Soccer Digest:John O'Flynn looks set to feature in this evening's Ford FAI Cup replay at Turner's Cross after missing the 1-1 draw between Waterford United and Cork City due to a groin strain, reports Emmet Malone.
The striker came through a couple of training sessions since without any major problems and Cork City manager Damien Richardson is hopeful that he will be available for tonight's game.
Darragh Ryan is still out for City due to a pelvic injury, while United will be without Dave Mulcahy (cup-tied), Cathal Lordan (ineligible) Kenny Browne and Daryl Kavanagh (both injured).
"I thought the lads were immense on Saturday night," says United boss Gareth Cronin. "They played so well as a team, created a lot of good chances and they deserved to win the game.
"We are still very much in with a shout in this game. I know Cork will be big favourites, but we have had to face replays in every round of the cup this season so one more doesn't bother us."
Miller time at last
Sunderland's Liam Miller was a relieved man at the weekend after finally opening his Premier League account. The 26-year-old Irishman had a spell at Manchester United earlier in his career, but had to wait until the 89th-minute of Saturday's game against Middlesbrough to claim his first top-flight goal.
"It's been a long wait," said Miller. "I was hoping my first goal would have come sooner, but that's the way these things work out. I have caught a few sweet in my time, and luckily I saved another nice one for Saturday. That was probably up there with the best of them.
"Once again, we scored a late goal and dug out a point from a difficult situation. It just goes to show the character in the team. This bunch of lads always play for the 90 minutes."
Arca injured
Argentine midfielder Julio Arca faces a two-month injury layoff after damaging knee ligaments in Middlesbrough's 2-2 draw with Sunderland.
Arca scored Middlesbrough's first equaliser after 15 minutes against his old club, but went off injured 12 minutes later.
"The injury to Julio looks more serious," said manager Gareth Southgate. "It's the medial ligaments in his knee and it looks like it will be at least two months."
Villa wait on Carew
Aston Villa striker John Carew is bracing himself for several weeks on the sidelines with the knee ligament injury suffered against Everton. The Norway international limped out of the action early in the second half on Sunday after scoring the opening goal - his first of the campaign - in Villa's 2-0 victory.
Carew underwent a scan yesterday and Villa will make no official statement until the full extent of the results are known.
But it is understood Villa manager Martin O'Neill's initial fears that Carew could be out of action for a considerable period will be realised.
It is a big blow as the power and strength of Carew as well as his ability to hold up the ball offers an alternative to the pace and trickery of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young.
Tonight's Soccer
FAI Cup, Quarter-final (Replay)- Cork City v Waterford United, Turner's Cross, 7.45pm.
English League Cup, Third Round(7.45pm) - Arsenal v Newcastle, Blackpool v Southend, Burnley v Portsmouth, Luton Town v Charlton, Manchester City v Norwich, Reading v Liverpool, Sheffield Utd v Morecambe, West Brom v Cardiff City.
Scottish League Cup, Third Round(7.45pm) - Falkirk v Dundee Utd, Hamilton Acd' v Kilmarnock, Hearts v Dunfermline, Inverness CT v Gretna.
Spanish La Liga- Sevilla v Espanyol (7pm).
