Englanti 26/12 team-news'it

[tallipoika]

Arsenal v Wolves
Dennis Bergkamp (calf) is Arsenal's main injury concern but Sylvain Wiltord (ankle) is expected to be passed fit.

Gael Clichy is expected to replace Ashley Cole (suspended), while Lauren will either return to start against Wolves or against Southampton.

Oleg Luzhny is set to start for Wolves against his former club, replacing the injured Denis Irwin (hamstring).

Striker Nathan Blake is still a doubt as he has a calf injury.

Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Stack, Toure, Lauren, Campbell, Keown, Cygan, Clichy, Vieira, Gilberto Silva, Edu, Parlour, Pires, Ljungberg, Wiltord, Henry, Bergkamp, Kanu, Aliadiere.

Wolves (from): Oakes, Luzhny, Butler, Craddock, Naylor, Rae, Newton, Andrews, Gudjonsson, Ince, Iversen, Camara, Kachloul, Kennedy, Miller, Cameron, Sturridge, Silas, Okoronkwo, Marshall.

Birmingham v Man City
Birmingham's Jamie Clapham (hamstring)is struggling and his 100% appearance record is under threat.

Christophe Dugarry's suspension will be carried over after the postponement of Saturday's game with Middlesbrough.

Antoine Sibierski's equaliser in Manchester City's draw with Leeds has put him in line for a starting berth.

Paulo Wanchope and Jon Macken also impressed as substitutes but Darren Huckerby is not expected to be involved despite turning down a move to Norwich.

Birmingham (from): Taylor, Kenna, Upson, Cunningham, Clapham, Johnson, Savage, Dunn, Clemence, Forssell, Morrison, Lazaridis, Purse, John, Cisse, Bennett, Tebily.

Man City (from): Seaman, Ellegaard, Distin, Dunne, Sommeil, Wiekens, Jihai, Bosvelt, Berkovic, McManaman, Sinclair, Wright-Phillips, Reyna, Tarnat, Sibierski, Barton, Anelka, Fowler, Wanchope, Macken, Jordan.



Blackburn v Middlesbrough

Blackburn midfielder Steven Reid has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

With David Thompson, Lorenzo Amoruso and Alan Kelly also sidelined with injuries Alan Mahon has been recalled from his loan spell at Ipswich.

Middlesbrough will be missing Doriva ( ankle) although reserve keeper Carlo Nash could return from a hand problem.

Ugo Ehiogu and Stewart Parnaby are in contention, but Malcolm Christie (fractured tibia), Joseph Job (knee) and David Murphy (ankle) are sidelined.

Blackburn (from): Friedel, Enckelman, Jansen, Gallagher, Taylor, Johansson, Neill, Ferguson, Emerton, Yorke, Baggio, Tugay, Cole, Babbel, Todd, Gresko, Short, Flitcroft, Mahon.

Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Nash, Jones, Mills, Queudrue, Parnaby, Southgate, Cooper, Ehiogu, Boateng, Mendieta, Zenden, Juninho, Greening, Downing, Maccarone, Ricketts, Nemeth.


Charlton v Chelsea
Mark Fish is fit after two weeks out with a groin injury and could replace either Chris Perry or Jon Fortune.

Jonatan Johansson is back from a thigh injury, but Shaun Bartlett, Luke Young, Richard Rufus, Gary Rowett and Kevin Lisbie are all still sidelined.

Chelsea are without Damien Duff, who dislocated his shoulder against Fulham.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has served his one-match ban, but Eidur Gudjohsen (ankle), Juan Sebastian Veron (back) and Emmanuel Petit (knee) are all out.

Charlton (from): Kiely, Kishishev, Fortune, Perry, Fish, Hreidarsson, Parker, Jensen, Holland, Di Canio, Euell, Royce, Powell, Johansson, Cole.

Chelsea (from): Cudicini, Sullivan, Johnson, Melchiot, Desailly, Terry, Gallas, Huth, Bridge, Babayaro, Lampard, Makelele, Cole, Geremi, Gronkjaer, Mutu, Crespo, Hasselbaink

Fulham v Southampton
Fulham's Sean Davis is rated very doubtful after limping off with a hamstring injury against Chelsea.

