Pennant has been suffering with a virus and manager Tony Pulis will be keeping a close eye on the player between now and kick off, a late test is expected.
Defender Andy Wilkinson is available again having recovered from a groin injury.
Provisional squad: Begovic, Sorensen, Huth, Shawcross, Wilkinson, Upson, Shotton, Wilson, Woodgate, Whelan, Whitehead, Etherington, Pennant, Delap, Palacios, Jones, Jerome, Crouch, Walters, Fuller.