LONDON, Feb 5 — Brief news ahead of this weekend's Premier League matches.

* Leaders Manchester United have a full squad to choose from for the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers today (1730 GMT).

Fullback Rafael De Silva and midfielder Darren Fletcher are both expected to return after recovering from head injuries.

"Rafael should be OK, he has trained," manager Sir Alex Ferguson said on the club's website (http://www.manutd.com).

"With Fletcher what happened is that his eye closed and he couldn't see the ball properly. I'm sure he'll be OK."

* Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has not yet decided whether to hand British record signing Fernando Torres his first start against his former club Liverpool on Sunday (1600).

"Fernando is in good condition," said Ancelotti.

"He is available to play against Liverpool, I don't know if he will start or maybe come on during the game. It is my decision, and I will take the decision before 4pm on Sunday."

Chelsea's other deadline-day signing, Brazilian defender David Luiz who joined from Benfica, might not be ready because he has not yet had much time to train with the team.

* Arsenal expect to be without Alex Song for today's game at Newcastle United (1500) after the midfielder came off at halftime in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Everton with a thigh injury.

Midfielder Samir Nasri is out for three weeks with a hamstring strain while goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will be out for the rest of the season after surgery on a shoulder injury.

Central defender Thomas Vermaelen is still sidelined with an Achilles problem but should be back within a month.

Newcastle's Ivory Coast midfielder Cheik Tiote returns after a three-game ban with manager Alan Pardew saying: "... he's such an important player to us and I'm so pleased to have him back ...there's no doubt he comes back into the team.

* Tottenham Hotspur's South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar returns for the visit of Bolton Wanderers today (1500) having missed the win at Blackburn Rovers with concussion.

Michael Dawson is also available after serving a one-match ban and is likely to partner William Gallas in central defence with the Frenchman having shaken off an ankle knock. Right back Alan Hutton also returns after being rested in midweek.

Gareth Bale is still sidelined with a back problem and fellow midfielder Luka Modric is recovering from an appendix operation that will keep him out for two weeks.

"They are a good side who beat us quite comfortably up at Bolton and it will be a tough game," Spurs manager Harry Redknapp told reporters yesterday referring to his side's 4-2 defeat at the Reebok stadium in November.

* Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong will have a late fitness test before today's match at home to West Bromwich Albion (1500) while defender Micah Richards is out after a clash of heads with De Jong in the midweek draw at Birmingham City.

Manager Roberto Mancini told a news conference midfielder Yaya Toure would be fit after illness, while striker Mario Balotelli should return to action next week.

He also responded to media reports that goalkeeper Joe Hart could be dropped after some poor performances by saying "Joe for me is the best goalkeeper in England, I won't change Joe Hart."

* Everton boss David Moyes confirmed Australia midfielder Tim Cahill will feature at home to Blackpool today (1500) after returning from Asian Cup duty.

"Tim is back and will be involved in the game," Moyes said on the club's website (http://www.evertonfc.com). "I don't actually think he has played any more games than the lads have done here." — Reuters

 

DOHA, Feb 5 — Germany's Martin Kaymer kept alive slim hopes of moving to World No. 1 at the weekend with a 70 on day two of the Qatar Masters in Doha yesterday which followed a horror opening 77.

It moved the 26-year old World No. 2 to three-over par and seven strokes behind Briton Paul Lawrie and South African Thomas Aiken who share the first round clubhouse lead on four-under.

"I was not very pleased yesterday with the way I played so I am a little happier today," Kaymer told Reuters.

"But then it's the funny nature of this sport we play. One day you can have a 77 without one birdie and then today you can shoot a round of 70 with two birdies and no bogeys.

"I am trying hard to shoot a good score but I just can't putt on these greens.

"It's still very tough out there as the wind was getting a bit stronger but three over par should be okay although I am going to be a long way behind."

CLINCHING VICTORY

Kaymer needs to finish first or second in Qatar and World No. 1 Lee Westwood no higher than 22nd for the Germany to replace the Briton at the top of the rankings.

Lawrie, 42, signed for a 66 in an event he won in 1999, five months before clinching victory in the British Open at Carnoustie.

"It's always special coming back to a place where you won even though it's been over a decade since I won here," Lawrie told Reuters.

"But yesterday was the toughest day I've ever experienced in all my years coming here to Doha.

"There is a lot of rough out here and when you've got the wind we had yesterday then it makes for a tough day in the office.

"I had 31 putts yesterday but I was pleased in that I putted a lot better today as reflected in my having eight birdies so that was nice."

Aiken, 27 is looking to still capture a first Race to Dubai tournament success in his fourth full season on the European Tour.

The Johannesburg-born player did not drop a shot in recording a three under par 69 for a 140 tally.

Briton Robert Rock birdied two of his closing three holes in a 68 to be in second place at three under par. — Reuters