FA Cup fourth round - the stats that matter

Wednesday manager Gary Megson could be without five defenders. Miguel Llera is ineligible having played for Brentford in the competition earlier this season and Daniel Jones - the pair formed a central defensive partnership in the midweek win at Scunthorpe - is struggling with a calf injury. Another central defender, skipper Rob Jones, is unlikely to be risked due to the ankle injury that kept him out on Tuesday night and both Reda Johnson (back) and Julian Bennett (shoulder) are serious doubts. Mark Beevers and Lewis Buxton are expected to come into the side.

Top scorers (all competitions): Matt Phillips (Blackpool) 13; Gary Madine (Sheff Wed) 12 Match odds: H 4-5 A 10-3 D 13-5 Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire).

Bolton v Swansea Bolton will be without new signing Tim Ream. The defender, signed yesterday from the New York Red Bulls, has returned to the US to complete the rest of his paperwork and is also likely to miss Wednesday's Barclays Premier League meeting with Arsenal. A bug has affected a number of Bolton players this week but boss Owen Coyle is hopeful they will all be fit while Jussi Jaaskelainen (thigh) and Tyrone Mears (broken leg) may be involved.

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers has Alan Tate back in his squad as the defender steps up his return from the broken leg he suffered in a golf buggy accident in August. But on-loan centre-half Steven Caulker is unavailable after parent club Tottenham asked that he be left out to avoid being cup-tied in the event that they need to recall him from his season-long deal. Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran, another loan signing, is set to make his first start for the Swans as he will not be eligible to face the Blues in Tuesday's Premier League fixture between the sides.

Top scorers (all competitions): Ivan Klasnic (Bolton) 8; Danny Graham (Swansea) 9 Match odds: H 7-5 A 19-10 D 9-4 Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire).

Brighton v Newcastle Kazenga LuaLua could return from injury to face his former club. LuaLua, who joined the Seagulls permanently in November, is back in training having spent three weeks out with a hamstring problem. Fellow winger Craig Noone is also close to returning from a hamstring injury and Spanish midfielder Vicente Rodriguez could make his first appearance since mid-October following a thigh problem. But full-back Marcos Painter misses out after suffering a recurrence of his hamstring injury just six minutes into his comeback at Peterborough on Saturday.

Newcastle skipper Fabricio Coloccini is a doubt for Newcastle. The Argentinian defender tweaked his groin in training and will be assessed before manager Alan Pardew makes a decision on him. Strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse remain on African Nations up duty with Senegal but are expected to return early next week.

Top scorers (all competitions): Ashley Barnes (Brighton) 8; Demba Ba (Newcastle) 15 Match odds: H 3-1 A 19-20 D 23-10 Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).

Derby v Stoke Derby loan striker Ryan Noble has not been given permission by parent club Sunderland to play in the FA Cup. Noble was a second-half substitute in the goalless league draw at Burnley last weekend and Derby boss Nigel Clough had hoped to be able to play him because of injuries to leading scorer Theo Robinson and Steven Davies. Midfielder James Bailey has trained this week after he felt unwell at Burnley and had to be replaced by the fit-again Jeff Hendrick.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has virtually a full squad to choose from. Defender Andy Wilkinson and wide man Ryan Shotton are fit again after recent injury problems, with long-term absentee Mamady Sidibe (knee) the only player who will not be available for the Potters.

Top scorers (all competitions): Theo Robinson (Derby) 8; Peter Crouch & Jonathan Walters (Stoke) 8 Match odds: H 12-5 A 6-5 D 11-5 Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).

Hull v Crawley Town Hull defender Liam Rosenior has recovered from an ankle injury and manager Nick Barmby has confirmed he is in contention. Winger Robbie Brady, on loan from Manchester United, scored the game's only goal when he returned to the starting line-up at Reading and is likely to retain his place alongside Aaron Mclean up front, while Matty Fryatt may have to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench again.

Crawley are boosted by the loan capture of Sanchez Watt. The 20-year-old Arsenal striker has joined the Red Devils on loan until the end of the season and is eligible to line up at the KC Stadium. Defender Claude Davis limped out of last weekend's 1-1 draw at Plymouth after taking a knock to his leg but has recovered and will be available. Striker John Akinde is also fit after missing out against Argyle with a thigh injury.

Top scorers (all competitions): Robert Koren & Matt Fryatt (Hull) 8; Matthew Tubbs (Crawley Town) 17 Match odds: H 4-5 A 7-2 D 5-2 Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).

