Italian international midfielder Nicola Berti looks set to be thrown in at the deep end for his Tottenham debut on Saturday - thanks to Jurgen Klinsmann.

Christian Gross's relegation-threatened side travel to Premiership champions and current leaders Manchester United, with the German international skipper having been instrumental in bringing Berti to White Hart Lane.

The 30-year-old, who has 38 caps, signed on a free transfer from Italian giants Inter Milan on Thursday having been released in recognition for his many years service for the club.

Klinsmann said: "I spoke to Nicola after Christian found out he could be available for us and I'm delighted he's coming.

"He's a very high-quality signing - just the type we need to help us out of relegation trouble."

Gross, however, is almost certain to be without goalkeeper Ian Walker and French striker David Ginola through injury, with the duo set to join Les Ferdinand, Darren Anderton and Danish star Allan Nielsen on the sidelines.

David Howells and Andy Sinton are fit to be recalled, with Howells having been out for nearly two months after a stress fracture was discovered just below a knee.

United boss Alex Ferguson is unlikely to make any changes to a team which have won nine and drawn one of their 10 Old Trafford league games this season. He is again without long-term injured Roy Keane, Jordi Cruyff and David May, while Phil Neville completes a two-match ban.

Aston Villa boss Brian Little will be looking to break a jinx against former club Leicester when Martin O'Neill's side travel to Villa Park.

Since Little walked out of Filbert Street in November 1994 to take over at Villa, his side have yet to beat Leicester in five meetings.

Two draws, including a 4-4 thriller after Villa had led 4-1 at home three years ago, have preceded three straight defeats with City winning 1-0 at the start of the season.

Former Leicester striker Julian Joachim could be given the chance to help Little finally stop the rot. Stan Collymore is still suffering from 'flu, although he has been improving.

Leicester, now struggling after a run of just two wins in their last 11 Premiership matches, could be without Muzzy Izzet (leg), skipper Steve Walsh (hamstring) and Ian Marshall (hernia).

Arsenal host Leeds without injured David Platt. But Lee Dixon returns to the squad.

Carl Leaburn goes straight into the Wimbledon squad for the trip to a rejuvenated Liverpool following his cut price move from Charlton on Thursday.

Dons boss Joe Kinnear has snapped up the giant striker due to injuries to forwards Efan Ekoku, Jon Goodman and Jason Euell.

Leaburn, signed for an initial £150,000 with another £100,000 paid after he has made 50 first team appearances, has scored just over 50 goals in more than 300 league games with Charlton.

But Kinnear, whose side have won one of their last seven games, said: "He is a genuine target-man. He will be a great foil for people like Efan Ekoku and Andy Clarke."

Fellow frontman Marcus Gayle is also doubtful with a hamstring injury, while England under-21 defender Ben Thatcher starts a three-match suspension after being sent off against West Ham two weeks ago. He is out injured for a month anyway due to damaged ankle ligaments.

Liverpool boss Roy Evans is again likely to resist the temptation of playing United States international keeper Brad Friedel ahead of David James and name an unchanged side.

Struggling Newcastle, slipping perilously closer to the relegation dogfight, head to Sheffield Wednesday with just one win in their last five league and cup matches.

Philippe Albert completes a two-match ban, while David Batty sits out the second of a four-game suspension. But beleaguered manager Kenny Dalglish could be boosted by the return Stuart Pearce (hamstring), Alessandro Pistone ('flu) and Faustino Asprilla (thigh). They all missed the Coca-Cola quarter-final defeat by Liverpool in midweek.

Sheffield Wednesday's Italian ace Benito Carbone should keep his place after his man-of-the-match performance in the FA Cup draw at Watford - but it remains to be seen whether boss Ron Atkinson will again employ three up front.

Atkinson also played Italian compatriot Paolo Di Canio and Andy Booth in a three-pronged strikeforce, but with Carbone starting a ban after United's visit, it could lead to a holding role behind the front two.

Bolton, with just one league defeat all season at the Reebok Stadium - which will officially be opened by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott - face a vital six-pointer at home to fellow strugglers Southampton, who have won just one Premiership game on the road this term.

Bolton boss Colin Todd has goalkeeper Keith Branagan and striker Dean Holdsworth fit again, with both players having missed the last five matches due to groin and knee/shin trouble respectively.

Southampton's Norwegian central defender Claus Lundekvam is struggling with a calf muscle injury which forced him to sit out the FA Cup defeat at Derby last weekend. Goalkeeper Paul Jones is in danger of missing his first match of the season with a groin strain, so Neil Moss stands by.

Chelsea have been hit by a 'flu bug ahead of the visit of Coventry. Dan Petrescu, Luca Vialli, Roberto Di Matteo and player-manager Ruud Gullit are all suffering.

West Ham have a doubt over striker Paul Kitson for the visit of bottom club Barnsley.

Everton include French striker Mickael Madar for the trip to Crystal Palace. The Londoners are still looking for their first league win at home this season.

Derby are hit by supensions for Stefano Eranio, Lee Carsley and Daryll Powell for the visit of Blackburn on Sunday.
 

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