Malouda makes surprise recovery

Chelsea's Florent Malouda has made a surprise recovery from a twisted ankle and is available for the match against Liverpool on Sunday having sat out Wednesday's Champions League game against Spartak Moscow.

The French winger will battle with Salomon Kalou, two away from 50 goals for Chelsea, for a starting spot. Midfielder Michael Essien should recover from a toe problem to play.

Chelsea's Yossi Benayoun and Liverpool's Joe Cole, who both switched clubs in the close season, are unavailable for the fixture having been ruled out by injuries.

Chelsea take the league's best away record - 10 points from 15 - to Liverpool hoping to maintain their five-point lead at the top over Arsenal and Manchester United.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and fellow midfielders Andrei Arshavin, Alex Song and Denilson all return from injury to the squad for Sunday's match at home to Newcastle United.

Third-placed United will be without Nani, who picked up a groin injury in Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League win at Bursaspor. Midfielders Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs could be fit to play.