Carson on Course to Face United

The Aston Villa goalkeeper Scott Carson is likely to be fit to face Manchester United on Saturday despite having pulled out of the England squad for yesterday's game in France. Carson had a scan on his knee injury and no long-term concerns were revealed. A club spokesman said: "We didn't think it was anything serious but after consultation between our own medical team and England's it was decided a week away with the international squad may have aggravated the problem." The club hope a week of treatment will mean he can play at Old Trafford.

Wigan Athletic's Chris Kirkland, the other England goalkeeping understudy to withdraw from yesterday's game, should also be fit for Saturday, in his case to face Portsmouth. Kirkland has a back injury, yet his manager, Steve Bruce, is confident he will be available. "Thankfully common sense prevailed and Chris didn't have to travel to London to be assessed by the England doctors," said Bruce. "The journey wouldn't have been ideal for someone with a bad back but we do expect him to be OK by the weekend."

Johann Vogel is set to make his Blackburn Rovers debut at Reading on Saturday after receiving international clearance. The former Switzerland captain signed a 2½-year deal with Rovers last week. Although the 31-year-old midfielder's previous contract with Real Betis was canceled in December following a legal dispute, Rovers have only now secured the paperwork that frees him to play. "He has trained well this week, as he always has done since he walked through the door, so he could come into the equation," said Blackburn's manager, Mark Hughes.

Sunderland have resolved their row with the Trinidad and Tobago football federation, leaving Carlos Edwards and Kenwyne Jones clear to play against West Ham United at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Trinidad and Tobago had been unhappy when Roy Keane informed them that a groin strain and flu would prevent Edwards and Jones respectively flying to the Caribbean for last night's friendly