This article is part of our Fit or Miss series.
The quick turnaround between matchweeks 12 and 13 had managers deciding whether to sit certain players last weekend who were working their way back from injury, or let them play with the possibility that they wouldn't be fit for their next match on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Complicating matters further, matchweek 14 is coming up this Saturday, just three days after the conclusion of matchweek 13. With that in mind, it's important to recognize which players are close to fitness and could be returning, or aren't quite there but could play on Saturday.
Just business as usual in the Premier League. Here's what we're seeing heading into matchweek 14:
Crystal Palace vs. West Ham
Out:Razvan Rat remains out with a hamstring injury sustained during the last international break. Mladen Petric doesn't have a firm return date from his calf injury. Winston Reid (ankle) likely won't see action until 2014. Ricardo Vaz Te is out after suffering a dislocated shoulder. Andy Carroll (foot) continues to be sidelined, although he's expected to start training shortly. Alou Diarra (knee) could miss the entire season. Adlene Guedioura (lung/rib) could return by the end of December. Glenn Murray (knee) could start training in January.
Not Expected to Play:Jack Hunt (ankle) is likely two weeks out. Patrick McCarthy (groin) could get back by the next gameweek.
Expected to Play:Jerome Thomas (groin) is expected to return after being held out of Saturday's match against Norwich City.
Sunderland vs. Chelsea
Out:Samuel Eto'o remains sidelined for at least another week with a hamstring injury. Marko van Ginkel (knee) is a long-term injury.
Not Expected to Play:Oscar was forced from Sunday's match against Southampton with an ankle injury. David Luiz remains sidelined with a knee injury. Carlos Cuellar is working through a hip injury.
Expected to Play:Keiren Westwood (shoulder) could be fit for a return.
Stoke City vs. Cardiff City
Out:Robert Huth underwent knee surgery and could miss at least six weeks.
Not Expected to Play:Marko Arnautovic (hamstring) is likely two weeks away.
Liverpool vs. Norwich City
Out:Anthony Pilkington (hamstring) is out until January. Robert Snodgrass (knee) will try to return before the end of December. Mark Bunn is supposedly at least five weeks away from returning after undergoing ankle surgery. Alexander Tettey also had ankle surgery but he's likely out until February. Ricky van Wolfswinkel (foot) may be able to return in two weeks. Elliott Bennett (knee) is out for the long-term. Daniel Sturridge will miss six-to-eight weeks with an ankle injury. Jose Enrique (knee) is out until February following surgery. Sebastian Coates (knee) is likely out for the season.
Swansea City vs. Newcastle
Out:Angel Rangel missed last weekend's match with a calf injury and Wilfried Bony missed out with a hamstring injury. Monday update: Bony is expected to miss the next 10 days.Garry Monk is out until the end of December with a knee injury. Ryan Taylor (knee) remains a long-term injury.
Expected to Play:Michu could make a return from his ankle injury.
Arsenal vs. Hull City
Out:Rio Miyaichi continues to miss out with a hamstring injury. Yaya Sanogo could return in January from his back injury. Lukas Podolski (hamstring) could return in about three weeks. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) is slated to get back on the pitch in January. Abou Diaby (knee) could return in March. Paul McShane (hamstring) is weeks away from a return. Stephen Quinn is expected back at the end of December, while Sone Aluko (calf) is targeting the end of January.
Not Expected to Play:Tuesday update: Bacary Sagna is unlikely to play with a slight hamstring injury.
Manchester United vs. Everton
Out:Leighton Baines is out for six weeks with a broken toe. Arouna Kone (knee) and Darron Gibson (knee) could miss the entire season. Michael Carrick is still weeks away from a return from his Achilles injury.
Not Expected to Play:Robin van Persie was unable to play last weekend due to his groin injury. Darren Fletcher continues to work on his match fitness after missing out for a year.
Southampton vs. Aston Villa
Out:Artur Boruc is expected to miss the next six weeks after suffering a broken hand in Sunday's match against Chelsea. Kelvin Davis also remains out. Guly do Prado (knee) is expected to make his way back in January. Jores Okore (knee) is likely out for the season. Charles N'Zogbia (calf) does not have an announced return date.
Not Expected to Play:Morgan Schneiderlin picked up a knock against Chelsea.
Expected to Play:James Bennett (back) could be set to return.
West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester City
Out:Matija Nastasic (calf) is expected back in three weeks.
Not Expected to Play:David Silva (calf) could return by next weekend, along with Stevan Jovetic (calf). Nicolas Anelka (knock) and Scott Sinclar (hamstring) were already supposed to have returned, so their issues are worse than initially expected. Ben Foster (ankle) could be fit by next weekend. George Thorne (knee) does not have a definitive timetable for return.
Expected to Play:Vincent Kompany (thigh) has been deemed fit and is expected to start.
Fulham vs. Tottenham
Not Expected to Play:Hugo Rodallega (groin) is likely two-to-three weeks away from a return. Matthew Briggs (groin) could return in two weeks. Emmanuel Adebayor could miss out Wednesday but could return by next weekend. Cristian Eriksen (ankle) is targeting a return in three weeks. Danny Rose (ankle) has had his return date repeatedly pushed back but is now expected back in two weeks.
Expected to Play:Dimitar Berbatov missed last weekend's match against West Ham with an illness but should be back to health. Brede Hangeland could make his return from a nerve issue in his leg.
