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Brief team news ahead of today's Championship games, with Sebastian Larsson a doubt for Birmingham's clash with Swansea.

Sunday, December 28

Barnsley (15) v Preston (7)

Barnsley manager Simon Davey could be without Jon Macken for the visit of the striker's former club. Macken was replaced by Maceo Rigters at Turf Moor on Boxing Day and the Dutchman is his likely replacement again. Iain Hume is a long-term injury absentee with a fractured skull, while Martin Devaney has an ankle injury.

Preston manager Alan Irvine can once again call on Billy Jones, Richard Chaplow, Neil Mellor and Stephen Elliott after all were passed fit for Boxing Day duty and suffered no adverse reactions. Wayne Henderson is still short of fitness and joins Liam Chilvers and Neal Trotman in the stands.

Birmingham (3) v Swansea (10)

Blues boss Alex McLeish is waiting on the fitness of midfield duo Damien Johnson and Sebastian Larsson (groin, pictured) but a second outing in three days could be too much for the former, who has played just one full match since returning from six months out. Stephen Kelly (thigh), Gary McSheffrey (knee) and Garry O'Connor (groin) will not play.

Swansea midfielder Leon Britton is a doubt for the trip after taking a kick against Coventry on Boxing Day but the Welsh side should be able to call on Mark Gower, who played eight minutes of that match despite suffering from illness.

On-loan goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos is available for selection after being unavailable to face Coventry, his parent club.

Bristol City (14) v Crystal Palace (6)

There are question marks over home defender Jamie McCombe's participation after he suffered stomach and pelvis problems prior to the Boxing Day clash against Watford. He is the only doubt for City, though, with the only other issue being whether or not Dele Adebola joins Nicky Maynard up front in place of Stern John or Lee Trundle.

Crystal Palace are without the suspended Clint Hill, who has five bookings for the season, and will check on the fitness of Paddy McCarthy. The Irishman has put off a shoulder operation in order to keep playing over the festive programme, but had to be substituted during the second half against Norwich on Boxing Day.

Cardiff (5) v Plymouth (12)

Cardiff boss Dave Jones is pondering naming the same starting XI for the third game in succession after an impressive draw with Birmingham last time out. Ross McCormack's hamstring injury has not yet healed, leaving on-loan striker Michael Chopra in pole position up front for his last game before returning to Sunderland.

Illness could rule out Argyle winger Craig Noone is a doubt for Plymouth's trip to Cardiff after he was unable to complete the Boxing Day clash with Southampton. Striker Emile Mpenza returns to the squad after returning to fitness following a hamstring injury but midfielder Simon Walton is suspended.

Coventry (16) v Sheff Wed (11)

Coventry forward Leon Best is pushing for his first start in over a month against a side he represented on loan in the 2005/06 campaign. Best could come into contention with Ireland's Clinton Morrison struggling with illness. Leon McKenzie should also feature but a starting place may be a step too far for the forward after two months out with a thigh complaint.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws is set to re-shuffle his side as he bids to cope with the demands of two games in three days. That could mean a recall for Sean McAllister, who dropped to the bench against Blackpool. Marcus Tudgay could be rested as the striker was clearly fatigued at the end of the Hillsborough clash, while Rocky Lekaj, Jimmy Smith, Luke Boden and Nathan Modest all hoping for returns to the first XI.

Derby (18) v Ipswich (13)

Paul Jewell could recall winger Nacer Barazite to his Derby side in what could the Arsenal loanee's final game before returning to the Emirates. Paul Green should keep his place after making his comeback after three-weeks out with broken fingers, while Luke Varney may start in place of Rob Hulse.

Ipswich could have David Wright back as the full-back battles back from a hamstring niggle. Wright could replace Moritz Volz, but Jim Magilton must do without Alex Bruce for the fourth and final game of his suspension. Veteran Ivan Campo could keep his place, meanwhile, having been recalled following two months in the cold.

Doncaster (23) v Burnley (4)

Sean O'Driscoll looks set to field an unchanged Doncaster side following a much improved display in the 4-2 defeat of Nottingham Forest. James Coppinger (ankle) and Adam Lockwood (facial injury) are fit to play but will probably start from the bench.

Clarets left-back Christian Kalvenes remains sidelined with a leg injury but there are few other concerns for the visitors, with Wade Elliott and Kevin McDonald fit to continue having been passed fit on Boxing Day.

Norwich (20) v Nottm Forest (22)

Norwich manager Glenn Roeder is hopeful of having winger Lee Croft back in his side after missing out on Boxing Day with illness. Striker Leroy Lita will start the final game of his current loan deal from Reading while Wigan striker Antoine Sibierski should make his return from a foot injury.

Managerless Forest will be without defender Julian Bennett for the visit to fellow strugglers Norwich, who has a suspected cruciate knee ligament injury.

Joel Lynch (hamstring) and Kelvin Wilson (virus) are also doubts.

QPR (9) v Watford (19)

Heidar Helguson should return to QPR's starting line-up for the home clash against his former employers. The on-loan Bolton striker was one of six players rested against Charlton on Boxing Day and will come back into contention alongside Damion Stewart, Damien Delaney, Gavin Mahon, Hogan Ephraim and Patrick Agyemang. Matthew Connolly came through unscathed on his return from a back injury at The Valley and could retain his place.

Watford manager Brendan Rodgers is set to keep faith with on-loan Southampton striker Grzegorz Rasiak following his first-team recall in the 4-2 defeat to Bristol City. The Pole should again partner Tommy Smith as Tamas Priskin has still not recovered from a back injury.

Sheff Utd (8) v Charlton (24)

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell will be without experienced defender Ugo Ehiogu, who could be out for the rest of the season with a suspected ruptured Achilles. His absence could mean a starting berth for Gary Naysmith or Greg Halford. Darius Henderson serves the final match of a three-game suspension and Gary Speed (back), Sun Jihai (hamstring) and Derek Geary (knee surgery) are out.

Charlton will be without Keith Gillespie after the winger was recalled from his loan spell in south London by the Blades - and could figure against the Addicks at Bramall Lane.

Southampton (21) v Reading (2)

Southampton are hoping to welcome Adam Lallana back into their squad after a one-match absence with an ankle knock. Chris Perry and Bradley Wright-Phillips will also be added to the squad after being rested but Jordan Robertson is unlikely to figure despite coming away relatively unscathed from a minor car accident on Christmas Eve.On-loan Alex Pearce is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Reading boss Steve Coppell looks set to deliver on his promise of rotating his squad over the festive period. That means possible starts for the likes of Jimmy Kebe, Marek Matejovsky and Brynjar Gunnarsson in midfield. Cameroon defender Andre Bikey is also vying for a recall, with Michael Duberry the man currently in possession.

Sporting Life / Eurosport