Striker Robbie Blake is pushing for a place in the starting line-up after pledging his future to the club. Jamie Lawrence has been ruled out with a broken jaw.
Goalkeeper Neil Moss makes his first start of the season for Southampton, taking over from Welsh international Paul Jones, who is ruled out for the rest of the season after being told he must undergo an operation to have a disc removed from his back.
Last season: No Corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Bradford D L L L L, Southampton L L W D L
Top scorers: Mills, Saunders, Windass (Bradford) 6; Pahars (Southampton) 10.
Match odds: H 5-4 A 7-4 D 11-5
Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill)
Leicester V Everton
Tony Cottee is ready to return to Leicester's starting line-up. The veteran striker could get his chance as Stan Collymore is sidelined after breaking his leg at Derby. Darren Eadie is also out with an ankle injury while Frank Sinclair has a bruised foot.
Everton are without the suspended Mark Hughes, Kevin Campbell - who is recovering from a knee operation - and Francis Jeffers, still on his way back from ankle ligament damage. The loss of three strikers means that boss Walter Smith must either recall contract rebel Don Hutchison, or play Danny Cadamarteri alongside American striker Joe-Max Moore. Defender David Weir may recover from a rib injury in time to play.
Last season: Everton 0 Leicester 0, Leicester 2 Everton 0
Last five league matches: Leicester W L L W L, Everton D L L L W
Top scorers: Cottee, Izzet (Leicester) 9; Campbell (Everton) 12
Match odds: H 11-10 A 2-1 D 11-5
Referee: A Wiley (Burntwood)
Sunderland V Wimbledon
Michael Gray is in contention to return to Sunderland's starting line-up. The England wing-back replaced Nicky Summerbee for the second half of last week's victory at Southampton after missing four matches with a back problem. Central defenders Steve Bould and Paul Butler are out injured.
Egil Olsen welcomes Ben Thatcher and Hermann Hreidarsson back into his squad. Thatcher has not played since Wimbledon beat Sunderland on January 3rd and the defender received an FA ban for elbowing Nicky Summerbee. Hreidarsson has missed the last four games after a minor knee operation.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Sunderland L D D W W, Wimbledon L W L L L
Top scorers: Phillips (Sunderland) 27; Cort (Wimbledon) 17
Match odds: H 4-7 A 4-1 D 5-2
Referee: G Barber (Tring)
Watford V Derby
Robert Page returns from a one-match ban but Graham Taylor will be without suspended defenders Mark Williams and Paul Robinson. Peter Kennedy is struggling to beat a knee injury and Nordin Wooter is doubtful after aggravating an old ankle problem in last week's defeat to Everton.
Derby are almost certain to be unchanged. Manager Jim Smith has no new injury worries.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Watford L L W D L, Derby W L L L W
Top scorers: Smart (Watford) 5; Strupar (Derby) 15
Match odds: H 2-1 A 11-10 D 11-5
Referee: S Bennett (Orpington)
Sunday
Aston Villa V Leeds
Aston Villa will be without midfielder Ian Taylor, who is battling to be fit for the FA Cup final after suffering a torn hamstring against Bolton. Striker Benito Carbone (ankle) and midfielder George Boateng (groin) are set to return, while skipper Gareth Southgate, who has been troubled recently by Achilles tendon problems, seems certain to be back.
Jason Wilcox is expected to return to the left wing after coming on as a sub during the UEFA Cup semi-final tie with Galatasaray, with Matthew Jones again due to make way and start on the bench. Alfie Haaland could join skipper Lucas Radebe and Jonathan Woodgate to form a three-man central defence.
Last season: Aston Villa 1 Leeds 2, Leeds 0 Aston Villa 0
Last five league matches: Villa W D L W W, Leeds W W W L L
Top scorers: Dublin (Aston Villa) 12; Bridges (Leeds) 17
Match odds: H 6-4 A 7-5 D 9-4
Referee: B Knight (Orpington)
Liverpool V Tottenham
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier is unlikely to change his side after last week's convincing victory at Coventry. Czech winger Vladimir Smicer is expected to return to the squad, but Jamie Redknapp, Vegard Heggem and Robbie Fowler are still not match fit.
Tottenham are without midfielders Oyvind Leonhardsen (heel) and Tim Sherwood (recovering from a hernia operation) for Sunday's trip. Manager George Graham names several youngsters in his 19-man squad, including 18-year-old Matthew Etherington, 20-year-old Simon Davies, former non-League striker Dave McEwen and 20-year-old centre-back Anthony Gardner.
Last season: Liverpool 3 Tottenham 2, Tottenham 2 Liverpool 1
Last five league matches: Liverpool D D W W W, Tottenham D W L D L
Top scorers: Owen (Liverpool) 12; Iversen (Tottenham) 17
Match odds: H 2-5 A 6-1 D 11-4
Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley) Odds supplied by William Hill.
