This weekend's FA Premiership previews

BIRMINGHAM v MAN CITY
Not a match to quicken the pulse, but the prospect of seeing how Man City goalkeeper David James responds to his nightmare for England in Denmark is bound to attract attention.

Richard Dunne is set to return to the Manchester City defence after a foot injury which dogged his pre-season.

Birmingham are confident that Emile Heskey will recover from a thigh problem in time for the game. England international striker Heskey has not trained all week due to the thigh problem he suffered at Fulham last Saturday.

BLACKBURN v FULHAM
Rovers will want to make amends for their poor start to the season last weekend, confirming predictions of a battle to avoid the drop by losing 3-1 at promoted West Ham.

Scottish striker Paul Dickov starts a three-match ban for his red card at Upton Park and Craig Bellamy, who withdrew from the Wales squad, is an injury doubt.

Papa Bouba Diop is back for Fulham after missing the season's opener with a thigh injury and the key midfielder replaces Sylvain Legwinski who has knee trouble.

CHARLTON v WIGAN
Charlton will assess the fitness of captain Matt Holland ahead of tomorrow's Barclays Premiership clash with Wigan at The Valley.

Darren Ambrose, however, will start a three-match ban following his sending off against Sunderland last weekend, while Gonzalo Sorondo is also again banned.

Wigan boss Paul Jewell is sweating on the fitness of record signing Henri Camara. Graham Kavanagh (foot) is definitely out, while fellow midfielder Lee McCulloch also looks likely to miss the trip with a knee injury.

LIVERPOOL v SUNDERLAND
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is expected to field an unchanged side for the visit of newly promoted Sunderland to Anfield in the Barclays Premiership.

Benitez still has long term injuries to Djimi Traore, Harry Kewell and Peter Crouch, and although Florent Sinama-Pongolle made his comeback from a knee problem, he is in the reserves this week.

Nyron Nosworthy is set to make his first start for Sunderland in place of the injured Stephen Wright. Anthony Le Tallec, signed on a year loan from Liverpool, has been refused permission to play against the Reds.

NEWCASTLE v WEST HAM
Impressive with 10 men at Arsenal last weekend, despite conceding twice in the last nine minutes, Newcastle should make the most of St James' Park.

Emre Belozoglu is a doubt after picking up an injury early in Turkey's 3-1 friendly loss to Bulgaria. Jermaine Jenas plays after his red card at Highbury was reduced to a yellow.

West Ham boss Alan Pardew is confident goalkeeper Roy Carroll will be fit to start. Centre-back James Collins (calf) is still out but left-back Clive Clarke has shaken off an ankle injury.

MANCHESTER UNITED v ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa have been rocked by the loss of striker Kevin Phillips and central defender Martin Laursen for tomorrow's clash with Manchester United.

Phillips misses the game with a stomach strain, while Danish international Laursen has broken down again with his long standing knee problem.

Wayne Rooney has scored twice in a week - for United and England - and is bristling with intent. Manager Alex Ferguson will probably overcome the temptation to rest him after his efforts in Copenhagen.

TOTTENHAM v MIDDLESBROUGH
An intriguing test for Spurs, whose aim this season is to nudge the likes of Middlesbrough out of the UEFA Cup places.

Keeper Paul Robinson and striker Jermain Defoe return from England duty, but captain Ledley King and winger Wayne Routledge are injured.

Middlesbrough midfielder Edgar Davids could make his debut after missing the 2-0 win at Portsmouth. Defender Ugo Ehiogu is suspended after a red card last weekend, while Austrian new boy Emanuel Pogatetz is awaiting clearance to make his debut.

WEST BROM v PORTSMOUTH
Nathan Ellington, West Bromwich Albion's new £3million striker, is in line to make his debut in tomorrow's clash against Portsmouth.

Albion manager Bryan Robson has a fully fit squad to choose from after goalkeeper Russell Hoult recovered from a groin problem.

Gary O'Neil will drag himself from his sick bed to solve Portsmouth's midfield injury crisis at West Brom. The England under-21 captain will play at The Hawthorns after replacement Ivica Mornar limped off at half-time Spurs last weekend.

BOLTON v EVERTON (Sunday)
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is debating whether to recall Stelios Giannakopolous to the starting line-up against Everton on Sunday.

Nigerian playmaker Jay-Jay Okocha is also pushing for a place in the side but new loan signing Hidetoshi Nakata is not expected to feature.

Everton are without long-term injured quartet Lee Carsley, Gary Naysmith, Per Kroldrup and James Beattie. There may also be concern over winger Simon Davies, who pulled out of the Wales game against Slovenia with a shin-splints problem.

CHELSEA v ARSENAL
Chelsea could give an early debut to new signing Michael Essien when they take on Arsenal in Sunday's derby game.

Eidur Gudjohnson could be the man to make way in midfield, but it's more likely the former Lyon player will start on the bench.