Premiership: Adams to partner Keown

Tony Adams is to partner Martin Keown in defence for the first time since last September as Arsenal attempt to surge back to the Premiership summit against desperate Ipswich at Highbury this afternoon.

With Sol Campbell injured Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger turned to the two 35-year-olds to shore up his defence as the Gunners looked to leapfrog Manchester United and Liverpool, who both won yesterday.

England’s Ashley Cole also returned for his first game since April 1 with Wenger adamant that his side could shrug off the absence of Sylvain Wiltord, who was injured while training with the France international side in midweek.

For George Burley’s Ipswich, five points adrift of safety, it was a must-win match as defeat would virtually consign them to relegation considering their run-in includes matches against Liverpool and Manchester United.