USC expects return of 3 key injured players in UCLA showdown

LOS ANGELES (AP) Southern California tailback Tre Madden, guard Viane Talamaivao and freshman defensive back Marvell Tell are all expected to return from injury Saturday against No. 22 UCLA.

Interim coach Clay Helton gave encouraging updates on all three players Tuesday as the Trojans (7-4, 5-3 Pac-12) began their week of preparation for their annual crosstown showdown with the Bruins (8-3, 5-3). The winner will also claim the Pac-12 South title.

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Madden has been limited for the past month by a knee injury, carrying the ball just once in the Trojans' last five games. He began the season as their starting tailback.

Talamaivao is a starting guard who sat out last week's loss at Oregon with a knee injury.

Tell has missed four straight games after breaking his collarbone.

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