Peter Reid is facing a real injury crisis as the season kicks off on Saturday, with Arsenal's trip to the Stadium of Light. Nine first-teamers are looking unlikely to make the game through injury - including, we can't help noting, three ex-Gooners: Niall Quinn, Steve Bould and Stefan Schwarz.

Thomas Sorensen and Stanislav Varga have both been forced to pull out of midweek international games with groin problems - but may be fit for Saturday. Kevin Phillips, Chris Makin, Kevin Kilbane, Danny Dichio, Paul Butler and Gavin McCann are all listed as 'doubtful'. And to make matters worse - Alex Rae and Don Hutchison are both suspended.

Arsenal look set to be at full strength... presuming Wednesday's France-FIFA AllStars friendly stays friendly!