Ferdinand set to stay in midfield

England defender Rio Ferdinand, seen here 22 January 2006, could find himself thrown back into emergency midfield cover as Manchester United tackle Blackburn at Ewood Park

England defender Rio Ferdinand could find himself thrown back into emergency midfield cover as Manchester United tackle Blackburn at Ewood Park.

The 29-million-pound (52-million-dollar) man was thrust into midfield duties during Manchester United's 3-0 FA Cup victory at Wolverhampton on Sunday and may be required to act as cover once again as United struggle with injuries and suspensions.

Ryan Giggs has a hamstring problem, John O'Shea is nursing a rib injury, Paul Scholes is out for the season and Alan Smith is suspended for the English Premiership clash as United aim to record their second win over Blackburn in quick succession having beaten their Lancashire rivals in the League Cup semi-final second leg last week.

Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo should be available after a recent knee injury while France defender Patrice Evra is pushing for a recall at left-back.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes is again short of numbers in attack - with Craig Bellamy (hamstring) and Paul Dickov (broken collarbone) missing.

Arsene Wenger is facing selection problems in defence as he prepares for a home match against West Ham with Lauren facing at least a month on the sidelines.

Ashley Cole (thigh), Gael Clichy (foot), Pascal Cygan (hamstring) are all still missing while Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor are away at the African Nations Cup.

Arsenal captain Thierry Henry, seen here 03 January 2006, striker Dennis Bergkamp, winger Robert Pires and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann were also all rested for the FA Cup defeat at Bolton but are set to return for the home game vs West Ham

Captain Thierry Henry, striker Dennis Bergkamp, winger Robert Pires and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann were also all rested for the FA Cup defeat at Bolton but are set to return, along with Brazil midfielder Gilberto although Spaniards Cesc Fabregas and Jose Antonio Reyes are suspended.

West Ham manager Alan Pardew may hand a debut to new 7 million pounds (12.4 million dollars) signing Dean Ashton who is in contention having recovered from a groin problem.

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien is pushing for a recall to the Chelsea line-up against Aston Villa after recovering from damaged ankle ligaments sustained at the start of the year, although Didier Drogba remains on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Ivory Coast in Egypt.

Villa welcome back Gareth Barry from suspension and could hand striker Kevin Phillips a return to the starting line-up in place of Colombia's Juan Pablo Angel.

Robbie Fowler is expected to be in the Liverpool squad for the visit of Birmingham with Steve Finnan, Harry Kewell and Peter Crouch expected to return after sitting out Sunday's FA Cup victory at Portsmouth.

Newcastle are still without Kieran Dyer, Michael Owen, Stephen Carr, Steven Taylor, Craig Moore and Lee Bowyer for the trip to Manchester City while Amdy Faye is away with Senegal.

Joey Barton will be included in Manchester City's squad after boss Stuart Pearce rejected a deadline day bid for the influential midfielder from Middlesbrough while new striker Georgios Samaras can expect a place on the bench.

Portsmouth's two new loan signings Wayne Routledge and Andres D'Alessandro could make their debuts against Bolton at Fratton Park.