Football: Today's Premiership team news

Nick Harris
Sunday 12 April 1998 23:02 BST
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Blackburn v Arsenal

Blackburn could give a debut to Callum Davidson today. The defender signed for pounds 1.75m from St Johnstone two months ago but has yet to make a first team start. Roy Hodgson may give Davidson his chance today as Rovers look to recover from Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Bolton. Arsenal have Dennis Bergkamp back from a three-match suspension but could be without Remi Garde as they attempt to reduce Manchester United's Premiership lead to a single point.

Derby v Bolton

Francesco Baiano is likely to be recalled by Derby as the Rams look to reverse their recent poor form. Before Saturday's 0-0 draw at West Ham they had lost three consecutive League games (their worst sequence in three seasons) to diminish their hopes of a place in Europe. Bolton will welcome the return of Gudni Bergsson and Jimmy Phillips from suspension. The pair served one-match bans which kept them out of Saturday's much needed 2-1 win over Blackburn.

Liverpool v Crystal Palace

Danny Murphy is likely to get his third Premiership start for Liverpool since his move from Crewe after impressing in Friday's 1-1 draw with Manchester United. Karlheinz Riedle is likely to be missing with a back injury. Palace's Paul Warhurst, who played up front against Leicester on Saturday on his return from a leg stress fracture, may be used to bolster the defence today. Neil Shipperley, now fully recovered from injury, may be used as a partner for Michele Padovano in attack.

Newcastle v Barnsley

Newcastle are likely to be without Keith Gillespie and Alessandro Pistone, who both have tonsillitis, but Steve Watson and captain Rob Lee, not risked in the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal for fear they could aggravate their injury problems, may return. Barnsley will have Welsh international left wing- back Darren Barnard available again after completing a one-match ban but Darren Sheridan and Chris Morgan remain suspended.

Sheff Wed v West Ham

Wednesday may have injury problems as centre-back Goce Sedloski limped off at half-time against Barnsley on Saturday, while Brazilian debutant Emerson Thome, Graham Hyde and Andy Booth also picked up minor injuries. West Ham will be without Trevor Sinclair as he will be serving a one-match ban, while defenders Ian Pearce and David Unsworth are likely to recover from knocks picked up against Derby.

Tottenham v Coventry

Jurgen Klinsmann could be left out by Christian Gross after picking up a thigh injury in Spurs' 2-0 defeat at Chelsea. Gross is likely to give Darren Anderton more than the eight minutes play he had against Chelsea and either Colin Calderwood or David Howells could be recalled to strengthen the midfield. Steve Ogrizovic is in line for his 500th league appearance for Coventry but the Sky Blues may be without Dutch midfielder George Boateng, who is struggling with a leg injury.

Wimbledon v Everton

Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear expects to keep the same side as on Saturday, with Ceri Hughes likely to continue on the bench after his return from a three-month absence with a hamstring injury. Everton will play Duncan Ferguson, despite him not being fully fit. Slaven Bilic is back from suspension but Dave Watson, who missed the Leeds game, is still doubtful. Mickael Madar, a substitute against Leeds, has a back injury and is doubtful.

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