Ritchie looks to repeat cup heroics

Andy Ritchie is hoping for a bit of that old cup magic when he takes Oldham to Blackburn in the Worthington Cup tomorrow night.

The 40-year-old was part of the Oldham side which reached the Littlewoods Cup final in 1990 and also twice made it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup under the guidance of Joe Royle.

Ritchie, who took charge at Boundary Park in the summer of 1998, has overseen an unbeaten start to the Latics' Second Division campaign and reckons his side have nothing to lose against their Premiership opponents. "I think we've got to feel confident but it'll be a difficult game," he said. "We're definitely looking forward to it. It's a big game for us – we've got nothing to lose and everything to gain."

The former Rovers midfielder Tony Carss will miss the match with an ankle injury. Mark Hotte, Mark Innes and Craig Dudley have all been added to the squad.

Watford's new signing, Pierre Issa, could come into the starting line-up at Bristol City. The South African international joined the club on a free transfer from Marseilles. Watford's Danish midfielder, Allan Nielsen, is doubtful, but the 19-year-old Gary Fisken could continue after making his senior debut on Sunday.

Port Vale have no fresh injury worries for their tie against Charlton, although there are still slight doubts over the defender Michael Walsh (sciatic problem) and the striker Ian Armstrong (groin).

Vale's assistant manager, Mark Grew, is looking for a good away performance but he thinks the injury problems at the club may tell. He added: "They are a Premiership side and have some quality players. They have some injury problems themselves at the moment with about seven or eight players out. We are obviously the underdogs, but I hope we can do well."

Hull City will be without the suspended defender Justin Whittle for the game at Derby. Hull will also be missing the striker Rodney Rowe, who is out with an ankle injury, and Ian Goodison, who was involved in a motorcycle accident in Jamaica. Goodison was on the island on international duty.

Steve Bruce could reshuffle his defensive pack for Crystal Palace's trip to Everton. Bruce was unhappy after his side conceded three goals against Millwall and forced the team through a gruelling extra training session the following day.

He said: "We've got to eliminate the silly errors. Playing Everton is a massive cup tie, but if we stop making mistakes we will be okay."

The Second Division leaders Brentford hope to extend their five-match winning streak with a giant-killing act against Newcastle at St James' Park and look set to name an unchanged side.

However, the Brentford manger, Steve Coppell, admitted: "I would prefer another three points in the league than a win against Newcastle."

Chris Bart-Williams will not be considered by Nottingham Forest for the tie with Stockport County, with the midfielder thinking over a £1m move to Birmingham – while the defender Matthieu Louis-Jean and the striker Stern John are both banned. But the central defender Chris Doig is available for a recall after missing Saturday's defeat at Norwich with a knee injury.

Stockport's captain, Mike Flynn, is fit to play despite leaving the field to receive stitches in a head wound against Barnsley, but the striker Aaron Wilbraham is still suspended.

Sheffield Wednesday have a number of injury concerns for their game with Sunderland at Hillsborough. Danny Maddix is struggling with a sore back, but Gerald Sibon (knee) and Ian Hendon (ankle) are definitely ruled out of the match.

The veteran midfielder Carlton Palmer, on loan from Coventry, will also miss the game because the Sky Blues do not want him cup-tied.

Wednesday's assistant manager, Terry Yorath, said: "It should be a good game. They are a top Premiership club, but we are playing at home, and that gives us a chance of winning."