Injured Vieira sidelined for weekend action

Team-news

Team-news

Patrick Vieira is ruled out of Arsenal's trip to Charlton on Sunday with a thigh injury that looks set to keep him out of action for at least the next fortnight.

Fredrik Ljungberg is back in contention for a starting role following his substitutes appearance in the midweek Champions League defeat in Kiev.

However, defender Martin Keown is still ruled out for at least another week with a calf injury.

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Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is likely to ring the changes against Fulham tomorrow.

While delighted with the Champions League victory over Rangers, he is set to field a more attacking midfield tomorrow.

Cristiano Ronaldo or Darren Fletcher could return after being on the bench in midweek with Phil Neville, who scored the winner, stepping down.

Wes Brown (knee), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (knee) and Kleberson (shoulder) are again ruled out.

Chelsea striker Herman Crespo faces a late fitness test ahead of the visit of Manchester City.

He did not feature in the Champions League win over Lazio because of a groin strain.

However, even if fit, Crespo could find himself on the bench as Claudio Ranieri once again tinkers with his side.

Ranieri looks set to give Juan Sebastian Veron another start after substituting the midfielder midway through the second half against Lazio.

Geremi may also come in for Damien Duff, while Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink stands by to take over from Eidur Gudjohnsen alongside Adrian Mutu up front.

Marcel Desailly (back) and Emmanuel Petit (knee) have both returned to full training, but are unlikely feature tomorrow given their lack of match practice.

French teenager Florent Sinama-Pongolle is standing by for his full Liverpool debut if Michael Owen does not recover from his shin injury in time to face Leeds.

Pongolle scored twice in midweek for the reserves and is similar in size and pace to Owen.

Houllier also has Danny Murphy and Bruno Cheyrou in contention again after ankle and back injuries although Salif Diao is still suspended.