Mark Pembridge continues to be troubled by a calf problem and misses out again but Jerome Bonnissel is likely to be back in contention.

Rory Delap is trying to shake off an ankle injury as Southampton go for a fourth successive league win.

Marian Pahars is expected to start with Danny Higginbotham continuing to deputise for Graeme Le Saux.

Fulham (from): Van der Sar, Volz, Melville, Knight, Goma, Djetou, Bonnissel, Inamoto, Malbranque, Clark, Boa Morte, Saha, Sava, Hayles, Pratley, Crossley.

Southampton (from): Niemi, Dodd, Lundekvam, M Svensson, Higginbotham, Telfer, Prutton, Marsden, Pahars, Beattie, Ormerod, Jones, Phillips, Delgado, A Svensson, Baird, McCann, Delap.

Leeds v Aston Villa
Leeds caretaker-boss Eddie Gray could turn to Matthew Kilgallon after losing Lucas Radebe to a hamstring injury.

Kilgallon, 19, is poised for his first Premiership start after making just four substitute appearances to date, after making his debut 13 months ago.

Villa boss David O'Leary has to decide whether to persevere with Stefan Moore in preference to Darius Vassell.

Dion Dublin's fine form as a striker turned defender may again mean Ronny Johnsen on the substitute's bench.

Leeds (from): Robinson, Kelly, Harte, Matteo, Morris, Camara, Barmby, Bridges, Viduka, Pennant, Chapuis, Johnson, Duberry, Batty, Olembe, McPhail, Lennon, Milner, Sakho, Kilgallon, Richardson, Carson.

Aston Villa (from): Sorensen, Delaney, Mellberg, Dublin, Samuel, Hendrie, McCann, Whittingham, Barry, Angel, Moore, Vassell, De la Cruz, Hitzlsperger, Johnsen, Postma, Ridgewell

Leicester v Newcastle
Leicester captain Matt Elliott will plug the gap if Steve Howey's hamstring problem has not cleared up.

Frank Sinclair has failed to recover from an Achilles injury in time.

Newcastle are without Lee Bowyer, who could miss three months with a hip injury, and Shola Ameobi (cheekbone).

Titus Bramble is likely to stand in for Jonathan Woodgate (hamstring), while Steve Caldwell (thigh) is definitely out.

Leicester (from): Walker, Impey, Howey, Scimeca, Thatcher, Scowcroft, Izzet, McKinlay, Stewart, Ferdinand, Bent, Dickov, Coyne, Davidson, Hignett, Curtis, Gillespie.

Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Hughes, Bernard, O'Brien, Bramble, Dabizas, Speed, Dyer, Robert, Jenas, Viana, Solano, Ambrose, Shearer, LuaLua, Chopra.

Liverpool v Bolton
Harry Kewell is expected to return for Liverpool after missing the last three weeks with an ankle problem.

The injured Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher, Milan Baros, Steve Finnan, Salif Diao and Stephane Henchoz are all unlikely to play before mid-January.

Bolton will again be without Bruno N'Gotty who has failed to recover from a hamstring problem.

striker Henrik Pedersen is likely to be on the bench despite scoring against Arsenal on Saturday.

Liverpool (from): Kirkland, Otsemobor, Biscan, Hyypia, Riise, Diouf, Le Tallec, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Sinama-Pongolle, Heskey, Smicer, Luzi, Cheyrou, Traore, Welsh, Medjani.

Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Charlton, Thome, Gardner, Campo, Giannakopoulos, Frandsen, Nolan, Okocha, Ba, Djorkaeff, Davies, Pedersen, Poole, Jardel, Barness.

Man Utd v Everton
Manchester United skipper Roy Keane is set to miss the encounter with Everton with a tight hamstring.

Cristiano Ronaldo could replace Darren Fletcher and Rio Ferdinand will play.

Defender Alessandro Pistone is ruled out with a a shoulder injury and is likely to be replaced by Tony Hibbert.

Joseph Yobo (neck) and David Weir (knee) are also unavailable, while boss David Moyes has to decide whether to start with Wayne Rooney on

Man Utd (from): Howard, Carroll, G Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea, Fortune, Forlan, Fletcher, P Neville, Butt, Keane, Kleberson, Ronaldo, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Bellion, Djemba-Djemba.

