Get the lowdown on all of the team news for the latest round of Championship matches before you put your money on.
Barnsley v Sheff Utd
Loan defender Mat Hill could be back for BARNSLEY, while midfielder Martin Devaney and striker Liam Dickinson also return from being on loan. Nathan Doyle is also available after a one-match ban. Richard Cresswell starts a suspension for SHEFF UTD, while Daniel Bogdanovic sits out the second of a three-match ban, although winger Mark Yeates is fit to return.
Bristol City v Derby
BRISTOL CITY will be without defender and skipper Louis Carey who sustained a muscle tear during the defeat by Leeds last month. Stephen Bywater is ready to regain the number one jersey for DERBY, but Spanish striker Alberto Bueno will miss out again with a hamstring injury. Fellow striker Steven Davies is still out but could be back pre-Christmas.
Burnley v Leeds United
Brian Laws expects to have midfielder Chris Eagles and hitman Martin Paterson back from injury to increase BURNLEY’s attacking options. LEEDS have no fresh injury concerns, although striker Bradley Johnson looks set leave in January, while Australian defender Paddy Kisnorbo is making good progress (Achilles) and may see some action in the New Year.
Leicester v Doncaster
Sven Goran Eriksson failed in a bid to sign David Beckham for LEICESTER, but Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland hopes to begin his delayed loan spell after recovering from a back spasm. DONCASTER midfielder Martin Woods has edged closer to a return following a groin injury, although George Friend, Simon Gillett and James Chambers are all still a few weeks away from action.
Middlesbrough v Cardiff
Matthew Bates continues as skipper for MIDDLESBROUGH, while Gary O’Neil battles back to full fitness, but defender Seb Hines is a possible to return, along with midfielder Kevin Thomson. However, Jonathan Franks (back), Willo Flood (knee), Rhys Williams (pelvis) and Matt Kilgallon (back) remain sidelined. CARDIFF are without Jay Bothroyd (hamstring), but he will back for the busy festive schedule.
Norwich v Portsmouth
Paul Lambert has no new injuries at NORWICH, but midfielder Andrew Surman is until after Christmas, joining long-term victims Adam Drury, Steven Smith, Stephen Hughes and Zak Whitbread. PORTSMOUTH manager Steve Cotterill will not rush Hermann Hreidarsson back, while centre-half Joel Ward remains as a makeshift left-sided defender for Carl Dickinson (suspended). Striker Danny Webber has put his comeback from a cruciate injury on hold.
Preston v Ipswich
PRESTON almost have a full squad with Callum Davidson and Sean St. Ledger fit again, while midfielder Paul Coutts and striker Chris Brown are on the comeback. On-loan Barnsley striker Iain Hume is set to play his final game after 93 days at Deepdale. David Norris and Mark Kennedy may return for IPSWICH, but they are without Connor Wickham, Luke Hyam, Gareth McAuley and Marton Fulop.
Reading v Coventry
Brian McDermott welcomes READING defender Matt Mills back from suspension, although this game may come too soon for captain Ivar Ingimarsson who is working his way back into training. COVENTRY have the same squad as last week, while midfielder Sammy Clingan (knee) could return by the end of December, but central defender Ben Turner (knee) is looking more towards January.
Scunthorpe v Nottingham Forest
SCUNTHORPE manager Ian Baraclough believes winger Garry Thomson is not ready to play 90 minutes after making the bench at Millwall. On-loan defender Jim McNulty returned to Brighton in a bid to recover from an ankle injury. FOREST’s loanees Aaron Ramsey and Marcus Tudgay could make their full debuts, while striker Dele Adebola is back after limping out against Leicester, Skipper Paul McKenna’s groin will be checked.
Crystal Palace v Hull
Darren Ambrose is hoping to recover for CRYSTAL PALACE following a dead leg suffered at Leeds. Owen Garvan is back after serving the final game of his two-match ban, but defender Lee Hills (knee) is still missing. HULL skipper Ian Ashbee is in contention, although this may come too soon for defender Daniel Ayala (hamstring). Jimmy Bullard, Craig Fagan and Caleb Folan are all out.
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