EPL Week 4: Latest Updates on Inactives and Injuries for This Week's Fixtures

Players have returned from international duty and are set to resume the Premier League campaign.

Liverpool lead the way as the only side with a perfect record through three matches, followed closely by most of the usual suspects.

One thing that always plays a key role during any given week is injuries. Managers are forced to juggle their lineups based on which of their key players are deemed fit for action and which need another week to recover.

It illustrates the importance for squad depth.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at some of the most pressing injury concerns heading into the fourth week of action. The breakdown is followed by complete information for each match, which will be updated as lineups get posted.

Injury Issues to Watch (via PhysioRoom.com)

Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)

Arsenal's marquee addition has been dealing with an illness that's kept him from training with the club leading up to their clash with Sunderland. His eagerly-anticipated Gunners debut could have to wait another week depending on how he feels.

Status: Starting

Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)

It's taken some time for Vermaelen to overcome a lingering back injury. But the captain is finally get close to full strength and could make his first appearance of the campaign against Sunderland. It comes down to a late fitness test.

Status: Available off bench

Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)

Sturridge missed World Cup qualifying duty with England due to a thigh injury. Despite those absences, he could be ready for action with Liverpool for their clash with Swansea. He's been a crucial player in the early going for the Reds.

Status: Starting

Gylfi Sigurdsson (Tottenham)

After making nearly 50 appearances across for Spurs last term, Sigurdsson faces more competition if he wants to earn regular playing time this season. First, he must work his way all the way back from a bothersome leg injury.

Status: Starting

Emanuele Giaccherini (Sunderland)

The Italian international picked up a hamstring injury while away from the club and will need to pass a fitness test in order to feature against Arsenal. The veteran winger has one of the Black Cats' two goals so far this campaign.

Status: Out

Game-by-Game Lineup Information

Updates will be made as news becomes available.

Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace

Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7:45 a.m. ET (12:45 p.m. BST)

United lineup:

Both of the Red Devils' defenders who were questionable for the match, Phil Jones and Rafael, didn't recover from their respective injuries in time to feature. Wayne Rooney draws the start after overcoming a head injury.

Crystal Palace lineup:

The Eagles are dealing with several ongoing injury issues, but most of the players still have no definitive timetable for their return. The back line remains weakened due to the absences of Paddy McCarthy and Jonathan Parr.

Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United

Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. ET (3 p.m. BST)

Villa lineup:

Villa's only injury concern of note, Charles N'Zogbia, still has no clear timetable for his return.

Newcastle lineup:

Midfielders Gabriel Obertan and Jonas Gutierrez both were unable to recover from hamstring problems in time to be active for the clash. Ryan Taylor remains out with a long-term knee injury.

Fulham vs. West Bromwich Albion

Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. ET (3 p.m. BST)

Fulham lineup:

Darren Bent and Aaron Hughes are both edging closer to their return for the Cottagers, but haven't reached that point yet. Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg is probably a couple weeks away.

West Brom lineup:

James Morrison is available off the bench after overcoming a groin problem. George Thorne and Steven Reid are among the players still sidelined by various ailments for the Baggies.

Hull City vs. Cardiff City

Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. ET (3 p.m. BST)

Hull lineup:

Goalkeeper Allan McGregor had been fighting a groin injury, but was deemed healthy enough to start for the Tigers. George Boyd is available as a substitute after working through an ankle issue.

Cardiff lineup:

Steven Caulker recovered from an ankle injury to feature along the back line for Cardiff. Andreas Cornelius and David Marshall are unavailable due to ankle and hip problems, respectively.

Stoke City vs. Manchester City

Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. ET (3 p.m. BST)

Stoke lineup:

Marc Muniesa continues to battle a groin injury while Jamie Ness is out with an upper leg issue. The return date for both players is unclear.

City lineup:

City are still working with a patchwork back line as Vincent Kompany, Micah Richards and Gael Clichy are all sidelined. David Silva is out, as well.

Sunderland vs. Arsenal

Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. ET (3 p.m. BST)

Sunderland lineup:

The aforementioned wasn't able to make it back from a hamstring issue in time to play. Wes Brown is available as a reserve having made progress toward full fitness after a knee injury.

Arsenal lineup:

Gunners fans waiting for Ozil's debut won't have to wait any longer as the talented midfielder is in the starting lineup. Vermaelen is ready for action, but will start on the bench.

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Norwich City

Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. ET (3 p.m. BST)

Tottenham lineup:

One of the highlighted players above, Sigurdsson, is ready to roll after getting past a leg injury. Etienne Capoue is out with an ankle ailment.

Norwich lineup:

Elliott Bennett is the only injury concern for Norwich. He remains out with a knee injury.

Everton vs. Chelsea

Saturday, Sept. 14 at 12:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. BST)

Everton lineup:

Darron Gibson and Antolin Alcaraz are the only two lingering injury worries for the Toffees. Neither is available for today's high-profile clash with Chelsea.

Chelsea lineup:

Tomas Kalas remains sidelined with a broken leg. Otherwise, Jose Mourinho had a full squad available for selection ahead of the key early match.

Southampton vs. West Ham United

Sunday, Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. ET (4 p.m. BST)

Southampton Lineup: 

Southampton make three changes, with Luke Shaw, Nathaniel Cline and Jay Rodriguez coming into the lineup for Danny Fox, Calum Chambers and James Ward-Prowse.

West Ham Lineup:

The Hammers are a bit more beat up, as Andy Carroll (ankle), Stewart Downing (leg), Joe Cole (hamstring), George McCartney (knee) and Alou Diarra (ACL) are all out. Morrison Ravel makes his Premier League debut in this contest. 

Swansea City vs. Liverpool

Monday, Sept. 16 at 3 p.m. ET (8 p.m. BST)

Swansea City Lineup:

The Swans are pretty much at full strength, with only Neil Taylor remaining out to injury. 

Liverpool Lineup:

Victor Moses and Mamadou Sakho make their Liverpool debuts in this contest. Daniel Agger is out with a knock, as are Glen Johnson (high ankle sprain) and Aly Cissokho (ankle). Daniel Sturridge is fit and will start.