Get the lowdown on all of the team news for the latest round of Championship matches before you put your money on.
Barnsley v Doncaster
BARNSLEY will be without suspended duo Andy Gray and Danny Drinkwater but Jim O’Brien returns from a ban while Danny Haynes, Bobby Hassell, Goran Lovre and Reuben Noble-Lazarus are all back in contention. Injury-hit ROVERS could hand a debut to on-loan ‘keeper Carl Ikeme and midfielder Brian Stock should be fit despite a niggling groin problem.
Birmingham v Peterborough
Jean Beausejour is back in the frame for BIRMINGHAM after serving a ban but Morgaro Gomis will have to wait until next week to make his comeback from a calf injury. PETERBOROUGH welcome Lee Tomlin and Lee Frecklington back from suspension and both could go straight into the starting line-up, along with fit-again defender Craig Alcock.
Burnley v Leeds
BURNLEY defender Michael Duff could return following a two-month lay-off with a knee injury while Brian Easton is available despite a troublesome hip injury. LEEDS’ defensive options are boosted by the return of Tom Lees and Darren O’Dea from suspension and concussion respectively so Simon Grayon must decide whether to make changes at the back.
Coventry v West Ham
COVENTRY have Gael Bigirimana available after a suspension, James McPake, Richard Wood, Martin Cranie and Chris Hussey are also back but David Bell faces a late fitness test. Joey O’Brien and Guy Demel have recovered from hamstring injuries for WEST HAM, who will monitor Matt Taylor (calf) but Winston Reid (shoulder) and Gary O’Neil (ankle) are out.
Derby v Hull
Paul Green (knee) could return to the DERBY squad after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, John Brayford (thigh) is also on the verge of a return but the game probably comes too soon for Shaun Barker (knee). Caretaker-boss Nick Barmby has Cameron Stewart, Andy Dawson (both knee) and Adriano Basso (tendonitis) at his disposal as he takes charge for the first time.
Middlesbrough v Blackpool
MIDDLESBROUGH are still without Justin Hoyte and Kevin Thomson (both hamstring) but Rhys Williams (knee), Nicky Bailey (calf) and Seb Hines (ankle) all hope to be involved. BLACKPOOL’S Elliot Grandin has recovered from a foot injury but isn’t match fit yet while Gary Taylor-Fletcher continues to struggle with a pelvic problem and could again miss out.
Nottingham Forest v Ipswich
FOREST quartet Paul Anderson, Garath McCleary, George Boateng and Dexter Blackstock are pushing for a return after featuring in behind-closed-doors friendlies but Ishmael Miller (hernia) is out. Ibrahima Sonko (hamstring) remains sidelined but IPSWICH are boosted by the return of Lee Bowyer (back), Nathan Ellington (calf) and Daryl Muprhy (hamstring).
Reading v Cardiff
Simon Church and Jem Karacan are fit for READING despite missing international matches and the Royals’ have no fresh concerns after the other players that met up with their countries, returned unscathed. CARDIFF ‘keeper David Marshall is available after an illness, Stephen McPhail is back in the frame but Rudy Gestede continues to be dogged by hamstring trouble.
Southampton v Brighton
Lee Barnard hopes to be included in the SOUTHAMPTON squad following his recovery from a long-term ankle injury and Dean Hammond is expected to return to the starting line-up. Marcos Painter (leg), Vicente, Will Hoskins (both thigh) and Gonzalo Jara Reyes (knee) are all back in contention for BRIGHTON while Adam El-Abd (foot) is back in training.
Watford v Portsmouth
WATFORD skipper John Eustace is set to return after missing three matches with a back problem, Michael Kightly (hamstring) is also fit but Lloyd Doyley (thigh) is again ruled out. PORTSMOUTH captain Liam Lawrence is still sidelined by the ankle injury that kept him out of Ireland’s play-off with Estonia but Herman Hreidarsson (Achilles) is nearing a return.
Leicester v Crystal Palace (Sun)
New LEICESTER boss Nigel Pearson will be without Darius Vassell for six months after the striker underwent knee surgery, Lloyd Dyer (groin) could return and Jermaine Beckford is pushing to start. PALACE are without Jonathan Williams who broke his leg playing for Wales Under-21s but Chris Martin is set for his debut after joining on-loan from Norwich.
Millwall v Bristol City (Sun)
Josh Wright could go straight into the MILLWALL squad after signing a short-term deal with the club but Tamika Mkandawire (knee) is out and the Lions will monitor the fitness of ‘keeper David Forde. BRISTOL CITY will check on Louis Carey (knee) and Jamie McAllister (ankle) but two men definitely out are Ryan Taylor (foot) and Nicky Hunt (knee).
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