Brief news ahead of this weekend''s Premier League soccer programme (times GMT).
Brief news ahead of this weekend''s Premier League soccer programme (times GMT):
* Defender Jamie Carragher is set for his 600th appearance for Liverpool against Portsmouth (1245) on Saturday, becoming only the ninth player to reach that milestone for the club. "To be at one club for such a long time and to play 600 games is absolutely amazing and shows the passion and commitment," said manager Rafa Benitez.
Portsmouth, who say snow on the south coast will not affect the match, could welcome back goalkeeper David James from illness while defender Younes Kaboul returns from suspension.
Second-placed Manchester United are waiting on the fitness of Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic, recovering from a calf injury, ahead of their visit to Fulham (1500) on Saturday.
United's Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will not be available to face his former club and has flown to the Netherlands to see the national team doctor about his knee injury.
Manager Alex Ferguson also said defenders John O'Shea and Jonny Evans and midfielder Owen Hargreaves are not expected back until "well into January".
* Arsenal will be without captain Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) for their match against Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday (1730).
Brazilian midfielder Denilson has recovered from a back injury.
* Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has told his players they must regain the form that saw them beat leaders Chelsea and Arsenal when they host Sunderland, led by Hughes's former Manchester United team mate Steve Bruce, on Saturday (1500).
Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole could start after returning from injury but captain Lorik Cana is ruled out after picking up two yellow cards against Aston Villa on Tuesday.
* Blackburn Rovers have Australian midfielder Vince Grella back for Saturday's home game against Tottenham Hotspur (1500) after illness. However, Brett Emerton (groin) and David Dunn (calf) are both unavailable.
* Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho will play his 200th game for Chelsea when they travel to West Ham on Sunday (1600). "I have had some great moments here and I want to do more, play more games and bring more trophies," he told the club website (www.chelseafc.com).
Former Chelsea favourite and now West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola welcomes back midfielder Mark Noble from suspension but Kieron Dyer has a hamstring problem.
* Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell has joined the club's lengthy injury list after suffering a suspected hamstring injury in the club''s Europa League defeat to BATE Borisov on Thursday.
However, Australian international Tim Cahill returns from suspension for Sunday''s match at home to a Birmingham City side looking for their sixth Premier League win in a row (1500).
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