Football: Team News

Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers

Arsenal's Wright, who has missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury, was back in training this week and is almost certain to play. Graham is keen to give Wright match practice before Wednesday's European Cup-Winners' Cup quarter-final first leg match with Torino in Italy. Keown is suspended so centre-back Linighan comes into the the squad. Sherwood is set to return to Blackburn's midfield after three matches out with a damaged shoulder with Atkins likely to make way.

Liverpool v Coventry City

James takes over from the injured Grobbelaar in Liverpool's goal while teenager Emberton will be on the substitutes bench. Neal, the Coventry manager, is awaiting late fitness checks on Quinn and Babb before naming his side. Quinn missed the midweek defeat at Newcastle with a hamstring strain, and Babb picked up a knee injury in the same match. If Quinn plays it will be in place of Jenkinson, and if Babb cannot then Busst is favourite to take over in the centre of defence.

Manchester City v Swindon Town

City goalkeeper Dibble is set for his first match since October as Coton has an ankle injury which could keep him out for three weeks. City are still without skipper Curle, who has a thigh strain, but midfielder Flitcroft, who has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, faces a late fitness test and could be recalled. Swindon welcome back first- choice goalkeeper Digby for his first appearance for seven weeks after dislocating a shoulder, but defender Kilcline is out for a month with a broken foot and Fenwick will deputise.

Newcastle United v Ipswich Town

Newcastle's Howey misses the match because of his persistent groin injury. With Venison completing a two match suspension, it means that the inexperienced central defensive partnership of Appleby and Neilson will continue, but Beresford has recovered from a thigh injury and returns. Lee (ankle) and Sellars (back) face late fitness tests. Veteran Wark is expected to shake off a slight hamstring strain to play while midfielder Palmer makes his 100th appearance.

Norwich City v Sheffield Wednesday

Norwich have to decide whether to include Polston, sent off in the mid-week draw with Blackburn, or give another chance to club captain Butterworth who came on in his place and did a good job marking Shearer. Deehan, seeking his first Premiership victory after six successive draws since becoming manager, has named a 15-strong squad with young midfielder Smith coming into contention. Sheffield Wednesday's England goalkeeper, Woods, misses the match against his former club because of a neck injury and is replaced as Pressman's understudy by Key.

Southampton v Wimbledon

Southampton add veteran defender Moore to the 14-man squad. Groves, Dodd and Adams all came through a reserve match this week without reaction to long term injuries but are not considered ready to return. Wimbledon will almost certainly be unchanged as defender Joseph is making a slow recovery from a groin injury.

West Ham v Manchester United

Former Liverpool defender Burrows could return to West Ham's line-up. Burrows has not played since a knee operation in mid-January but his replacement at left-back, Rowland, has a badly gashed shin. Experienced central defender Martin looks set to retain his place after a successful return from injury at Kidderminster last week. United will be unchanged for the fifth time in succession with the former West Ham favourite, Ince, facing his old club.

Elsewhere

In the First Division, Regis who has been deputising for the injured Bull in Wolves' attack, misses the sell-out match against his first club, West Brom, through injury. In the Third two players, Charlie Nt'amark, of Walsall, and Northampton's Efon Elad, who are hopeful of making Cameroon's World Cup squad, will be in direct opposition.

TOMORROW

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea welcome back Cascarino to their squad but the striker, who has been out since December with a knee cartilage, is not certain of starting. Player-manager Hoddle, substitute in Chelsea's 2-1 FA Cup win at Oxford, has named himself in an 18-man squad. Spackman is also available after a hip problem but defender Sinclair completes a two-match suspension. Mabbutt is included in Tottenham's 17-man squad and is likely to feature in a midfield that also contains Dozzell, who returns after recovering from an ankle knock.