Shelley Webb looks ahead to the Boxing Day programme

They begin the festive programme with a far from straightforward assignment at revitalised Blackburn and Gregory is likely to abandon the three-man front line which failed to produce the expected goals against Charlton.

Paul Merson (back injury) is still out and likely to miss Monday's game against Sheffield Wednesday as well.

"I apologise if we are top - but we intend to try and stay there. Everyone was expecting Blackburn to blow it four years ago but they stayed the pace," said Gregory.

Blackburn are unbeaten since Brian Kidd took over and he is close to having a full strength squad available for the first time.

Kevin Gallacher has recovered from a hamstring strain but may start among the substitutes with Nathan Blake and Chris Sutton continuing in attack.

Coventry v Tottenham

The Sky Blues are in urgent need of a lift but Gordon Strachan is likely to retain the side which drew with Derby.

It means that recent signing John Aloisi will stay on the bench, with Darren Huckerby and Noel Whelan starting in attack.

"A couple of wins and the whole picture will look that much brighter going into the New Year. It is not all doom and gloom amongst the players because we have been doing more right than wrong in recent games," said midfielder Gary McAllister.

Spurs have been linked with Paris St Germain defender Alain Goma, but George Graham's options are increased in any event by the return to fitness of Ramon Vega and John Scales.

Everton v Derby

The battle of the two Smiths sees Everton boss Walter's problems eased with Craig Short , Richard Dunne and Michael Ball back in the squad and veteran Dave Watson training again after a groin problem.

Namesake Jim faces a dilemma over who should fill the left wing-back role for Derby, with Stefan Schnoor and Tony Dorigo injured. But manager Smith hopes skipper Igor Stimac will play some part in the festive programme after being out of action since October.

Manchester United v Nottingham Forest

Neville: Serving a ban

Alex Ferguson is back in charge for United after missing the 3-2 home defeat by Middlesbrough because of a family bereavement.

He hopes to have Dwight Yorke (groin) and Jaap Stam (ankle) in the side, but England defender Gary Neville serves a one-match ban after being sent off at Tottenham earlier this month.

Forest's Pierre van Hooijdonk is also suspended - bad news for a side which has not won in the Premiership since August 29.

Alan Rogers (back) and Jesper Mattsson (rib and stomach injuries) face checks, but Nigel Quashie has recovered from flu.

Middlesbrough v Liverpool

'Boro's win at Old Trafford lifted them into fourth place and earned them the right to be taken seriously as championship contenders.

Paul Gascoigne is back and Bryan Robson is hopeful that defender Gary Pallister will shake off a heel injury in time to play.

"Our aim is to finish in the top six. December is a vital month for us and we have shown considerable progress," said Robson.

Liverpool recall Steve McManaman after he proved his fitness in a reserve team game and Gerard Houllier may give Jean-Michel Ferri his first taste of Premiership action.

Newcastle v Leeds

Alfie Haaland: An emergency centre-back for Leeds

Newcastle could have Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson together up front for the first time since Ferguson's arrival from Everton.

Shearer played the last 35 minutes of the 1-0 win over Leicester, a game Ferguson missed because of flu.

The prospect of facing both will not make Leeds boss David O'Leary's job easier as he tries to cover for the absence of injured defenders Robert Molenaar, Lucas Radebe and Martin Hiden.

Recent signing David Batty misses an early return to St James' Park after suffering a cracked rib.

Sheffield Wednesday v Leicester

Wednesday hoped to have Paolo Di Canio in their squad after completing his 11-match suspension.

But Di Canio is AWOL in Italy and compatriot Benito Carbone is also absent after five bookings earned him an automatic ban.

Leicester midfielders Muzzy Izzet and Neil Lennon face fitness checks after being hit by a flu bug. But there is good news with striker Tony Cottee and defender Steve Walsh ready to return to action.