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Sheffield United look certain to be without striker Jamie Ward for Nottingham Forest's visit, plus the rest of the Easter Monday Championship team news.

Barnsley v Swansea

Adam Hammill could make his Barnsley return from an ankle ligament injury against Swansea at Oakwell.

Manager Simon Davey has no further injury problems to contend with, but will also consider handing a start to striker Kayode Odejayi, who impressed against Watford.

Swansea boss Roberto Martinez will check on the fitness of full-back Angel Rangel (groin) ahead of the trip, while Matty Collins is also a doubt with a muscular problem.

Birmingham v Plymouth

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is sweating on the fitness of Garry O'Connor, who is suffering from a virus that could keep him out of the team as his side host Plymouth.

Lee Carsley serves the second game of a three-match ban for his red card against Wolves, but Sebastian Larsson is in contention despite fatigue.

Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock is expected to name an unchanged side after the Pilgrims beat Coventry 4-0 at the weekend.

If Sturrock keeps faith with the team who earned that crucial victory, it will mean Chris Barker continuing to deputise for Craig Cathcart.

Blackpool v Reading

Alex Baptiste is a doubt for Blackpool's home clash with Reading after he limped off in the win over Preston, with Simon Watson on stand-by.

Reading boss Steve Coppell will be without injured midfielder Kalifa Cisse for the trip, while Liam Rosenior is back from suspension but has a broken hand.

Bristol City v Ipswich

Bristol City manager Gary Johnson has problems in defence for the home clash with Ipswich, with Liam Fontaine likely to miss out due to concussion.

Jamie McAllister is banned after his red card against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, while Louis Carey continues to struggle with a rib injury.

Ipswich boss Jim Magilton is hoping to have skipper Gareth McAuley (hamstring) available for the trip, while Jon Stead (back) and Moritz Volz (groin) remain doubtful.

Cardiff v Burnley

Cardiff manager Dave Jones has doubts over key players for the clash with Burnley, with Roger Johnson and Michael Chopra having sustained injuries in their 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Johnson was caught in the throat by a flailing arm from Claude Davis, while Chopra will undergo a late fitness test after limping off after 37 minutes.

Burnley striker Steven Thompson will miss the game against his former club with an ankle ligament injury in the Clarets' only injury concern.

Coventry v Charlton

Coventry could be without key duo Aron Gunnarsson (leg) and Keiren Westwood (facial injury) for the home clash with rock-bottom Charlton.

Charlton manager Phil Parkinson has no fresh injury or suspension worries, with Jonathan Fortune (Achilles), midfielder Jose Semedo (ankle) and striker Andy Gray (pelvis) remaining on the sidelines.

Derby v Wolves

Derby manager Nigel Clough is likely to recall Robbie Savage for the clash with Wolves as he eases midfielder Stephen Pearson back to full fitness following surgery on his knee.

Lewin Nyatanga faces a late fitness test after coming down with a virus.

Wolves, meanwhile, will again be without strikers Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (hamstring) and Chris Iwelumo (medial ligament damage).

But midfielder Matt Jarvis will be available after proving his fitness in playing an hour in the 3-0 win over Southampton on Good Friday.

Doncaster v Preston

Doncaster defender Adam Lockwood is "extremely doubtful" for the home clash with Preston as he has an ankle injury.

Jos Van Nieuwstadt replaced Lockwood in Saturday's win at Ipswich and is the most likely candidate to deputise.

Preston manager Alan Irvine could call on the services of Chris Brown for the trip after he shook off a knock.

However, Callum Davidson looks set to remain absent with a hamstring injury, while Richard Chaplow (hamstring) and Barry Nicholson (ribs) are also out.

Norwich v Watford

Norwich manager Bryan Gunn has no fresh injury worries for the crucial home clash with Watford as the Canaries look to get out of the relegation zone.

Alan Gow will hope to play a prominent role after he was dropped to the bench against Swansea on Saturday.

Watford midfielder Don Cowie (thigh injury) remains sidelined as Brendan Rodgers' men make the trip to East Anglia.

Mart Poom (shoulder) and midfielder Gareth Williams (knee) continue their lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Queens Park Rangers v Sheffield Wednesday

QPR caretaker boss Gareth Ainsworth could again be without the services of Heidar Helguson. The Iceland striker is still struggling with a hamstring injury and played no part in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at play-off chasing Burnley.

Skipper Martin Rowlands, fellow midfielder Akos Buzsaky (both knee) and forward Patrick Agyemang (thigh) remain long-term injury absentees.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws could shuffle his pack as strikers Leon Clarke and Akpo Sodje plus midfielder Etienne Esajas have all fought back to fitness and made a favourable impression during Saturday's defeat to Derby.

Sheffield United v Nottingham Forest

Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell looks certain to be without striker Jamie Ward (ankle injury) for the visit of Nottingham Forest, with the Blades looking for their sixth successive win.

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies is monitoring the fitness of Robert Earnshaw (knee), Guy Moussi and James Perch (both ankle) as the relegation-battlers face the automatic promotion-chasers.

Southampton v Crystal Palace

Southampton boss Mark Wotte has no fresh injury concerns. Midfielder Simon Gillett is out for the season after damaging knee cartilage while player-coach Michael Svensson (Achilles), centre-back Wayne Thomas (knee), midfielder Anthony Pulis (foot) and striker Jamie White (ankle) remain long-term absentees.

Shaun Derry has been ruled out for Palace and he may not play again this season. Skipper Derry sustained a foot injury during the first half of the Eagles' 2-0 defeat at Cardiff on Saturday, with youngster James Comley coming on in his place.

Neil Danns failed a late fitness test on a groin injury before the Bluebirds clash and he may struggle to make it against Saints, while John Oster is still missing with a neck injury.

Dan Quarrell / Eurosport