Football: Inspirational Albert ready to boost Newcastle

Philippe Albert, a key figure in Newcastle's League campaign last season, will make his comeback in tonight's Coca-Cola Cup second round second leg against Bristol City at St James' Park.

The Belgian international has not played a competitive match for the Magpies since he picked up a knee injury just before Christmas. Newcastle - 5-0 up from the first leg - will be without the injured Peter Beardsley and David Ginola.

Beardsley is already out of England's game with Norway next week while the Newcastle manager, Kevin Keegan, says Ginola is "struggling" to play for France in their European Championship qualifier with Romania. Teenage striker Paul Brayson will at least be on the bench for the first time after scoring more than 50 goals for the juniors and reserves last season.

Paul Warhurst could make his first start of the season after recovering from a broken leg as Blackburn hope to improve on a 3-2 advantage at home to Swindon. Bobby Mimms stands in for goalkeeper Tim Flowers, who saved a late penalty from Paul Bodin in the first leg, with the Australian Frank Talia on the bench. Ironically, Talia this week returned from a month's loan at Swindon where he started five games.

Nottingham Forest could also be without their top scorer Bryan Roy, who has a thigh strain as Forest, the only side unbeaten in the Premiership, attempt to overturn a 3-2 deficit against Bradford City at the City Ground. Forest will be without Lars Bohinen, who scored twice in the first leg, as he watches Blackburn, who have made an offer for the Norwegian, take on Swindon.

Millwall head for the north-west hoping their German striker, Uwe Fuchs, can finally break his goal duck and add to Everton's gloom at Goodison where the two sides start goalless. The Everton manager, Joe Royle, has responded to his side's poor form by dropping centre-back David Unsworth. Earl Barrett is likely to switch to the middle, with Matt Jackson recalled at full-back.

Fuchs hit nine in 15 games on loan at Middlesbrough last season, but has not managed a single goal since his pounds 750,000 move from Kaiserslautern.