This article is part of our Fit or Miss series.
There are few things in fantasy sports more aggravating than a manager saying that a player is close to returning, only to find out after your lineup is set that the player never really had a chance of getting on the pitch. Every manager is guilty of it, but the recent developments with Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie have been particularly frustrating. Manager David Moyes, who is clearly not trying to show too much of his hand ahead of Premier League matches, seems to say one day that the duo will be back "any day now," and then says the following afternoon that he has absolutely no clue when they'll return. To say that we should take his updates with a grain of salt would be a massive understatement.
And with that rant out of the way, here's what we're seeing on the injury front heading into gameweek 22:
Sunderland vs. Southampton
Out:Carlos Cuellar (hip) is targeting a return in February, while Keiren Westwood remains sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Expected to Be Fit:Victor Wanyama looks set to return from his leg injury, while Calum Chambers is likely to overcome an illness.
Manchester City vs. Cardiff City
Out:Samir Nasri is out for the next eight weeks after suffering a knee injury in last weekend's match against Newcastle. Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and Stevan Jovetic (hamstring) were held out of Wednesday's FA Cup match against Blackburn but manager Manuel Pellegrini said they could return "next week." Jordan Mutch remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Andrew Taylor sits with a knock.
Expected to Be Fit:Yaya Toure (back) and David Silva (knock) were both held out of Wednesday's match, but they should be able to play against Cardiff.
Crystal Palace vs. Stoke City
Out:Jack Hunt (ankle) has resumed full training and looks to be a few weeks away. Glenn Murray (knee) is targeting a return next month. Asmir Begovic continues to sit out with a broken finger.
Not Expected to Be Fit:Kagisho Dikgacoi didn't play last weekend due to a recurring calf injury.
Expected to Be Fit:Jerome Thomas has stepped up training and could be good to go. Andy Wilkinson looks set to return from a heel injury. Robert Huth could make his way back from a knee injury.
Late Fitness Test:Yannick Bolasie (groin)
Norwich City vs. Hull City
Out:Michael Turner is battling with a hamstring injury. Jonathan Howson's back injury continues to force him out. Elliott Bennett's knee injury will keep him out until at least the end of February. Joe Dudgeon has resumed training, but likely won't feature until February.
Not Expected to Be Fit:Robert Brady (groin) and Sone Aluko (Achilles) are likely another week away.
Expected to Be Fit:Anthony Pilkington looks set to finally return from his hamstring injury, while Alexander Tettey could get back from his injured ankle.
Arsenal vs. Fulham
Out:Theo Walcott is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL on January 4. Nacho Monreal suffered a broken metatarsal in Monday's match against Aston Villa. Nicklas Bendtner remains out with his ankle injury. Abou Diaby (knee) may be able to return in March. Neil Etheridge is out with a thigh injury, and Matthew Briggs is still working his way back from hernia surgery.
Not Expected to Be Fit:Tomas Rosicky suffered a broken nose in last Monday's match. Mikel Arteta continues to sit with a calf injury. Friday update: Arteta has been ruled out.Yaya Sanogo is getting closer to returning from his back injury.
Expected to Be Fit:Aaron Ramsey is ready to return from a thigh injury he suffered on Boxing Day. Friday update: Ramsey has been ruled out.Thomas Vermaelen looks set to return from his knee injury. Friday update: Vermaelen has been ruled out.
West Ham vs. Newcastle
Out:Guy Demel is dealing with the aftereffects of a concussion. Ricardo Vaz Te's shoulder injury will keep him on the sideline. Fabricio Coloccini (knee) is out for another few weeks. Ryan Taylor (knee) continues to be a long-term absence.
Not Expected to Be Fit:Ravel Morrison continues to be sidelined with a groin injury, although he's training and trying to be ready for Saturday. Joey O'Brien picked up a knock, while James Collins continues to deal with a calf injury. Winston Reid (ankle) may be able to return next week.
Liverpool vs. Aston Villa
Out:Daniel Agger (calf) is out for another few weeks. Sebastian Coates (knee) continues to be out for the long-term. Libor Kozak is out for the year after breaking his leg in training. Nathan Baker suffered a concussion in last Monday's match against Arsenal. Jores Okore (knee) may be able to return sometime this season. Charles N'Zogbia continues to sit with an Achilles injury.
Not Expected to Be Fit:Jose Enrique (knee) and Jon Flanagan (hamstring) may be able to return next week. Brad Jones has suffered a knock that will likely keep him out. Chris Herd (hamstring) is likely another week away.
Expected to Be Fit:Joe Allen appears to have recovered from his hip injury, while Mamadou Sakho could return from his hamstring injury. Joseph Bennett appears ready to return from his back injury.
Swansea City vs. Tottenham
Out:Jose Canas is out with an ankle injury. Michu (ankle) and Nathan Dyer (ankle) are likely not returning this month. Garry Monk continues to sit with a knee injury. Kyle Walker suffered a calf injury in last weekend's match against Crystal Palace.
Not Expected to Be Fit:Roland Lamah (groin) and Pablo (hamstring) are likely another week away. Paulinho's ankle injury will likely keep him out for at least another week.
Expected to Be Fit:Dwight Tiendalli could return from his hamstring injury. Jonathan de Guzman (calf) and Michel Vorm (knee) look set to play. Erik Lamela (thigh), Gylfi Sigurdsson (calf), Sandro (hamstring), Jan Vertonghen (ankle), Andros Townsend and Younes Kaboul (quad) are all expected to return from their various injuries. Friday update: Vertonghen and Kaboul have been ruled out. Townsend and Sandro are in contention.
Chelsea vs. Manchester United
Out:Marco van Ginkel (knee) could miss the rest of the season. Nani continues to sit with a hamstring injury, while Marouane Fellaini still has another month of recovery from wrist surgery.
Not Expected to Play:Branislav Ivanovic (knee) is likely another week away. Wayne Rooney is warm-weather training in Egypt, and The Guardian speculates that he'll miss the Chelsea match and possibly the rest of January. Friday update: Rooney has been ruled out.Robin van Persie continues to be bothered by his thigh injury. Patrice Evra has recently been playing through an ongoing knee problem and it bothered him at the end of last weekend's match against Swansea. Ashley Young has a shoulder injury.
Expected to Play:Frank Lampard has returned to training and could feature. Phil Jones (knee), Jonny Evans (back), and Rio Ferdinand (knee) could all be available.
West Brom vs. Everton
Out:Ross Barkley suffered a broken toe against QPR in the FA Cup on January 4. Arouna Kone (knee) and Darron Gibson (knee) remains long-term absences.
Not Expected to Be Fit:Stephane Sessegnon has suffered a knock. Billy Jones is dealing with an eye issue. Gerard Deulofeu (hamstring) may be able to return next week.
Expected to Be Fit:Victor Anichebe looks set to return from his groin injury. Goran Popov didn't play last weekend against Southampton due to a neck injury, but is expected back. Sylvain Distin could return from his hamstring injury.
