Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time

This morning news has broken that The F.A. are in talks with the Premier League in a bid to reduce the league to 18 teams. Greg Dyke believes that if the league was to have 2 fewer clubs then this could aid club sides in Europe and also the National …

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has confirmed either Pedro Obiang or Alex Song will start against West Brom in place of suspended captain Mark Noble. Obiang has been out for a month with a thigh injury, while fit-again Song made his first appearance of the season as a substitute last …

Norwich City midfielder Alex Tettey remains sidelined for the visit of Arsenal because of a groin injury. Captain Russell Martin is available, having missed last weekend’s trip to Chelsea for personal reasons. Alexis Sanchez suffered a tight hamstring in Arsenal’s Champions League game this week but is set to play. …

Liverpool will assess Daniel Sturridge after a foot problem delayed his planned midweek comeback. Lucas is suspended and Philippe Coutinho is a doubt with a hamstring problem, while Jordan Henderson is back in training but unlikely to feature. Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey misses out through suspension. The former Liverpool midfielder …

Tottenham are without midfielder Dele Alli, who serves a ban for accumulating five bookings. Kyle Walker, Mousa Dembele and Danny Rose are set to return after being rested on Thursday, when Spurs beat Qarabag in Azerbaijan. Chelsea captain John Terry is a major doubt with an ankle injury, although manager …

Leicester’s free-scoring striker Jamie Vardy will be fit to play despite nursing a hip problem. The Foxes’ only injury absentee is Matty James, who has not played this season because of a knee injury. Manchester United’s Phil Jones and Ander Herrera, who went off with ankle and hamstring injuries respectively …

Sunderland are hoping Jermain Defoe will be fit despite the striker limping off with an ankle injury in Monday’s win over Crystal Palace. Fabio Borini could return after missing the Palace game with an ankle injury, but defender Billy Jones is suspended. Stoke’s Xherdan Shaqiri is fit after a hamstring …

Goalkeeper Joe Hart is Manchester City’s latest casualty, having suffered a hamstring strain in midweek. Defenders Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta and Eliaquim Mangala are all ruled out, but David Silva is included in the squad. Shane Long will lead Southampton’s attack in the absence of suspended top scorer Graziano Pelle …

Crystal Palace are expected to be without Bakary Sako, who suffered a hamstring injury against Sunderland. Alan Pardew may opt to start fit-again striker Maroaune Chamakh, with Connor Wickham’s place under threat. Newcastle have a midfield crisis with Cheick Tiote (groin) likely to join Jack Colback on the sidelines. Yoan …