Leicester v Swindon Leicester are waiting to discover the extent of Paul Gallacher's latest back problem. The Scot had to be substituted just before half-time during the 2-0 Championship victory at Southampton on Monday night. Gallacher joins fellow midfielders Andy King (foot), Matt Oakley and Franck Moussa in the treatment room, while Michael Johnson is not fit enough for action and recent signing Danny Drinkwater is cup-tied. Aston Villa have not granted permission for striker Nathan Delfouneso to play in the fourth-round tie.

Swindon will welcome defender Alan McCormack back from a two-match ban and he could return to the heart of defence to partner Aden Flint, with Joe Devera making way. Winger Luke Rooney will not be available to manager Paolo Di Canio, however, as the new signing from Gillingham is cup-tied, and the same applies for forward Billy Bodin.

Top scorers (all competitions): David Nugent (Leicester) 9; Matt Ritchie (Swindon) 9 Match odds: H 8-13 A 4-1 D 3-1 Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

Liverpool v Man Utd Midfielder Jay Spearing could be recalled to Liverpool's squad after missing three matches with a hamstring injury. Manager Kenny Dalglish has to assess the fitness of his players after their Carling Cup exploits against Manchester City in midweek, with forward Craig Bellamy seemingly the most unlikely to play three games in a week. Striker Luis Suarez, suspended for racially abusing Patrice Evra in the two club's league encounter in October, serves the seventh game of his eight-match ban.

Sir Alex Ferguson will take a late check on his squad before finalising his line-up. Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones (both ankle) and Rio Ferdinand (back) are amongst those who are thought to be causing concern. Nani (foot) is expected to miss out, although there has been no official update on the winger's fitness since he limped out of last Sunday's win at Arsenal.

Top scorers (all competitions): Luis Suarez & Craig Bellamy (Liverpool) 8; Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) 18 Match odds: H 6-4 A 9-5 D 11-5 Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).

Millwall v Southampton Millwall skipper Paul Robinson will miss out through a thigh injury and, although the problem is not serious, will not be risked. Fellow defenders Shane Lowry and Alan Dunne are still suspended while full-back Jordan Stewart remains sidelined by a groin injury so Jack Smith, Tony Craig, Scott Barron and Darren Ward continue in a makeshift back four.

Rickie Lambert returns for Southampton after missing the last three games through suspension. Winger Jason Puncheon could also be added to the squad after he was welcomed back into the first-team pool this week having been frozen out for almost a year, while Japanese forward Tadanari Lee has completed his move to the club and is available. But Saints have injury worries with defender Jos Hooiveld limping out of Monday's 2-0 defeat by Leicester with a hamstring problem and winger Adam Lallana a doubt with groin trouble.

Top scorers (all competitions): Darius Henderson (Millwall) 15; Rickie Lambert (Southampton) 17 Match odds: H 19-10 A 6-4 D 21-10 Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire).

QPR v Chelsea QPR will be without a host of first-team players. Akos Buzsaky is struggling with an Achilles injury, while Danny Gabbidon, Matthew Connolly and Heidar Helguson are also doubts. Strikers Jay Bothroyd (groin) and DJ Campbell (hamstring) are definitely sidelined, while Armand Traore and Adel Taarabt are on international duty. New signing Taye Taiwo is also unavailable as he waits for his work permit to be rubber-stamped, although Nedum Onuoha could make his debut.

John Terry is set to start for Chelsea. The Blues and England captain is set to come face to face with Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand for the first time since October's controversial Barclays Premier League game between the sides. Frank Lampard will miss the match at Loftus Road with the calf tear he suffered at Norwich on Saturday, while John Obi Mikel remains out with a hamstring problem.

Top scorers (all competitions): Heidar Helguson (QPR) 9; Frank Lampard (Chelsea) 11 Match odds: H 9-2 A 8-13 D 11-4 Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).

Sheff Utd v Birmingham Blades striker James Beattie's chances of a first start since returning to the club are on hold as he misses out through suspension following his sending off for violent conduct at Charlton. Beattie's place among the substitutes could go to winger Ryan Flynn, who has missed the last three games due to illness, while manager Danny Wilson has no other new injury or suspension problems.

Skipper Stephen Carr is on the mend from a knee injury but is not ready to make his comeback for Birmingham. Liam Ridgewell returns from a hamstring problem and Pablo Ibanez has recovered from a knee complaint. Manager Chris Hughton has opted to rest Nikola Zigic and Marlon King, who has a tight groin in any case. Winger Jean Beausejour has this week completed an undisclosed move to Wigan, meaning Nathan Redmond is likely to be drafted in.

