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Brief team news ahead of this weekend's Championship action, with Radhi Jaidi doubtful for Birmingham's clash with Southampton.

(Current league positions in brackets)

Saturday

Birmingham (2) v Southampton (22)

Jaidi (thigh strain) is a doubt for Blues and is in a race against time to make it against Saints, as is full-back David Murphy (also thigh). Elsewhere, Blues boss Alex McLeish does not expect any of his other injured players to return in time, with Garry O'Connor still lacking the match practice needed to be included in the matchday 16 despite returning from a groin injury.

Lee Holmes (knee) is still out for Southampton, and midfielder Adam Lallana is a doubt too and may again be replaced by Morgan Schneiderlin. Kayne McLaggon, Michael Svensson (both Achilles), Anthony Pulis (foot), Wayne Thomas (knee) and Jamie White (ankle) remain long-term absentees.

Blackpool (21) v Norwich (23)

Blackpool defenders Ian Evatt (knee) and Rob Edwards (ankle) are both likely to be missing, and striker Ben Burgess (knee) is still out too. On-loan Blackburn striker Nick Blackman may challenge Brett Ormerod for a starting role.

Norwich will select from an unchanged squad after the midweek win at QPR. Mark Fotheringham is fit but was left out of the 16 at Loftus Road, after manager Bryan Gunn admitted he was "disappointed" with the club captain's reaction to being substituted in the 2-1 home defeat by Coventry.

Cardiff (5) v Doncaster (14)

Michael Chopra, Paul Parry and Gavin Rae are all expected to be fit for Cardiff, despite minor knocks picked up in Tuesday's 3-1 win over Barnsley. Striker Jay Bothroyd, winger Chris Burke (both calf), midfielder Stephen McPhail (stomach) and right-back Kevin McNaughton (hamstring) are all battling to be fit. Goalkeepers Tom Heaton (thigh) and Peter Enckelman (knee) remain sidelined.

Doncaster are waiting on the fitness of James O'Connor (ankle), and fellow defender Jos van Nieuwstadt is also a doubt with a groin problem. Long-term absentee Steve Brooker is expected to miss the rest of the season after learning he needs surgery on his ankle.

Charlton (24) v Watford (19)

Zheng Zhi and Tresor Kandol are set to return to the Charlton squad. The former has had an operation on his foot, and Kandol has missed the last two games for family reasons. Jonathan Fortune (Achilles), Jose Semedo (ankle) and Andy Gray (pelvis) remain sidelined.

Watford captain Jay DeMerit remains a doubt because of a calf strain. Adrian Mariappa may therefore continue to partner Mike Williamson at the back. Tommy Smith, Jobi McAnuff and Jack Cork should all return after being left out of the starting line-up in midweek. Mart Poom (shoulder) and Gareth Williams (knee) have been long-term absentees.

Crystal Palace (15) v Preston (6)

Forward Anthony Stokes is in line to make his full debut for Palace after a substitute's role against Wolves following his loan arrival from Sunderland. Claude Davis has missed the last games with a hamstring injury and remains a doubtful starter. Fellow centre-half Paddy McCarthy is still a couple of weeks away following his shoulder operation, so Matt Lawrence may stand in again. Midfielder Nick Carle is still suspended, and teenage forward Victor Moses (hamstring) is still out.

Preston are expected to recall defender Youl Mawene, despite a nagging hamstring problem. Striker Jon Parkin and captain Paul McKenna are both suspended. Midfielder Richard Chaplow is doubtful with a hamstring injury.

Derby (16) v Bristol City (8)

Kris Commons will again be missing for Derby. The playmaker has a calf strain and, having already missed the last two games, could be out for at least a further week. His absence means Chris Porter - who received a facial injury on Tuesday but will be fit - and Rob Hulse, who combined successfully in the 2-2 draw with Swansea, will again lead the line. Midfielder Nacer Barazite is in line to feature after he missed the last two games with a dislocated shoulder but defender Miles Addison has been ruled out for the season with a foot injury.

Cole Skuse (shin) and Dele Adebola are injury doubts for City and will undergo late fitness tests.

Nottingham Forest (18) v Swansea (9)

Forest are likely to hand on-loan forward Gary McSheffrey a starting place. Defender Wes Morgan is suspended, and Ian Breckin will probably replace him. Striker Nathan Tyson is still out after picking up a groin strain last weekend.

Swansea are again set to be without defender Garry Monk because of a back injury. But Darren Pratley was back ahead of schedule with a substitute's appearance in the midweek draw with Derby after a shoulder injury. Fellow midfielder Joe Allen is also available after a thigh strain, and striker Gorka Pintado proved his fitness in midweek after a hernia injury.

Plymouth (17) v Reading (3)

Plymouth's on-loan Manchester United defender David Gray proved his fitness after a toe injury in the midweek win against Watford. On-loan Blackburn winger Alan Judge may retain his place at the expense of Chris Clark.

Reading will travel with the same squad that beat Sheffield Wednesday in midweek. Ivar Ingimarsson is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Club captain Graeme Murty is back from his loan spell with Charlton after another calf injury, but David Mooney has joined Norwich on loan.

QPR (11) v Sheffield United (4)

Winger Lee Cook is expected to be fit after a knee injury for QPR. Fellow wide man Hogan Ephraim came on as a substitute against Norwich in midweek following his recent knee problem and will be involved again. Captain Martin Rowlands, fellow midfielder Akos Buzsaky (both knee) and forward Patrick Agyemang (thigh) are still out.

On-loan midfielder John-Joe O'Toole is hoping to make his first start for the Blades following his arrival from Watford last week. United have no new injuries or suspensions. Billy Sharp is expected to miss the rest of the season with a groin injury - and Derek Geary (knee), Gary Speed (back) and Ugo Ehiogu (hamstring) all remain long-term absentees.

Sheffield Wednesday (12) v Wolvers (1)

Striker Akpo Sodje may return to Sheffield Wednesday's squad for the first time since November after a knee tendon injury. Captain Richard Wood returned alongside Mark Beevers in central defence in midweek against Reading - with Richard Hinds dropping to the bench. Steve Watson (hip) and Etienne Esajas (foot) remain sidelined, while Darren Potter is ineligible to face his parent club.

Wolves captain Karl Henry is suspended, but winger Matt Jarvis may be available after missing the last two games with an infected blister and a slight knee problem. Chris Iwelumo is expected to shake off his ankle injury. Defender Stephen Ward is also battling to overcome a knee problem, but midfielder Dave Jones (patella tendon) looks likely to miss out. Nigel Quashie has fully recovered from a virus.

Sporting Life / Eurosport