LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) – Round-up of news before the
weekend’s Premier League soccer fixtures (times GMT):
* Micah Richards has recovered from a hamstring strain and
is fit to face Manchester United in Monday’s potential title
decider at the Etihad Stadium (1900).
Richards missed the victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers
that put City three points behind United last week.
“I’ve had a tight hamstring, it’s the same thing that’s kept
me out previously this season,” the defender told City’s website
(www.mcfc.co.uk).
“The manager didn’t want to take any risks so he told me to
get some treatment and rest. Whether I’m going to be involved or
not I don’t know. I had full training on Wednesday and it was
fine.”
* Gary Cahill has been ruled out of Chelsea’s home clash
with Queens Park Rangers on Sunday (1230) with the hamstring
injury that forced him off early in his side’s Champions League
semi-final against Barcelona on Tuesday.
Fellow central defender David Luiz is also still sidelined
while right back Branislav Ivanovic is suspended.
Chelsea are in sixth place in the Premier League, four
points behind Newcastle United who are in fourth spot, the last
Champions League berth.
* Queens Park Rangers are without Adel Taarabt after his
sending-off against Tottenham Hotspur last week. Taarabt, who
scored the winner against Spurs, has a one-match ban.
* Tottenham Hotspur, who have managed just one win in their
last nine league games to slip to fifth, hope to have Younes
Kaboul back for the visit of Blackburn Rovers on Sunday (1500).
Emmanuel Adebayor, who also missed the 1-0 defeat at QPR
last week, is expected to return but left back Benoit Assou
Ekotto is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
* Third-placed Arsenal are without Theo Walcott for the trip
to Stoke City on Saturday (1400) after he suffered a hamstring
strain against Chelsea last week.
Tomas Rosicky has shaken off an illness and should feature,
however, while Abou Diaby has a chance of making the squad.
* Newcastle United travel to Wigan Athletic on Saturday
(1400) for a game of vital importance to both sides.
Newcastle are closing in on a top-four finish while Wigan
are one place above the relegation zone.
Wigan hope to have Franco Di Santo fit after he hurt his
calf last week and Hugo Rodallega may also be in contention
after recovering from a knee injury.
Newcastle are without Steven Taylor and Peter Lovenkrands.
* Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle is asking several
players to play through the pain barrier as the club’s battle to
avoid relegation continues at Sunderland on Saturday (1400).
Six of the players who featured in the 2-1 victory at Aston
Villa on Tuesday, a win that took them to within a point of
Wigan, have knocks.
Chris Eagles and Mark Davies are both doubtful but Coyle is
hoping they will be available.
“There are one or two others who have taken knocks but
hopefully we can get them patched up and available to go and try
to win some important points at Sunderland.”
* Seventh-placed Everton are without England right back
Leighton Baines and midfielder Jack Rodwell for Saturday’s visit
of Fulham (1400). Both players have hamstring injuries.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Clare Fallon)
