They are expected to name an unchanged side as German striker Karlheinz Riedle is still out with a groin injury.

Irishman Phil Babb is also out of contention. He has been suffering from an injury to the base of his spine following last month's game against Chelsea and has now been laid low with a sinus problem.

Dean Sturridge has been ruled out of Derby's plans with a muscle strain so Deon Burton looks favourite to take over in attack.

Francesco Baiano is doubtful after injuring a knee in a reserve game this week, and another knee problem means centre-half Spencer Prior misses his second consecutive game.

Derby manager Jim Smith is concerned about skipper Igor Stimac, who has an ankle injury, but Lee Carsley could return to the midfield after missing last Saturday's game at Leeds with a knee injury.

German wing-back Stefan Schnoor serves a one-match ban following five bookings and Argentine defender Horacio Carbonari will come in if Stimac is unfit.

Aston Villa v Tottenham

Dublin: Looking to impress for his new club

Dion Dublin will make his debut for Premiership leaders Aston Villa at home to Tottenham as John Gregory's side seek to return to winning ways.

The £5.75m new signing from Coventry could be joined by Paul Merson and Steve Watson - both cup-tied in Villa's UEFA Cup defeat at the hands of Celta Vigo on Tuesday - in the starting line-up.

George Graham has received a double boost with the return of David Ginola and Steffen Iversen.

French winger Ginola is back after suspension and Norwegian striker Iversen has shaken off a knee injury which kept him out of Monday's 2-2 draw with Charlton.

Blackburn v Coventry

Italian midfielder Dario Marcolin could make his Premiership bow for Blackburn at home to Coventry on Saturday.

Signed on loan from Lazio until the end of the season with a view to a permanent £1m deal, Marcolin stands by for his debut in the wake of further injury setbacks at Ewood Park.

Scottish international Billy McKinlay has a groin strain and joins fellow midfielder Garry Flitcroft, who has a knee injury, on the sidelines.

Coventry have signed 6ft 2ins Norwegian Andreas Lund from Molde to replace Dion Dublin, but the deal did not go through in time for him to make his debut.

Marc Edworthy comes into defence because Marcus Hall has had an operation for a knee ligament injury and will be out four months.

Charlton v Leicester

Charlton defender Richard Rufus faces a late fitness test before the Premiership clash with Leicester at the Valley on Saturday.

The centre-half limped off just before half-time with an ankle injury in Monday night's 2-2 draw with Spurs at White Hart Lane and if he is ruled out, Alan Curbishley is likely to revert to a 4-4-2 formation with Welsh international John Robinson returning to the starting line up in midfield and Carl Tiler and Eddie Youds at the heart of the defence.

In-form striker Tony Cottee is doubtful for Leicester after pulling out of training with a thigh strain but skipper Steve Walsh may make the starting line up for the first time in 11 games despite suffering a groin strain in midweek.

Manager Martin O'Neill's plans have been boosted by the news that Scottish international defender Matt Elliott is ready to sign a new contract tying him to the club until 2003 and midfielder Muzzy Izzet has agreed a new tow and a half year deal.

Nottingham Forest v Wimbledon

Van Hooijdonk (left): Building bridges with his teammates

Nottingham Forest rebel Pierre van Hooijdonk could return against Wimbledon on Saturday.

Manager Dave Bassett has included the Dutch star in his squad even though he has not played a game since the World Cup finals in July.

Forest teammate Geoff Thomas: 'I'm sure he'll want to prove a point'

Van Hooijdonk, who brought his three-month strike to an end a week ago, had hoped to return for the reserves on Tuesday but the match was postponed.

Former Port Vale winger Gareth Ainsworth is in the Wimbledon squad for the first time, but may have to settle for a place on the bench. Striker Efan Ekoku is still two weeks away from full fitness following a hamstring strain.

Southampton v Middlesbrough

Captain Jason Dodd is in contention to return to strengthen Southampton's side for the visit of Middlesbrough to the Dell on Saturday following injury.

Dodd has been sidelined for the last six weeks with a floating bone in his ankle but made a successful comeback for the reserves in midweek and is poised to be named in the starting line-up with Scott Hiley likely to make way.

Former Tottenham midfield player David Howells is struggling to recover from the knee injury which forced him to miss last weekend's goalless draw at Sheffield Wednesday.

But England under-21 star Matthew Oakley hopes to be back in contention for a place after recovering from a throat infection.

Fit-again Curtis Fleming has recovered from a groin injury and returns for Middlesbrough.

Australian international goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer however has not fully recovered from an ankle injury and Marlon Beresford continues to deputise.