Resurgent Ipswich will be without talismanic on-loan midfielder Jimmy Bullard for the visit of Hull.

Preston North End v Queens Park Rangers

Preston manager Phil Brown will be without striker Leon Clarke when his rock-bottom side host the leaders at Deepdale.

Clarke, who scored his first goal for North End in Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Watford, is ineligible to face his parent club under the terms of his loan.

Striker Iain Hume has been nursing a hamstring injury but is edging closer to full fitness and may come into contention to face Neil Warnock's men.

Midfielder Paul Coutts and forward Chris Brown are also hoping to be passed fit after injury to boost North End's options.

Boss Brown said: "We will have Iain Hume hopefully back to add a little bit of strength to the strike-force.

"I have fingers crossed that they [Chris Brown and Paul Coutts] are going to be throwing their hat in the ring, but these players have been out for a while and are lacking a bit of game time."

Tommy Smith will be missing from QPR's squad.

The winger scored Rangers' goal in last Sunday's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, but suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury before half-time and faces another fortnight on the sidelines.

With Smith out and Hogan Ephraim halfway through a three-match ban, Norwegian international Petter Vaagen Moen could be handed a rare start in midfield.

Boss Neil Warnock could shake up his defence after blasting them for conceding against Forest so Danny Shittu could make his first appearance since returning to the club.

Midfielder Akos Buzsaky (knee) will not be risked, while Peter Ramage (cruciate), Jamie Mackie and Patrick Agyemang (both broken leg) remain long-term absentees.

Nottingham Forest v Cardiff City

Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies reported no new injuries ahead of the crunch clash.

The Reds' 10-match unbeaten league run ended with a surprise 1-0 defeat to struggling Scunthorpe in midweek.

Thigh injuries ruled out striker Robbie Findley and midfielder Guy Moussi at Glanford Park and both players will remain on the sidelines, along with Radoslaw Majewski, who is serving the second game of a three-match ban.

Should Davies wish to make changes, most of his options are in attack with Dele Adebola, David McGoldrick and Garath McCleary available for recalls.

Defender Joel Lynch and midfielder Paul Anderson were also on the bench against Scunthorpe.

Forest will once again be defending their proud unbeaten home record which spans 34 Championship games stretching back to September 2009.

Dave Jones is waiting on three unnamed players ahead of Cardiff's big promotion clash at Forest.

One of those is thought to be Michael Chopra after he came out of Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Burnley nursing a slight ankle knock but he should be okay, with full-back Paul Quinn potentially another concern although Jones rarely gives anything away.

Craig Bellamy is expected to return to City's starting line-up, most likely in place of Chris Burke.

The on-loan Manchester City man was rested to the bench for Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Burnley as City look to maximise his impact, subsequently coming on as a 67th-minute substitute.

But he will be called upon to spark his magic from the off at the City Ground as second meets fourth in a real heavyweight encounter in the battle to reach the Premier League.

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey will come up against Forest having only parted ways as recently as early January after his short loan spell, while in the Reds corner Robert Earnshaw - who scored more than 100 goals for the Bluebirds - and ex-Cardiff defender Chris Gunter will line up for Billy Davies' side.

Leeds United v Norwich City

Leeds striker Sanchez Watt is expected to return to the squad for the home clash with Norwich.

Watt, who turned 20 on Monday, has missed the last three games due to a hamstring problem but rejoined the squad for full training this week and is in contention.

Right-back Paul Connolly is still struggling with a hamstring strain after missing last week's win at Bristol City, so recent loan signing Eric Lichaj will continue after making his debut at the weekend.

Manager Simon Grayson has no new injury or suspension problems but is unlikely to make any unforced changes, so Davide Somma, Billy Paynter and Ross McCormack are expected to start on the substitutes' bench again.

Leeds, unbeaten in five league games, are chasing a third straight win in a bid to leapfrog Norwich in the top six.

