Cahill comes through unscathed

The 24-year-old centre-back made his first competitive outing for seven weeks having been sidelined with a blood clot in his arm since the end of January. Having been an unused substitute in the 2-0 defeat at Everton at the weekend Cahill could be in line for a swift recall to the starting line-up to face Manchester United and an in-form Wayne Rooney at The Reebok on Saturday. News of Cahill's availability will provide Owen Coyle's side with a huge boost as they bid to secure enough points to guarantee their place in the Premier League for another season.