Football: Team news

TODAY

Aston Villa v Newcastle

Villa's manager Atkinson must decide whether to stay loyal to goalkeeper Spink or recall Bosnich. Spink was recalled for Wednesday's Uefa Cup first round, second leg with Slovan Bratislava after injury but the Australian Bosnich, left out because of the ruling on foreigners, is hopeful of a recall. Full-back Staunton is the only injury doubt and Small has been put on stand-by. Cole, the leading scorer in the Premiership, is battling to be fit for Newcastle after injuring a leg during training yesterday.

Leeds United v Wimbledon

Batty will have to wait until shortly before kick-off to discover whether he is back in the Leeds team, who have won their last four Premiership games, after being sidelined with a fractured wrist. Both Wimbledon's full-backs - Barton (hamstring) and Joseph (ankle ligaments) - are ruled out.

Liverpool v Arsenal

Defender Linighan seems set to replace the injured Keown, who damaged a hamstring in Arsenal's European Cup-Winners' Cup tie against Odense on Wednesday. Bould, yet to appear in the first team this season, is also included in the party along with Parlour and Selley.

Norwich City v Coventry City

Norwich's defender Bowen will have a late fitness test on a groin strain and if the Welsh international is fit, Norwich are likely to name the same team who beat Everton 5-1 last week before completing a Uefa Cup victory over Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem. Coventry will be without Ndlovu, their young Zimbabwean who is under treatment in Harare for a knee injury sustained while training for last weekend's World Cup qualifier against Guinea.

Queen's Park Rangers v Ipswich

QPR have injured strikers Ferdinand and Penrice undergoing fitness tests before choosing the team. Ferdinand picked up his hamstring injury after scoring an own goal in last Monday's 1-1 draw with Wimbledon. Ipswich's new pounds 750,000 midfield player Slater is poised to make his debut.

Sheffield Wed v Manchester Utd

Palmer should return in midfield for Wednesday after injury. Hyde would be the man to stand down while Bart-Williams has the chance to establish himself in a front role in the absence of Hirst, sidelined for three months by an Achilles tendon injury. Keane returns after being left out of the midweek European Cup success against Honved - in favour of Hughes - due to the Uefa rule allowing only five non-English players. Robson is likely to make way.

Southampton v Sheffield Utd

Reid makes his debut for Southampton after agreeing a short-term deal five weeks after being sacked as manager of Manchester City. Winger Le Tissier is set to be replaced by the former Waterlooville forward, Moody, for a second successive match. On-loan Leicester striker Davison vies for a Sheffield United place with Hodges and 34-year-old Cork. Norwegian international Flo is assured of the other striking position.

Swindon v Blackburn Rovers

Norwegian striker Fjortoft could be relegated to the substitues bench for Swindon. Fjortoft has yet to score for the Wiltshire club following a pounds 500,000 move from Rapid Vienna. Blackburn's Newell has fully recovered from a foot injury and may start at the expense of Gallacher.

West Ham v Chelsea

Midfielder Butler, ruled out since August by a knee injury, is included in Hammers' 16-man squad on the strength of two reserve outings. Dutch striker Boere is also named despite his sending off at Newcastle last week. Cascarino is out of the Chelsea side with a hamstring injury but Peacock is fit again after missing the defeat of Liverpool last week and will probably partner Shipperley.

TOMORROW

Tottenham v Everton

Defender Kerslake makes debut after his pounds 500,000 move from Leeds. Striker Durie (flu) is the only doubt. Former England defender Watson is ruled out for ninth successive game after a head injury in the second match of the season against Manchester City.