This article is part of our Fit or Miss series.
After a brief break in the Premier League schedule last weekend, we're back at it starting Saturday. A few players will be making their returns, while other big name players are still on the sidelines.
Here's what we're seeing ahead of Matchweek 21.
Hull City vs. Chelsea
Out:Matty Fryatt will sit with a hamstring injury, while Joe Dudgeon's knee injury continues to keep him out. Sone Aluko (Achilles) may be able to return by the end of the month. Frank Lampard (hamstring) and Branislav Ivanovic (knee) are both targeting a return before February. Marco van Ginkel could miss the entire season due to a torn ACL.
Not Expected to be Fit:Robert Brady doesn't seem quite ready to return from his sports hernia.
Fulham vs. Sunderland
Out:Maarten Stekelenburg still has no timetable for a return from his ankle injury. Brede Hangeland is close to returning after having surgery in early December to relieve nerve pressure in his back. Matthew Briggs continues to work his way back from a hernia. Keiren Westwood continues to sit with a shoulder injury. Carlos Cuellar remains out with a hip injury.
Expected to be Fit:Steven Fletcher picked up a knock during Tuesday's Capital One Cup win over Manchester United but has been deemed fit by manager Gus Poyet.
Everton vs. Norwich City
Out:Gerard Deulofeu may return by the end of the month from his hamstring injury. Arouna Kone (knee) and Darron Gibson (knee) remains long-term injuries.
Not Expected to be Fit:Phil Jagielka (hamstring) and Sylvain Distin (hamstring) are likely another week away.
Late Fitness Test:Ross Barkley (toe), Leighton Baines (back)
Tottenham vs. Crystal Palace
Out:Paulinho remains out with an ankle injury. Jerome Thomas continues to be sidelined with a groin injury. Jack Hunt isn't that close to returning from his ankle injury. Glenn Murray remains out with a knee injury.
Not Expected to be Fit:Kyle Naughton is dealing with hamstring and ankle issues. Erik Lamela has a thigh strain. Gylfi Sigurdsson is working through a calf injury. Lewis Holtby suffered a knock and could miss out. Younes Kaboul (quad) and Jan Vertonghen (ankle) are probably a week away from getting back on the pitch.
Expected to be Fit:Roberto Soldado is dealing with a calf injury but should be fine. Jermain Defoe's hamstring injury has improved, but there are strong rumors that he could be transferring to Toronto FC of Major League Soccer this week. Andros Townsend (hamstring) is expected to return before the one-month estimate to be back. Sandro (calf) is also expected to make his return. Adlene Guediora could return after fracturing two ribs and a damaging a lung back in early November.
Southampton vs. West Brom
Out:Artur Boruc continues to be sidelined after suffering a broken hand in the beginning of December. Guly do Prado's knee injury will keep him on the sideline.
Expected to be Fit:Gaston Ramirez (hamstring), Rickie Lambert (hip), and Victor Wanyama (leg) all seem ready to return. Youssuf Mulumbu (eye), Billy Jones (concussion), and Victor Anichebe (groin) all look set to be available.
Cardiff City vs. West Ham
Out:Kevin Theophile-Catherine and Craig Bellamy are both battling knee injuries. James Tomkins' hamstring injury continues to keep him out. James Collins continues to fight a calf issue. Winston Reid (ankle) is trying to return this month. Andy Carroll (foot) may be able to make his debut next weekend. Ricardo Vaz Te continues to sit after suffering a dislocated shoulder in October.
Not Expected to be Fit:Andrew Taylor picked up a knock, and Jordan Mutch suffered a hamstring injury.
Manchester United vs. Swansea City
Out:Ashley Young is out with a shoulder injury. Marouane Fellaini is out for at least another month after having wrist surgery in November. Nani continues to be sidelined with a hamstring injury. Michu (ankle) is expected to be out for another month. Michel Vorm (knee) is targeting a return at the end of January. Nathan Dyer's ankle injury will also keep him out until February. Dwight Tiendalli has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Jonathan de Guzman will not travel with the team due to a calf injury. Garry Monk continues to sit with a knee injury.
Not Expected to be Fit:Jonny Evans had to be taken off from Tuesday's Capital One Cup match against Sunderland due to a back injury. Rio Ferdinand injured his knee during the Sunderland match. Roland Lamah is struggling with a groin injury. Pablo's hamstring injury continues to bother him.
Expected to be Fit:Robin van Persie (thigh) has returned to full training, but there's no guarantee he'll return to the pitch. Friday update: Van Persie has been ruled out and manager David Moyes said he doesn't know when the striker will be able to return. Phil Jones (knee) looks on track to return.
Late Fitness Test:Wayne Rooney (groin) Friday update: Rooney has been ruled out after being sent away for warm weather training with a fitness coach.
Newcastle vs. Manchester City
Out:Jack Rodwell is sidelined with a hamstring injury. John Guidetti is battling an issue with his knee. Sergio Aguero (calf) may be able to return next week. Fabricio Coloccini is out until mid-February with a knee injury. Ryan Taylor (knee) remains a long-term injury.
Not Expected to be Fit:Stevan Jovetic is now battling a hamstring injury.
Expected to be Fit:Jesus Navas was held out of Wednesday's Capital One Cup match against West Ham due to a "little problem with his knee," according to manager Manuel Pellegrini. Micah Richards looks ready to return from a hamstring injury. Tim Krul did not play in last weekend's FA Cup match against Cardiff City due to a slight shoulder issue, but he looks set to return.
Late Fitness Test:Yaya Toure (ankle), Yohan Cabaye (calf)
Stoke City vs. Liverpool
Out:Asmir Begovic remains out after breaking his finger at the end of December. Andy Wilkinson continues to be bothered by his heel injury. Daniel Agger will miss at least four weeks with a calf injury suffered in last weekend's FA Cup match against Oldham. Jon Flanagan continues to be sidelined with a hamstring issue. Sebastian Coates (knee) remains a long-term absence.
Not Expected to be Fit:Thomas Sorensen has a calf injury. Joe Allen is likely a week away from returning from his injured hip. Jose Enrique (knee) is likely to return next weekend.
Expected to be Fit:Stephen Ireland appears over his hamstring issue. Robert Huth (knee) looks to make his return. Mamadou Sakho looks set to return from his hamstring injury. Daniel Sturridge looks ready to return from his ankle injury, a full month ahead of the initial schedule.
Aston Villa vs. Arsenal
Out:Libor Kozak is out for the year with a broken leg. Jores Okore (knee) is expected to return late in the season. Charles N'Zogbia's Achilles injury continues to keep him out. Theo Walcott tore his ACL during last weekend's FA Cup match against Tottenham and will miss the rest of the Premier League season and the World Cup. Nicklas Bendtner will miss the next few weeks with an ankle injury. Yaya Sanogo (back) should be getting back to full training soon. Abou Diaby (knee) is said to be returning in March.
Not Expected to be Fit:Nathan Baker is dealing with a hamstring injury. Chris Herd's hamstring injury isn't progressing quickly enough. Thomas Vermaelen injured his knee during the Tottenham match. Kieran Gibbs' calf injury is still bothering him but he's "very close" to a return. Aaron Ramsey (thigh) is still likely a week away from returning.
Expected to be Fit:Ron Vlaar looks set to play despite his calf issues. Joseph Bennett could return from his back injury. Olivier Giroud has been battling an illness, but will likely be available. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) was targeting a return last weekend against Spurs, but manager Arsene Wenger said he may be available for Monday's game, although he'll likely being on the bench.
