Today in the Premier League

Arsenal

Arsène Wenger said striker Theo Walcott will undergo a fitness test prior to the visit of Middlesbrough tomorrow. "There is a little chance of him being back for Saturday," the Gunners manager said. The midfielders Tomas Rosicky [hamstring] and Abou Diaby [calf] remain on the sidelines.

Aston Villa

The club have been linked with a late move for highly-rated Bournemouth striker Sam Vokes. Newcastle United were believed to be favourites to sign the 18-year-old, who has scored 10 goals in 24 matches for the Cherries this season, but Villa are said to be close to agreeing a £200,000 deal.

Birmingham City

Alex McLeish has admitted he will have to educate Mauro Zarate on the nuances of the English game after the Argentine received a booking for diving against Portsmouth this week. "I need to tell him it's well scrutinised in this country," McLeish said. "It's in the culture of the South Americans."

Blackburn Rovers

Mark Hughes believes a sixth-place finish is the target for Rovers as they look to achieve European qualification. "Everton look like they can get fifth [and the sole Uefa Cup spot via the League]," the manager said. "Intertoto wise, we are now probably looking at having to overcome Aston Villa."

Bolton Wanderers

Gary Megson believes the Trotters have the experience and capability to escape the relegation zone. "We've picked up some decent results and improved our position since I've been here," the Wanderers manager said ahead of the trip to Wigan on Sunday. "When we play properly, putting a good shift in, we're capable of beating anyone."

Chelsea

The manager Avram Grant has dismissed reports of the Stamford Bridge club monitoring the 23-year-old Werder Bremen midfielder Diego. "We have no interest in this player," Grant said of the Brazil international, who joined the German side from Porto in 2006. "He is a good player, of course, but he is not being considered."

Derby County

Alan Stubbs is a major injury doubt for the visit of Manchester United tomorrow after a calf strain forced the defender to limp off after just 16 minutes of the Rams' 6-1 defeat at Chelsea on Wednesday. "He's nicked his calf and he's struggling for Saturday," the manager Paul Jewell conceded.

Everton

The Australian international Tim Cahill could miss the trip to Fulham on Sunday after sitting out the Uefa Cup defeat to Fiorentina on Wednesday with a knock on the foot. "We'll give his foot a check," The Toffees manager David Moyes said. "I would think he is a doubt for the weekend."

Fulham

Defender Paul Stalteri has dismissed suggestions his loan move to the Cottagers in January was a step down. "Ask me if I would make the same decision again and I would say 'yes' in a heartbeat," the 30-year-old Canadian international said. "It's good to get back to playing week-in, week-out."

Liverpool

Alvaro Arbeloa hopes his current form for the Reds can earn him a recall to the Spain squad after the defender was forced to pull out of the team to face France last month with an abdominal injury. "If I play regularly, I have a chance," he said. "There is no need to go back to this incident."

Manchester City

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has joined Coventry City on loan for the remainder of the season. "Kasper has shown this season that he has all the attributes to be a top class Premier League goalkeeper," Sky Blues manager Chris Coleman said. "The future is bright for him."

Manchester United

The defender Gary Neville moved closer to a first-team return after completing 73 minutes for the reserves on Wednesday following 12 months out with ankle and groin injuries. "That's my second game in a couple of weeks," the England international said. "I seem to have come through it okay."

Middlesbrough

Gareth Southgate feels the club can build on their point at Aston Villa this week by taking something from the trip to Arsenal tomorrow. "No-one expects us to get anything," he said. "We got a draw there last year. It's a challenge but a lot of our away performances have been decent."

Newcastle United

James Milner will miss the match at Birmingham on Monday after being ruled out for up to three weeks with a foot injury. "We will know more on Monday but we could be looking at two to three weeks," manager Kevin Keegan said. "He's got a protective boot at the moment but there is no break."

Portsmouth

Harry Redknapp believes Jermain Defoe will play an instrumental role in Pompey's pursuit of European football. "He will be a vital asset as we try to churn out as many wins as possible to finish high in the table," Redknapp said. "For me it looks like five European places available from the League."

Reading

Marek Matejovsky has criticised the "selfishness" of his Royals team-mates. "Strikers are trying to go for goal when they should be giving a pass" the 26-year-old Czech international said. "They want it all the time and if you don't give it to them, then they get angry."

Sunderland

Carlos Edwards said he is ready to return to the Black Cats first team against Chelsea tomorrow after recovering from a broken leg. "I'm fit now and hopefully I can play a part until the end of the season," the Trinidad and Tobago midfielder said. "I hope I will be involved against Chelsea."

Tottenham Hotspur

The club could revise their interest in the Milan defender Dario Simic following their Uefa Cup exit. "In January, [Carlo] Ancelotti stopped Simic from moving to England," the Croatian's agent Marko Naletilic said. "There were offers from several British clubs, including Tottenham."

West Ham United

The former Hammers defender Slaven Bilic has admitted to being "flattered" by reports linking him with his former side, but insisted his focus is on current employers Croatia. "Of course I am flattered," the 39-year-old said. "On the other hand, it is getting on my nerves because I have my job to do, my job is with Croatia."

Wigan Athletic

Steve Bruce believes Chris Kirkland is one of the main reasons for the Latic's impressive form, which has seen the club keep clean sheets in four of the last five matches. "Any team needs a quality keeper and we have one in Chris," Bruce said. "Anyone who questioned [his place in] the England squad – he has proved just what a quality keeper he is."