are out with knee injuries but Kevin Foley (heel) is set to play through the pain barrier.
New signing Stephen Warnock is set to make his Rovers debut but fellow defender Andre Ooijer (broken leg) and midfielders Robbie Savage (broken leg) and Tugay (hamstring) are out. David Dunn is not considered as he continues to build up his match fitness while international clearance has yet to be received for centre-back Chris Samba. Long-term injury victim Ryan Nelsen is in the squad after a midweek reserve outing.
Top scorers:Dean Morgan & Warren Feeney (Luton) 4; Benni McCarthy (Blackburn) 14
Match odds:H 10-3 A 4-6 D 12-5
Referee: S Bennett (Kent).
Man Utd v Portsmouth
Sir Alex Ferguson hopes a few minor niggles in the United camp will clear for the game, but is looking to spread the load in a busy week which also features two Premiership outings. Gabriel Heinze and goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak could benefit, while Henrik Larsson may be rested.
New Pompey signing Djimi Traore is cup-tied but Noe Pamarot should be fit to return at left-back after a groin injury. There is a doubt over Sean Davis who has had dental problems this week but fellow midfielder Gary O'Neil is back after a ban. Manager Harry Redknapp may play a 4-5-1 formation with former United star Andy Cole, top-scorer Kanu and fit-again Benjani Mwaruwari competing for the lone striker role.
Top scorers:Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd) 13; Kanu (Portsmouth) 10
Match odds:H 2-7 A 8-1 D 16-5
Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).
Tottenham v Southend
Spurs centre-back Ricardo Rocha could make his debut at Anthony Gardner's expense, while Ledley King continues his recovery from a bruised foot. Dimitar Berbatov is out after picking up a groin injury in the midweek Carling Cup clash against Arsenal but Jermaine Jenas is back in full training after ankle trouble.
Southend manager Steve Tilson has virtually has a clean bill of health. Spencer Prior has been receiving cortisone injections on a groin problem and should be available for selection while winger Mitchell Cole may have to settle for a place on the bench despite putting a hamstring problem behind him.
Top scorers:Jermain Defoe (Tottenham) 14; Freddy Eastwood (Southend) 11
Match odds:H 1-5 A 10-1 D 4-1
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).
West Ham v Watford
The Hammers have a doubt over Anton Ferdinand (calf) while Danny Gabbidon and James Collins (both groin) are out and new signing Calum Davenport is cup-tied. Up front, Marlon Harewood is suspended after collecting five bookings and Carlos Tevez is out with a calf injury.
Captain Gavin Mahon is expected to return to the squad after missing the Hornets' victory over Blackburn because of a calf problem. However, defender Danny Shittu, who limped off against Rovers with a heel injury, is rated 50-50. New recruits from Rotherham, Will Hoskins and Lee Williamson, are cup-tied.
Top scorers:Bobby Zamora (West Ham) 6; Will Hoskins (Watford) 16
Match odds: H 4-6 A 7-2 D 23-10
Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).
Sunday, January 28
Arsenal v Bolton
Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue (ankle), Freddie Ljungberg, Johan Djourou and Alexander Hleb (all hamstring) and defender William Gallas (thigh) are out, asis the suspended Gilberto. Julio Baptista may come into contention, with fellow striker Robin van Persie sidelined for up to 10 weeks after an operation on his broken metatarsal. Manuel Almunia continues in goal, with Jens Lehmann rested again.
Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf is ruled out through suspension and could be replaced by either Stelios Giannakopoulos or Ricardo Vaz Te. Defender Ricardo Gardner is also pushing for a recall after the team shipped five goals at Middlesbrough last weekend.
Top scorers:Robin Van Persie (Arsenal) 13; Nicolas Anelka (Bolton) 8
Match odds: H 2-5 A 6-1 D 11-4
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).
Chelsea v Nottm Forest
Chelsea captain John Terry could figure again — he is on the brink of fully recovering from a niggling calf injury following back surgery — but fellow defender Khalid Boulahrouz (knee) is still missing, as are midfielder Joe Cole (foot) and winger Arjen Robben (ankle).
Forest captain Ian Breckin (foot) is a doubt. Sammy Clingan is back from a three-game ban but hamstring troubles are likely to keep Kris Commons on the sidelines again. Should he be selected, midfielder Lewis McGugan is likely to play wearing a gumshield to protect a tooth reinserted after it was knocked out.
Top scorers:Didier Drogba (Chelsea) 21; Grant Holt (Nottm For) 14
Match odds:H 1-7 A 14-1 D 9-2
Referee:A Wiley (Staffordshire).
Man City v Southampton
Joey Barton returns for Manchester City after suspension. Fellow midfielder Trevor Sinclair serves a one-match ban but 20-year-old loan signing Djamel Abdoun could make his debut.
Southampton's makeshift midfield could welcome back young winger Nathan Dyer after an ankle injury. Inigo Idiakez (thigh), Rudi Skacel (Achilles), Andrew Surman and Djamel Belmadi (both knee) are out but full-back Chris Makin is set to a return after hamstring trouble, while in-demand left-back Gareth Bale plays.
Top scorers:Georgios Samaras (Man City) 6; Grzegorz Rasiak (Southampton) 19
Match odds: H 8-11 A 10-3 D 11-5
Referee: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).
Wolves v West Brom
Wolves defender Jackie McNamara (groin) is 50-50 while Jody Craddock and Jay Bothroyd have respective Achilles and thigh trouble. Rob Edwards and Gary Breen return from bans but Andy Keogh and Michael Kightly are cup-tied. Charlie Mulgrew (ankle), Lewis Gobern (hamstring) and Carl Cort (knee) are sidelined, as is Gabor Gyepes, who had cruciate knee ligament surgery last year and is in Hungary for specialist treatment.
Albion striker John Hartson and playmaking midfielder Jason Koumas are suspension-free but Martin Albrechtsen (groin) is unlikely to be risked. Steve Watson has bounced back from groin troubles of his own and could play a part.
Top scorers:Michael Kightly (Wolves) 12; Diomansy Kamara (West Brom) 14
Match odds:H 13-10 A 7-4 D 21-10
Referee:U Rennie (S Yorkshire).
