MANCHESTER United's manager, Alex Ferguson, will be troubled by a fresh selection headache as Eric Cantona returns from suspension for today's home clash with Coventry.
The Frenchman missed United's recent trip to London when Ferguson's youngsters emerged as 2-1 victors from a bruising encounter with title rivals Arsenal before gaining a point with a spirited second half display at Chelsea.
Both performances underlined United's determination to hang on to their Premiership crown as they preserved a one point lead over Liverpool, who were held to a goalless draw by Blackburn despite hitting the woodwork four times.
The London matches also showed that Cantona's place in the United line-up is no longer an essential requirement, as the team's promising youngsters prove that they are rapidly coming of age.
With Roy Keane imperious in the midfield, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham cutting defences to ribbons from left and right, and a host of others ready to step into the side at the pull of a hamstring United are showing that they are no one-man team.
"I didn't expect our players to fold at all because of Eric not being there," said Ferguson.
"Players have developed at our club over the last few years. Players like Keane and Giggs, Beckham and (Nicky) Butt are maturing.
"The importance of Eric is not the same as it was a year ago, or two years ago when we lost the league when he was suspended.
"That does not discredit Eric in any shape or form because his record at our club in terms of games played and victories is quite astounding. It just gives me another problem."
Ferguson, who has not fielded the same team in consecutive games in 39 matches this season, will again be forced into changes on Saturday.
In addition to Cantona's return defenders David May and Phil Neville could also feature after long lay-offs through injury.
May has been out for a month after a hernia operation and Neville has not played since picking up glandular fever over Christmas.
Ferguson could also shelve the successful striking partnership of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Andy, Cole and play just one of them alongside Cantona.
A victory for United could put them four points clear of archrivals Liverpool, who travel to Aston Villa tomorrow and face a side back on form after a slump early in the New Year.
Back-to-back wins over Sunderland and Coventry and last Saturday's 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest have pushed them back up to fifth, boosting their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Cup next season.
Liverpool, who have now dropped 15 points at home, will be hoping for a little bit more luck and a lot more clinical finishing after peppering Blackburn's goal for 90 minutes without reward last weekend.
Third-placed Newcastle will play second-bottom Southampton at St James Park but they will be without star striker Alan Shearer, who on Wednesday underwent a third operation in 10 months on a troublesome groin.
The absence of Shearer for at least a month is a serious blow to Newcastle's title ambitions.
After consecutive home defeats to Manchester United and Wimbledon, Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, now six points behind United, have a chance to get their title bid back on course when they travel to mid-table Everton.
Wimbledon, already in the League Cup semi-finals and the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, can consolidate their drive for a UEFA Cup place with two games, in three days - at home to Leicester on today and away to Coventry on Monday.
