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By Rex Gowar
LONDON, March 28 (Reuters) - News in brief ahead of the weekend's Premier League matches:
* Liverpool will be without the suspended Javier Mascherano for Sunday's 207th Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield (1500 GMT), a key match in the race for fourth place and a Champions League berth.
Harry Kewell is doubtful after having to pull out of Australia's World Cup qualifier in China on Wednesday with a groin strain.
Everton are two points behind Liverpool in fifth place and looking to avenge a defeat when the sides met at Goodison earlier in the season.
* Leaders Manchester United have doubts over the fitness of striker Louis Saha, who is nursing a hamstring injury, for their home match with Aston Villa on Saturday (1715).
United will be looking for a 14th consecutive victory over Villa as they warm up for the first leg of their Champions league quarter-final away to AS Roma on Tuesday.
For Villa, defender Olof Mellberg, who played in Sweden's 1-0 defeat by Brazil in London on Wednesday, returns from suspension and goalkeeper Scott Carson has recovered from a knee injury.
* Second-placed Chelsea, home on Sunday (1230) to Middlesbrough, hope Frank Lampard will have recovered from the illness that prevented him from playing for England against France on Wednesday.
Boro's Argentine midfielder Julio Arca is hoping to return to the squad after being dropped earlier this month due to a dip in form and central defender Robert Huth is nursing an inflamed joint in his foot, which prevented him from making a comeback for Germany against Switzerland on Wednesday.
* Third-placed Arsenal travel to Bolton Wanderers without right back Bakary Sagna, who is out for a least three weeks after twisting his ankle during last Sunday's defeat at Chelsea.
Bolton captain Kevin Nolan misses the match through suspension.
* Tottenham Hotspur, who beat FA Cup semi-finalists Portsmouth last weekend, are at home on Sunday (1400) to a Newcastle United side looking to cash in on their new-found confidence following their first win under Kevin Keegan.
* Fulham need a victory at bottom club Derby County on Saturday (1500) in their fight to avoid relegation and could take inspiration from Northern Ireland striker David Healy, despite his not being a regular in the team.
Healy was presented with an award by UEFA president Michel Platini on Wednesday for his record 13 goals in the Euro 2008 qualifiers before his country's friendly against Georgia, a 4-1 win in which he scored. (Editing by Justin Palmer)
