Football: Team News

ASTON VILLA v CRYSTAL PALACE

McAvennie, a free transfer from West Ham last season, is in line for a place with the injured Regis (Achilles tendon) and Daley (knee) ruled out. Last season's top-scorer Yorke is still doubtful because of a groin injury. Crystal Palace defender Thorn is suspended, but Welsh international Coleman is expected to return in a reshuffled defence. Rodger is included for Shaw, who has had an operation on a fractured cheekbone.

BLACKBURN v NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Price, recovered from a knee injury, returns to the squad, but Blackburn are likely to field an unchanged side. Charles and Tiler, who replaces Wilson (Achilles tendon), will make their first appearance of the season for Forest. Black, in transfer talks with Sheffield Wednesday, is ruled out. Crosby deputises.

LIVERPOOL v CHELSEA

Liverpool's injury problems show no sign of abating. Thomas (ankle) is out for two weeks, and there will be late decisions on Stewart and Nicol. Harkness should be back following a damaged toe. Grobbelaar is back on the substitutes' bench. Chelsea are without the full-back Clarke, who has a groin strain, and Stuart, who has not recovered from a thigh strain. Lee could make his first full start since November.

MIDDLESBROUGH v SHEFFIELD UNITED

Middlesbrough's Hendrie has not recovered from a calf injury, while goalkeeper Ironside is struggling with a hip injury and Millwall's Horne, signed on loan, could deputise. Morris, the Republic of Ireland defender, faces a fitness test. United, without a win since the start of the season, are likely to be unchanged. Goalkeeper Tracey, who was sent off at Tottenham on Wednesday, is in the squad.

NORWICH CITY v SOUTHAMPTON

Leaders Norwich will be unchanged from the team which beat Nottingham Forest in midweek. Dixon, Southampton's pounds 575,000 signing from Chelsea, attempts to shake off an ankle injury, but Groves returns to the squad. Banger could replace the suspended defender Adams.

OLDHAM ATHLETIC v COVENTRY CITY

Oldham recall midfielder Henry, recovered from an ankle injury. But there is still a doubt about Norwegian international Halle, who will have a fitness test on the calf muscle he pulled in the 2-2 draw with Leeds during the week. Coventry manager Gould, who played four strikers in 2-1 victory at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, has named a 16-man squad, but Atherton is a possible doubt with a damaged instep.

QPR v IPSWICH TOWN

Queen's Park Rangers give fitness tests to strikers Ferdinand and Bailey, who both suffered knee injuries in the goalless midweek game with Arsenal, and the winger Impey is also doubtful. Goalkeeper Stejskal is back from World Cup duty with Czechoslovakia and midfielder Holloway is in a 16-man squad. Kiwomya, Ipswich's top marksman last season, should return after a thigh problem. Wark (shin) and Johnson (thigh) will have late fitness tests.

SHEFFIELD WED v MANCHESTER CITY

Jemson has been withdrawn from Sheffield Wednesday's squad because he is having transfer talks with Nottingham Forest. Watson comes into contention for a place. Manchester City will be without suspended striker Quinn. Sheron is the most likely replacement to partner leading scorer White.

TOTTENHAM v EVERTON

Tottenham have named four teenagers in their squad. Barmby, 18, and Turner, 17, are joint favourites, if Sedgley fails a late fitness. Striker Minton and midfielder Watson, both also 18, are on stand-by in case Durie is ruled out with a damaged knee. Rideout and the new Yugoslav signing Preki are out of Everton's squad through injury. Johnston, Beagrie and Ward face late fitness tests, leaving Barlow and Kenny on standby.

WIMBLEDON v ARSENAL

Wimbledon defender Scales is still ruled with a calf muscle injury. Fashanu came through his first game of the season in midweek without any recurrence of a hamstring strain. Arsenal are without the suspended Hillier. Lydersen, who could make his first appearance of the season, and Linighan, the centre- back, join the squad. Wright looks a certain starter, despite withdrawing from England's squad with the thigh injury that has troubled him all season.

Elsewhere. . .

Charlton Athletic, top of the First Division, will be without suspended defender Pitcher for the visit to Sunderland. Balmer deputises. . . Newcastle manager Keegan faces a selection dilemma at Bristol Rovers. Captain Kilcline, Bracewell and Beresford have recovered from injury, but Newcastle have won both games they have played without them. . . Wolves manager Turner makes a late decision on whether to change a winning team for the home game against Peterborough.

TOMORROW

MANCHESTER UTD v LEEDS UTD

Manchester United's Hughes will resume his partnership with McClair in the absence of Dublin, who will be out for five months, with Andrei Kanchelskis playing out wide. Leeds have added their summer signing Rocastle to the squad, but, with no injury problems, may keep an unchanged side.