Ruud van Nistelrooy is sweating on his place in the Manchester United starting line-up to face Newcastle in the English Premiership tomorrow.
The Dutch striker surprisingly found himself on the bench for both the English League Cup and Premiership triumphs over Wigan, although his introduction did inspire a United comeback at the JJB Stadium last Monday.
If United's top scorer this season does return, it could be at the expense of Republic of Ireland international John O'Shea as Alex Ferguson toys with the idea of dropping Wayne Rooney into a more withdrawn role in midfield.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez says Mohamed Sissoko could be ready to make a surprise return to first-team action in two or three weeks. The 21-year-old Malian suffered an eye injury when he was kicked in the face during Liverpool's Champions League defeat by Benfica in February.
"He was running today and I was surprised because he was touching the ball," Benitez said yesterday. "In two or three weeks maybe he will be fit. I hope so."
It had been feared that Sissoko's career was over after he was accidentally kicked in the head by Benfica midfielder Beto during the sides' first-leg encounter in the Champions League. He suffered from blurred vision and headaches after the injury but did not have to undergo surgery on his eye.
Meanwhile, Uefa have told BBC Scotland that they will investigate allegations of bigoted chanting from Rangers fans during their Champions League ties with Villarreal. Rangers also face a disciplinary hearing over an incident that led to the Villarreal team bus being attacked prior to the 1-1 draw at the El Madrigal Stadium on Tuesday night.
A Uefa spokeswoman said: "We are looking into complaints of possible bigoted chanting from both legs of the tie involving Rangers and Villarreal."
A Uefa panel will discuss both charges on April 12th.
Arsene Wenger has said Arsenal "represent a football club and not passports" following criticism on Thursday from West Ham United manager Alan Pardew.
Pardew was disappointed Arsenal did not field a British player against Real Madrid and said he was worried about "the soul of British football". But Wenger countered: "Football is about quality . . . not anything else."
With Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole injured, Arsenal did not field a single English player in either leg of their tie against Real.
"The English team is responsible for representing the English nation. I don't understand these remarks." Arsenal manager Wenger added: "When you're a young boy of 20-years-old, you accept that somebody says to you that you're not good enough. You don't expect managers to say sorry you don't have the right passport.
"Racism is nothing to do with colour, it's only linked with where you come from or how you look. I feel responsible for the traditions of the club. We represent a football club which is about values and not about passports."
