Off-colour Reyes may miss Wolves clash

Arsenal new boy Jose Reyes is a major doubt for the Gunners’ Barclaycard Premiership trip to Wolves tomorrow.

The Spaniard is still suffering from the infection which saw him struggle through Tuesday’s Carling Cup semi-final defeat against Middlesbrough.

Boss Arsene Wenger will give Reyes a late test but admitted: “He is looking short for Saturday.”

Wenger is short of attacking options – with Freddie Ljungberg, Sylvain Wiltord and Jeremie Aliadiere all still out.

But Gunners great Patrick Vieira reckons that when Reyes is back fit, competition for places will soon begin to hot up.

Vieira told Arsenal’s official programme: “We’ve already got a great squad, and it’s just got even better.

“It’s an exciting signing. He’s one of the best talents in Spanish football, and everybody knows how good that league is.”

Resurgent Wolves have not lost a home Premiership game since September and aim to follow up victory over Manchester United with another famous win.

Coach Stuart Gray believes the Molineux men have the right team spirit to win their unlikely battle for survival.

Gray said: “We haven’t achieved anything yet – but we’ve given ourselves a fighting chance.

“I imagine before those games against United and Liverpool people regarded us as already down.

“Now come April if we’re still there I would back us to stay up.”

Shaun Newton is a major doubt as he bids to shrug off an ankle injury.

Kevin Nolan is out to cap Bolton’s charge up the Premiership table with a place in the England squad.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has been alerted to the form of the nine-goal Trotters striker by his number two Tord Grip.

As he prepares for his side’s clash with Liverpool tomorrow, Nolan could think of nothing better than lining up for his country alongside Steven Gerrard.

Nolan said: “I have always admired him [Gerrard] on and off the pitch, and he has his feet firmly on the ground.

“It is always nice to get recognition, and maybe my future will see me as an England international.”

Youri Djorkaeff and Simon Charlton are both expected to return for eighth-placed Bolton, but Stelios Giannakopoulos remains doubtful.

Bruno Cheyrou hopes to continue his goalscoring form at the Reebok Stadium as he puts the early-season ridicule behind him.

Cheyrou will start his fifth consecutive game and believes his belated fine form might even force him into the French squad for this summer’s European Championship finals.

Cheyrou said: “When I came to Liverpool one of my targets was to get into the French squad.

“Unfortunately things were not going too well for me in the first year – but I am a lot happier now, because I am playing games and scoring goals.”

Cheyrou arrived at Anfield being compared to the great Zinedine Zidane, which heaped pressure on his shoulders.

But a succession of niggly injuries helped persuade many around Anfield that he did not belong.

Boss Gerard Houllier did not lose faith and he said this week: “I never understood the criticism Bruno got. He was injured for six months and was still getting stick.

“But he is a clever, skilful footballer and he will be a success here.”

Middlesbrough star Gaizka Mendieta insists he will put thoughts of Cup glory out of his mind to help Boro’s climb up the table.

Steve McClaren’s men need three more points against Blackburn to strengthen their position in the top half of the table.

Mendieta has demanded that thoughts do not begin to stray towards the forthcoming Carling Cup final against Bolton.

He said: “It’s very important to keep our run going, because if we hadn’t won at Leeds and against Arsenal the confidence might have dropped.”

George Boateng is suspended for Boro, while Ugo Ehiogu continues to battle the groin injury which has limited him to just one appearance in the last five games.

Michael Gray is set to be the only one of four Rovers new boys to start against Boro.

Norwegian midfielder Martin Andresen, 20-year-old striker Jon Stead and goalkeeper Peter Enckelman are all set to start on the bench.

Stead, signed from Huddersfield, can hardly believe what has happened to him.

He said: “I’m living the dream. Everybody wants this opportunity, and I’ve got it.”

Stephen Crainey expects to have to wait for his Premiership chance as Southampton prepare to meet Fulham at St Mary’s.

The £200,000 (€292,000) signing from Celtic is booked for the bench, with Graeme Le Saux returning for his first home appearance since November following an ankle injury.

Crainey said: “Graeme is a top international, but I like to think I could replace him in the end.

“I can watch him, learn from him and listen to him and then maybe I can take over from him at some stage.”

Fulham midfielder Martin Djetou believes team spirit has been the key to his side’s surprising success this season.

He said: “It is important that Fulham show this level of spirit – you need to work very hard and you need to have the right attitude.

“The success achieved this season is testament to how successfully all those attributes have been welded together in the current team.”