From: tjc@ecs.soton.ac.uk (Tim Chown)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.soccer
Subject: English News: saturday preview
Date: 27 Sep 92 16:30:10 GMT


Friday results:

BARCLAYS LEAGUE
Division Two                       ATT

STOCKPORT        0-0 FULHAM        4755

Division Three

DARLINGTON       0-1 YORK          3787
                     Blackstone 54


Miscellaneous team news:

Premier:

LIVERPOOL v WIMBLEDON
'Keeper Bruce Grobbelaar returns for Liverpool as manager Graeme Souness
attempts to stop the defensive rot.  The 34-year-old veteran takes over from
David James with Liverpool having let in eight goals in two games. Torben
Piechnik is also set to be recalled.  Dons manager Joe Kinnear has a problem
with the left-back position. Gary Elkins has a thigh strain and Brian
McAllister has a hamstring injury.  Neil Ardley or Warren Barton may be
switched with Roger Joseph called up Dean Blackwell is injured.

MANCHESTER UNITED v QPR
United boss Alex Ferguson is set to stick with the side on duty for the
last three league games.  That means four changes from the side
held 1-1 by Brighton in midweek, with Peter Schmeichel, Ryan Giggs, Darren
Ferguson and Clayton Blackmore recalled.  Rangers have Jan Stejskal back after
international duty but Northern Ireland skipper Alan McDonald is missing from
defence after tests on bruised kidneys.  David Bardsley could return but Clive
Wilson (leg), Simon Barker (groin) and Gary Penrice (knee) face fitness tests.

MIDDLESBROUGH v ASTON VILLA
'Boro midfielder Willie Falconer is doubtful after damaging a calf in the
midweek Cup derby with Newcastle.  The former Watford and Aberdeen man had
to go off an half-time on Wednesday and faces a fitness test before the game.
Goalkeeper Ian Ironside keeps his place after an impressive display against The
Magpies, with Brian Horne returning to Millwall after his loan spell.
Villa will field an unchanged team for the fourth successive game. Dwight
Yorke, Mark Blake and Ugo Ehiogu vie for the two outfield subs' shirts.


Div 1:

BRENTFORD v MILLWALL
Manager Phil Holder awaits the outcome of tests on three men before finalising
the Brentford line-up.  Chris Hughton, Jamie Bates and Simon
Ratcliffe all face fitness checks but on-loan goalkeeper Gerry Peyton is
included for his home debut.

BRISTOL CITY v BARNSLEY
The injury-hit Robins suffered a fresh blow with skipper Gary Shelton ruled
out by a calf injury.  He joins four others on the injury list
but his absence gives on-loan Nicky Reid the chance to start the game.
Barnsley are forced to reshuffle with centre-half Mark Smith absent due to
ankle trouble and striker Andy Rammell facing a pre-match fitness test.
Jamie Robinson, a free transfer signing from Liverpool during the summer, is
drafted into a 15-man squad by manager.

DERBY COUNTY v SOUTHEND UNITED
The Rams will include newly-signed midfielder Martin Kuhl in their line-up
as they bid to begin the reversal of their disastrous start to the season.
Kuhl, a #650,000 buy from Portsmouth, joins Craig Short, another recent
big-money signing, in the side. Pat Scully faces a late fitness test
before Southend name their side for the trip to the Baseball Ground.
The central defender had stitches inserted in a foot injury after the
sides met in Wednesday's Coca-Cola Cup clash, which Southend won 1-0.

GRIMSBY TOWN v CAMBRIDGE UNITED
On-loan Andy Tillson replaces teenager Peter Handyside in the Grimsby defence
for the visit of John Beck's team.  Tony Rees is absent from the attack
after being carried off with a bruised fibula against QPR in midweek and Clive
Mendonca takes over.  Cambridge striker Paul Moran, currently
on loan from Tottenham, may have to settle for a place on the bench.
He is named in a squad of 14 but manager Beck is likely to name an
unchanged starting line-up.

NOTTS COUNTY v LUTON TOWN
Luton manager David Pleat will have midfielder Damien Matthew, on loan from
Chelsea, in the team to face Luton.  Skipper Trevor Peake is out with a
hamstring injury, whle left-back Marvin Johnson has an Achilles tendon injury.
Matthew and John Drayer are added to the squad, along with Richard Harvey.

OXFORD UNITED v TRANMERE ROVERS
Oxford 'keeper Paul Kee is given a vote of confidence by manager Brian Horton
for the visit of Tranmere.  Kee was held to blame for both of Aston
Villa's goals in the Coca-Cola Cup in midweek.
Rovers midfielder Dave Martindale is set to return from injury.
Kenny Irons misses the trip but central defender Mark Hughes has been recalled.

PETERBOROUGH v NEWCASTLE UNITED
New signing Russell Wilcox is set to make his debut for Peterborough against
high-flying Newcastle.  The central defender has been signed on
a conditional contract from Hull. But former Magpie defender Darren Bradshaw
is likely to miss out through injury.  Newcastle's top scorer Gavin Peacock
has been ruled out with a hamstring injury and Mick Quinn steps in.

SUNDERLAND v BRISTOL ROVERS
Goal-shy Sunderland are expected to abandon the sweeper system for the
visit of Bristol Rovers.  Leading scorer John Byrne returns after
recovering from a calf injury at the expense of defender Gary Bennett. Anton
Rogan takes over from Richard Ord.  Record signing Paul Hardyman returns
for Rovers and will play on the left side of midfield.
Manager Dennis Rofe is considering starting midfielder Andy Reece after
his 15-minute appearance as substitute against Manchester City in midweek.

WATFORD v LEICESTER CITY
Watford, without a win in their last seven games, wait on a fitness check on
centre half Dave Holdsworth.  Holdsworth has a knee injury, but
should be fit to play, ensuring an unchanged line-up.
Leicester's David Oldfield and Phil Gee face fitness tests whule David Lowe
stands by to make his full debut.  Teenage 'keeper Russell Hoult retains
his place with first-choice Kevin Poole and reserve Carl Muggleton injured.


Paul Gascoigne looks set to make his first competitive appearance in 17
months after a hint from Lazio manager Dino Zoff that he will play on Sunday.
Zoff was originally qouted as saying Gascoigne would not play in the Italian
League match against Genoa - despite scoring in the midweek game with Spurs.
But after a training session on Friday, and following pressure from media and
fans alike, Zoff said: "Gazza has more than a 50% chance of playing.
"I'm optimistic he will play," said the former Italian international 'keeper.
"I'll have decide by Saturday."

Derby boss Arthur Cox took his spending this year to #10 million by paying out
#650,000 for Portsmouth midfielder Martin Kuhl.
The 27-year-old, who played over 150 games for Pompey, makes his debut at
home to Southend on Saturday.  He said: "The money they are spending
proves the club mean business. Derby are ambitious and have put their money
where their mouth is." Meanwhile Rams full-back Mark Patterson
is to sign for Preston North End on Monday for a fee of #100,000.


Luton have signed Chelsea midfielder Damien Matthew on a month's loan to
help ease their current injury crisis.

Chelsea have signed midfielder David Hopkin from Morton for #300,000 after a
successful trial at Stamford Bridge.