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Journalism of Courage
Manchester United midfielder David Beckham will be fit for the English League Cup quarter-final against Chelsea on Tuesday. Manager Alex Ferguson said on Monday there were no injury worries for the players who took part in Saturday’s 3-0 premier league victory over West Ham United.
‘‘All the players from Saturday are available,’’ Ferguson told reporters. ‘‘We have no injuries. Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer) will be fit and all the ones who took little knocks will be OK.’’
Beckham, who has just recovered from cracked ribs, came on as a second-half substitute for Solskjaer, scorer of United’s opening goal. Ferguson, though keener than in past seasons to do well inthe League Cup, said he planned to play some of his less experienced players.
But with Beckham looking to regain match fitness after three weeks out, the England captain is almost certain to play at Old Trafford. France captain Marcel Desailly rejoins the Chelsea squadafter missing their 1-1 Premier League draw at Middlesbrough on Saturday and Claudio Ranieri, manager of last season’s semi-finalists, has promised to field a full-strength 11.
‘‘I will always play my best team in this competition because I want to win it,’’ he told reporters. ‘‘I want to win every competition and every game.
‘‘At the moment, Chelsea cannot choose. If it is a Worthington Cup game, we try to win it. If there is an FA Cup game, we will try to win that as well.
‘‘Every match for us right now is important.
‘‘When Chelsea has won 10 titles or more like Manchester United, then maybe we can start to choose. But not now. At the moment, it is important to achieve something.’’
Second division leaders Wigan Athletic will be looking to take a fourth premier league scalp when they entertain holders Blackburn Rovers. The North-western club upset Fulham, Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion in previous rounds.
‘‘I suppose, on paper, we must be favourites,’’ said Rovers manager Graeme Souness. ‘‘But I have been involved in enough Cup matches not to listen to too much of that.’’
Crystal Palace travel to Sheffield United for an all-first division clash in Tuesday’s other tie. Liverpool, the 2001 League Cup winners who are have taken only one point from their last six Premier League matches, are away to Aston Villa on Wednesday. (Reuters)
