Babayaro Back To Form

With vice-captain Jean-Alain Boumsong has huffed and puffed and been caught out of position too often for his own good, and there were times when Babayaro was little better. But the last two games he has been superb.

As he showed last term, Steven Taylor can also fill in effectively at full-back, but for the noticeable improvement in Babayaro's form will no doubt see the Nigerian start at Fratton Park. He has been solid at the back and penetrative going forward, his natural left-footedness providing balance. His form stands in contrast to the disappointing start he made to his Newcastle career when, disrupted by injuries, he looked out of his depth.

If Taylor is on the bench at Fratton Park it will be a huge compliment to Stephen Carr, Boumsong, Bramble and Babayaro. On the face of it, attack is the only position where selection is clear-cut. Michael Owen and Alan Shearer were both in good form against Manchester City and while the former's finishing is not yet up to his own high standards, he has still scored in his last two games.

Even so, the temptation may be there for Souness to rest his 35-year-old captain. It would seem a temptation he is unlikely to succumb to but the mere fact Souness has choices is great news for everyone.