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Brief team news ahead of Boxing Day's full programme of Championship games, with Reading Noel Hunt set to play against Cardiff.

Burnley (4) v Barnsley (17)

Burnley manager Owen Coyle will check on the fitness of winger Wade Elliott, who missed the 2-1 win at Bristol City due to a foot injury. Midfielder Kevin McDonald could also remain sidelined, while striker Steve Thompson will hope to claim a starting berth after coming off the bench to score against the Robins.

Hugo Colace returns to contention for Barnsley following suspension but Tykes boss Simon Davey will still be without central defender Dennis Souza, who misses the Christmas schedule with a calf injury. Winger Martin Devaney (ankle) remains sidelined.

Ipswich (12) v Birmingham (3)

Defender David Wright (hamstring) is expected to undergo a late fitness test, but Ipswich boss Jim Magilton will welcome Owen Garvan and Ben Thatcher back into his squad after one-match bans. Midfielder Veliche Shumulikoski was rested against Chris Coleman's side and will be pushing for a recall.

Blues winger Sebastian Larsson returned from a groin injury to face Reading last weekend but is suffering slight discomfort and may not face Ipswich. James McFadden (groin) is okay after his return, though, while defender Liam Ridgewell is available after his one-match ban.

Nottm Forest (22) v Doncaster (24)

Forest boss Colin Calderwood will welcome back midfielder James Perch from suspension, while striker and Nathan Tyson has recovered from a knock picked up against Blackpool. Midfielder Lewis McGugan (thigh) could start after coming on as a substitute against Southampton, while centre-back Wes Morgan will play despite being told he must undergo a hernia operation.

Doncaster boss Sean O'Driscoll welcomes back defender Matthew Mills and midfielder Martin Woods from suspension. Skipper Brian Stock should start despite a mild concussion, but James Coppinger (ankle) and Adam Lockwood (face) are doubtful.

Plymouth (13) v Southampton (21)

Plymouth welcome striker Rory Fallon back from suspension, while boss Paul Sturrock hopes captain Karl Duguid (calf) will pass a late fitness test. Simon Walton begins a three-match ban, but Emile Mpenza (hamstring) could feature and Jason Puncheon has been recalled from his loan spell at MK Dons.

Saints head coach Jan Poortvliet is without midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, who is still suffering from a hamstring injury, but winger Lee Holmes (knee ligament) and Anthony Pulis (broken foot) are back in training and pushing for a return.

Preston (8) v Derby (15)

Defender Billy Jones, midfielder Richard Chaplow and strikers Neil Mellor and Stephen Elliott are all expected to be available for Preston after missing the 3-2 defeat at QPR through illness and injury.

Rob Hulse could be recalled to Derby's starting line-up, having scored the winner from the bench against Watford following illness. Either Nathan Ellington or Luke Varney, who Hulse replaced against the Hornets, would drop down to the bench.

Reading (2) v Cardiff (5)

Reading striker Noel Hunt will play after recovering from a head injury. Jimmy Kebe returns after serving a three-match suspension and the winger is expected to replace James Henry, but first-choice goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann (calf) is still sidelined.

Cardiff full-back Kevin McNaughton, who limped out near the end of Saturday's 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday with an ankle problem, is set to declare himself fit.

Sheff Wed (11) v Blackpool (16)

Wade Small (eye), Steve Watson (hip) and Francis Jeffers (groin) are all expected to boost Wednesday's injury-hit squad. Wingers Jermaine Johnson (knee) and Etienne Esajas (broken toe) remain sidelined though and last week's teenage debutant Nathan Modest is doubtful after injuring his knee in training.

Blackpool captain Rob Edwards could again miss out with an ankle injury. The Seasiders are still without striker Steve McPhee, who is set to undergo another knee operation as he bids to recover from his latest injury setback, while on-loan Sheffield United midfielder Lee Hendrie is again suspended.

Swansea (10) v Coventry (14)

Swans manager Roberto Martinez is set to name an unchanged starting XI with his options limited by a host of injuries. Defender Alan Tate should retain his place in the side after impressing in his first start for the club this season in the 1-1 draw with Blackpool on Saturday.

Coventry boss Chris Coleman will also choose from an unchanged squad against his hometown club. Defenders Isaac Osbourne (ankle) and Scott Dann (shoulder) and midfielder Guillaume Beuzelin (knee) are unavailable.

Wolves (1) v Sheff Utd (6)

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has no new injury or suspension concerns. Leading scorer Chris Iwelumo, on the bench against Doncaster following an ankle injury, will rival Andy Keogh for a starting berth.

United will be without striker Darius Henderson through suspension, while James Beattie (calf) is a doubt. Gary Speed remains sidelined with a back injury and Sun Jihai (hamstring) and Derek Geary (knee surgery) are also ruled out.

Sporting Life / Eurosport