Fabregas returns for Arsenal's quest

The midfielder is expected to pass a fitness tomorrow morning, which will give Wenger and his team a boost as they look for a sixth successive Premier League win.

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Cesc Fabregas is poised to return from injury as Arsenal entertain West Ham tomorrow, but William Gallas's fitness is an ongoing concern for manager Arsene Wenger. Gunners captain Fabregas has been out since March 6 - missing the matches with Porto and Hull - due to a hamstring injury. But the influential midfielder is expected to pass a fitness tomorrow morning, which will give Wenger and his team a boost as they look for a sixth successive Premier League victory and put them on top of the table for at least 24 hours with leaders Manchester United playing on Sunday against Liverpool and second-placed Chelsea travelling to Blackburn Rovers on Monday night.

Tomas Rosicky is also anticipated to be fit following a groin problem, but defender William Gallas has "an endless calf injury", according to Wenger. Gallas has missed the last six games and will miss at least two more matches - the West Ham games and the match at Birmingham on March 27. "Cesc and Tomas should be available for Saturday," said Wenger. "So we should have Fabregas, Carlos Vela and Rosicky back. Plus of course we have Song coming back from suspension."

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has started negotiations with club owner Carson Yeung over a new contract. The Scot joined Blues two-and-a- half years ago @Email:sports@thenational.ae