Football: Wright out to make life tough for United: Arsenal aiming to frustrate Ferguson as Roxburgh's reserves tackle world champions

IAN WRIGHT looks set to play for Arsenal in tonight's visit to Old Trafford, which will be good news for the England manager, Graham Taylor, and bad news, possibly, for Manchester United's title hopes.

Wright's groin injury is likely to need a hernia operation at the end of the season, and after the England striker missed Arsenal's 4-3 win over Southampton on Saturday, his manager, George Graham, said that he would be withdrawn from Taylor's squad if he missed tonight's game.

Yesterday, however, Wright showed no ill effects from a full-scale training session. Graham has other injury worries, though, in Tony Adams and Paul Davis. Wright's striking partner, Alan Smith, is definitely out with an ankle injury.

United are in serious need of a win after dropping seven points from their last three games, but Alex Ferguson resists the temptation to restore Bryan Robson to United's starting line-up and has named a side unchanged from Sunday's draw with Manchester City. Robson, who needs four more appearances to qualify for a championship medal, stays on the bench.

There was speculation that Lee Sharpe might be left out because his lack of goals but Ferguson said: 'Lee has made 15 goals for us this season and he didn't start back until November.'

The other game crucial to the championship race is Aston Villa's visit to Norwich, whose manager, Mike Walker, was busy talking down his side's title chances after Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Wimbledon. Walker's counterpart, Ron Atkinson, is not fooled by the apparent pessimism, dismissing it as 'absolute kidology'. 'If they beat us and United, who still have to go there, they will be favourites again,' he said.

Villa's superb form means that Atkinson has no need to return Dalian Atkinson or Tony Daley to the starting line-up, though both are fit after long-term injuries.

Nicky Barmby, whose World Youth Cup was overshadowed by shin problems, hopes to be back in action for the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal at Wembley on 4 April. The Tottenham striker took part in training yesterday but will miss tonight's game against Manchester City.