This article is part of our Fit or Miss series.
The condensed holiday schedule is almost over, which means we're close to getting some clarity back in the Premier League. It's clear that there are plenty of players that could use a rest (*cough* Olivier Giroud *cough*), while others are almost back from injuries.
With another quick turnaround before New Year's Day matches, here's the injury list we're looking at for matchweek 20:
Swansea City vs. Manchester City
Out:David Silva will miss out after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend. Sergio Aguero (calf) may be able to return by the end of January. Micah Richards (hamstring) will try to return before February. Michu (ankle) is out until at least February. Michel Vorm will be out for awhile after having knee surgery earlier this month. Nathan Dyer (ankle) is out until February. Garry Monk remains sidelined with his knee injury.
Unlikely to be Fit:Stevan Jovetic is now battling a hamstring injury. Martin Demichelis has a hamstring injury of his own.
Sunderland vs. Aston Villa
Out:Chris Herd is expected to miss the next two weeks with a hamstring injury. Ciaran Clark is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card last weekend. Joseph Bennett continues to sit with a back injury. Jores Okore (knee) may be able to return before the end of the season. Charles N'Zogbia (Achilles) could miss the rest of the season. Carlos Cuellar (hip) is looking at another month or two on the sidelines. Keiren Westwood is out for awhile after having shoulder surgery. Wes Brown is out again due to his red card.
Unlikely to be Fit:Adam Johnson missed last weekend's match with an illness. Fabio Borini had to be taken to the hospital due to his illness last weekend.
Late Fitness Test:Christian Benteke (knee), Ron Vlaar (calf), John O'Shea (shoulder)
Stoke City vs. Everton
Out:Phil Jagielka is expected to miss a few weeks with a hamstring injury. Gerard Deulofeu is out for a few weeks himself with a hamstring injury. Arouna Kone and Darron Gibson are both out for awhile with knee injuries. Asmir Begovic is out for another five or six weeks with a broken finger.
Unlikely to be Fit:Andy Wilkinson suffered a heel injury last weekend.
Late Fitness Test:Robert Huth (knee)
Crystal Palace vs. Norwich City
Out:Jerome Thomas continues to sit with a calf injury. Adlene Guedioura (lung/rib) could return in mid-January. Jack Hunt remains out with an ankle injury. Patrick McCarthy (groin) doesn't have a specific timetable for a return. Glenn Murray has begun running and may be able to start training next month. Alexander Tettey (ankle) is out until February. Elliott Bennett is likely out until March.
Unlikely to be Fit:Cameron Jerome left last Saturday's match against Manchester City with a knee injury after colliding with goalkeeper Joe Hart. Anthony Pilkington (hamstring) is likely a week-and-a-half away.
Expected to be Fit:Jonathan Howson is likely to return from his back injury.
Late Fitness Test:Stuart O'Keefe (thigh) and Kagisho Dikgacoi (hamstring) both failed fitness tests this past weekend.
Southampton vs. Chelsea
Out:Frank Lampard is likely to miss a few matches with a muscular injury. David Luiz sits after getting his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend against Liverpool. Marco van Ginkel (knee) could miss the entire season. Ryan Bertrand continues to sit after suffering a knock.
Unlikely to be Fit:Branislav Ivanovic was forced off during last weekend's match against Liverpool due to a knee injury. Pablo Osvaldo is still battling with a leg injury. Victor Wanyama (leg) and Artur Boruc (hand) could return for the next match week. Guly do Prado (knee) could return soon.
Fulham vs. West Ham
Out:Stewart Downing (Achilles) is likely out for another month. Winston Reid (ankle) may be able to return before February. Ricardo Vaz Te continues to sit after suffering a dislocated shoulder back in October. Andy Carroll (foot) is expected to return within the next few weeks. Brede Hangeland (back) may return sometime in January. Matthew Briggs (hernia) doesn't have a clear return date.
Unlikely to be Fit:James Tomkins left last Saturday's match against West Brom after only 10 minutes due to a groin injury. James Collins continues to battle a calf injury. Maarten Stekelenburg (ankle) is likely to keep sitting out. Philippe Senderos (groin) doesn't seem quite ready to return.
Expected to be Fit:Ravel Morrison (groin) is likely to make his return.
Late Fitness Test:Dimitar Berbatov (groin)
Liverpool vs. Hull City
Out:Joe Allen is likely to miss a few weeks after re-aggravating his hip injury last weekend against Chelsea. Jon Flanagan is expected to miss a few weeks with a hamstring injury. Jose Enrique (knee) is a few weeks away. Sebastian Coates (knee) remains a long-term injury. Joe Dudgeon (knee) has started light training and could return within a month or two. Sone Aluko (Achilles) could return before the end of January.
Unlikely to be Fit:Mamadou Sakho had to be subbed off during the Chelsea match due to a hamstring injury.
Expected to be Fit:Jordan Henderson took a knock in the Chelsea game but manager Brendan Rodgers said he "should be fit." Daniel Sturridge (ankle) is getting closer to a return. Stephen Quinn (hamstring) could make a return.
Late Fitness Test:Steven Gerrard (hamstring), Robert Brady (groin)
West Brom vs. Newcastle
Out:Ryan Taylor remains out for the long-term with a knee injury.
Unlikely to be Fit:Jonas Gutierrez (calf) was supposed to be ready last weekend to face Arsenal but he wasn't deemed fit.
Expected to be Fit:Shane Long (calf) failed a late fitness test ahead of last weekend's match against West Ham. Victor Anichebe wasn't able to play last week against West Ham due to a groin injury but is expected to return.
Arsenal vs. Cardiff City
Out:Tuesday update: Olivier Giroud has been ruled out with an ankle injury.Mesut Ozil is sidelined for a few weeks with a shoulder injury. Aaron Ramsey is dealing with a thigh strain. Yaya Sanogo (back) could return in mid-January. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) is expected to return for Arsenal's FA Cup match against Tottenham on January 4. Abou Diaby (knee) could return in March. Craig Bellamy (knee) continues to sit out.
Unlikely to be Fit:Kieran Gibbs is suffering from a hamstring injury. Andrew Taylor (calf) deemed himself fit ahead of last weekend's match against West Brom, but he was not made available.
Expected to be Fit:Nacho Monreal and Thomas Vermaelen missed last weekend's match against Newcastle due to illness. Tuesday update: Theo Walcott (shoulder), Jack Wilshere (ankle), and Tomas Rosicky (calf) all face late fitness tests.
Manchester United vs. Tottenham
Out:Paulinho could miss a month after suffering ligament damage in his ankle during last weekend's match against Stoke City. Andros Townsend (hamstring) is still a few weeks away. Jan Vertonghen (ankle) is still a few weeks away from returning. Harry Kane is out with a back injury. Phil Jones is likely out for another week due to his knee injury. Rafael's groin injury continues to hamper him. Nani is probably another week or two away. Marouane Fellaini (wrist) could miss two months.
Unlikely to be Fit:Sandro remains sidelined with a calf injury. Younes Kaboul is battling a quad injury himself but could return soon enough. Ryan Giggs left last weekend's match with a hamstring injury.
Expected to be Fit:Jermain Defoe (hamstring) could be suiting up for the last time in the Premier League. Wayne Rooney is expected to return from his groin injury. Tuesday update: Rooney did not train Tuesday and will be given a late fitness test.Antonio Valencia returns from his one-match suspension for picking up two yellow cards on Boxing Day.
Late Fitness Test:Robin van Persie (thigh) Tuesday update: manager David Moyes said Tuesday that van Persie isn't ready to play yet.
