Football: Team News

Arsenal v Everton

Arsenal are likely to be unchanged after six matches unbeaten. Everton will be without Johnston, who has a virus, and fellow striker Rideout is extremely doubtful because of injury.

Blackburn v Manchester United

Rovers have Atkins (groin, chest) fit again and Dobson back from suspension. United's Robson has not shaken off a thigh strain, but Ferguson is fit to return to midfield after an ankle injury.

Coventry City v Chelsea

Coventry will have on-loan Northern Ireland striker Paul Williams on the bench with the starting line-up unchanged. Spackman (hamstring) is out of Chelsea's team, and Wise (toe) is doubtful.

Ipswich Town v Crystal Palace

Whitton is expected to return to Ipswich's midfield after a long injury and Milton is back after an ankle operation. Thomas could be on the bench for unchanged Palace for the second successive game.

Manchester City v Southampton

City defender Vonk (ankle) failed a fitness test and misses a seventh game. Southampton welcome back winger Le Tissier and manager Branfoot expects Dixon (back) and Banger (hamstring) to be in the squad.

Middlesbrough v Sheffield Wed

Middlesbrough will be unchanged. Wednesday's England striker Hirst aggravated an ankle injury before his Uefa Cup dismissal. Bright returns but with Jemson, Johnson and player-manager Francis unfit, Watson may come in.

Oldham Athletic v Aston Villa

Oldham striker Marshall (thigh) misses the game. Manager Royle has included midfielder McDonald in a 15-man squad. Villa have winger Farrell, signed from the Beazer Homes League's Redditch United last season, in their squad for the first time. Froggatt (ankle) and Parker (stomach muscle) face tests.

Queen's Park Rangers v Leeds

England winger Sinton (knee) and strikers Ferdinand and Penrice are QPR's doubts. Strachan (shin) and Cantona (head) have recovered from injuries sustained in the Champions' Cup against Rangers, but Rod Wallace (hamstring) is fit enough to start his first game in seven weeks.

Sheffield Utd v Nottingham Forest

Sheffield United have doubts about keeper Kelly (knee) and midfield player Rogers (hamstring). First-choice keeper Tracey is fit to return if needed. Hartfield and fit-again Hodges could come into midfield. Glover starts his first game of the season for Forest.

Elsewhere . . .

On-loan Speedie and fit-again Gayle form a new-look attack for Birmingham at home to Bristol Rovers . . . Unbeaten Newcastle are without top- scorer Kelly (ankle ligaments) and Sheedy (thigh) for visit of Grimsby Town . . . Forsyth plays his 300th game for unchanged Derby County against Charlton.

TOMORROW

Liverpool v Norwich City

Rush and Nicol (both groin) are doubtful for Liverpool, but Stewart (hamstring) is ready to return to midfield. Norwich are unchanged as Fox and Beckford are not yet match fit.

Wimbledon v Tottenham Hotspur

Striker Holdsworth (hernia) and defender Blackwell (ankle) are fit to return for Wimbledon. Segers (ankle) is fit to return in goal. Mabbutt plays his first game of the season after knee and shoulder operations. Nayim may come into midfield.