Rate it!

1 votes

All the team news ahead of the weekend's Championship games, with Middlesbrough selling two players and missing several more through injury.

All kick-offs at 15:00 unless otherwise stated

Saturday August 29

Nottingham Forest v Derby County (13:00)

Joel Lynch and Garath McCleary are boss Billy Davies's main injury concerns for Nottingham Forest's clash with his former club Derby at the City Ground.

The pair missed the midweek Carling Cup win over Middlesbrough - Lynch with a back problem and McCleary with an ankle injury.

Davies will be hoping they are available for the lunchtime kick-off against their east midlands rivals. Left-back Lynch in particular is key as his return would allow Chris Cohen to revert back to his more familiar midfield role.

The Reds will again be without Lewis McGugan (fractured cheekbone), James Perch (shin), Julian Bennett (knee), Kelvin Wilson (ankle) and Guy Moussi (thigh).

The arrival of Paul Dickov on loan from Leicester has eased Derby manager Nigel Clough's striker crisis ahead of the local derby.

The 36-year-old has joined the Rams until January 1 and goes straight into the squad for the clash with Billy Davies' men.

Dickov's arrival softens the blow of Steve Davies missing out with a dead leg while Giles Barnes (Achilles), Chris Porter (hip) and Luke Varney (on loan at Sheffield Wednesday) are also absent.

Paul Green is available for selection after shaking off a foot problem while defenders Shaun Barker (thigh) and Dean Leacock (groin and pelvis) stepped up their return to fitness with outings in the opening reserve-team fixture against Shrewsbury on Wednesday night.

Barnsley v Reading

Barnsley have problems in defence ahead of their second game against Reading this week.

Young defender Luke Potter became the latest Tykes defender to suffer an injury when he was ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury.

Potter, who impressed in Barnsley's Carling Cup victory against the Royals on Tuesday night, will undergo an operation after suffering cartilage damage.

Bobby Hassell is rated as doubtful as he continues to struggle with an ankle injury and the experienced Darren Moore is also struggling with an ankle problem.

Striker Andy Gray, a recent signing from Charlton, will be in contention to face Brendan Rodgers' side after being cup-tied in midweek.

Omar Thompson has been granted a work permit but is not expected to feature as he is still awaiting international clearance.

Reading manager Brendan Rodgers could hand debuts to Jobi McAnuff and Grzegorz Rasiak at Oakwell.

The pair arrived from Watford and Southampton respectively on Thursday and could both come into the side at Oakwell as Rodgers looks for his first league win in charge.

Winger Jimmy Kebe has been out of action since picking up a knock in the 3-0 defeat at Newcastle earlier this month but is close to a return to the side.

Should he again miss out Rodgers may stick with the 4-3-1-2 formation he fielded against Sheffield United last weekend where teenager Gylfi Sigurdsson excelled on his debut behind the front two.

Rodgers made a host of changes for the midweek Carling Cup defeat at home to Barnsley so the likes of Adam Federici, Liam Rosenior, Matt Mills, Jay Tabb, Noel Hunt and Shane Long could all come back into the starting line-up.

Czech Republic midfielder Marek Matejovsky has been hampered by a groin niggle all season but played the full 90 minutes in midweek to put himself in contention.

Blackpool v Coventry City

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway is without Ishmel Demontagnac for the home clash with Coventry.

The midfielder, who is hoping to get his career back on track after being sacked by Walsall last November, was on the scoresheet in Wednesday's 4-1 Carling Cup win over Wigan.

However, he could be sidelined for several weeks after pulling up with a hamstring strain in the second half.

On-loan Arsenal midfielder Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was ineligible to play against the Latics but he is now available again and pushing for an immediate return to the starting line-up.

Holloway will again be without striker Stephen McPhee, who is nursing a knee injury, while defender Danny Coid is still recovering from a hairline fracture of his tibia.

Midfielder Joe Martin has now returned to training following a shoulder problem but may not be risked just yet as the Seasiders go in search of their first Championship win of the season.

Chris Coleman has no new injury or suspension problems to contend with for Coventry.

Defender Ben Turner experienced a tight hamstring in training on Thursday but is expected to be okay, with Coleman having the same squad to select from as he did for last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Swansea.

Leon McKenzie should make the bench again as he steps up his rehabilitation from a ruptured Achilles, while full-back Marcus Hall is getting closer to a return but is not there yet.

Winger David Bell (ankle), defender James McPake (shoulder) and goalkeeper Danny Ireland (emergency bowel surgery) continue to miss out, as does defender Elliott Ward.

Bristol City v Middlesbrough

Bristol City manager Gary Johnson expects to welcome Bradley Orr and David Clarkson back into his side for the visit of Championship high-flyers Middlesbrough.

Defender Orr and Scotland striker Clarkson missed the midweek Carling Cup defeat at home to Carlisle through illness and both could make an instant return as Johnson looks for an immediate response to the shock loss.

Jamie McAllister could miss the clash, though, after limping out of the Carlisle game with an Achilles problem.

Striker Nicky Maynard should come straight back into the side after missing the Cumbrians clash with a knock, with John Akinde likely to drop out.

Johnson kept his players locked in the dressing room for over an hour following the 2-0 reverse and will be looking for a reaction from his squad who also lost 3-0 at Cardiff last weekend.

One man that will not be involved is Lee Trundle, who has rejoined Swansea on-loan until January 1.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate will be forced to make at least one change for the clash at Ashton Gate.

