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LONDON, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Brief news ahead of this weekend's Premier League matches (all times GMT).
* Arsenal captain William Gallas is expected to lead out his side against Newcastle United on Saturday (1630) despite injuring his knee in Wednesday's 4-0 Champions League win over FC Twente, the club said on their website (www.arsenal.com).
Theo Walcott, who scored midweek, should also shake off a knee injury in time for the game while new signing Mikael Silvestre will not make his Arsenal debut until September 13 at the earliest.
* Champions Manchester United are not in domestic action but welcome England midfielder Owen Hargreaves back to make his first appearance of the season in Friday's Uefa Super Cup against Zenit St Petersburg in Monaco (1845).
Hargreaves missed the start of the season with a tendinitis problem but has been declared fit, manager Alex Ferguson told a news conference.
Captain Gary Neville could also make his first appearance of the season but Ryan Giggs is unavailable because of a hamstring injury.
* Aston Villa defender Carlos Cuellar could make his debut for the club against Liverpool on Sunday (1500) after overcoming a calf injury. The 27-year-old, who joined from Rangers for 7.8 million pounds ($14.28 million), returned to full training this week.
However, the match might be too soon for fellow new signing Steve Sidwell, who has also been struggling calf problems.
* Liverpool will be without captain Steven Gerrard for the trip to Villa Park after the England midfielder underwent groin surgery on Thursday. Gerrard will be sidelined for ten to 15 days.
* Sunderland midfielder Steed Malbranque is set to miss Sunday's league match against Manchester City (1400), according to the club's website (www.safc.com).
The Frenchman twisted his ankle and damaged his calf during the mid-week League Cup win over Nottingham Forest.
* West Bromwich Albion record signing Borja Valero is expected to make his debut for the club against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday (1400).
The midfielder joined the Baggies for 4.7 million pounds ($8.61 million) from Real Mallorca and manager Tony Mowbray told the club's official website (www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk): "I'd like to get him in and get him started if I can".
(Reporting by Matt Majendie, Editing by Padraic Halpin)
