The 26-year-old Real Madrid defender is expected to start, while fellow new arrival Jason Euell could also be involved.
Full-back Andrew Taylor (calf) is fit, but Chris Riggott is out for up to eight weeks after damaging ankle ligaments in training, while Robert Huth (ankle), Julio Arca (foot), Ugo Ehiogu (Achilles), Matthew Bates (thigh) and Ray Parlour (groin) are still sidelined.
Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Turnbull, Parnaby, Davies, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Wheater, Taylor, Boateng, Cattermole, Mendieta, Rochemback, Downing, Morrison, Johnson, Euell, Yakubu, Viduka, Maccarone. |