Norwich will be without Leon Barnett for the trip to Leeds.

Former West Brom centre-back Barnett injured his hamstring in last weekend`s win over Reading and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Manager Paul Lambert is hoping to add a loan signing to his squad as cover but not in time to face Leeds, so Zak Whitbread will start at Elland Road.

Midfielder Andrew Surman made his return from a long-standing knee injury as a substitute last time out and is an option to start.

The Canaries could go second in the table with a win but have not won at Elland Road since August 1993 - when a brace from Ruel Fox set them on the way to a 4-0 win.

Swansea City v Doncaster Rovers

Fit-again Neil Taylor returns to contention for Swansea as they welcome Doncaster to the Liberty Stadium

The left-back has missed the last seven weeks with an ankle injury but is now back in the fold and likely to dislodge Ashley Richards.

Richards has impressed in the unfamiliar position but the return of Taylor means he is now likely to lose his starting berth, especially given the latter`s desire to venture forward allows winger Scott Sinclair more freedom.

Manager Brendan Rodgers saw his side complete a remarkable comeback to triumph 4-3 at Middlesbrough last weekend and forwards Stephen Dobbie and Craig Beattie as well as midfielder Joe Allen - instrumental in the reverse - are now pushing for starting berths.

Centre-back Garry Monk (knee) and midfielder Andrea Orlandi (thigh) continue to miss out.

Defender David Edgar has returned to Burnley without having kicked a ball for the Swans having seen FIFA deny international clearance for his loan switch.

Doncaster's new-boy Jason Euell could go straight into their starting line-up at Swans.

Blackpool striker Euell, 34, joined Doncaster for an initial month on loan this week and is expected to feature at some stage.

Leading scorer Billy Sharp has been ruled out for an unspecified period due to a groin injury and is waiting for the results of a scan to determine the full extent of his problem.

Fellow striker James Hayter is hoping to be in contention next week following a calf injury, but goalkeeper Neil Sullivan has shaken off a shin injury and could replace Gary Woods, who has stood in for the last four matches.

Manager Sean O'Driscoll will hand late fitness checks to midfielder Ryan Mason (leg) and defender James Chambers (hamstring).

James O'Connor is out with a suspected fractured foot, while fellow defenders Shelton Martis (ankle) and Mustapha Dumbuya (knee), as well as midfielders Brian Stock (back), Simon Gillett (knee) and Martin Woods (groin) are all out.

Ipswich Town v Hull City

Ipswich manager Paul Jewell will be without Jimmy Bullard for the visit of Hull.

Midfielder Bullard has played a key part in Town's resurgence under Jewell but is not available under the terms of his loan move from parent club Hull.

Captain David Norris remains sidelined for another fortnight with the knee and ankle injuries he suffered at Barnsley last Saturday, so Mark Kennedy may be required to move into midfield from left-back.

Striker Jason Scotland has been talking up a move back to former club Swansea but came off the bench to score at Oakwell last weekend and was back in the starting XI for the 6-0 thrashing of Doncaster in midweek.

He will be flanked by Lee Martin and Connor Wickham - who scored his first career hat-trick at the Keepmoat.

Goalkeeper Brian Murphy has stepped up his comeback from a broken ankle after coming out of plaster and will be back in around six weeks, meaning Marton Fulop will continue.

Hull's new loan signing Jack Hobbs could go straight into the starting line-up.

Hobbs, 22, joined the Tigers from Leicester until the end of the season on Tuesday to team back up with former Foxes boss Nigel Pearson.

Hull will be without Paul McShane, who has joined Barnsley in a two-month loan deal.

Pearson will also be able to call on James Harper after the midfielder missed the last two games due to a foot problem.

Goalkeeper Vito Mannone, on loan from Arsenal, is still working his way back to full fitness after a groin injury and winger Richard Garcia is making steady progress following knee surgery.

Pearson has no new injury or suspension problems as his side look to extend their unbeaten league run to eight games.

