Championship - Team news: Wolves duo back

Eurosport - Fri, 13 Mar 15:31:00 2009

Wolves will hope to add Matt Jarvis and Nigel Quashie to their squad to face Charlton in the Championship this weekend, while skipper Karl Henry is available after suspension.

FOOTBALL 2008-09 Championship - Nigel Quashie, Wolverhampton Wanderers - 0

Saturday, March 14

Barnsley (21) v Blackpool (19)

Barnsley manager Simon Davey does not expect to make any changes to his starting line-up. The Tykes will be without Anderson De Silva again following the recent death of his mother, while fellow midfielder Andranik Teymourian and defender Stephen Foster remain sidelined through suspension.

Diego Leon (hamstring) is out. Davey has the option of starting with on-loan Liverpool winger Adam Hammill or Martin Devaney.

Blackpool caretaker boss Tony Parkes will check on the fitness of David Vaughan (groin) and Roy O'Donovan (appendix).

Striker Brett Ormerod may return following a virus and skipper Rob Edwards faces a check on his ankle injury. Ian Evatt and Ben Burgess remain sidelined with knee injuries. Middlesbrough midfielder Gareth Owens will be available after he extended his loan spell at Bloomfield Road for a third and final month.

Last season: Blackpool 1 Barnsley 1, Barnsley 2 Blackpool 1 Last five league matches: Barnsley W D W L D; Blackpool L D L W D Top scorers: Jonathan Macken (Barnsley) 7; Ben Burgess (Blackpool) 6

Referee: Colin Webster (Tyne & Wear).

Burnley (6) v Nottm Forest (20)

Burnley manager Owen Coyle will assess the fitness of midfielder Kevin McDonald who sustained a back injury in the half-time warm-up during Wednesday's thrilling 4-2 home win over Crystal Palace.

On-loan Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams, winger Wade Elliott and striker Steve Thompson were restored to the side against the Eagles. McDonald, Chris Eagles and Joey Gudjonsson dropped out of the starting line-up but more changes could follow as Coyle seeks to keep his small squad as fresh as possible.

Nottingham Forest have several injury concerns. Defensive duo Ian Breckin and Joel Lynch are extremely doubtful after they sustained knocks in the midweek defeat to Watford. Chris Cohen (back), James Perch (groin) and Paul Anderson (ankle) all missed the game at Vicarage Road and will continue to undergo intensive treatment.

Tottenham defender Chris Gunter has joined on loan until the end of the season and is in line to make his debut. Rob Earnshaw will again be battling it out with Gary McSheffrey for an attacking berth alongside Nathan Tyson.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Burnley D D L W W; Nottm Forest L W W D L Top scorers: Martin Paterson (Burnley) 17; Robert Earnshaw (Nottm Forest) 14

Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire).

Doncaster (13) v Birmingham (2)

Doncaster have injury concerns over skipper Brian Stock (back) and right-back James O'Connor (ankle). Steve Brooker (ankle) and Stuart Elliott (knee) are also ruled out, but Paul Heffernan has shown no ill-effects from his goalscoring return to the side in midweek following a bout of illness.

Birmingham's on-loan midfielder Lee Bowyer is facing a race against time to be fit because of an adductor strain around his groin/lower back. Striker Garry O'Connor was an unused substitute against Barnsley on Tuesday and could play, while Liam Ridgewell (thigh) also has an outside chance of being fit.

Kevin Phillips (hamstring), James McFadden (knee), Marcus Bent (hamstring), David Murphy, Stuart Parnaby (both thigh), Kemy Agustien (groin) and Djimi Traore (hamstring) are out.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Doncaster L W W L W; Birmingham D L W W D Top scorers: Paul Heffernan & Brian Stock (Doncaster) 8; Kevin Phillips (Birmingham) 13

Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

Norwich (22) v Plymouth (18)

Norwich manager Bryan Gunn is hoping to have Jason Shackell, Carl Cort and Lee Croft available for the visit of Plymouth. Shackell (hamstring) was replaced by Adrian Leijer at half-time of the midweek win over Cardiff because of hamstring trouble, while Croft left the field five minutes from time after taking a knock.

Cort was rested after playing with painkilling injections but should return. Adam Drury (knee) could return but Dejan Stefanovic is in light training following cruciate ligament damage.

Plymouth's 12-goal leading scorer Paul Gallagher will undergo a late fitness test ahead of the clash at Norwich because of a hamstring injury.

On-loan Manchester United centre-back Craig Cathcart must undergo a late fitness test. Cathcart was substituted midway through the first half of last Saturday's draw with Reading due to a groin injury. Defender Mat Doumbe (hamstring) is ruled out.

