English soccer roundup - Arsenal defender Gallas doubtful

LONDON (Reuters) - Brief news from the Premier League ahead of this weekend's matches:

* Arsenal defender William Gallas is a doubt to face former club and title rivals Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday (1600) as the Frenchman is struggling with an eye injury.

Left back Kieran Gibbs is out for three months, but Theo Walcott could return to boost manager Arsene Wenger's attacking options following injuries to Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.

League leaders Chelsea could welcome England international Frank Lampard back from a thigh injury after the midfielder returned to training this week.

* Manchester United will welcome back Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov from a knee injury for Saturday's trip to bottom-club Portsmouth (1500).

Defenders Jonny Evans (ankle), John O'Shea (heel) and Rio Ferdinand (back) are all ruled out.

Portsmouth, who this week appointed Avram Grant as manager, will be without England goalkeeper David James (calf) for the sell-out match at Fratton Park. Jamie Ashdown or Antti Niemi will deputise.

"He (Grant) has kept in touch with the game quite a lot and he'll be pleased to get back in. He's got a task on his hands but hopefully he can manage it," United manager Alex Ferguson told reporters on Friday.

* Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is not likely to be fit for Sunday's Merseyside derby at Everton's Goodison Park (1330) but midfielder Alberto Aquilani could make his first start.

Everton are still without Phil Neville, who has had knee surgery, Leon Osman, Mikel Arteta, Phil Jageilka, James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe.

* Sunderland's top scorer Darren Bent should feature in Saturday's trip to Wigan Athletic (1500) after a hamstring scan revealed no damage, while defender Michael Turner returns from suspension.

Midfielder Lee Cattermole and goalkeeper Craig Gordon remain sidelined, while striker Kenwyne Jones serves the last of a three-match suspension.

* Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing could make his home debut against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday (1730) after regaining his fitness after six months out with a broken foot.

Spurs are without Ledley King but fellow defender Sebastien Bassong has fully recovered from a hamstring injury after being on the bench in Sunday's 9-1 victory over Wigan Athletic.

Manager Harry Redknapp may reshuffle his lineup. "It's possible I couold make changes," he said. "Picking a team for an away game is very different from picking one for a home match."

* West Ham United's injury-riddled midfielder Kieron Dyer could make his latest first team return at home to Burnley on Saturday (1500).

The 30-year-old former England international returned from a hamstring injury to score twice in a midweek reserve win.

(Reporting by Neil Maidment; Editing by Justin Palmer; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)