latest news
PREMIER LEAGUE BRIEFING
Modric - out of White Hart Lane clash.
Sunday 23rd November
Sunderland (11) v West Ham (14)
Sunderland boss Roy Keane is keeping his fingers crossed that Trinidad and Tobago trio Kenwyne Jones, Dwight Yorke and Carlos Edwards return unscathed from international duty after playing in the 3-0 win over Cuba in midweek. Goalkeeper Craig Gordon (ankle) and defender George McCartney (foot) are again rated at only 50-50.
West Ham's Diego Tristan faces a late fitness test. Herita Ilunga has recovered from an ankle injury, but Mark Noble (calf) and Keiron Dyer are still out. Jonathan Spector is in contention for a place in the squad following hip surgery in August, but Dean Ashton and Danny Gabbidon remain in the treatment room.
Last season: Sunderland 2 West Ham 1, West Ham 3 Sunderland 1 Last five league matches: Sunderland W L L L W; West Ham L L D L D Top scorers: Djibril Cisse (Sunderland) 5; Carlton Cole (West Ham) 4
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).
Tottenham (19) v Blackburn (18)
Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric is out but Jermaine Jenas (toe) should be fit, as should Ledley King (knee) and Jonathan Woodgate (virus). The news is not so good for Giovani dos Santos, who will miss out due to an ankle injury.
Ryan Nelsen and Martin Olsson are back for Blackburn after recovering from illness. Strikers Benni McCarthy and Roque Santa Cruz should also be available but Brett Emerton (hamstring) and Vince Grella (calf) are still out along with long-term absentees David Dunn (Achilles) and Steven Reid (knee).
Last season: Blackburn 1 Tottenham 1, Tottenham 1 Blackburn 2 Last five league matches: Tottenham W D W W L; Blackburn D L D L L Top scorers: Darren Bent (Tottenham) 11; Matt Derbyshire & Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn) 3
Referee: Howard Webb.
Monday 24th November
Wigan (16) v Everton (7)
Wigan manager Steve Bruce will monitor the fitness of four key players. Emile Heskey (hamstring), Amr Zaki (rib and calf), Mario Melchiot (knee) and Jason Koumas (groin) are all doubtful through injury. Emmerson Boyce is sidelined through suspension after being sent off in the draw against Newcastle last weekend.
Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar are major doubts. Fellaini has a groin strain and Pienaar is also struggling with the knee complaint which ruled him out of South Africa's friendly against Cameroon in midweek. Both players will be assessed by Everton's medical staff over the weekend when a final decision on their fitness will be made.
Last season: Wigan 1 Everton 2, Everton 2 Wigan 1 Last five league matches: Wigan L L W D D; Everton D W W W D Top scorers: Amr Zaki (Wigan) 9; Ayegbeni Yakubu (Everton) 5
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