Everton (from): Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs, Unsworth, Naysmith, McFadden, Carsley, Gravesen, Kilbane, Campbell, Radzinski, Rooney, Simonsen, Li Tie, Ferguson, Linderoth, Jeffers, Osman, Clarke, Nyarko.

Portsmouth v Tottenham
Portsmouth midfielder Amdy Faye could be ruled out of action until February with knee ligament damage.

But boss Harry Redknapp has Patrik Berger, Arjan De Zeeuw and Steve Stone available after bans.

Spurs duo Darren Anderton and Stephane Dalmat face fitness tests while Paul Konchesky has been recalled by Charlton after his loan spell.

Christian Ziege, Simon Davies, Bobby Zamora and Jamie Redknapp are still out injured for David Pleat's side.

Portsmouth (from): Wapenaar, Primus, De Zeeuw, Stefanovic, Stone, Sherwood, Berger, Smertin, Taylor, Sheringham, Roberts, Srnicek, Zivkovic, Hughes, Foxe, Schemmel, Yakubu, Robinson.

Spurs (from): Keller, Burch, Hirschfeld, Carr, Taricco, Doherty, Gardner, Richards, King, Anderton, Poyet, Ricketts, Dalmat, Kanoute, Keane, Postiga. (BBC)
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Cardiff v Walsall

Cardiff have no new injury or suspension concerns, but manager Lennie Lawrence may opt to make changes following Saturday's dismal performance against Millwall.

Walsall will be without midfielders Pedro Matias and Steve Corica through injury for the trip to Ninian Park, but Jamie Lawrence is back in the squad after his loan spell at Wigan and Tony Dinning has returned in the opposite direction.

Coventry v Sheffield United

Saturday's match-winner Johnnie Jackson has been recalled by Spurs, just three days after extending his loan spell with Coventry, so Eric Black will be forced into at least one change.

Midfielder Youssef Safri is expected to be fit despite suffering a groin strain in the 1-0 win over West Brom.

Sheffield United will be without midfielder Michael Brown, who is suspended for four matches, but Ashley Ward and Chris Morgan have been passed fit.

Crewe v Burnley
Crewe boss Dario Gradi has doubts over defenders Richard Walker, Adie Moses and Chris McCready, with McCready rated the most likely to feature against Burnley at Gresty Road.

Neil Sorvel is also close to making a comeback after a five-week absence, but has targeted the FA Cup tie against Telford next week.

Burnley skipper Graham Branch is back in contention for a starting role having come on as a late substitute in the 5-3 defeat at Preston, while manager Stan Ternent may look to make changes at full back, with both Lee Roche and Jay McEveley available.

Crystal Palace v Millwall

New Palace boss Iain Dowie will take charge for the first time against Millwall and may be tempted to keep the same side which won convincingly at Reading on Saturday.

Kit Symons is available again after a one-match suspension, while Julian Gray and Neil Shipperley have shaken off minor injuries.

Millwall boss Dennis Wise is also likely to stand by the side which won 3-1 at Cardiff at the weekend, although winger Abou Fofana could be added to the squad after recovering from his hamstring injury.

Gillingham v Watford

Bertrand Bossu will start in goal for Gillingham in the absence of keepers Jason Brown and Vince Bartram. Brown faces a lengthy absence after tearing a thigh muscle in the defeat to Preston last week.

Watford will be without defender Stephen Kelly after he was recalled by Tottenham prior to the scheduled end of his three-month loan spell.

Boss Ray Lewington, who has no other fresh injury problems, has demanded an improvement from his side following their 3-1 home defeat to Stoke at the weekend.

Norwich v Nottingham Forest

Norwich striker Leon McKenzie will be given a hero's welcome at Carrow Road for the Sky Live clash with Forest after scoring both goals on his debut in the 2-0 win over local rivals Ipswich.

Mathias Svensson is also in line for his home debut for The Canaries, who go into the Christmas period on top of the First Division, with manager Nigel Worthington expected to name an unchanged side.

