PREVIEW: WEEKEND ENGLISH ACTION Alan Tong - Friday, October 16, 2009
Tim Howard and Jozy Altidore are back in action after the international break as England's top flight resumes play.
Everton - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Tim Howard returns after the international break to an Everton team that has not lost in five matches. The Toffees have moved up to tenth place in the rankings, recovering from a poor start to the season.
Marcus Hahnemann will resume his place on the bench for 17th placed Wolverhampton. They had the dubious honor of becoming the first team to lose to Portsmouth this season in their last start, and have lost their last three outings.
The Toffees have several players who are suffering with knee injuries, including Mikel Arteta, Phil Neville, Steven Pienaar, Phil Jagielka, Victor Anichebe and James Vaughan. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov returns following a thigh injury and Marouane Fellaini has recovered from dental surgery.
Wolves will be without Andrew Surman, Stephen Ward, and David Jones due to knee injuries, and Richard Stearman with ankle damage. Chris Iwelumo, now recovered from a fractured metatarsal, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Michael Kightly and Stefan Maierhofer are approaching full fitness and will boost Head Coach Mick McCarthy's attacking options.
Fulham - Hull City
Clint Dempsey is unlikely to play due to a shoulder injury, as 15th placed Fulham entertain 18th ranked Hull City. The hosts have not won in their last four league encounters, and will be keen to bring that run to an end against a team that beat them in both contests last season.
The visitors beat Wigan Athletic last time out breaking a winless streak of five games. Jozy Altidore will be keen to impress Head Coach Phil Brown and cement a regular starting berth.
The Cottagers will also be without Kagisho Dikgacoi, who starts a three match suspension after being sent off in his debut against West Ham United. David Stockdale, Tony Kallio and Damien Duff are all injured, and Simon Davies will undergo a fitness test to ascertain whether he can play.
Richard Garcia and Ian Asbee will both miss the game with knee injuries, and Liam Cooper has a hamstring tear. The Tigers are hopeful, however, that midfielder Jimmy Bullard will be fit to face his ex-teammates.
Aston Villa - Chelsea
Brad Friedel will face the daunting task of stopping the Chelsea forward line of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. Villa also have impressive forwards in Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew, both of whom will test the Blues defense.
Villa will miss Ashley Young and Stewart Downing, who both have ankle injuries, and also Curtis Davies with a dislocated shoulder. Luke Young will be available to play following a family bereavement.
The visitors should have Jose Bosingwa, Alex, Joe Cole and John Obi Mikel available after injury. Petr Cech also returns following suspension.
Milton Keynes Dons - Gillingham
Jemal Johnson will start as the Dons face Gillingham, and will hope to be amongst the goals. He has so far played a supporting role to his forward partner Jermaine Easter, who has scored nine goals this season.
The hosts will be without Danny Woodards with an ankle injury, Sean O' Hanlon with an injured knee and Jude Stirling with a groin strain. Also doubtful are Luke Chadwick with a thigh strain, David McCracken and Dean Lewington.
Simon King who has ankle ligament damage, Mark McCammon nursing a hamstring strain, and Danny Jackman with a dislocated shoulder will all be unavailable for the Gills.
Milton Keynes head coach Paul Ince will start a two match suspension from the sidelines.
Wycombe Wanderers - Colchester United
Jon-Paul Pittman is not a new face to new Wycombe Head Coach Gary Waddock. The forward was approached to play for Aldershot when Waddock was in charge of the team.
The Chairboys head into the game without a win in their last seven matches, and languish in 23rd place in the rankings. They face a team who have not lost in seven, and who sit third in Football League One.
The Us will be bolstered by Danny Batth signing a loan extension from Wolves, but Ashley Vincent is out for up to six weeks with an ankle injury. Pat Baldwin is out through a leg injury while Lee Beevers is out through an shoulder injury.
Notes
Jonathan Spector is unlikely to start as West Ham United visit Stoke City.
Mike Grella is likely to be on the bench when Leeds United host sixth placed Norwich City.
Ian Joyce will be a substitute in the Southend versus Bristol Rovers match.
Seb Harris will start on the bench as Northampton Town meet Lincoln City.
Frank Simek will watch from the substitute bench for Sheffield Wednesday who entertain Coventry City.
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