Premier League Previews: Lampard back for Blues
LONDON - Team news for the weekend's Premier League matches:
Frank Lampard is expected to be fit for leaders Chelsea when they face Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Lampard missed England's win in Germany on Wednesday with sore ribs. Joe Cole is also back in the squad but striker Didier Drogba begins a three-match ban.
Goalkeeper Petr Cech is also fit again after recovering from a calf strain that kept him out against West Bromwich Albion last week.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was sweating over his Portuguese contingent who played for their country in Brazil.
"I didn't receive Deco, Jose Bosingwa or Paulo Ferreira because they arrived from Brazil at 6pm (on Thursday). After 15 hours flying it's impossible to train," he told Chelsea's website.
Arsenal have problems as they try to revive their title challenge at Manchester City on Saturday. Defender Kolo Toure is ruled out with a calf injury while Theo Walcott is sidelined for three months because of surgery on his dislocated shoulder.
Midfielder Cesc Fabregas is suspended after picking up five bookings while Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Vela have had little time to prepare after late returns from international duty.
Robin van Persie does return, however, after serving a three-match suspension.
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Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will get his chance to impress Manchester City boss Mark Hughes against Arsenal. Schmeichel will play instead of Joe Hart who injured his ankle against Hull City last weekend.
Liverpool's Steven Gerrard has not recovered from the groin injury that kept him out of England's win in Germany in midweek. "He is improving but it is still too soon for this weekend," boss Rafael Benitez told the club's website ahead of the home game with Fulham.
Robbie Keane is fit after a shoulder injury and Fernando Torres reported back unscathed from international duty with Spain.
Manchester United will be without Dimitar Berbatov for the testing trip to Aston Villa on Saturday after he injured his hamstring playing for Bulgaria in midweek.
Defender Wes Brown is also out for the champions after having an exploratory operation on his ankle.
Rio Ferdinand is also extremely doubtful with a back injury but striker Wayne Rooney will return after missing last week's 5-0 defeat of Stoke City.
Portsmouth have a slight concern over striker Jermain Defoe but manager Tony Adams is confident he will be fit for the home clash with Hull City on Saturday.
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