Forest will give fitness tests to three defenders before manager Paul Hart can name his side. Michael Dawson (hamstring), Matthieu Louis-Jean (groin) and Gregor Robertson (hamstring) are all doubts.

Forest have faded after their bright start to the season, slumping to 17th place after a run of nine games without a win.

Reading v Wimbledon

Lloyd Owusu could make his debut for Reading after signing on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, with Shaun Goater still sidelined by a knee injury.

The Royals have agreed a fee with Cambridge for tall striker Dave Kitson, but he will not sign in time to face The Dons. Captain Adie Williams could return at the expense of John Mackie, while right back Graeme Murty is back in contention.

Wimbledon have Mikele Liegertwood and Wayne Gray after respective knee and hamstring injuries while defender Rob Gier has recovered from a bout of flu.

Stoke v Preston

Stoke hope to have midfielder John Eustace available after he limped out of Saturday's 3-1 win at Watford with a leg injury.

Darel Russell is also an injury doubt for manager Tony Pulis because of a hamstring strain and the Stoke boss will see how both players fare in training before naming his side.

Preston boss Craig Brown is likely to name the same side that beat Burnley 5-3 at the weekend, but midfielder Michael Keane has suffered a recurrence of his groin injury and is set to miss out on a place among the substitutes.

Sunderland v Bradford

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy is waiting on the fitness of striker Michael Proctor before naming his side, but defender Gary Breen is definitely still out with a knee injury while Julio Arca is suspended.

Alun Armstrong has joined Bradford on a month's loan from Ipswich, but is not fit enough to make his debut at The Stadium of Light.

Nicky Summerbee misses out against his former club because of a groin injury, but Dean Windass is recalled to Bryan Robson's squad after injury.

West Brom v Derby

Andy Johnson returns to the West Brom midfield for the sell-out clash with Derby after missing the 1-0 defeat at Coventry with back and hip injuries.

Geoff Horsfield will make his home debut for Albion, who have no new injury concerns as they seek a first home win in two months.

Derby hope to welcome back key midfielders Ian Taylor and Tom Huddlestone after their recent injury problems, while Lee Morris and Michael Johnson are also expected to be back in contention.

West Ham v Ipswich

Christian Dailly misses out again for The Hammers through illness but Jermain Defoe is set to play despite his third dismissal of the season at Walsall on Saturday.

Ipswich striker Pablo Counago should return to the starting line-up having come on as a substitute in the 2-0 derby defeat to Norwich, but the versatile Richard Naylor is a doubt because of an ankle injury.

Wigan v Rotherham

Ian Breckin will return in place of Paul Mitchell for Wigan after serving a one-match suspension, but Matt Jackson remains sidelined by a ban. Alan Rogers is a doubt with a knee injury, so Leighton Baines may continue at left back.

Rotherham expect to be without skipper Martin McIntosh who has been unable to train this week because of an ankle injury, although striker Martin Butler should be fit despite a knock.
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Preview: Stockport v Wrexham

Stockport are again without Kevin Ellison for the game against Wrexham at Edgeley Park.

Ellison will not be considered as he continues on the road back to full fitness following a fractured cheekbone.

Luke Beckett, a long-term absentee after knee surgery, and Stuart Barlow could replace Simon Lynch in attack.

Wrexham striker Chris Armstrong has stepped up his rehabilitation from a knee injury but will not be fit to face the Hatters.

Lee Jones will miss the next two games after tearing a hamstring in his right leg.

Craig Morgan is also out after suffering a hamstring injury in training, but Steve Roberts is expected to return to the squad following a knee problem.

Darren Ferguson serves the final game of a three-match suspension.

Preview: Sheff Wed v Port Vale

Midfield pair Paul Smith and Paul McLaren are both in contention for a return to Sheffield Wednesday's starting line-up against Port Vale.

Smith has been out of action since the beginning of November after suffering stress fractures in his shin bone and McLaren has been sidelined since the middle of last month after undergoing a hernia operation.

Both players were introduced from the bench in last Saturday's goalless draw with Chesterfield and suffered no adverse reaction.

Fellow midfielder Robbie Mustoe is also expected to start after sitting out his one-match ban.