Millwall v Middlesbrough

Millwall's injury crisis is easing ahead of the Middlesbrough's visit to the New Den.

Defenders Tony Craig (back) and Darren Ward (ankle) have returned to training this week after six weeks on the sidelines and should be involved.

Midfielder Tamika Mkandawire is also on the mend after a muscle strain and will be handed a late fitness test.

And January signing Hameur Bouazza has also trained all week having recovered from a knee injury and could be on the bench for the first time.

Josh McQuoid is still out with ankle ligament damage but he is due back in training next week, leaving fellow striker Shaun Batt (knee) as the only long-term absentee.

Defender Jens Berthel Askou is available for the final time before his loan from Norwich expires.

Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray will make a late call on whether to throw defender Maximilian Haas in for his debut at Millwall.

The January signing could be included in defence after Mowbray criticised individual mistakes made by his back-line which led to Boro throwing away a 3-1 lead at home to Swansea to lose 4-3 last time out.

However, due to Haas` lack of experience of English football, the injury-hit defence could stay the same.

Mowbray`s injury woes at the back are easing as left-back Andrew Taylor (hamstring) has a chance of being available, as does Julio Arca (toe). Right-back Justin Hoyte (hamstring) is closing on a return and centre-back Stephen McManus (ankle ligaments) is making good progress, although he is still three or four weeks away from full fitness.

New signing Merouane Zemmama is pushing for a starting place after making his debut as a substitute against the Swans, on-loan Hamburg midfielder Mickael Tavares could be involved after recovering from a fractured toe as could forward Tarmo Kink who has missed a few weeks with a virus.

Midfield trio Willo Flood (knee), Rhys Williams (hip) and Kevin Thomson (hairline fibula fracture) have stepped up their recoveries from injury. Flood and Williams played 45 minutes of a reserve-team match against Sheffield United and Thomson has resumed light training.

Reading v Watford

Reading have lucky charm Mikele Leigertwood back for the Hornets' visit to Madejski Stadium.

On-loan QPR midfielder Leigertwood has not tasted defeat in the 11 games he has played for the club and will be back in the side after three games out through suspension.

He will return as Brian McDermott's side look to end a run of five league games without a win.

Fellow midfielder Jem Karacan serves the second of a three-game ban of his own but Jobi McAnuff returned from an ankle injury during the 1-1 draw at Sheffield United in midweek.

Central defender Alex Pearce remains sidelined as he recovers from a thigh injury but striker Shane Long appears to be showing no discomfort from his recent hip problem.

Long required injections to play for club and country in recent weeks but took his tally to 11 goals in 14 games with the opener at Bramall Lane. Fellow forward Mathieu Manset is a doubt after he picked up a calf niggle.

Adam Thompson could make his full league debut when Watford make the trip to Reading.

The teenage right-back came off the bench to score the equaliser in the midweek draw with Preston and could be in from the start in place of Lloyd Doyley at the Madejski Stadium.

Doyley has been struggling with a hamstring injury and was replaced at the break on Tuesday by the impressive Thompson.

Matt Whichelow also came on at half-time to score and could replace Danny Drinkwater in Malky Mackay's plans.

Winger Will Buckley is out with an ankle injury while striker Marvin Sordell could come in after fully recovering from his recent foot injury.

Youngster Michael Bryan is still missing with an ankle injury and completes the injury list for the Hornets.

Portsmouth v Barnsley

Portsmouth skipper Aaron Mokoena is back in the frame for Barnsley's visit to Fratton Park.

The South Africa international missed last weekend's 2-0 win over Doncaster because his work permit had expired but he has now received a new one.

Mokoena might not reclaim his usual central-defensive spot after Greg Halford and Ricardo Rocha guided Pompey to a first clean sheet in 11 matches in his absence.

However, he could step into the midfield as Aston Villa loanee Jonathan Hogg is suspended following his red card at the Keepmoat.

