Chelsea's Crespo ready for return
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Crespo missed the defeat at Charlton with sinus problems
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LONDON, England -- Chelsea's influential Argentine striker Hernan Crespo, who missed the Boxing Day defeat at Charlton with blocked sinuses, could return at the expense of off-form Adrian Mutu for the visit of Portsmouth on Sunday.
Romanian forward Mutu has not scored for 10 games, but fellow striker Eidur Gudjohnsen was on target after coming on as a substitute at The Valley and is pushing for a starting place.
Juan Sebastian Veron (back) and Emmanuel Petit (knee) are still struggling with injuries.
Charlton manager Alan Curbishley is likely to stick with the side which did him so proud in the 4-2 win at The Valley, for another London derby, at Tottenham.
Center-back Mark Fish is likely to start on the bench again after more than a fortnight out with a groin injury. He will be one of three defenders expected to be among the substitutes with left-backs Chris Powell and Paul Konchesky, recalled from loan at Spurs four days ago, also awaiting starting berths.
Aston Villa manager David O'Leary is awaiting a fitness report on striker Juan Pablo Angel for the home clash with Fulham.
Villa's 12-goal leading scorer is O'Leary's only major doubt after limping out of Elland Road with an ankle knock after the goalless draw at Leeds.
Dion Dublin's fine form as a striker turned defender may again mean Ronny Johnsen having to be content with a place as substitute.
Jerome Bonnissel is Fulham manager Chris Coleman's latest injury concern after limping out of the 2-0 victory over Southampton.
He was replaced by Jon Harley after 23 minutes and the former Chelsea left-back is ready to deputize. Sean Davis is struggling to return from a hamstring injury while Mark Pembridge misses out with a calf problem.
Luis Boa Morte plays his last game before a one-match suspension.
Everton manager David Moyes is hoping that striker Tomasz Radzinski will be fit to face Birmingham at Goodison Park.
The former Anderlecht forward missed the 3-2 defeat at Manchester United with a calf strain but could take Wayne Rooney's place after the teenager's listless display at Old Trafford, where he was lucky to escape with a yellow card for a reckless tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo.
Alessandro Pistone (shoulder), Joseph Yobo (neck) and David Weir (knee) are all out.
Leeds caretaker-manager Eddie Gray could be without skipper Dominic Matteo for the bottom-of-the-table clash at Wolves.
Matteo was forced off during the goalless draw against Aston Villa with a thigh strain and is doubtful.
Gray is definitely without another key midfielder, David Batty, who serves a one-match ban. Stephen McPhail is his likely replacement.