Premier League preview

Saturday sees Merseyside derby where Liverpool host Everton, when on Sunday, Premier League leaders Chelsea tackle London foes Arsenal.

Elsewhere on a weekend that boasts a full programme of top-flight fixtures, bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth make the daunting trip to Old Trafford, ambitious pair Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa clash, Hull City entertain fourth-placed contenders Manchester City while Birmingham City meet Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Aston Villa are set to be boosted by the return of striker John Carew, who has missed the last four games with a knee injury.

Stephen Warnock is continuing to struggle with the shin injury and is facing a race against time to be fit for the Carling Cup final on February 28.

Captain Stiliyan Petrov retains his place in the side despite still being troubled by an Achilles problem.

Sam Allardyce has confirmed Vince Grella will be part of the squad following the midfielder's recovery from a thigh problem.

Lars Jacobsen is also back in training after his thigh injury but is not yet ready to return to competitive action.

David Dunn remains sidelined and new signing Yildiray Basturk is still working on his match fitness and will not feature.

New signing Danny Fox faces a late fitness test on a groin strain and could feature.

Fellow recruit Jack Cork will also be hoping to make his first appearance for the Clarets after joining on loan from Chelsea.

David Nugent is available again while Kevin McDonald and Christian Kalvenes should be fit.

Chris McCann is back in training after his knee injury and Stephen Jordan is also pushing to be in contention having spent a fortnight out with a hamstring strain.

Boss Owen Coyle could recall striker Johan Elmander as Ivan Klasnic remains sidelined with an ankle injury.

Coyle looks set to include young on-loan midfielders Vladimir Weiss and Jack Wilshere in his squad while Stuart Holden remains doubtful with a thigh problem.

Nemanja Vidic is back in contention as Manchester United after suffering pain from a nerve in his leg at the end of December.

He has trained this week and could be involved, if not this weekend, then the crucial trip to Aston Villa on Wednesday.

Rio Ferdinand serves the second match of a four-game ban, although United have appealed against the additional match, imposed for a "frivolous" appeal against the first one.

Sunderland new boy Alan Hutton could be handed a debut with Phil Bardsley and John Mensah both struggling with hamstring injuries.

There could be a place in the squad too for fellow new arrival Benjani, while Michael Turner and Lee Cattermole have suffered no reaction to their respective returns to action.