Last season: Norwich 2 Plymouth 1, Plymouth 3 Norwich 0 Last five league matches: Norwich D L W L W; Plymouth D W W D L Top scorers: Cody McDonald (Norwich) 13; Paul Gallagher (Plymouth) 12

Referee: Fred Graham (Essex).

Preston (9) v Coventry (15)

Preston manager Alan Irvine has a number of injury concerns. Winger Ross Wallace (hamstring) while left-back Callum Davidson and midfielder Richard Chaplow are already hampered by hamstring injuries.

Centre-back Youl Mawene is another player nursing a hamstring problem but he was called into action as a second-half substitute against the Owls. Defender Andrew Davies has returned to Stoke after his loan spell was ended early by yet another hamstring injury, while Liam Chilvers and Neal Trotman remain long-term absentees.

Coventry duo Leon Best (bruised ribs) and Aron Gunnarsson (illness) will both face late fitness tests.

Centre-back James McPake, however, looks certain to miss out due to a hernia problem that requires surgery, possibly ruling him out for up to two weeks. Left-back Daniel Fox (knee) also remains sidelined. Captain Scott Dann is fit again after a toe injury.

Last season: Preston 1 Coventry 0, Coventry 2 Preston 1 Last five league matches: Preston L W L L D; Coventry D W W L L Top scorers: Jon Parkin & Neil Mellor (Preston) 9; Clinton Morrison (Coventry) 10

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).

Reading (3) v Ipswich (10)

Reading manager Steve Coppell will have striker Dave Kitson available after he signed on loan from Stoke. Shane Long scored a brace against Charlton and should keep his place. Winger Jimmy Kebe (knee) is rated as doubtful so another returning player - Glen Little - should keep his place.

Ivar Ingimarsson is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury while club captain Graeme Murty is back from his loan spell with Charlton after another calf injury.

Ipswich forward Jon Walters ruptured his ankle ligaments in the goalless draw with Wolves with Pablo Counago or Jon Stead likely to replace him.

On-loan Fulham full-back Moritz Volz has been ruled out for a further month with his groin injury which requires surgery, while Ben Thatcher returned unscathed at Molineux after a foot injury. Captain Gareth McAuley is back from suspension suspension so Pim Balkestein or Ivan Campo will make way.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Reading L L W D D; Ipswich W W L L D Top scorers: Kevin Doyle (Reading) 18; Jonathan Stead (Ipswich) 10

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).

Sheff Utd (4) v Derby (16)

Sheffield United could be without on-loan utility player Greg Halford after he was forced out of the midweek draw with Blackpool with tonsilitis.

Manager Kevin Blackwell has no other new injury or suspension problems and must decide whether to stick with Darius Henderson and Danny Webber in attack, or hand starts to Jamie Ward and on-loan West Brom forward Craig Beattie. John-Joe O'Toole will also be hoping to get a starting place.

Chris Porter (hip) and Jay McEveley (hamstring) will undergo late checks for Derby. On-loan Watford midfielder John Eustace is set to continue in the starting line-up. But Luke Varney (virus), Stephen Pearson (knee) and Dean Leacock (groin) are all out.

Defender Miles Addison (foot) and midfielder Paul Green, who underwent surgery on a metatarsal injury on Tuesday, are both out for the season. Kris Commons (calf) is unlikely to feature.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Sheff Utd D W W D D; Derby W L D W D Top scorers: Jamie Ward (Sheff Utd) 17; Rob Hulse (Derby) 15

Referee: Iain Williamson (Berkshire).

Southampton (23) v QPR (11)

Adam Lallana is pushing for a place in Southampton's starting line-up. Winger Lee Holmes is back in training following a month out with a knee injury but needs a reserve game to build up his match fitness.

Player-coach Michael Svensson, youngster Kayne McLaggon (both Achilles), midfielder Anthony Pulis (foot), defender Wayne Thomas (knee) and striker Jamie White (ankle) remain long-term absentees.

QPR boss Paulo Sousa will once again check on the fitness of Lee Cook (knee) and Heidar Helguson (Groin). Peter Ramage replaced Damien Delaney at right-back in Tuesday's defeat at Doncaster and may keep his place.

Striker Rowan Vine is set for a reserve-team run-out next week 11 months after breaking his leg, while Martin Rowlands, Akos Buzsaky (both knee) and Patrick Agyemang (thigh) are still missing.

Last season: Southampton 2 QPR 3, QPR 0 Southampton 3 Last five league matches: Southampton W W W L D; QPR D L L D L Top scorers: David McGoldrick & Marek Saganowski (Southampton) 10; Dexter Blackstock (QPR) 12

Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire).

