Week 29 - Update

I'll start things off with a piece of news I've literally just read - David Luiz is a doubt for Chelsea's trip to Blackpool. This information comes from Fantasy Football Scout who was astute enough to watch Ancelotti's press conference this afternoon.

Apparently "There's hope he could make it" but that's as much as we have & it leaves those holding Luiz with a tricky decision to make in this double week. Mikel is also a doubt - but nobody cares. Blackpool are without the suspended Charlie Adam & DJ Campbell, so I'm sure Ian Holloway is fearing the worst here after Chelsea looked close to their best on Tuesday.

Everton manager David Moyes has reported no new injury concerns, meaning Tim Cahill & Fellaini are the only men missing from the squad to face Newcastle. I'm thinking a midfield of Coleman, Rodwell, Arteta, Osman is likely, although Bily comes in to contention too. It'll be Saha + 1 upfront & I'd expect that '1' will be Beckford over Anichibe given his two goals against Sunderland last weekend.

Carling Cup winners Birmingham are a slightly more difficult one to call. Dann, McFadden & Hleb are definitely out, but Roger Johnson is available. Craig Gardner should also be ready but Barry Ferguson is a major doubt after breaking a rib in last Sunday's final.

There's a lot of middies for McLeish to select from - Bentley, Larsson, Gardner, Fahey, Bowyer, Ferguson & Beausejour - plus Martins will be pushing for a start alongside Zigic after his match-winning cameo. How the manager juggles it is anyone's guess I'm afraid.

UPDATE: Ferguson & Gardner are confirmed doubtful: http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2306638,00.html

Arsenal have problems; they are without Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, Theo Walcott & Robin van Persie, but they have Aaron Ramsey available. They also welcome back Laurent Koscielny after he missed the midweek FA Cup tie with a hamstring strain - I'll leave it up to you to decide whether his return is good or bad news. Bendtner should continue upfront after his hattrick.

Harry Redknapp has been given it his usual "maybe, might, can't promise anything" about Gareth Bale & Rafa Van Der Vaart. He says they have a chance of making Milan on Wednesday, but they may also be ready to face Wolves, but then they might miss both - I can't stand him sometimes! Defoe is fit but King, Woodgate, Huddlestone & Kaboul remain sidelined.

Don't expect to see Kolo Toure for a while after he tested positive for drugs and was suspended by the club - naughty boy. Kompany is fit so he should form a new partnership with Lescott. Mancini gave an interview earlier this week suggesting Silva, Dzeko, Balotelli & Tevez can't all play together at the moment, so one of them will be given a rest. I'd imagine that will be Balotelli after Dzeko & Tevez were benched for the FA Cup win in midweek.

Manchester United have a defensive crisis with Vidic suspended, Rio struggling & Evans also carrying an injury, so he may be forced to turn to Wes Brown in his search for Smalling's partner. It's unclear what Berbatov has done to upset Sir Alex but he's likely to remain on the bench for the trip to Anfield.

Liverpool are without the injured Martin Kelly but Andy Carroll has been in full training all week & could make his debut, although it's likely this will be from the bench. Meireles, Agger & Auerlio could also be ready as the squad begins to get back to something like full strength.

There's probably loads more but I'm strapped for time today -  I'll try to get back online later to add anything important.

Cheers,
AM