PREMIER LEAGUE: Weekend team news: Diego Costa to play despite nose break

All the team news ahead of the weekend, with Diego Costa set to wear a protective mask after breaking his nose in training.

All matches kick off at 3pm unless stated

SATURDAY

SUNDERLAND V MANCHESTER UNITED– 12:45

Sunderland fired midfielder Adam Johnson just two days before Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester United. Sam Allardyce is also without Jeremain Lens, Younes Kaboul and Duncan Watmore. Louis van Gaal has called Will Keane into his first-team squad. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young remain unavailable.

BOURNEMOUTH V STOKE CITY

Bournemouth’s Max Gradel returned to training this week following a cruciate knee ligament injury he sustained in August but this fixture may come to soon. Hughes hopes to have forward Jonathan Walters back for the clash with 15th-placed Cherries. Ryan Shawcross (back) is nearing readiness for his return to action but this game comes too soon for him, along with Geoff Cameron (ankle) and Charlie Adam (calf).

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

Striker Dwight Gayle, who has not played since Dec. 7, could return to face Watford, while Connor Wickham is back in contention having served a three-match ban for violent conduct after elbowing Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen in the face. Watford captain Troy Deeney should return to the starting XI having dropped to the bench for last weekend’s defeat at Tottenham.

EVERTON V WEST BROM

Centre back John Stones could return to the Everton side to face West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, but manager Roberto Martinez might be tempted to hold him back after his team kept back-to-back Premier League clean sheets for the first time this season without him. West Brom are without defender Gareth McAuley after he pulled his hamstring during the FA Cup clash Peterborough.

NORWICH CITY V WEST HAM

For Norwich, Alex Tettey serves a two-game ban but Graham Dorrans returned to the squad after illness. Long-term injury absentees Manuel Lanzini and Diafra Sakho are closing in on a return to action for West Ham United. Currently sixth in the league table, the club, however, will miss Cheikhou Kouyate in Saturday's game against Norwich City, while Winston Reid and Joey O'Brien are doubtful.

SWANSEA CITY V SOUTHAMPTON

Swansea City's Korean midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng hopes to return against Southampton on Saturday after recovering from concussion. Victor Wanyama begins a five-game ban having been sent off for a third time this season during last weekend’s win over West Ham.

CHELSEA V NEWCASTLE UNITED – 17:30

Chelsea striker Diego Costa is expected to be fit to play in a mask against Newcastle on Saturday after breaking his nose in training. Costa is poised to join full-back Cesar Azpilicueta in wearing a protective face mask, which was due to be fitted on Friday before a light training session to test Costa's readiness. Azpilicueta is recovering from a facial injury. Midfielder Jack Colback and striker Emmanuel Riviere have recovered from injuries in time to make the squad for Newcastle’s Premier League clash against 13th-placed Chelsea.

SUNDAY

ARSENAL V LEICESTER CITY- 12:00

Striker Danny Welbeck could make the Arsenal squad for the first time this season against Leicester City on Sunday, but manager Arsene Wenger hinted on Friday that defender Per Mertesacker would not start against the league leaders. Leicester are expected to name an unchanged side from their 3-0 win against Manchester City last weekend.

ASTON VILLA V LIVERPOOL – 14:05

Jack Grealish injured his ankle in training and will sit the Liverpool game. Rudy Gestede and Carlos Sanchez will face late fitness tests. Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge could feature having returned in the FA Cup defeat against West Ham.

MANCHESTER CITY V TOTTENHAM – 16:15

Manchester City have been handed a huge boost with the news that captain Vincent Kompany is set to return to face Tottenham at the Eithad Stadium on Sunday. Tottenham’s Dele Alli is expected to return to the starting XI having come on as a substitute against Watford.

Source: Eurosport