Football: Team News

Barnet v Chelsea

At Stamford Bridge Carl Hoddle plays in midfield against brother Glenn's Chelsea who give late fitness tests to Wise, Burley and Hopkin. Glenn Hoddle (ankle) has ruled himself out.

Birmingham v Kidderminster

Birmingham are without leading scorer Peschisolido (hamstring), Donowa is set to partner Saville in attack while Harding (knee) is set to return to midfield.

Blackburn v Portsmouth

Newell (knee) is still out for Blackburn. Portsmouth switch Kristensen to right-back for Neill (ban). Pethick is cup-tied and Gittens (ankle) is doubtful.

Bolton Wanderers v Everton

Bolton are without Fleck (cup-tied) and possibly top scorer McGinlay (calf). Everton's Rideout and Jackson passed fitness tests.

Bristol City v Liverpool

Bristol are likely to use Brown for the injured Baird, but Bent and Rosenior are also in squad. Wright (groin) is out for Liverpool, Nicol takes his place in the centre of defence alongside Ruddock.

Bromsgrove Rovers v Barnsley

Bromsgrove have a fully fit squad but new striker, Taylor, is cup-tied. Barnsley have unchanged squad.

Cardiff City v Middlesbrough

Cardiff veteran goalkeeper Grew (knee) and deputy Williams are both in doubt. Third- string keeper Kite is in squad. Griffith (knee) faces fitness test. Blake has recovered and will start against a Middlesbrough side likely to be without Whyte (hamstring).

Charlton Athletic v Burnley

Charlton face Second Division Burnley who have midfielder Eyres (flu) back in the team.

Exeter City v Aston Villa

Exeter's striker Worthington (thigh) is out. Wigley is recalled and teenagers Pears and Phillips are in squad. Atkinson is set to return for Villa and Parker (knee) is back in contention, but Daley (flu) is out.

Grimsby v Wigan Athletic

Grimsby's Rees could start, replacing Livingstone who has completed two months on loan from Chelsea.

Leeds Utd v Crewe Alexandra

Leeds are without Speed and Rod Wallace. Crewe's hopes centre on top scorer Rowbotham.

Manchester City v Leicester

Injury-hit Manchester City hope on-loan striker Shutt (hamstring) passes fitness test.

Newcastle United v Coventry City

Venison (groin) could start for Newcastle, while Coventry field an unchanged side.

Notts County v Sutton United

County wait late fitness test on Agana (ankle) while Sutton are boosted by return of midfielder Thomas.

Oldham Athletic v Derby County

Beckford (ankle) is recalled into the Oldham squad for the first time in 12 games. Derby could be without Harkes, but skipper Kuhl should play despite 10 stitches in a shin wound.

Oxford United v Tranmere Rovers

Oxford's Saunders is cup-tied, Cusack returns after two-match ban. Tranmere's Aldridge (calf) is out and misses playing against his former club.

Peterborough Utd v Tottenham

Philliskirk returns for Peterborough. Sheringham (knee) is out for another month for Spurs. Ardiles adds Hendry to squad and could recall Austin and Campbell.

Plymouth Argyle v Chester City

Plymouth's Patterson (ankle) is out, which is some incentive for who have passed this stage only once in the past 13 seasons.

Preston North End v Bournemouth

Preston could recall Ellis. Bournemouth keep Aspinall on loan from Portsmouth.

Sheffield Wed v Nottingham Forest

Wednesday choose between Jemson and Watson to partner Bright. Forest captain Pearce is fit and Bohinen is set to return.

Southampton v Port Vale

Southampton's veteran Reid (ankle), Monkou (calf) and Moore (hamstring) are doubtful. Benali may play in central defence with Wood.

Stockport v Queen's Park Rangers

Stockport striker Francis (knee) has recovered but Williams (knee ligaments) is extremely doubtful and Barras stands by. For QPR Wilkins (foot) is ready to play, but Allen (foot) is out.

Stoke City v Bath City

Stoke with Orlygsson and Carruthers in form face Bath who could be without Crowley (rib cartilage) - Hedges and Williams stand by. Captain Brookes (bruised foot) is probable.

Sunderland v Carlisle United

Goodman (hamstring) is set for a recall by Sunderland. Carlisle are without Valentine and have five other players under treatment.

Swindon Town v Ipswich Town

Swindon's keeper Digby (shoulder) is out, as is deputy Hammond (virus) leaving 18-year-old untried Cook in goal. Ipswich give late fitness tests to Whelan (foot) and Kiwomya (groin strain). Slater back in squad after back injury.

West Ham United v Watford

Rowland looks set to retain midfield place for West Ham after Holmes is ruled out by illness. Watford's McCarthy and keeper Digweed are cup-tied. Sheppard looks set to take over in goal.

Wimbledon v Scunthorpe United

Scales (hamstring) set to return for Wimbledon and could be joined by McAllister and strikers Holdsworth and Fashanu. Joseph (groin) is back in squad.

Wolves v Crystal Palace

Defenders Venus and Thompson are fit for Wolves. Thorn, recovering from cartilage operation, is still out for Palace.

Wycombe Wanderers v Norwich

Wycombe centre-half Matt Crossley is set to return after knee ligament injury. Norwich caretaker manager, Deehan, adds Eadie to squad.

TOMORROW

Sheffield Utd v Manchester Utd

Manchester United miss Sharpe (groin), but Hughes passed fitness test and plays. Keane could be an emergency centre-half in place of Bruce (hamstring).