Keown in line to face United

Martin Keown hopes he has proved his fitness to face Manchester United this weekend by coming through a reserves game today to ease Arsenal’s injury crisis.

With Sol Campbell ruled out of this weekend‘s Barclaycard Premiership trip to Old Trafford because of a one-match ban, Arsene Wenger needs Keown in the Arsenal defence.

Otherwise he could have been left to choose between Oleg Luzhny, Igors Stepanovs and Matthew Upson – who is out on loan – to partner Pascal Cygan.

But Keown followed his two substitute roles in the first team on his way back from his hamstring injury by completing a full 90 minutes for the first time since September 21 as Arsenal beat Millwall 3-0 behind closed doors this afternoon.

Ray Parlour, Lauren and Kanu all made their comebacks from injury in the same game which was held at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground.

Parlour has also been out of first-team action since September and may yet need another reserves outing before contesting a place against Tottenham on December 15.

But Kanu and Lauren, who have had knee and ankle injuries respectively for the past month, could be involved in the squad for the game at Old Trafford.

Kanu opened the scoring against Millwall with a penalty before Francis Jeffers headed home a cross by the Nigerian, who came up with a solo effort for his side’s third goal.