This article is part of our Fit or Miss series.
There are some big names on the injury list for gameweek 17, and with gameweeks 18, 19 and 20 all occurring in fewer than two weeks, it's possible a few more names could be added over the busy period. Players just returning from injury are not likely to play in all four matches, so fantasy rosters should be checked as close to kickoff as possible.
Liverpool vs. Cardiff City
Out:Steven Gerrard (hamstring) is expected to return in mid-January. Daniel Sturridge (ankle) is targeting a late-January return. Jose Enrique is likely back in mid-February. Sebastian Coates (knee) will try to get back sometime this season.
Expected to Play:Craig Bellamy (knee) should be okay.
Fulham vs. Manchester City
Out:Pablo Zabaleta will miss a month after suffering a hamstring injury during Tuesday's Capital One Cup match against Leicester City. Sergio Aguero (calf) could be out until the end of January. Micah Richards (hamstring) is also not expected back until at least January. Brede Hangeland remains out with a back injury following surgery to remove nerve trouble.
Not Expected to Play:Hugo Rodallega is close to returning from his groin injury, but could be held out until Boxing Day.
Expected to Play:Matjia Nastasic (calf) looks set to return. Stevan Jovetic (calf) could return after not being ready for the Leicester match. Friday update: Jovetic is out due to illness, which kept him out of the Leicester match as well.Fernando Amorebieta looks set to return from his hamstring injury.
Sunderland vs. Norwich City
Out:Anthony Pilkington (hamstring) could get back in mid-January. Alexander Tettey is likely to return in February from his ankle injury. Elliott Bennett (knee) will be out until at least February. Keiren Westwood will require surgery to fix his injured shoulder. Carlos Cuellar continues to sit with a hip injury.
Expected to Play:Mark Bunn (ankle) could be available. Ricky van Wolfswinkel (toe) looks set to return. Robert Snodgrass was initially targeting a return by Boxing Day, but appears ready now. Steven Fletcher and Jack Colback have recovered from illnesses and returned to training.
Stoke City vs. Aston Villa
Out:Gabriel Agbonlahor will miss out after picking up his fifth yellow card last weekend. Joe Bennett continues to sit with a back injury. Jores Okore (knee) has a shot at playing near the end of the season. Charles N'Zogbia's Achilles injury could keep him out for the entire year. Robert Huth (knee) is likely a few weeks out. Stephen Ireland is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Not Expected to Play:Chris Herd sustained a facial injury in training ahead of last weekend's match and hasn't returned to training yet. Ron Vlaar (calf) seems close to being ready, although he will likely sit this weekend ahead of the busy holiday schedule. Ryan Shawcross suffered a groin injury in Wednesday's Capital One Cup match against Manchester United.
Expected to Play:Matthew Etherington (back) looks set to be available.
Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle
Out:Jerome Thomas remains sidelined with an ankle injury. Adlene Guedioura (rib/lung) is still a few weeks away from returning. Jack Hunt continues to be sidelined with an ankle injury. Patrick McCarthy's groin injury continues to force him out. Glenn Murray (knee) has begun running and could be ready in January. Ryan Taylor (knee) remains out long-term.
Expected to Play:Dean Moxey (hamstring) looks set to return.
West Brom vs. Hull City
Out:George Thorne (knee) continues to rehab but is not close to a return. Joe Dudgeon (knee) has begun light training but is still months away from returning. Sone Aluko (Achilles) will try to return before February. Friday update: Robbie Brady has been ruled out with a groin injury.
Not Expected to Play:Stephen Quinn (hamstring) is probably another week away.
Expected to Play:Nicolas Anelka (groin), Victor Anichebe (illness) and Ben Foster (ankle) are all expected to be available.
Manchester United vs. West Ham
Out:Kevin Nolan will miss his second of three matches due to a red card. Stewart Downing could miss up to 10 weeks with an Achilles injury suffered last weekend against Liverpool. Mladen Petric continues to sit with a calf injury. Winston Reid (ankle) could return by the beginning of February. Ricardo Vaz Te remains out after suffering a dislocated shoulder at the end of October. Andy Carroll (foot) could make it back in January. Robin van Persie (thigh) should return in mid-January. Friday update: Nani will be out for several weeks due to a hamstring injury.
Not Expected to Play:Michael Carrick is close to getting back in form, but will likely be held out until Boxing Day.
Expected to Play:James Tomkins looks set to play after missing Wednesday's Capital One Cup match with a groin injury. Wayne Rooney (groin) will have a late fitness test after missing Wednesday's Capital One Cup match. Nemanja Vidic is expected to return after a knock held him out recently. Marouane Fellaini (back) is expected to return.
Southampton vs. Tottenham
Out:Daniel Fox continues to sit with a hamstring injury. Victor Wanyama (shin) is still a few weeks away. Nathaniel Clyne has been out for two weeks after suffering a hamstring injury. Artur Boruc (hand) is targeting a return in mid-January. Backup goalkeeper Kelvin Davis sits with a back injury. Guly do Prado (knee) may return in the first week of January. Andros Townsend suffered a hamstring injury during Wednesday's Capital One Cup match against West Ham. Jan Vertonghen (ankle) doesn't have a clear timetable for return. Harry Kane is sidelined with a back injury. Paulinho sits due to the red card received last week.
Not Expected to Play:Sandro picked up a calf injury last weekend against Liverpool. Younes Kaboul is also not likely to play due to his quad injury.
Swansea City vs. Everton
Out:Michel Vorm was scheduled to have surgery on his injured knee this week, which will keep him out for at least the next five weeks. Nathan Dyer is out for another few weeks with an ankle injury. Alvaro Vazquez (groin) is out until after Christmas. Garry Monk (knee) is probably another two weeks away. Gerard Deulofeu will miss at least the next four weeks with a hamstring injury. Arouna Kone and Darron Gibson are out for the long-term with knee injuries.
Not Expected to Play:Leighton Baines is progressing well from his broken toe, but will probably wait until Boxing Day.
Expected to Play:Chico looks to return following a knee injury that kept him out last week against Norwich. Leon Britton (toe) also looks set to return. Tony Hibbert (knee) looks set to be available.
Arsenal vs. Chelsea
Out:Jack Wilshere will sit, as he serves the first of his two-match ban for an obscene gesture toward Manchester City supporters during last weekend's match. Laurent Koscielny remains sidelined after suffering a knee laceration in last weekend's loss to Manchester City. Rio Miyaichi sits out with a hamstring injury. Yaya Sanogo (back) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both expected to return to fitness in January. Abou Diaby (knee) is targeting a return in March. Marco van Ginkel (knee) remains a long-term absence.
Not Expected to Play:Ryan Bertrand has picked up a knock and doesn't have a return date.
Expected to Play:Lukas Podolski (hamstring) could finally make his return to the pitch. Cesar Azpilicueta picked up a knock this week but has returned to training.
