Premier League team news (10/02/10)

Blackburn Rovers v Hull City

Rovers duo Lars Jacobsen and Vince Grella could return to the squad against Hull at Ewood Park tonight after overcoming thigh injuries. Both the defender and the midfielder had a run-out for the reserves in a 1-0 win at Fleetwood on Monday night. Central defender Christopher Samba is sidelined due to a two-m atch suspension after picking up a red card in the 3-0 defeat at Stoke at the weekend. Rovers leading goalscorer David Dunn remains absent with a calf problem.

The Hull City manager, Phil Brown, is hopeful that left-back Andy Dawson and midfielder George Boateng will be fit. Brazilian striker Geovanni is still out after travelling to Portugal for treatment on a minor knee problem. The Tigers are without a win in 17 Premier League away matches but are on a good run of form having drawn with Chelsea and beaten Manchester City in their last two home matches.

West Ham United v Birmingham City

Recent Hammers acquisition Benni McCarthy will miss tonight's home match with Birmingham after picking up a knee injury against Burnley on Saturday. The South African is yet to score for his new club. Long-term West Ham casualties Kieron Dyer, Danny Gabbidon and Guillermo Franco are all still out but Alessandro Diamanti returns to the squad.

Alex McLeish, the Birmingham manager, will be forced to change his starting line-up for the first time in 13 Premier League games for the trip to east London. Striker Christian Benitez is ruled out with an ankle injury suffered in a challenge with Wolves' goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann in last weekend's 2-1 win at St Andrew's. McLeish will be looking for a repeat performance from his side after they beat the Hammers 1-0 in the corresponding fixture in December.

Wolverhampton v Tottenham Hotspur

On-loan French midfielder Adlène Guedioura is pressing to make his first start for Wolves at Molineux tonight. Guedioura, who arrived from Belgian side Charleroi last month, impressed as a substitute during Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Birmingham, and has put himself in contention for a debut start. Meanwhile, Wolves winger Michael Kightly, midfielder Dave Edwards and striker Andy Keogh all remain sidelined following ankle surgery.

Tottenham centre-back Ledley King will miss the game in order to rest his knee, while Roman Pavlyuchenko, Benoît Assou-Ekotto, Aaron Lennon, Jonathan Woodgate (all groin) are out. Italian goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini (wrists and pelvis) remains a long-term absentee. Spurs will be looking to avoid a repeat of the last meeting between the two sides, when a third-minute Kevin Doyle goal gave Wolves a 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane in December.