Soccer

Liverpool’s Jordan Rossiter set for FA Cup involvement with Gerrard rested

Mezut Ozil and and Theo Walcott in line for Arsenal starts

Liverpool’s Jordan Rossiter could be in the starting line-up in S\turday’s FA Cup tie with Bolton. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA
Liverpool’s Jordan Rossiter could be in the starting line-up in S\turday’s FA Cup tie with Bolton. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA
Fri Jan 23 2015 - 11:30

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could be rested for the FA Cup fourth round visit of Bolton on Saturday after featuring in the club's mid-week League Cup semi-final with Chelsea.

With their must-win second leg at Chelsea on Tuesday the 34-year-old, who missed last weekend’s win at Aston Villa with a tight hamstring, is likely to drop to the bench.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed 17-year-old midfielder Jordan Rossiter will be involved in some capacity, while defender Glen Johnson, midfielder Joe Allen and striker Mario Balotelli all returned to training this week and all may feature.

Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) and full-back Hector Bellerin (ankle) both face fitness tests ahead of the FA Cup holders' fourth-round tie at Brighton on Sunday. Fit-again Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil are expected to be in contention for a start, along with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who has been benched since the defeat at Southampton on New Year's Day.

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Kyle Naughton stands by to make his Swansea debut in their trip to Blackburn after completing his move from Tottenham on Thursday. Naughton was on the bench for Tottenham’s third round games against Burnley — both in the original tie and the replay — but did not come on in either game and is therefore not cup-tied.

While Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe is in line for his home debut in their Cup game with Fulham after making his first appearance since signing from MLS side Toronto at Tottenham last weekend.