By Pyc Fitness
©2004-2008
LONDON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Brief news from the Premier League ahead of this weekend's matches: * Leaders Arsenal have injury worries for their tough away trip to in-form Aston Villa on Saturday. Midfielder Cesc Fabregas injured his hamstring in the 3-1 defeat by Sevilla in the Champions League and faces a late fitness test.
Gael Clichy is struggling with a thigh strain while Alexandr Hleb also has a hamstring strain and is said to have only a slight chance of being fit. Striker Robin van Persie is definitely out with a knee injury.
* Wayne Rooney is set to return to lead Manchester United's attack against Fulham on Monday night after almost four weeks out with an ankle injury.
"He'd gone about seven games in a row scoring so hopefully he can continue that," manager Alex Ferguson told reporters as United look to regain their winning form in the premier league following the shock defeat at Bolton. "His combination with Carlos (Tevez) was good and you miss these players. You cope but you still miss them."
* Rejuvenated West Ham United striker Carlton Cole returns to Chelsea for the first time on Saturday. Cole never established himself at Stamford Bridge but has begun to score regularly for West Ham and believes he can cause problems for his old club.
"This is the first time that I've gone back to Chelsea as a visiting team so it will be weird but I'm really up for it," Cole said. "Hopefully I will have a big impact on the game and get on the scoresheet, that would be the icing on the cake."
* Everton will be without veteran defender Alan Stubbs for Saturday's clash with Portsmouth. The 36-year-old injured a calf muscle in training and is facing a month on the sidelines. * Newcastle United's injured defensive duo Steven Taylor and Abdoulaye Faye could return to bolster the Magpies squad at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. Both will have fitness tests after missing last weekend's defeat to Liverpool. Blackburn have captain Ryan Nelsen suspended after being sent off against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
*Manchester City expect 5,000 fans to make the trip to Wigan Athletic for the North-West derby on Saturday. City will be without injured Brazilian midfielder Elano but compatriot Geovanni could fill the gap.
Steve Bruce will begin his second stint as Wigan manager with striker Emile Heskey eager to make his first start since being sidelined by a metatarsal injury in September.
*New Derby County manager Paul Jewell hopes to start his reign with a win at Sunderland, thrashed 7-1 by Everton in their last game, that could lift the Rams off the bottom of the league.
Derby have defender Andy Todd struggling with a hamstring problem and midfielder Stephen Pearson doubtful with a groin strain. Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones has been passed fit.
*Liverpool will again be without Xabi Alonso, Daniel Agger and Fabio Aurelio for their home match against Bolton Wanderers on Sunday.
Bolton's former Liverpool players Nicolas Anelka and El Hadji Diouf return to Anfield while former England under-21 international defender JLloyd Samuel could be in line for a first team recall.
*Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jermaine Jenas faces a fitness test for Sunday's home game against Birmingham City after injuring his ankle in Thursday's UEFA Cup 3-2 win against Aalborg. Jermain Defoe should be back after a bout of 'flu.
Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome is fit again after a hernia operation and hoping to start Alex McLeish's first game as manager. (Reporting by Martyn Herman and Alan Baldwin, editing by Miles Evans)