Football Team News

TODAY

Arsenal v Chelsea

Parlour, dropped by Arsenal before Monday's 1-0 win against Manchester City, is again left out of the squad. Hitchcock retains the troublesome goalkeeping spot for Chelsea, but Le Saux's desire for a first-team return is still on hold.

Blackburn Rovers v Norwich City

Blackburn manager Dalglish delays naming his team, because of injury problems and the suspensions of Dobson and Newell. Sherwood, who fractured his nose against Oldham last Saturday, hopes to be fit. Wegerle could step in for Newell. Captain Butterworth returns for Norwich after an ankle injury, but Megson is still missing.

Coventry City v Crystal Palace

Coventry will be without captain Robson for the fifth successive game, but he is likely to return in the reserves next week. Palace are likely to recall Shaw in place of Humphrey at right-back after a month out with a cheekbone fracture. Thomas is back in light training, but is unlikely to be fit enough to play.

Ipswich v Leeds Utd

Goddard, out for three matches with a knee injury, proved his fitness in the reserves in midweek and could return for Ipswich. Leeds expect to be unchanged as they seek their first away win of the season. Sterland and Wallace are still out, but there were no new injuries in the midweek game against Stuttgart.

Liverpool v Sheffield Wednesday

One of Liverpool's many wounded, Nicol, is fit to come back from a groin strain, but Wright is out with a thigh injury and Whelan, Jones and Thomas are still out. Wednesday's player-manager Francis was forced to delay naming his squad because of playing a Uefa Cup match last Thursday instead of Wednesday.

Manchester City v Nottm Forest

Reid drops himself to make room for McMahon to start for the first time in three games in City's midfield. Sheron is recalled after an ankle injury and replaces Flitcroft. Forest full-back Charles, who has not played in the first team this season, disputes a place on the bench with Lee Glover, Steve Chettle and Kingsley Black.

Middlesbrough v Manchester Utd

Middlesbrough will again be without winger Hendrie and midfielder Falconer and will be unchanged. Robson and Parker, substitutes in Moscow in midweek, feature in a Premier League squad for the first time for United, but there are no changes in the squad's front runners, despite a run of five draws and only two goals.

QPR v Tottenham Hotspur

Rangers' leading scorer Ferdinand is out with an ankle injury and their centre-half McDonald has only an even chance of returning. Ruddock is back at centre-back for Spurs after missing the defeat at Sheffield Wednesday last Sunday with a groin injury. Barmby is likely to continue alongside Sheringham in attack because of Durie's knee injury. Midfielder Samways is fit after injury and is in an 18-man squad.

Sheffield Utd v Southampton

Sheffield United's goalkeeping problems mean that Kelly plays despite a thigh injury and 18-year-old Wainwright goes on to the bench. Southampton are likely to miss both Dixon and Hurlock again, with Dowie continuing to deputise for Dixon. Hall is available after recovering from concussion and Cockerill may play after coming through his first game for six weeks in the reserves in midweek.

Wimbledon v Aston Villa

Jones starts a three-match suspension so Sanchez returns to Wimbledon's midfield. Holdsworth, recovering from a hernia operation, will be replaced in attack by either Miller or Newhouse. Elkins returns at left-back. Villa could be forced into their first change for five games if Staunton is ruled out with a knee injury. Small stands by for his first senior appearance of the season.

Elsewhere . . .

Wolverhampton Wanderers include defender Paul Blades, signed yesterday from Norwich for pounds 325,000, against West Ham United at Molineux . . . Birmingham City give a debut at Oxford United to Les Sealey, the Aston Villa goalkeeper who has joined them on loan . . . Short and Kuhl return to Derby County's defence against Cambridge United . . . Charlton Athletic, unbeaten after nine First Division matches, are unchanged at Southend United . . . Leicester City give fitness tests to forward Lowe and full- back Whitlow before naming a side to face Barnsley, who give striker Biggins a debut . . . Sunderland are without forwards Byrne and Rush against Millwall at Roker Park . . . Cole, scorer of five goals in seven games since signing from Arsenal, returns to Bristol City's attack at Tranmere Rovers after missing five games with a knee injury.

TOMORROW

Oldham Athletic v Everton

Oldham await fitness verdicts on Henry and Adams, who trained yesterday for the first time this week. Jobson, called up by England for the World Cup qualifier against Norway, is doubtful with flu. McDonald and Palmer are in the squad. Beardsley (hamstring) and Rideout (shoulder) could return for Everton.