Top scorers (all competitions): Ched Evans (Sheff Utd) 18; Marlon King (Birmingham) 11 Match odds: H 7-4 A 6-4 D 23-10 Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire).

Stevenage v Notts County Gary Smith is not expected to make many changes for his first game in charge of Stevenage. Former Colorado Rapids boss Smith watched from the stands as Boro beat npower League One play-off rivals MK Dons on Tuesday night. Darius Charles caught the eye from the bench and the versatile 24-year-old could have forced his way into the starting XI for the fourth round tie. Chuks Aneke will hope to get back into the squad after the on-loan Arsenal midfielder was overlooked on his return from suspension in midweek.

On-loan defender Kieron Freeman will be ineligible for Notts County. Freeman is cup-tied having played in the previous round when his parent club Nottingham Forest went out to Leicester. Julian Kelly could be about to make a timely return from a calf injury after three weeks out and replace Freeman at full-back. The 22-year-old Irishman will undergo a fitness test. Should Kelly not be fit, Krystian Pearce could be recalled to fill in.

Top scorers (all competitions): Chris Beardsley (Stevenage) 9; Jeff Hughes (Notts County) 13 Match odds: H 21-20 A 13-5 D 23-10 Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

West Brom v Norwich West Brom midfielder Paul Scharner is struggling to overcome an Achilles problem. The Austrian international has been troubled by the injury in recent weeks and missed last weekend's win at Stoke. Albion head coach Roy Hodgson may rest striker Shane Long, who is having to manage a back complaint. Simon Cox and Marc-Antoine Fortune may deputise up front. Skipper Chris Brunt (fractured ankle), fellow midfielder Zoltan Gera (knee) and defenders Steven Reid (ankle and knee) and Billy Jones (hamstring) remain on the injury list.

Norwich striker James Vaughan could feature after making a goalscoring comeback from his long-term knee injury in the 3-3 midweek reserve match against Chelsea. Defender Elliott Ward (knee) also returned to match action in midweek along with Marc Tierney, who has recovered from a groin problem. Defender Kyle Naughton, on loan from Tottenham, will not be involved at the insistence of his parent club.

Top scorers (all competitions): Shane Long (West Brom) 6; Steve Morison (Norwich) 9 Match odds: H 19-20 A 13-5 D 11-4 Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).

Sunday, January 29 Arsenal v Aston Villa Arsenal will hand fitness tests to Thierry Henry, Mikel Arteta (both calf) and Bacary Sagna (ankle). Defender Francis Coquelin has recovered from a hamstring problem, but midfielder Jack Wilshere suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from an ankle injury. Full-back Kieran Gibbs (groin) should return to full training next week, but Carl Jenkinson (back), Andre Santos (ankle) and midfielder Abou Diaby (hamstring) are still out while strikers Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho are away at the African Nations Cup.

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has recovered from sickness in time to face Arsenal. Agbonlahor had to be substituted at half-time because of the bug during last weekend's win at Wolves. Fellow striker Emile Heskey (Achilles) and midfielder Stephen Ireland (hamstring) are also back in contention after resuming training. But winger Charles N'Zogbia's heel problem means he is ruled out against the Gunners and joins defender Carlos Cuellar (calf) and midfielder Chris Herd (ankle) on the current injury list.

Top scorers (all competitions): Robin van Persie (Arsenal) 23; Darren Bent (Aston Villa) 8 Match odds: H 8-13 A 4-1 D 3-1 Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire).

Sunderland v Middlesbrough Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill will be without striker Nicklas Bendtner. The Denmark international suffered a broken nose and other facial injuries during last weekend's 2-0 Barclays Premier League victory over Swansea and is likely to be missing until the middle of February. However, fellow frontman Fraizer Campbell is in contention after another appearance for the reserves on his return from a second serious knee injury, while midfielder Jack Colback was expected to resume training today following his recovery from an ankle problem.

Middlesbrough are without Kevin Thomson and Julia Arca after both were sent off against Coventry last weekend. Jason Steele (thigh) is a doubt and, although Danny Coyne recovered from a calf problem to play at the Ricoh Arena, teenager Connor Ripley stands by. Striker Bart Ogbeche misses out with a hamstring strain.

Top scorers (all competitions): Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland) 6; Marvin Emnes (Middlesbrough) 11 Match odds: H 7-10 A 4-1 D 13-5 Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).