Port Vale manager Brian Horton is hoping Steve Brooker will benefit from an unexpected few days' break and prove his fitness ahead of the trip.

Brooker was battling a slight groin strain ahead of the Blackpool game, which was postponed at the weekend, and now looks set to take his place in the travelling party.

Michael Walsh (back) is doubtful

Preview: Rushden v Swindon

Rushden manager Brian Talbot is hoping to welcome back Ritchie Hanlon for the visit of Swindon to Nene Park.

The midfielder is expected to shake off the hamstring injury which has kept him out of Diamonds' last two games.

Talbot is also waiting on Trevor Benjamin, who missed the weekend defeat by Peterborough with a groin injury but Stuart Gray (hernia), Stuart Wardley (medial ligaments), Robert Duffy and Billy Turley (both knee) will play no part.

Swindon manager Andy King is sweating over the fitness of Matt Heywood.

The defender failed to reappear for the second half of Saturday's impressive 2-0 win at Brentford after sustaining a gash to the head and a kick to the ankle.

King will be loathe to risk him if there is any doubt regarding the head injury, but has reported an otherwise full-strength squad.

Preview: Notts County v QPR

Notts County manager Bill Dearden will make a late decision on naming Ian Baraclough in his squad to face QPR.

The 33-year-old has fallen victim to a leg injury and will face a fitness test.

Dearden will have Clive Platt available after the striker completed a two-game suspension.

QPR have been hit hard by a flu bug ahead of the clash.

Both Clarke Carlisle and Richard Edghill missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Oldham with the virus and remain doubtful.

Matthew Rose, Marcus Bean and Martin Rowlands are all suffering this week and could also miss out.

Rangers are already without suspended strikers Paul Furlong and Richard Pacquette.

Preview: Hartlepool v Barnsley

Hartlepool boss Neale Cooper is expected to select from an unchanged squad for the visit of Barnsley.

Cooper has no new injury or suspension worries for the game, with Marco Gabbiadini still sidelined following knee surgery.

The Pools boss will be hoping his side can extend their unbeaten home league record and keep in touch with the Division Two play-off places.

Barnsley's Brian O'Callaghan is a major doubt ahead of the trip.

The Tykes defender limped out of Saturday's win at Luton with a groin strain.

Peter Handyside is still struggling with an ankle injury, while Dean Gorre, Tony Gallimore (both knee) and Lee Crooks (ankle) are likely to miss out again.

Preview: Grimsby v Oldham

Grimsby player-boss Paul Groves must make do without the services of Jason Crowe for the home game against Oldham.

Crowe serves a one-match suspension after being booked five times this season.

Simon Ford could make a return to the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept him on the sidelines since October.

Joint caretaker manager John Sheridan is set to include himself in Oldham's starting line-up.

Sheridan, who took charge of team affairs alongside David Eyres following Iain Dowie's departure, rested his troublesome knee last week.

The duo have no new injuries to contend with following last Saturday's 2-1 win over QPR, but Mark Hudson will play his last game before returning to Fulham.

The 21-year-old's second loan spell at Boundary Park ends after the Mariners' match and his deal will not be extended.

Preview: Colchester v Luton

Colchester manager Phil Parkinson is unlikely to make any changes to his side for the visit of Luton.

With no new injury concerns, he is expected to keep faith with the team that held on for a goalless draw.

Luton's Kevin Nicholls could be back in the fold for the clash.

The Hatters skipper has recovered from flu and patched up his differences with manager Mike Newell after a disagreement.

But Russell Perrett is back in hospital to see a specialist over his long-running groin injury.

Paul Hughes is back in training after returning from a broken leg, but is not expected to feature while Alan Neilson is still struggling to be fit following a calf injury.

Preview: Chesterfield v Peterborough

Chestefield manager Roy McFarland should keep faith with the same starting XI against Peterborough.

The Spireites are still without Matt O'Halloran (hamstring), Caleb Folan (broken ankle) and Steve Payne (knee).

Alan O'Hare has recovered from a groin injury and could feature.

Peterborough manager Barry Fry could be tempted to bring Dave Farrell into his starting line-up.