Swansea (7) v Crystal Palace (14)

Swansea boss Roberto Martinez could name an unchanged line-up. Injured skipper Garry Monk will have a fitness test on Saturday morning as he struggles to overcome the back injury that has kept him out of the last three games.

Midfielder Mark Gower was rested for Tuesday's win over Plymouth as he was nursing a stiff back. Darren Pratley has shown no reaction after his early return from a shoulder injury and he is expected to keep his place in the centre of midfield.

Crystal Palace will be without defenders Matt Lawrence (hamstring) and Paddy McCarthy (shoulder). On-loan Derby defender Claude Davis will therefore keep his place at the back alongside Jose Fonte.

Teenage forward Victor Moses (hamstring) will be on the bench at least. Nick Carle, Alan Lee, Lee Hills and Rui Fonte will push to be involved at the Liberty Stadium.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Swansea W D D D W; Crystal Palace D L L W L Top scorers: Jason Scotland (Swansea) 21; Shefki Kuqi & Paul Ifill (Crystal Palace) 7

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire).

Watford (17) v Sheff Wed (12)

Watford's Tommy Smith missed the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest in midweek with a knee injury and is a doubt. Captain Jay DeMerit has also been ruled out of a return from the calf injury which has sidelined him for the last three games. Poland international Grzegorz Rasiak scored against Forest but left the field on a stretcher with a groin injury.

Will Hoskins should come in to partner the prolific Tamas Priskin. Defender Jon Harley was booked for the 10th time this season against Forest but is available before starting a two-game ban.

Akpo Sodje is hoping to make his first start in four months for Sheffield Wednesday after showing form in the reserves. Fellow forward Leon Clarke has been struggling with a hamstring problem - he missed the midweek draw at Preston - and could be ruled out again.

Manager Brian Laws must decide whether to stick with Sean McAllister and Darren Potter in central midfield or recall James O'Connor, while defenders Richard Hinds and Frank Simek are pushing for recalls to the starting line-up.

Last season: Sheff Wed 0 Watford 1, Watford 2 Sheff Wed 1 Last five league matches: Watford W W L W W; SheffWed W W L L D Top scorers: Tommy Smith (Watford) 14; Marcus Tudgay (Sheff Wed) 12

Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire).

Wolverhampton (1) v Charlton (24)

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy will hope to add Matt Jarvis (foot) and Nigel Quashie (chest infection, pictured) to his squad.

Captain Karl Henry is back after suspension. Michael Kightly played only the second half of Tuesday's goalless draw against Ipswich in order to protect his hamstring problem but he is expected to start this time around. George Friend will also be hoping to be given a chance to impress after doing well when handed the chance of late.

Darren Ward will be missing from Charlton's line-up as the centre-half is ineligible to play under the terms of his loan deal from Wolves. With Jonathan Fortune out for the season with an Achilles injury, the Addicks are short of cover at the back so midfielder Matt Holland may have to step in.

Full-backs Kelly Youga and Grant Basey could also move into the centre if required. Midfielder Jose Semedo (ankle) and striker Gray (pelvis) remain sidelined.

Last season: Charlton 2 Wolverhampton 3, Wolverhampton 2 Charlton 0 Last five league matches: Wolverhampton D L W W D; Charlton D D L L D Top scorers: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (Wolverhampton) 23; Nick Bailey & Tresor Kandol (Charlton) 10

Referee: Graham Laws (Tyne & Wear).

Sunday, March 15

Bristol City (8) v Cardiff (5)

The return of Dele Adebola could lead to a selection poser for Bristol City boss Gary Johnson who impressed off the bench as the Robins defeated Coventry 2-0 at Ashton Gate on Tuesday night. Midfielder Cole Skuse could also come into contention if he recovers from an Achilles problem, while Lee Trundle is available after completing his two-month loan at League One Leeds.

David Noble is out injured after picking up a strain in the reserves, while 19-year-old striker John Akinde has joined Wycombe on a month-long loan.

Cardiff duo Jay Bothroyd and Kevin McNaughton are hopeful of returning following injury. The versatile Darcy Blake will miss out after sustaining a calf injury in the 2-0 defeat at Norwich. Manager Dave Jones must decide whether to recall former captain Stephen McPhail to his starting XI after successive defeats on the road. Defender Mark Kennedy remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Last season: Cardiff 2 Bristol City 1, Bristol City 1 Cardiff 0 Last five league matches: Bristol City W D L L W; Cardiff D L W W L Top scorers: Nicky Maynard & Dele Adebola (Bristol City) 9; Ross McCormack (Cardiff) 16

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire).

Join eurosport.yahoo.co.uk for LIVE scoring on this weekend's Championship, League One and League Two matches - as well as all the key action from the second tier!!

Eurosport

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account