Get the lowdown on all of the team news for the latest round of Championship matches before you put your money on.
Leeds v Middlesbrough
George McCartney’s loan spell at LEEDS has come to an end while Luciano Becchio is likely to step back into the first team after dropping to the bench with a slight injury midweek. MIDDLESBROUGH have no new injury concerns heading into the New Year but Stephen McManus (ankle) and Willo Flood (knee) remain long-term.
Millwall v Crystal Palace
Paul Robinson and Dan Shittu (both hamstring) have a chance of returning for MILLWALL but Alan Dunne faces a spell out through suspension and Neil Harris (back) in unlikely to feature. David Wright is suspended for PALACE while David Ambrose (leg) will be assessed again after failing a midweek fitness test but Alex Marrow should be fit.
Bristol City v Cardiff
Louis Carey (calf), James McCallister (ankle) and Christian Ribeiro (calf) are all set to miss the weekend causing defensive headaches for BRISTOL CITY and Sam Vokes’ loan has expired. Jay Bothroyd (heel) has had another setback and is a real doubt for CARDIFF while Danny Drinkwater should feature after being laid off through a virus.
Burnley v Sheff Utd
New BURNLEY caretaker Stuart Gray will likely ring the changes but John Guidetti could retain his place upfront and Chris Eagles may come in and Danny Fox is fit again. SHEFF UTD are missing trio Stephen Quinn, Kyle Bartley and Nicholas Montgomery through suspension and Danny Batth has been recalled by parent club Wolves.
Coventry v Ipswich
Aron Gunnarsson remains suspended for COVENTRY while Carl Baker could graduate from bench to first team and Sammy Clingan could take a place in the subs while Ben Turner (knee) is out. Gianni Zuiverloon has left IPSWICH after being recalled by West Brom and Shane O’Connor (shoulder) is out while Jason Scotland could remain upfront.
Doncaster v Scunthorpe
James Chambers is closing in on a comeback for DONCASTER while manager Sean O’Driscoll has ruled out a switch to Sheff United and Joe Mills could find himself back in the starting line-up. SCUNTHORPE are ready to hand David Mirfin a starting berth after a long layoff but Niall Canavan (knee) and Michael Raynes (thigh) are out.
Hull v Leicester
HULL are hoping to sign Peterborough striker Aaron Mclean in time. Nigel Pearson also remains hopeful of having ‘keeper Vito Mannone and defender Anthony Gerrard available. They will be without Richard Garcia, though, who faces a month out with a knee problem. On-loan LEICESTER ‘keeper Chris Kirkland has returned to Wigan for further treatment for his back problem.
Norwich v QPR
NORWICH have signed striker Aaron Wilbraham for an undisclosed fee from MK Dons, where he scored 57 goals in 204 games. QPR have signed the highly-rated Norwegian international midfielder Petter Vaagan Moen in time for today, while defender Clint Hill will also be available to face Norwich after his three-match ban for a clash with an opponent was overturned
Nott’m Forest v Barnsley
Ryan Bertrand will be absent for FOREST after picking up a hamstring injury against Derby, with his replacement that day Chris Cohen likely to start here. Captain Paul McKenna will be hoping to shake-off a virus, but they will be without striker David McGoldrick and Dele Adebola (both knee). BARNSLEY striker Garry O’Connor will be missing for the final time, while striker Iain Hume has left on-loan.
Preston v Derby
David Unsworth has been placed in caretaker charge of PRESTON following the sacking of Darren Ferguson. They also have striker Iain Hume available after signing him from Barnsley. DERBY are without defender Dean Moxey, who serves a one-match ban for a fifth yellow card, while left-back Gareth Roberts is doubtful with a calf injury. However, skipper Robbie Savage is set to return from a ban.
Swansea v Reading
SWANSEA will be without defender Alan Tate, who starts a three-match ban after his Boxing Day dismissal was rejected on appeal. Forwards Simon Church and Michail Antonio are pushing to start for READING after coming on at Hull, while club captain Ivar Ingimarsson (hamstring) completed 90 minutes for the reserves and could be involved for the first time this season. His Icelandic compatriot Brynjar Gunnarsson (knee) is also back in training.
Watford v Portsmouth
Midfielder Josh Walker could line-up for WATFORD after coming on against Cardiff, and is needed to replace Stephen McGinn, who is out for three weeks (cheekbone). Midfielder Piero Mingoia is fit again and could be among the substitutes, although Michael Bryan is doubtful (ankle). Midfielder Michael Brown could be missing for PORTSMOUTH as his contract prevented him playing on Boxing Day. Tom Kilbey cannot play either, as Pompey would owe Millwall £50,000.
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