Davies backs Heskey

• Last Updated: November 06. 2009 9:05PM UAE / November 6. 2009 5:05PM GMT

Bolton captain Kevin Davies believes striker Emile Heskey will be a part of England's World Cup squad, regardless of whether he stays with Aston Villa or not.

Last month Heskey denied he was considering his future at Villa Park due to concerns about his chances of making Fabio Capello's squad for next summer, and since then he has been given a starting spot by Martin O'Neill in Villa's last three matches.

"I think Fabio is a big fan of his," Davies said. "He's been in there ahead of strikers who are playing better and scoring more goals but I think as a target man, Fabio fancies him and likes the way he plays. I think he will be on the plane regardless.”

Aston Villa v Bolton, 7pm, Show Comedy Extra

Mokoena wants Benni

Portsmouth midfielder Aaron Mokoena would love to see former Blackburn teammate Benni McCarthy join him at Fratton Park.

The South Africa striker has been linked with a January move to the south coast as he struggles for games at Ewood Park. With the World Cup in his home land starting next June, McCarthy will be concerned about his place in the national side after starting just one Barclays Premier League game all season.

"Benni has been there, done it and he has experience,” said Mokoena. "It would be good to have him on board but obviously, it's up to the manager. He's a fantastic player - he has played in the Champions League and won the Champions League. It would be good to have him.”

Blackburn v Portsmouth. 7pm, Show Series Extra

Hughes urges patience

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has urged Stephen Ireland to be patient after he found himself a bit-part player in recent weeks.

The midfielder, who was City's player of the year last season, has come off the bench in the last four games following an illness.

Hughes said: “For the majority of the season last year we played 4-3-3, but we have changed to a 4-4-2 more often than not this year. Nigel de Jong and Gareth Barry became a pair when Stephen went out of the team, did well, so Stephen has found it a little difficult to get back in.

"It's about him being patient and biding his time and he will get opportunities, he knows that. He is too good a player to keep out of the team for too long."

Man City v Burnley, 7pm, Showsports 1 & 2

Bruce's selection dilemma

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has challenged his squad players to step up to the mark as he attempts to cope with a major selection headache.

Bruce will be without suspended duo Kenwyne Jones and Lorik Cana for today’s trip to Tottenham, while John Mensah and Bolo Zenden, as well as long-term absentee Lee Cattermole, are likely to miss out through injury.

Bruce said: " I hope one of the people who comes in can go and do something like Andy Reid did against Norwich a few weeks ago. That's the challenge we have set to the people who have come into the squad. Certainly, though,

"I would love to be going to Tottenham with a full squad to choose from. But that's the way it is."

Tottenham v Sunderland, 7pm, Showsports Extra

Double delight for Blues

Chelsea received two bits of good news yesterday. Not only will they not have to face Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand tomorrow, but the club will be allowed to sign players in the January transfer window.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) suspended a ban imposed by Fifa until the result of an appeal was decided. Chelsea had been banned from registering any new players until January 2011 after being found guilty of inducing Gael Kakuta to break his contract with French club Lens.

Meanwhile, Ferdinand will miss tomorrow’s match with a calf injury. "We don't know exactly where the calf injury is coming from," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "Whether it is coming from the lower back, whether it is a nerve thing.”

Chelsea v Man Utd, tomorrow 8pm, Showsports 1 & 2

Moyes still confident

Everton manager David Moyes is determined his side will get back on track in the Europa League after back-to-back defeats by Benfica.

Qualification for the knockout stage is still in their hands but the meeting in Greece next month against AEK Athens could hold the key.

Second-half goals from Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo saw Benfica cement their place at the top of the table on Thursday night. But Moyes remains quietly confident of making progress. "I would like to think so. There are some tough games coming up but we never thought the group would be easy,” he said.

"This is a long competition with lots of teams in it and others coming in later." Elsewhere in the Europa League, Fulham lost 2-1 at Roma.

West Ham v Everton, tomorrow 7pm, Showsports 4

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