Premier League preview 

Source: ReutersTorres slaps Terry

This weekend two old foes face off as Chelsea take on Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, Walcott could make his Arsenal return against Blackburn and Portsmouth will try to get a win away to Wolves

SUNDAY

Manchester United v Sunderland (4.30am NZT)

Michael Owen's groin problem is not as serious as first feared and the Manchester United striker could be back as early as next week according to manager Alex Ferguson.

"He'll be fit for Bolton (Oct. 17) and we're pleased with that," Ferguson told the club's website on Friday, adding that veteran Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was not far away from a return after breaking a finger in a pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich.

There are a few injury worries for Sunderland as they look to build on their fantastic win over Wovles last weekend.

Midfielder Lee Cattermole could return after fitness after recovering from a heel injury, but central defender John Mensah is struggling with a calf problem, but full-back Phil Bardsley, who was sent home with a virus at the weekend, has recovered.

Wolverhampton v Portsmouth (2.00am NZT)

Portsmouth will be looking to lift themselves off the bottom of the Premier League table this weekend as they take on Wolves away.

Newly recruited Defender Steve Finnan (hamstring) came through a reserve match against West Ham in midweek and could make his debut .

Papa Bouba Diop has stepped up his training but is still suffering with a hamstring injury, along with Herman Hreidarsson.

Wolves Ecuador midfielder Segundo Castillo (hamstring) is set to miss the home match but could be fit for his country's World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Chile later this month.

Bolton v Tottenham (3am NZT)

Bolton striker Johan Elmander has been ruled out of this weekends home clash against a sparkling Spurs at the Reebok Stadium.

Apart from Elmander, who could be sidelined for up to ten days, Gary Megson has no other concerns as his side seek a third successive victory.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who has been at the centre club exit speculation, is set to decide whether to let on-fire striker Jermain Defoe play wearing a protective dressing on his two dislocated fingers.

Ledley King is still recovering from a hamstring injury while Roman Pavlyuchenko (Achilles) is back in full training but will not feature at the Reebok.

Luka Modric is no longer wearing the protective boot on his fractured fibula and has begun active rehabilitation, while Jonathan Woodgate (groin) hopes to return to training in two weeks' time.

Hull v Wigan (3am NZT)

Its great news for Wigan as Roberto Martinez's side will look to build on their impressive victory over Chelsea last weekend as they take on relegation zone dwellers Hull.

With no injury worries Martinez has plenty of starting choice while Phil Brown will have to check on the fitness of defender Anthony Gardner (knee).

Centre-back Liam Cooper (hamstring) who made his league debut at Liverpool last week, is a doubt, but Steven Mouyokolo has overcome his injury.

Birmingham v Burnley (3am NZT)

Birmingham will be without Christian Benitez at the side take on Burnley at home after the striker was given compassionate leave to return to Ecuador when his father was injured in a car crash.

That means Garry O'Connor is likely to deputise as the lone striker with Kevin Phillips on the bench.

Blues boss Alex McLeish is optimistic that Stuart Parnaby, Franck Queudrue and James McFadden will be available after injury, while Cameron Jerome should return from an ankle problem after the international break.

Burnley, who crashed to a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham last weekend meanwhile, have lost Jay Rodriguez, who was ruled out for three months with a fractured ankle.

Fernando Guerro tweaked his hamstring and Kevin McDonald sustained a knee problem in a midweek reserve game,.

But club captain Steven Caldwell is in contention for a place in the starting line-up after playing for an hour in the same match.

MONDAY

Liverpool v Chelsea (4am NZT)

This weekend old foes Rafa Benitez and Carlo Ancelotti face off for the first time in the English Premier League as Liverpool take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool have been boosted by the news that Javier Mascherano is expected to return for the clash.

There could also be a place for Danish defender Daniel Agger after he came though a midweek reserve run-out for his first match of the season following back surgery.

Italian defender Andrea Dossena is out with a groin injury.

Chelsea will have to make do with Hilario after first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech is unable to play after being red carded against Wigan last weekend.

Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa return from midweek suspension.

Deco, Joe Cole and Michael Ballack are also fit but Alex (groin) and John Mikel Obi (ankle) remain in the treatment room.

Everton v Stoke (2.00am NZT)

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis will assess the fitness of Jamaican striker Ricardo Fuller before his team's trip to Everton after the forward picked up a groin injury in the League Cup last month.

But James Beattie should be fit and ready to face on of his former clubs after recovering from a knee and ankle injury. Liam Lawrence should also be available after undergoing injections for a back problem.

Meanwhile, Everton defender Joseph Yobo (thigh) is also in doubt but Midfielders Jack Rodwell (illness) and Steven Pienaar (knee) should recover in time to face the Potters.

Arsenal v Blackburn (12.30am NZT)

Arsenal could hand England forward Theo Walcott his first taste of competitive match action this season for the London club's clash with Blackburn on Monday, while Danish international Nicklas Bendtner has recovered from his car crash last weekend.

Walcott has suffered with a back problem but played against the Greek club Olympiakos Piraeus under-20 side on Tuesday.

"Walcott and Bendtner are available", Arsene Wenger, the club's longest serving manager, told the Arsenal website on Friday.

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia (chest infection) is a doubt and Croatian international Eduardo da Silva is sidelined with a thigh injury.

Blackburn also have some injury woes with skipper and New Zealand international Ryan Nelsen expected to have a late fitness test due to an on-going back problem

West Ham v Fulham (3am NZT)

There has been some great news for struggling West Ham this week as they are set to welcome back instrumental defender Matthew Upson in time for Upton Park derby..

Midfielder Valon Behrami is also available again following a series of niggles, but Jack Collison is out with a knee injury and Mexican striker Guillermo Franco is still short of match fitness.

Fulham have also had some good new as Brede Hangeland is expected to overcome an ankle injury to return to the heart of the Fulham's defence.

Damien Duff's calf injury rules him out and Simon Davies remains a doubt as he continues to recover from his foot injury.

Pascal Zuberbuhler will return to the bench after being refused permission by UEFA to play in the Europa League against Basel last night, while fellow goalkeeper David Stockdale (knee) misses out.

TUESDAY

Aston Villa v Manchester City (8am NZT)

Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell is back in contention after injury for the sides home clash with Manchester City.

The former Chelsea player has been unavailable for the last two games against of a thigh problem, but he has now resumed training.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has no fresh injury worries as he prepares to welcome back Gareth Barry, who spent 12 years at Villa before his 12 million pound switch to Eastlands.

Former City skipper Richard Dunne will also face his old team-mates for the first time since his 6million switch to Villa in August.

Meanwhile, City's controversial striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland are avalible to make the trip to Villa Park.

After completing a three-match ban Adebayor has been cleared to play after escaping an FA misconduct charge with a 25,000 fine following his controversial goal celebration against Arsenal last month.

Ireland has recovered from a sickness bug and he should also be involved.