Matteo Sereni returns to the Town squad for the first time since March after recovering from his thigh strain, as the Blues seek to avoid relegation on the last day of the season.

Sereni looks unlikely to play after missing so many games recently and Andy Marshall will probably get the nod in goal.

Mark Venus is back in training after his groin problem and should be fit enough to start alongside John McGreal who, like Tommy Miller, has recovered from a virus. Wayne Brown is also included despite missing training this week with a back injury.

Titus Bramble and Fabian Wilnis are both included and are considered OK to play, despite missing training due to achilles and hernia problems respectively. Both go under the surgeon's knife next week.

Jim Magilton returns to the Town midfield after missing out recently due to his son's illness. He is unlikely to be in the starting line-up with Tommy Miller and Matt Holland likely to start in the middle with Martijn Reuser, Finidi George, Jamie Clapham and Sixto Peralta all available for selection.

Up front George Burley includes six players in his squad, but Marcus Bent and Marcus Stewart appear to be the most likely starters with Darren Bent and Alun Armstrong coming off the bench.

Burley feels his side have a definite chance of repeating their two previous victories at Anfield: "It is simple. We have to be totally focussed on trying to get a win because if we don't win, no matter what else happens, we will get relegated.

"Everybody has written us off. I noticed that Liverpool are even saying they have finished second, but we have done well when we have been written off before.

"Of course, Sunderland have to be favourites, but the last game of the season is certainly nervy and so we have to go and try and do our things right at Anfield."

"We have got to try and do the same as the last two occasions I have been there as a manager."

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier described the Town game as their 'European Cup Final': "This is a game for the future of the club and I want everyone focussed only on Saturday.

"We are now in a good position where everything is in our hands. That's what we have been working for. We have overcome so many obstacles this season and did so again in a very exciting game last night. Saturday will be like our European Cup Final."

Liverpool are one point ahead of Manchester United and a win against Town will ensure they won't have to play a qualifier for the Champions' League at the beginning of next season.

Saturday's referee is Steve Dunn who took control of Town's home games with Charlton and West Ham and the away win at Everton.

Squad: Marshall, Sereni, Clapham, Bramble, Hreidarsson, McGreal, Venus, Brown, Holland, Magilton, T Miller, Peralta, George, Reuser, Armstrong, Stewart, M Bent, Couñago, D Bent, Naylor, Wilnis and Ambrose.

Photo: Action Images

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