Round-up of injury news ahead of this weekend Premier League games.
September 20th, 2008 Posted in Soccer newsRound-up of injury news ahead of this weekend Premier League games.
* Dimitar Berbatov, Manchester Uniteds 30.75 million pound ($56.12 million) signing from Tottenham Hotspur, is doubtful for Sundays game at Chelsea due to a knee injury.
Berbatov was injured on his United debut in last weekends 2-1 defeat at Liverpool and also missed their Champions League draw against Villarreal at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Michael Carrick, who was also injured against Liverpool and came off at halftime, is out with a sprained ankle.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who returned to the United side against Villarreal as a second-half substitute, should make his first league start of the season.
* Chelsea will have captain John Terry in defence after the red card he received against Manchester City last week was rescinded by the FA in midweek, enabling him to play. However midfielder Michael Ballack is doubtful with an ankle problem.
* Samir Nasri, who has scored twice for Arsenal in four starts this season, could return for Saturdays match at Bolton Wanderers after missing Arsenals last two games with a knee injury.
Bolton meanwhile have doubts over Matt Taylor (ankle) and club record signing Johan Elmander (hamstring), although Elmander is optimistic he will be fit to play.
* Newcastle Uniteds woes have continued the managerless clubs announcement that forward Alan Smith has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his foot and could be out for up to three months. Newcastle, beaten in their last two matches, travel to West Ham United on Saturday.
The Hammers, under new coach Gianfranco Zola for the first time, will be without striker Dean Ashton, who has a sprained ankle.
* Liverpool, who beat Olympique Marseille 2-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, are likely to start with Fernando Torres back in attack against Stoke City on Saturday. The Spaniard returned to action against the French club following a hamstring strain.
Steven Gerrard, who came on as a substitute in last weeks 2-1 win over Manchester United before scoring both goals against Marseille, should also start after recovering from surgery for a groin problem.