Farrell impressed after coming off the bench with 18 minutes remaining against Rushden last Saturday, grabbing the clinching goal in a 3-1 win.

Calum Willock, who was also on the scoresheet, managed to last 90 minutes despite being doubtful with hamstring trouble, and he should retain his spot.

Simon Rea is back in contention after serving a one-match suspension for being booked five times.

Preview: Brighton v Wycombe

Brighton welcome Leon Knight back from suspension for the visit of Wycombe.

Paul Watson (hamstring), Danny Cullip (groin) and Richard Carpenter (hamstring) all successfully came through 90 minutes at Prenton Park after recovering from injury and are expected to keep their places in the starting line-up.

Wycombe manager Tony Adams is set to name an unchanged line-up for the first time in nine games.

That means striker Andy Bell will have to be content with a place on the bench despite signing a contract extension. He is on a month-to-month deal and will stay at the Causeway Stadium until at least the end of January.

Preview: Brentford v Bristol City

Ibrahima Sonko returns to Brentford's squad for the visit of Bristol City.

The defender sat out Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Swindon through suspension but is now back in contention.

Matt Harrold is struggling to recover from a pelvic injury but could play a part though Eddie Hutchinson is ruled out with an ankle injury.

Bristol City manager Danny Wilson is poised to name an unchanged line-up for the clash.

Kevin Amankwaah could be added to the squad if he recovers from a knee injury in time, but he may have to settle for a bench role at best.

Christian Roberts completed 90 minutes after recovering from flu against County, while Tommy Doherty came on for the last 11 minutes after similar symptoms.

Preview: Bournemouth v Plymouth

Bournemouth manager Sean O'Driscoll is hopeful Warren Feeney will be fit to face Plymouth.

The Northern Ireland international left the field after 68 minutes of last Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Wycombe after colliding with Wanderers goalkeeper Steve Williams.

James Hayter came on to replace Feeney and is standing by to deputise once again.

Stephen Purches came through 90 minutes at the Causeway Stadium unscathed after recovering from a bruised ankle and a gash on his leg, but Jason Tindall and Gareth Stewart (both knee) remain long-term absentees.

Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock admits he faces a selection dilemma.

Micky Evans came off the bench to score two late goals in the 3-0 home win over Notts County to take his tally to 10 for the season.

Nathan Lowndes, who started up front, scored the opener, while Marino Keith had scored in Argyle's previous three wins.

David Friio also returned to the side as a late substitute against County.

Preview: Blackpool v Tranmere

Blackpool boss Steve McMahon could welcome back five players to his squad for the visit of Tranmere.

Leam Richardson, Richie Wellens (both hamstring), Danny Coid, Simon Grayson (both groin) and John Murphy (back) could come back into contention.

But Matt Blinkhorn will sit out the second of a three-match ban and both Tommy Jaszczun and Keith Southern are still out with long-term knee injuries.

Tranmere are expected be without Tyrone Loran for the trip to Bloomfield Road.

The defender looks likely to face a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury five minutes into Saturday's victory over Brighton.

Simon Haworth, recently recovered from a calf strain, is doubtful with a back problem, but Jamie McGuire may feature after being recalled from a loan spell at Northwich in view of Danny Harrison's impending three-match suspension.
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Preview: Boston v Lincoln

Boston manager Neil Thompson is hoping to welcome back a trio of first-teamers for the derby clash with Lincoln.

Tom Bennett (knee), Daryl Sutch (Achilles) and Stuart Balmer (back) were all rated 50-50 to make last Saturday's game at Rochdale but failed to make the squad, and Thompson will be looking for reinforcements after the 1-0 defeat.

Paul Ellender is back in contention after serving a two-match suspension, and Graham Potter may also be added to the squad after returning from an impressive spell on loan at Shrewsbury.

Lincoln acting manager Gary Simpson is likely to welcome back three key players for the short trip.

Simon Weaver (groin), Marcus Richardson (calf) and Gary Fletcher (ankle) all missed the LDV Vans Trophy defeat at Halifax last week but the postponement with Cheltenham on Saturday has given them extra time to recover.

However, Richard Liburd and Francis Green are still struggling with calf and groin problems respectively and look set to miss out.(Sky-Sport, Ananova)