Everton Hope Arteta Will Be Fit for Crucial Encounter With Villa

Mikel Arteta may return for Everton against Aston Villa on Sunday in a match that is crucial to both clubs' hopes of securing a place in next season's Uefa Cup. Martin O'Neill's team are three points behind fifth-placed Everton but victory at Goodison Park would see them leapfrog their rivals on goal difference.

Arteta has been struggling with groin and stomach problems and has been in his native Spain receiving intensive treatment. However, the signs are that he may be in contention for a return to aid David Moyes' team in their attempt to cling to fifth spot and secure another European campaign.

"Mikel is still in Spain. We have been speaking with him regularly and he will be back on Friday and hopefully will be available," said the Everton manager.

Moyes should have Leon Osman available against Villa after his recovery from a hip injury and there also appears to be a breakthrough in the treatment of Tim Cahill's broken metatarsal. The attacking midfielder is back home in Australia awaiting an operation which the club hope will be the "ultimate solution" to his persistent foot injury. The 28-year-old suffered a recurrence of the injury last month against West Ham United and was ruled out for the season.

Manchester City have made inquires about El Hadji Diouf, who will leave Bolton at the end of the season. Sven-Goran Eriksson is one of Diouf's admirers, although the City manager's priority is to tie up two Brazilians, CSKA Moscow's Jo and Diego of Werder Bremen.

The Norwich manager, Glenn Roeder, and his assistant Lee Clark have admitted bringing the game into disrepute. The Football Association confirmed that they had pleaded guilty to the charge after confronting the referee, Andy D'Urso, in the defeat at Bristol City last month.