Premiership: Parlour and Pires could return against Newcastle

Ray Parlour could return for Arsenal against Newcastle after recovering from a groin injury.

And Arsene Wenger is confident Robert Pires will pass a late fitness test on the calf injury sustained against West Ham.

But Fredrik Ljungberg is still out with a back problem and Tony Adams' bid to return to action after 11 weeks out following foot surgery has been scuppered by a knee strain.

The former England centre-back now hopes to play in a specially arranged game at Peterborough on Thursday.

Goalkeeper Richard Wright is also due to make his comeback in that game having missed seven first-team games with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Warren Barton has been withdrawn from the Newcastle squad with a slight knee ligament strain, while Shay Given is a concern with a shoulder problem.

Shola Ameobi will be given time to recover from a blow to the thigh, although Craig Bellamy is available after serving a one-match ban.