West Bromwich Albion host Everton in the first match of the New Year, but are likely to be without midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu due to a groin injury.
The 24-year-old has not been completely ruled out of Sunday's clash but it is expected that the playmaker will miss the match.
It is understood that James Morrison will be drafted in to replace Mulumbu after overcoming a hamstring problem. However, right-back Steven Reid remains sidelined following knee surgery.
Marouane Fellaini is expected to be excluded from David Moyes's Everton side with an abductor injury, which forced the playmaker out of the Toffees' 1-1 draw with Sunderland on Monday.
John Heitinga will cover the absence of 20-year-old Jack Rodwell, while loan signing Landon Donovan cannot feature for Everton until next week.
The competitors are well matched in terms of form and only one point separates them in the Premier League table, with the Baggies in ninth place, and the Toffess in eighth.
Current form:
West Bromwich Albion: LDLWWD
Everton: WLLDWD
Possible lineups:
West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Jones, Olsson, Mcauley, Shorey; Thomas, Scharner, Dorrans, Brunt; Long, Odemwingie
Everton: Howard; Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Baines; Osman, Heitinga, Neville, Drenthe; Cahill, Saha
Sports Mole says: 1-1
