Bloomfield Road: Home of Blackpool(credit:
Wikipedia)
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is expected to return to the starting XI for Sunday’s trip to Blackpool. (kick-off 13.30 GMT)
Fabregas had to settle for a place on the bench following his return from a hamstring problem, but the World Cup winner will return to the Gunners’ midfield for this must-win game at Bloomfield Road.
Manager Arsene Wenger has doubts over Bacary Sagna (knee) and Theo Walcott (ankle), but Aaron Ramsey looks to have recovered from his groin problem.
However, Wenger continues to deal with a large list of casualties with Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder), Wojciech Szczesny (finger), Vito Mannone (thigh), Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles), Johan Djourou (shoulder), Alex Song (knee) and Denilson (toe) all sidelined.
Blackpool, meanwhile, are boosted by the return of leading goalscorer DJ Campbell from his ban.
Goalkeepers Matt Gilks and Paul Rachubka have returned to training following injury in recent weeks, but neither man is considered match fit so Richard Kingson is likely to start again.
Last Premier League games:
Fulham 3 BLACKPOOL 0: Kingson, Baptiste, Cathcart, Evatt, Crainey, Grandin (Puncheon 68), Adam, Vaughan, Ormerod (Varney 68), Beattie (Kornilenko 68), Taylor-Fletcher. Not used: Rachubka, Southern, Eardley, Reid.
ARSENAL 0 Blackburn Rovers 0: Almunia, Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Walcott (Chamakh 73), Nasri (Bendtner 78), Arshavin (Fabregas 58), van Persie. Not used: Lehmann, Diaby, Rosicky, Eboue.