PREMIERSHIP PREVIEWS
New arrivals Jesper Blomqvist and Robbie Mustoe, both signed 24 hours ahead of the closing of the transfer window, are standing by for their Charlton debuts.
Charlton will be without the suspended Paul Konchesky and Scott Parker needs more time to recover from his ankle ligament injury. This game might see a return to action for Gary Rowett after his recent back injury.
Villa striker Darius Vassell has failed to recover from his hamstring injury and Ian Taylor is still missing with a calf problem. But Turkish international Ozalan Alpay, despite still being on the transfer list, could come into contention as he is now considering a new deal at Villa Park and seems to have settled his differences.
Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea
Rovers have doubts over the fitness of both Damien Duff and David Dunn and it is a thigh strain, picked up by Duff in the 4-2 defeat in Russia, that has seen him drop out of the team. Duffs absence could see the return of Keith Gillespie on the right flank and new arrival David Thompson switch to the left.
Dunns injury is less serious. He was caught by a late tackle just minutes after coming on as a substitute to win his first England cap, against Portugal, last Saturday.
Chelsea arranged a private reserve game to give John Terry much-needed match practice and he could feature on Wednesday evening particularly as Claudio Ranieri has defenders Graeme Le Saux, Mario Stanic and Albert Ferrer all out injured.
Fulham v Spurs
Manager Jean Tigana has a full strength squad to choose from in a match that will test Spurs tenure in the upper reaches of the Premier League table.
But Glenn Hoddle, named Barclaycard Manager of the Month after taking Spurs to the top of the table for the first time in 16 years, will have to make a tough decision about who to leave out to make way for new signing Robbie Keane.
Central defender Anthony Gardiner is expected to shake off his thigh strain and there could well be a place for Darren Anderton who is recovering from his recent knee problem.
Liverpool v Birmingham
Liverpool have lost Vladimir Smicer to a broken toe he picked up while in midweek action for the Czech Republic, though he still managed to score. Jerzey Dudek, who withdrew from Polands Euro 2004 qualifier in San Marino, with a groin strain, is expected to be fit to play.
The only injury doubt in the Blues camp concerns skipper Aliou Cisse who picked up a calf strain whilst on midweek international duty. Olivier Tebily is still not fully fit so Jeff Kenna is set to keep his place in the side.
