Carling Cup - Team news: Martins in squad
Brief team news for Wednesday's Carling Cup third round matches, with a fit again Obafemi Martins returning to give struggling Newcastle a shot in the arm.
(Kick-offs 19:45 unless otherwise stated)
Ipswich v Wigan Athletic
The Championship side are missing Pablo Counago (ankle) and fellow striker Jon Stead (cup-tied) but Alex Bruce - son of Wigan manager Steve - is available again after suspension and could make his first start since his red card against Wolves last month.
Wigan are expected to field a strong line-up and that could mean recalls to the side for Michael Brown and Lee Cattermole after the pair missed the weekend's draw with Tottenham.
Aston Villa v Queens Park Rangers
In-form Aston Villa are expected to rest some first team regulars with Curtis Davies, Ashley Young and John Carew among those who could miss out. Recent signing from Rangers Carlos Cuellar is in line for his second start.
Matthew Connolly returns from suspension for QPR and Fitz Hall has recovered from a groin strain. But Damiano Tommasi and Rowan Vine remain sidelined with injuries.
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Crisis club Newcastle welcome back Obafemi Martins (pictured) to the squad after a groin injury but Danny Guthrie, Joey Barton (both bans), Jose Enrique, Habib Beye, Mark Viduka (Achilles) and Jonas Gutierrez (Shoulder) are still sidelined.
For Spurs, Roman Pavlyuchenko could be rested while Luka Modric is still struggling with a knee problem. Alan Hutton (foot) is a certain absentee but Michael Dawson and Ledley King could feature, along with Fraizer Campbell.
Portsmouth v Chelsea
Portsmouth are likely to field a much-changed side with Jermaine Defoe, Papa Boupa Diop, Sean Davis, Lassana Diarra, David Nugent and Sol Campbell all out injured. And that means that Kanu and Richard Hughes will get rare starts.
Chelsea will be without Deco (thigh), Ricardo Carvalho (knee) and Michael Essien (knee). Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba are still short of full match fitness, but both featured at the weekend and could do so again at Fratton Park.
Blackburn Rovers v Everton (20:00)
Blackburn have a number of problems ahead of the visit of Everton. David Moyes will be without Steven Reid (knee), David Dunn (Achilles), Vince Grella (calf) and Benni McCarthy (groin), while Aaron Mokoena is ill and Keith Andrews is cup-tied.
There are doubts over the fitness of Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta (virus) while Tony Hibbert is unlikely to feature despite having resumed training following a cruciate knee ligament injury. Steven Pienaar (ankle) and Andy van der Meyde (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Brighton v Manchester City (second round tie)
Michael Johnson returns to the City squad following a groin injury but Martin Petrov (groin) and Nedum Onuoha (knee) remain out. Robinho will get the night off as he helps his family relocate to the Manchester area.
Brighton captain Nicky Forster (dead leg) faces a race against time to be fit but Kevin McLeod (knee) and Colin Hawkins (hernia) definitely miss out. Wantaway defender Joel Lynch will sit out the game but Joe Anyinsah returns after suspension. |