Football: Team News

Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers

Dixon, concussed playing for England in midweek, is in a 17-man squad for the Gunners, along with Wright - who missed the trip to Spain with a thigh strain - O'Leary, Limpar - left out of the last three games - and 18-year-old midfielder Selley. Hillier is still suspended. Blackburn, in search of the 'double' over Arsenal, are almost certain to be unchanged.

Chelsea v Norwich City

Spackman resumes his career at Stamford Bridge and Barness makes his debut, while Townsend and Fleck line up against their old club. Norwich captain Butterworth misses out with an ankle strain so Polston comes into central defence and Megson leads his new club for the first time. Power's knee keeps him out and Robins starts.

Crystal Palace v Oldham Ath

Palace parade the new strike force of Williams, signed from Sheffield Wednesday yesterday, and Armstrong, but Thorn is out and Patterson is in the squad. Oldham are unchanged.

Everton v Manchester United

Ebbrell has a late fitness test on a hamstring but Rideout should return to the Everton attack. United, who have kept clean sheets in their last four games, are unchanged.

Ipswich Town v Wimbledon

Jones is back in the Dons' midfield, probably in place of Sanchez. Scales has recovered from a calf strain but McAllister has a torn hamstring and there are doubts over fellow defender Elkins so fit-again Joseph stands by. Ipswich, unbeaten, give fitness tests to defender Youds (groin) and strikers Goddard (knee) and Kiwomya (thigh).

Man City v Middlesbrough

City are unchanged, which means Sheron continues to deputise for the suspended Quinn. Hendrie may return on Middlesbrough's wing after three matches out with a calf strain. Pears is still injured so Ironside or Horne, on loan from Millwall, will keep goal.

Nottm Forest v Sheffield Wed

Brian Clough has recalled Black, the winger he is trying to swap for Wednesday's Jemson, in place of Orlyggson. McKinnon, a pounds 750,000 close-season signing from Dundee United, makes his first appearance on the bench. Wednesday have Bright up front after saying goodbye to Williams, Woods will test his England thigh, while captain Pearson may miss out with a recurrence of a hamstring pull.

Sheffield United v Liverpool

The Blades hope to have left-back Barnes and midfield man Hodges back in the side. Liverpool's Nicol and Stewart have recovered from hamstring trouble, but Jones and Thomas are still unfit.

Southampton v QPR

Flowers may be missing from Southampton's goal for the first time in a year after a rib injury in training, and Andrews is on call. Adams is still suspended while ankle injuries mean skipper Cockerill is definitely out and Dixon is probably out. Dowie would deputise for Dixon again. Bardsley, who injured an ankle on his England debut, misses his second game in two seasons for QPR. Channing is his likely replacement while McCarthy and Tillson are added to the squad.

Elsewhere . . .

Newcastle, the only 100 per centers in the land, recall Quinn and Beresford to face their old club, Portsmouth. Quinn is in for injured top-scorer Peacock while Beresford replaces Ranson. Smith, returning to one of his former clubs, will probably keep the side that beat Birmingham 4-0 so there is no place for Clarke. Charlton, the First Division leaders, will test captain Webster's knee but they have defender Pitcher available after a three-match suspension. Opponents Cambridge have central defenders Daish and O'Shea struggling with thigh strains and Fensome stands by.

TOMORROW

Leeds United v Aston Villa

The champions are forced into their first change of the season owing to the hamstring strain that kept Wallace out of the England squad. Batty is fit again and Strachan, Hodge and Rocastle queue up to replace Wallace. For Villa, Saunders makes his debut possibly alongside Yorke who is fit again. Regis is having Achilles tendon surgery while Daley is now a long-term absentee with his wounded knee.

Leicester City v Wolves

Wolves, unbeaten, lose ever-present defender Blades after a month's loan from Norwich, while Madden (knee) and Birch (back) could be sidelined.