Football: Team news

TODAY

Coventry v Leeds

Referee Brian Hill will decide whether Coventry centre back Busst can play with a plaster-cast on the wrist he broke cycling. If not Gillespie, the former Liverpool defender at the end of a month trial, may play. The American, Jones, is poised for his debut. Leeds may be forced to change a winning team because of injuries to Palmer (foot) and White (heel) who has only a 50-50 chance of playing. Fairclough or South Africa's Radebe, yet to appear since obtaining a work permit, may deputise for Palmer; Strachan is also in reserve.

Crystal Palace v Wimbledon

Thorn, who has had four leg operations, impressed in a reserve game for Palace on Wednesday, but there are unlikely to be any changes. Likewise Wimbledon, who are still without Earle (foot), Blackwell (Achilles), McAllister (ankle) and Joseph (knee). Jones continues as captain despite last week's sending off.

Everton v Queen's Park Rangers

Following news that Muller's move to Everton has fallen through, Rideout keeps his place alongside Nigeria's Amokachi in attack as Everton strive to end a sequence of four consecutive defeats. Rangers are without Sinclair and Meaker (both suspended) and Allen (virus). Wilson is back after a one-match suspension for being sent off on the opening day of term.

Leicester v Tottenham

Leicester have recalled Joachim, dropped for two games, to replace Lowe (suspended) while Mohan comes back from a ban to take Carey's place. The Romanian, Popescu, will make his his debut for Spurs in the Coca-Cola Cup against Watford next Wednesday due to a delay with his work permit.

Manchester Utd v Liverpool

Cantona returns after missing the midweek European Champions' League victory through injury; Butt stands down. Ince is none the worse for a troublesome knee injury but Keane and Parker are still under treatment. Babb, Britain's most expensive defender, was still not sure yesterday whether he would be making his debut for Liverpool, who may stick with the defence who played out a goalless draw with West Ham last week.

Sheffield Wed v Manchester City

Wednesday await a fitness report on Walker (hamstring), who missed last week's four-goal loss at Forest. Ingesson, the pounds 2m Swedish signing who started well in that game, makes his home debut. Bright may return after being dropped. Manchester City must decide whether to play Quinn, now fit again after a serious knee injury, or Rosler, available after suspension. Curle (hamstring) is out and Phelan and Flitcroft, similarly afflicted, face fitness tests.

Southampton v Nottingham Forest

Ekelund, Southampton's new Danish signing, makes do with a substitute's spot as the manager keeps faith in those who won at Spurs. Norwegian international Haland makes his Premiership debut for Forest in place of Chettle (suspended). Woan is back in contention after recovering from an ankle knock but is unlikely to win back his place yet from either Black or Bohinen in a side victorious in four of its five games.

WestHam v Aston Villa

Cottee returns to Upton Park as a West Ham player, aiming to improve the club's record of one goal in five games. He then starts a three-match ban. With Hutchison, another new signing, already suspended, the Hammers are likely to be unchaged. Bosnich and Yorke, who missed the Uefa Cup tie in Milan because of injury and the foreigner rule, respectively, are set to return to the Villa side. Houghton, Teale and Fenton are also in contention for a recall.

TOMORROW

Arsenal v Newcastle Utd

Merson looks set to keep his place in the Arsenal side after his midweek Cup-Winners' Cup brace in Cyprus, which could mean Smith making way for Campbell. Selley also has a chance of selection. Beardsley, recovered from a fractured cheekbone, makes his 500th league appearance in an unchanged Newcastle side, fresh from its one-sided Uefa Cup tie in Antwerp and going for a club record sixth successive victory in their sixth game of the season.

Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers

Chelsea are likely to restore Clarke to the side - and Kjeldbjerg if he recovers from a back injury. That could mean Newton and Minto dropping out. The absence of Blackburn's Wilcox (suspended) opens the way for the return of Warhurst, who has recovered from a groin strain.

Elsewhere . . .

Robson, the Middlesbrough player- manager, is forced out of the game at Port Vale by a foot injury. His central defender Pearson is also injured while goalkeeper Miller (thigh) has a 50-50 chance . . . After successive wins at Luton and Millwall, Burnley manager Jimmy Mullen is disinclined to make room for Eyres and Joyce after injury against Wolves, just starting a run of three away games . . . Swindon have midfielder Beauchamp suspended for the game at Charlton, the first of three between the two clubs in the space of 11 days . . . Oldham have their captain, Henry, back at Derby after a three- match absence and Jobson recovered from a viral infection. Hallworth deputises in goal for Gerrard (suspended) . . . Australian defender Van Blerk, signed for pounds 300,000 from Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles, is in line for his Millwall debut at Tranmere. Van den Hauwe is ready for his first game of the season.