Football: Team News

Arsenal v Crystal Palace

Wright has recovered from his ankle injury and has the chance to score his 100th goal for Arsenal. Manager Graham could rest Jensen and Parlour, with Hillier and Campbell taking over. Palace may make changes with Salako likely to be switched into attack to partner Armstrong.

Aston Villa v Newcastle

Villa's Whittingham starts his first game for seven months. Saunders (hip), Richardson (hamstring) and Houghton (arm) are struggling. Bosnich, Lamptey, Yorke and Teale stand by. Newcastle's new pounds 2.25m signing Kitson could make his Premiership debut if Beardsley fails to recover from a thigh strain.

Leeds Utd v Manchester City

South African internationals Masinga (hip) and Radebe (knee) are doubtful for Leeds. Whelan is expected to be restored and Tinkler could make his first home appearance of the season after replacing the injured Strachan on Monday. City skipper Curle is ruled out, having aggravated his hamstring strain and strikers Rosler and Walsh, ankle injuries, are other doubts.

Liverpool v Sheff Wed

Clough, substitute for Liverpool last week at Newcastle, could be in from the start if Rush fails a fitness test. Redknapp, dropped to make way for pounds 3.75m Babb, is also hoping for a return. Striker Hirst, dropped by Wednesday against Leeds in midweek, is likely to stay as substitute. Trevor Francis is set to name Bright and Watson up front. Defender Pearce is available after a back injury.

Man Utd v Everton

Giggs (calf) heads Manchester United's European casualty list. Hughes and Keane, both troubled by groin strains, could join him on the sidelines with manager Ferguson prepared to give first full Premiership games to Butt and Scholes. Cantona, banned for the Champions' Cup, returns, as could defender Irwin. Everton overlook Limpar for a third successive match. Snodin is likely to lend his experience to the defence in place of Jackson.

Norwich v Blackburn

Striker Sheron is ruled out by Norwich with a hamstring strain and manager Deehan must decide between Ekoku and Robins as replacement. Midfielder Ullathorne is also missing because of a cracked rib. Blackburn's pounds 5m striker Sutton returns to Carrow Road for the first time. Centre-back Gale, who limped off against Trelleborgs, should be fit but Warhurst and Morrison are on standby.

Southampton v Ipswich

Kenna (knee) could miss his first match of the season with Dodd ready to step in to Southampton's defence. Winger Heaney returns and new Danish signing Ekelund, a scorer on his full debut, makes his first appearance at The Dell. Ipswich are without pounds 1m Uruguayan Paz, who suffered a slight ankle injury in a 3-2 win over Manchester United on his home debut last weekend. Milton (broken toe) is also sidelined but player-coach Wark (knee) expects to be fit.

Wimbledon v Tottenham

New skipper Jones is still suspended and goalkeeper Segers (knee) is doubtful, with Sullivan standing by. Gayle is another casualty and a further worry is the flu bug that has swept through the club. Harford is the latest to succumb, although Ardley and Fear have recovered. Tottenham defender Edinburgh (ankle) is out and Campbell suspended, but Anderton, recovered from a groin injury, is named in a 20-man squad.

TOMORROW

Chelsea v West Ham

Spackman should start for Chelsea after missing the Cup- Winners' Cup trip to Slovakia. Striker Spencer and defender Kjeldbjerg could return, but Wise is suspended. West Ham striker Cottee is also banned, so Chapman is expected to continue alongside Hutchison in attack.

Nottm Forest v QPR

Forest's Roy had a slight calf injury but should play. Rangers' manager Francis could be forced to put third-choice goalkeeper Cordwell on the bench as Dykstra has an ear wound. Wilson is suspended and Francis waits for fitness tests on Holloway, who has flu, and Trevor Sinclair (groin).