Winger David Cotterill will be added to the squad if the paperwork on his one-month emergency loan move from Swansea is completed in time.

Striker Danny Webber is still out with a cruciate injury.

Barnsley's new loan signing Paul McShane is expected to go straight into the starting line-up.

The Republic of Ireland defender has this week been drafted in as a straight replacement for Tykes skipper Stephen Foster and will spend two months at Oakwell.

Foster will be sidelined for several weeks as he is struggling with a "leg muscle problem", which forced him out of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Ipswich.

Manager Mark Robins has no other new injury or suspension problems, but defender Jay McEveley still requires a few more weeks back in training following a knee injury before being considered for a return to first-team action.

Another long-term absentee, defender Luke Potter, has recently undergone knee surgery and is not expected to play again this season.

Scunthorpe United v Derby County

Scunthorpe boss Ian Baraclough will assess defender Eddie Nolan ahead of the game at Glanford Park.

The full-back sustained a calf injury during Wednesday's 1-0 home win over Nottingham Forest and was replaced midway through the second half by Andrew Wright.

Baraclough said his men picked up "one or two bruises" during the surprise success over Billy Davies' men and will assess the players concerned.

The Iron are boosted by the return of on-loan Forest striker Joe Garner after he was ineligible to face parent club in midweek.

However, Joe Murphy, Rob Jones, David Mirfin, Niall Canavan, Michael O'Connor, Garry Thompson and Cliff Byrne could all remain sidelined through injury.

Midfielder Abdi Ibrahim's loan from Manchester City has been extended until the end of the season.

Derby midfielders Stephen Pearson and James Bailey are doubts for the trip.

Pearson has severe bruising after taking a whack on the shin during the first half of last Saturday's home defeat to Leicester, with the Scot forced off at half-time as a result.

Bailey missed the Midlands derby altogether with a groin strain he sustained in the draw at Portsmouth the previous weekend.

Jamie Ward will boost the Rams' attacking options following his arrival on loan from Championship rivals Sheffield United, while on-loan defender Daniel Ayala could also make his full debut after his cameo against the Foxes.

Defenders Russell Anderson (calf) and Jake Buxton (groin) remain sidelined but are nearing a return to full training.

Crystal Palace v Sheffield United

Kagisho Dikgacoi will be added to the Crystal Palace squad for the clash against Sheffield United at Selhurst Park.

The South Africa international this week joined Palace on loan from Fulham and could be set for an immediate debut with doubts lingering over the fitness of fellow midfielders Neil Danns and Alex Marrow.

Danns (back) and Marrow (ankle) were forced to miss last weekend's defeat at Coventry and will be handed late checks.

Nathaniel Clyne is playing despite a persistent knee injury which has restricted his training and he should be patched-up again.

Fellow full-back Lee Hills remains a long-term absentee with a knee injury. Winger Kieran Djilali this week joined Chesterfield on a month's loan.

Richard Cresswell is the latest injury doubt for Micky Adams' depleted Sheffield United squad ahead of the trip toCrystal Palace.

Adams is already without a long list of players as his side look to climb out of the bottom three with their first win since he took charge nine games ago.

Defenders Chris Morgan, Andy Taylor and Ryan France, goalkeeper Richard Wright as well as striker Darius Henderson remain long-term absentees.

Midfielder Nick Montgomery is now sidelined due to a knee injury and Cresswell is also struggling with a similar complaint.

Another striker, Ched Evans, is doubtful as he is recovering from illness and, with Jamie Ward joining Derby on loan this week, which leaves Marcus Bent as the only option to partner new loan signing Sam Vokes up front.

Midfielder Bjorn Helge Riise, who made his debut off the bench against Reading in midweek after arriving on loan from Fulham, is expected to play a bigger role at Palace, but full-back Rob Kozluk sits out the last of his three-match ban.

PA Sport