Football: Team News

TODAY

Cardiff City v Manchester City

The Welsh side will be without Stant, their target man, while Curle, the Maine Road captain who has missed the last four games with a knee ligament injury, is prepared to play - if manager Horton will take the risk.

Charlton Athletic v Blackburn Rovers

Charlton's goalkeeper, Salmon, plays against his first club for the first time, while Pitcher and Walsh return from suspension. Rovers have four men doubtful: Hendry, May and Newell all have knee injuries while Ripley has a hamstring problem. Pearce, Marker, Makel and Atkins stand by.

Chelsea v Sheffield Wednesday

Wise, the Chelsea captain, has failed to beat a knee injury sustained three weeks ago. Defender Myers is added to the home squad. The visiting squad includes young defender Watts.

Grimsby Town v Aston Villa

The Cleethorpes side have four injury worries: leading scorer Mendonca and Handyside (both neck), Dobbin (ankle) and McDermott (hamstring). Villa keep the side which drew at Chelsea last weekend.

Ipswich Town v Tottenham Hotspur

Ipswich, under pressure from dissatisfied fans, will be without midfielder Mason (hamstring) and defender Whelan (groin). The Spurs squad includes seven teenagers: Caskey, Campbell, Barmby, Turner, Simpson, Hill and deputy goalkeeper Day. Anderton, Dozzell and Edinburgh all face fitness tests while Walker replaces Thorstvedt (out for two months) in goal. Rosenthal, bought this week from Liverpool, is ineligible.

Kidderminster Harriers v Preston

Davies, Kidderminster's veteran striker, tests a hamstring injury today. Winger Bryson (calf) is Preston's only doubt; Ainsworth stands by.

Newcastle United v Luton Town

Newcastle's captain, Venison, has recovered from a foot injury and will lead the home side. Preece returns in midfield for Luton, in place of the suspended Hughes.

Notts County v West Ham United

Murphy, County's Australian international, earns his first call-up in over a year as nine defenders are unavailable. Cox and Dijkstra are also in the home squad. Gale, the West Ham defender, picked up a calf injury against Norwich on Monday - if he is ruled out Breacker will move inside and Brown will come in at right back.

Oldham Athletic v Stoke City

The Latics await tests on Ritchie (calf) and Jobson (back). Beckford is suspended and McCarthy cup-tied, so Adams and the veteran Palmer are called up to the squad. Stoke wait on Gleghorn (knee) and Sturridge (hamstring), while Bannister returns after a three-match ban.

Oxford United v Leeds United

Oxford call up left-winger Allen in place of Dyer. After a midweek comeback in the reserves, O'Leary is in the Leeds squad for the first time since suffering an achilles injury five months ago. Forrester or White will drop out to make way for fit-again top scorer Rod Wallace.

Plymouth Argyle v Barnsley

Argyle will be unchanged if defender Hill recovers from flu. Deputy right-back Edworthy is fit after a calf strain, but Patterson will be out for a further two weeks after knee surgery. Evans and Burrows are added to the squad. Anderson, Barnsley's player-manager, includes himself in his squad to face the team managed by Shilton, his former Forest colleague.

Port Vale v Wolves

Vale striker Foyle may make an unexpected return after three weeks out with an achilles injury. Kerr (back) and Stokes (groin) are also nearly recovered but Taylor (hamstring) is out. Newhouse (on loan from Wimbledon) has been given permission to play. Wolves will be unchanged if Venus shakes off a groin strain, Mountfield stands by to plug any defensive gaps.

Stockport County v Bristol City

County have a doubt over their key player: the 6ft 7in centre-forward, Francis, who has a thigh injury. The visitors keep the side which won at Anfield in midweek to reach the fourth round.

Wimbledon v Sunderland

Due to a two-match ban, Jones will be absent from the home engine room. Fear, Sanchez and Dobbs are added to the squad. Sunderland prefer Atkinson to Cunnington as a midfield replacement for the injured Armstrong.

TOMORROW

Norwich v Manchester Utd

Ekoku, dropped to the bench at West Ham on Monday, is likely to return to the Canaries' starting line-up. For United, Hughes is available after suspension but may not be able to displace McClair.