Crouch to come in from the cold

Team-news:  Peter Crouch seems set to start only his sixth game of the season for Liverpool at home to Cardiff in the Carling…

Team-news: Peter Crouch seems set to start only his sixth game of the season for Liverpool at home to Cardiff in the Carling Cup fourth round tomorrow.

The striker impressed as a second-half substitute in Sunday's draw with Arsenal, and could be joined in the action by Harry Kewell.

The Australian is now back in full training after a groin problem, and could get his first run out of the season.

Manager Rafael Benitez is also likely to use second choice goalkeeper Charles Itandje, Lucas, Sebastian Leto and Fabio Aurelio. Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano, Jermaine Pennant and Xabi Alonso are all injured.

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Avram Grant may recall both Shaun Wright-Phillips and Florent Malouda for the Chelsea's clash with Leicester at Stamford Bridge.

Both players were left out of the side for the 6-0 drubbing of Manchester City but should be restored as Grant looks to shuffle his pack for the match.

Captain John Terry and left-back Ashley Cole are sidelined with knee and ankle injuries respectively while midfielder Michael Ballack is still missing with ankle problems.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks set to give youth a chance once again in his club's game at Sheffield United.

Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott are pressing for a place in the starting XI after coming off the bench at Liverpool, while Brazilian teenager Denilson is also in contention for a midfield slot.

Pole Lukasz Fabianski is expected to be in goal, with young Italian Vito Mannone again on the bench.

Goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson will make his first appearance of the season for Manchester City in their fourth round tie at Bolton tomorrow.

The Sweden World Cup star has watched Kasper Schmeichel and Joe Hart stake a claim to be first choice this season but Isaksson now gets his chance as Sven-Goran Eriksson's men look to book a quarter-final berth.

After making mass changes in the previous two rounds, Eriksson is toying with the idea of sticking with the side who performed so badly at Chelsea on Saturday, although Martin Petrov (toe) is a doubt.