Football: Team News

Aston Villa v Ipswich

Spink is likely to make his first appearance of the season in the Villa goal in place of Bosnich, who suffered a knee injury in training. Atkinson could also come into contention after recovering from a hamstring injury. Ipswich's new South American signings, Taricco and Paz, await work permits, but Wark is fit to play in an unchanged side after missing training this week with a thigh strain.

Blackburn v Everton

Hendry has had five stitches removed from a gashed forehead and is likely to play for Blackburn, who have made only one change in four games this season. Batty, recovering from a foot operation, is to have the plaster removed next Tuesday. Everton's Nigerian international forward, Amokachi, makes his debut alongside Rideout. Burrows, signed from West Ham, makes his debut at left- back in place of Hinchcliffe.

Liverpool v West Ham

Babb and Scales, Liverpool's new pounds 7m signings, are expected to form a new- look defence alongside Ruddock. Nicol may drop out. Barnes has recovered from a knock suffered during his England comeback. West Ham choose between Chapman and Marsh as attacking partner for Cottee. Hutchison is suspended. Rowland or Brown will play at left-back in place of Burrows, who left for Everton in the deal which brought Cottee back to the club.

Manchester City v Crystal Palace

Quinn starts his first game for Manchester City in 10 months following the knee ligament damage that kept him out of the World Cup. Rosler is suspended. Phelan, missing for two games with a hamstring injury, could return. Palace are forced to make a change in midfield as Rodger has a back injury. Newman has recovered from a broken nose and may fill the vacancy, although Matthew and Bowry are also in contention.

Newcastle v Chelsea

Hooper plays his first game in goal for Newcastle since February, replacing the suspended Srnicek. Burridge comes on to the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad. Chelsea's only absentee is the reserve goalkeeper, Hitchcock, following appendicitis. His place on the bench goes to Colgan. Otherwise Chelsea should be unchanged.

Norwich v Arsenal

Robins or Ekoku may make way for Sheron, an pounds 850,000 signing from Manchester City. Goss should be fit following a knee injury. Parlour and McGoldrick are in contention for Arsenal places at the possible expense of Smith or Campbell. Bould misses a third game with a thigh injury.

Nottingham F v Sheffield Wed

Woan (hamstring) and Gemmill (ankle) are Forest casualties. Black, Bohinen and Webb are competing to replace them. Wednesday's pounds 1m Swedish midfielder, Ingesson, is clear to make his debut. Wednesday are without Taylor (hamstring) and Jones (toe).

QPR v Coventry

Sinclair, injured in England Under-21 midweek action, is fit, but Penrice (back) and Maddix (shoulder) both face late tests. Coventry's signing from Manchester United, Dublin, makes his debut. Pickering is set to play his first senior game of the season in place of Borrows (hamstring).

Wimbledon v Leicester

Reeves, signed from Rochdale for pounds 300,000 following the sale of Scales to Liverpool. Also included in Wimbledon's 17-man squad are Holdsworth, who has asked for a transfer, and Fear, sidelined for the first four games by an ankle injury. Leicester give a debut to Carr, signed on loan from Sheffield United. Draper returns after an ankle injury, but Mohan (suspended) and Hill (toe) are out. Smith (flu) is doubtful.

Elsewhere . . .

Walters, who has joined Wolves on loan from Liverpool, makes his debut at home to Tranmere. Bull returns from injury. . . Van Blerk has completed his signing for Millwall from the Dutch club, Go- Ahead Eagles, but is unlikely to play against West Bromwich Albion. Millwall will also be without Stevens. Mitchell (back) is doubtful, but May could challenge for a place after injury. Albion may have Taylor back in attack after a kidney complaint.

TOMORROW

Leeds v Manchester United

Fairclough may start for Leeds for the first time this season. Hughes (groin), Ince (knee) and Keane (thigh) have all trained for United after missing midweek internationals through injury.