This article is part of our Fit or Miss series.
Champions League and Europa League action picked up again this week, which allowed us a clearer picture of who could be ready to play, or who won't be, for this weekend's Premier League matches.
Here's what we're seeing heading into Gameweek 9:
Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal
Out:Lukas Podolski (hamstring) should be back by the end of November, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) likely won't return until December. Yaya Sanogo continues to be sidelined with a back injury that will likely keep him out until mid-November. Abou Diaby had a second ACL surgery and is now out until at least March. Jonny Williams (ankle) is expected to be out until December, while Jack Hunt (ankle) could return to training in as little as two weeks after being expected out until December as well. Glenn Murray remains a long-term absentee thanks to ACL surgery back in August.
Not Expected to Play:Mathieu Flamini suffered a concussion in last weekend's match against Norwich and was unable to play Tuesday against Borussia Dortumund in the Champions League. Theo Walcott suffered a setback in his return from his abdomen surgery and is expected to be out for another few weeks. There's a small possibility that Patrick McCarthy (groin) could feature after returning to training this week.
Expected to Play:Jack Wilshere came off early in Tuesday's match against Dortmund but is expected to be fit enough by Saturday.
Manchester United vs. Stoke City
Not Expected to Play:Darren Fletcher (illness) has returned to first-team training after a 22-month layoff but his return does not appear to be imminent.
Expected to Play:Robin van Persie missed Wednesday's Champions League match against Real Sociedad with a toe injury but manager David Moyes said Thursday he's hopeful he can play Saturday. Danny Welbeck picked up a slight knock in last weekend's Premier League match against Southampton but should be fit. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll feature. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand did not train ahead of Wednesday's match against Real Sociedad and did not play in last weekend's match against Southampton but should be ready to go after the rest. Tom Cleverley has missed the last three matches with a calf injury but should be fit for a Saturday return. Ryan Shawcross didn't train Thursday due to illness but manger Mark Hughes seems confident he'll be fit by Saturday to face his old club. Geoff Cameron (calf) trained this week and should be ready for Saturday as long as he doesn't suffer a setback before then.
Norwich City vs. Cardiff City
Out:Elliott Bennett (knee) remains out indefinitely.
Not Expected to Play:Ricky van Wolfswinkel has been described as "touch and go," regarding his return from a foot injury.
Expected to Play:Johan Elmander (thigh) should be fit after missing out on international duty. Andreas Cornelius remains sidelined with an ankle injury that has kept him from playing since the end of August.
Liverpool vs. West Brom
Out:Iago Aspas will miss the next five weeks with a torn thigh muscle. Sebastian Coates is expected to be out for another eight months following surgery to repair a torn ACL in August. Ben Foster remains out after suffering a stress fracture in his ankle back in August. Scott Sinclair was described as "definitely out" by manager Steve Clarke due to his hamstring injury. Zoltan Gera (hamstring) and George Thorne (knee) played in an U21 match last Sunday and picked up slight knocks as they recover from their respective injuries.
Not Expected to Play:Jose Enrique missed last weekend's match against Newcastle with a knee injury that has reportedly bothered him all season. Philippe Coutinho (shoulder) has returned to first-team training on a non-contact basis. He could be available for next weekend's match against Arsenal.
Aston Villa vs. Everton
Out:Jores Okore could miss the entire season with a torn ACL. Charles N'Zogbia remains out with a calf injury. Darron Gibson is out after tearing his ACL a week ago.
Not Expected to Play:Ciaran Clark missed last weekend's match against Tottenham due to an illness. Gary Gardner (back) is likely out for another week. John Heitinga is batting a groin injury but should return to full fitness soon. Apostolos Vellios is likely out after picking up a knock. Antolin Alcaraz (hamstring) has returned to training but isn't fully fit yet.
Southampton vs. Fulham
Not Expected to Play:Matthew Briggs continues to sit with a hernia issue. Brede Hangeland (leg) will be given a late fitness test but isn't expected to make it.
Expected to Play:Steven Davis picked up a knock and will be given a late fitness test. Bryan Ruiz will have a late fitness test due to a back injury he sustained in last week's match against Crystal Palace. Aaron Hughes (thigh) was thought to be ready for last week's match but he did not play.
Sunderland vs. Newcastle
Out:Fabricio Coloccini injured his groin while on international duty and could miss eight weeks. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is out after picking up a red card last week against Liverpool. Ryan Taylor (knee) remains out for the long-term.
Expected to Play:Wes Brown, who has not played in 21 months, could be recalled by new manager Gus Poyet. Steven Taylor (hamstring) will have a late fitness test but could be forced in thanks to the injury to Coloccini and Yanga-Mbiwa's suspension. Massadio Haidara (knee) has been playing with the U21 team and could be fit to return.
Chelsea vs. Manchester City
Out:Marco van Ginkel remains out long-term after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL at the end of September.
Not Expected to Play:Martin Demichelis (knee) is close to a full return but it's unclear if Sunday will come too soon.
Expected to Play:Ashley Cole (ribs) did not travel with the team to Germany for Tuesday's Champions League match against Schalke but he has trained this week. Vincent Kompany should be fit after recovering from his second thigh injury this season. Friday update: Kompany has been ruled OUT by manager Manuel Pellegrini.
Swansea vs. West Ham
Out:Ben Davies is expected to miss another three weeks with an ankle injury.
Not Expected to Play:Ashley Williams (ankle) was unable to play in Thursday's Europa League clash with Kuban Krasnodar.
Tottenham vs. Hull City
Out:Allan McGregor is out for six weeks after picking up a thigh injury in last weekend's match against Everton. Danny Graham (knee) will likely return in the second week of November. James Chester (hamstring) could return next week. Robert Koren (foot) could be back in as little as three weeks.
Not Expected to Play:Etienne Capoue did not make the trip to face Sheriff Tiraspol in a Europa League clash Thursday. Younes Kaboul (groin) could return after also not playing Thursday. Danny Rose (ankle) is still not 100 percent.
