FA Cup team news and stats

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Team news, statistics and our verdicts ahead of the action in the fifth round of the FA Cup.


Saturday, February 14

Blackburn v Stoke

Chris Taylor is likely to start in midfield for Rovers due to the absence of the cup-tied Jay Spearing and injured pair Jason Lowe and David Dunn. Back-up goalkeeper Simon Eastwood has been preferred to Jason Steele in this competition while top scorer Rudy Gestede came off the bench to set up the winner against Rotherham in midweek to push his claims for a starting berth.

Mark Hughes is hopeful of having Jonathan Walters available after he sat out Wednesday's 4-1 Barclays Premier League loss to Manchester City due to an ongoing knee issue. Erik Pieters (hernia) has an outside chance of featuring, but Ryan Shawcross (back), Marc Wilson (groin) and Stephen Ireland (hamstring) are not yet ready to make their returns from injury.

Top scorers (all competitions): Rudy Gestede (Blackburn) 13; Jonathan Walters (Stoke) 10

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)

Our verdict: Blackburn 1 Stoke 2

Crystal Palace v Liverpool

Palace defender Pape Souare could make his debut after the Senegalese had a work permit application approved but Eagles captain Mile Jedinak remains sidelined with an ankle injury. Yaya Sanogo (hamstring) and James McArthur (thigh) are also struggling to be fit in time while Shola Ameobi is still regaining fitness and unlikely to feature.

Captain Steven Gerrard will be missing from the Liverpool squad after being ruled out for two to three weeks with a hamstring problem meaning Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen are likely to be paired in central midfield. Forward Raheem Sterling has to be assessed while youngster Jordon Ibe is cup-tied.

Top scorers (all competitions): Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) 10; Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) 10

Referee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire)