Football: Team news

Aston Villa v Wimbledon

Aston Villa again will be without their captain Richardson, still suffering from a back injury caused when lifting up one of his children. Daley is in contention to replace Beinlich who made his first appearance of the season in midweek. Striker Yorke is out. Wimbledon's Joseph (hamstring) is doubtful. Fear and midfielder Talboys are included in the squad. Reserves Dobbs and Payne are other additions.

Chelsea v Ipswich Town

Kjeldbjerg (dead leg) is fighting to be fit for Chelsea while Hoddle (flu and ankle) is still out. Ipswich miss Marshall (chickenpox) and Mason (Achilles tendon) as they aim to equal a club record of five successive clean sheets.

Liverpool v Swindon Town

Barnes, substituted against QPR on Wednesday after taking a knock, has late fitness test before Liverpool name their team. Matteo stands by. Swindon's Ling is recalled in place of Nijholt who starts a two-match suspension.

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur

City hope that Griffiths (knee) will be fit. Quinn had operation on the damaged cruciate ligament in his right knee yesterday. Tottenham are likely to be without Barmby (deadleg) and Samways (hamstring). Both face late fitness tests. Edinburgh has recoverd from gashed ankle while Austin is set to start first Premiership match since breaking an ankle in September.

Newcastle Utd v Manchester Utd

Newcastle winger Lee (knee) has a 50-50 chance of being fit for the visit of leaders Manchester United. Sellars returns after injury in place of Jeffrey. Defenders Scott and Beresford are both out. For Manchester United, Keane, who came on as substitute on Tuesday for McClair at Sheffield United, looks to have recovered from the ankle injury which sidelined him for five games. If he returns, McClair could make way, but Ferguson delays naming line-up until just before kick-off.

Oldham Athletic v Blackburn Rovers

Oldham winger Adams replaces striker McCarthy (hamstring). Manager, Royle, awaits late fitness check on full-back Pointon (gashed leg) before naming line-up. On-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Walsh keeps out Hallworth. Blackburn's manager, Kenny Dalglish, makes no changes to side who beat Chelsea last Sunday.

Sheffield United v Everton

Sheffield United's Beesley has been ordered to rest after being concussed in midweek match against Manchester United. Flo and Whitehouse face late fitness tests before side is named. Warzycha is set to earn a starting recall from Everton's caretaker manager Gabriel. Otherwise the team is expected to be unchanged, although teenager Grant and Yugoslav Radosavljevic are in squad and pressing claims for inclusion in starting line-up.

Southampton v Queen's Park Rangers

Southampton wait for fitness tests on Monkou (hamstring), Dowie (stubbed toe) and goalkeeper Andrews (heel). Beasant stands by in goal while Moody and Benali also stand by. Gerry Francis waits for fitness tests on four Queen's Park Rangers players before naming team. Defender McDonald (Achilles tendon), Peacock (knee), Sinclair (flu) and Wilkins (foot) are all doubtful.

West Ham United v Coventry City

Bishop (flu), a key figure in West Ham's recent climb to respectability, is doubtful, so Allen stands by. Otherwise Hammers field unchanged team. Coventry's central defender and captain Babb has recovered from flu and is expected to return to side.

TOMORROW

Arsenal v Sheffield Wednesday

Davis is back in Arsenal's squad but Winterburn is struggling to overcome the flu virus which previously affected captain Adams. Sheffield Wednesday have defender Pearce (groin injury) back in contention although Trevor Francis might keep together in-form centre defence partnership of Walker and Palmer. Sinton faces a fitness test.