Goalkeeper Shay Given has been given permission to talk to Manchester City - although he would not have played as he undergoes treatment for a knee injury, while wantaway midfielder Charles N'Zogbia would also have been missing with an ankle problem.

Michael Owen could be sidelined for up to six weeks with ankle ligament damage, while midfielder Danny Guthrie could be out for as long as eight weeks after damaging a hamstring.

Obafemi Martins (hernia), Mark Viduka (Achilles) and Claudio Cacapa (knee) are closing in on returns, but Shola Ameobi (knee), Habib Beye (ankle) and Tamas Kadar (broken leg) remain on the casualty list.

Provisional squad: Harper, Forster, Krul, Enrique, Bassong, Coloccini, Taylor, Edgar, Duff, Gutierrez, Nolan, Lovenkrands, Geremi, Donaldson, Donninger, Godsmark, Xisco, Carroll, LuaLua, Ranger.