Centre-back Robert Huth, who featured in the Carling Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, and team-mate Tuncay have completed moves to Stoke.

Midfielder Gary O'Neil will again be missing after he finally had his hernia operation on Tuesday, with the club hoping he will return for the game with Ipswich on September 12.

Didier Digard (groin), Brad Jones (ankle), Afonso Alves (foot), Chris Riggott (ankle), Emanuel Pogatetz (knee) and Matthew Bates (cruciate ligaments) are still absent.

Boro have won three and drawn one of their opening four Championship games and are yet to concede a goal.

Doncaster Rovers v Cardiff City

Doncaster boss Sean O'Driscoll will make changes to his starting line-up when Championship leaders Cardiff visit the Keepmoat Stadium.

Veteran goalkeeper Neil Sullivan will return after being replaced by Ben Smith in the 5-1 home defeat to Tottenham in the Carling Cup.

On-loan defender Jason Shackell is also set to return after being rested for the clash with Harry Redknapp's side.

Paul Heffernan and Dean Shiels are pushing for a return to the starting line-up after being named on the bench against Spurs.

Striker Steve Brooker will not feature due to an ankle injury, while Stuart Elliott is also unavailable with an ankle problem.

Rovers are still looking for their first Championship victory of the season and have scored only twice in their first four league games.

Dave Jones will revert to his strongest possible line-up for Cardiff.

The Bluebirds boss will be desperate to maintain the club's unbeaten start to the season as they head into the international break and, in doing so, keep hold of their place at the top of the Championship.

Five changes were made for Wednesday's Carling Cup triumph over Bristol Rovers, but captain Mark Hudson, midfielder Joe Ledley, striker Jay Bothroyd and goalkeeper David Marshall are all expected to come back in.

It remains to be seen who will get the nod in defence, though, as youngster Adam Matthews and the experienced Tony Capaldi compete to start, with the latter likely to get the nod.

New signing Solomon Taiwo has travelled with the squad and will be hoping to claim a place in Jones's matchday 18, while fellow new-boy Kelvin Etuhu is likely to drop to the bench after starting in midweek.

Defender Kevin McNaughton (ankle) and striker Ross McCormack (hamstring) remain long-term absentees.

Ipswich Town v Preston North End

Ipswich manager Roy Keane will again make changes for the visit of Preston as he searches for a first win of the season.

Keane made six changes for the midweek Carling Cup defeat at Peterborough and will again rotate his squad against the Lilywhites.

On-loan Sunderland youngster Jack Colback and Colin Healy played in the centre of midfield at London Road but were outmuscled by the home side, so Liam Trotter could earn a recall.

Tamas Priskin netted his first goal for the club against Darren Ferguson's side but also missed a penalty to leave his place in the balance, while Pablo Counago was Town's best player on his return from injury.

Counago had been out all season with a groin problem but lasted around an hour in midweek and should start again while Alex Bruce has taken over both the captaincy and a place in the centre of defence from Gareth McAuley.

Keane remains without knee injury victims Luciano Civelli, Ben Thatcher and David Norris but Jaime Peters is fit after an ankle injury.

Preston manager Alan Irvine could also shuffle his pack when his in-form side travel to Portman Road.

Irvine made seven changes to his starting line-up for Tuesday's 2-1 Carling Cup victory over Leicester at Deepdale.

Michael Hart, Velice Shumulikoski, Darren Carter, Paul Parry, Eddie Nolan, Chris Brown and Stephen Elliott were all handed starting roles.

Striker Brown looks certain to retain his place in the side after scoring both goals against the Foxes.

However, midfielder Barry Nicholson is set for several months on the sidelines after he broke a leg in last weekend's 2-0 home win over Peterborough.

And Liam Chilvers is set to once again deputise for Youl Mawene as the French centre-back recovers from a persistent hamstring strain.

Plymouth Argyle v Sheffield Wednesday

Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock hopes to have on-loan Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan available for the home clash with Sheffield Wednesday.

Sheridan was sidelined for last Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Derby after suffering a leg injury during the first half of Argyle's 3-1 home loss to leaders Cardiff at Home Park.

Sturrock is also hoping ankle injuries suffered by right-back David McNamee and on-loan Blackburn winger Alan Judge sustained at Pride Park will have cleared up, although midfielder Karl Duguid (ankle) is an injury doubt.

The Greens boss handed a debut at centre-half to Iceland international Kari Arnason last time out and he is poised to make his first home start.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws is expected to make several changes to his starting line-up.

The Owls were embarrassingly dumped out of the Carling Cup at Port Vale in midweek as Laws gave some of his fringe players a chance to impress.

Francis Jeffers was sent off for a headbutt at Vale Park and was subsequently transfer-listed for his actions.

The former Everton striker is suspended for the clash with the Pilgrims, while Leon Clarke is still not ready to return due to a hamstring injury.

However, on-loan Derby striker Luke Varney is available after being cup-tied in midweek and he will partner Marcus Tudgay in attack.

Akpo Sodje (groin) has returned to training after recovering from a groin injury and is expected to be on the bench. Darren Purse, Lewis Buxton, Richard Wood and James O'Connor were named as substitutes against Vale, but all four are expected to play from the start at Home Park.

Scunthorpe United v Queens Park Rangers

Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins will wait on the fitness of record signing Rob Jones before naming his side for the visit of QPR.

Jones suffered a head injury in last weekend's 4-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday and has struggled to train consistently since.

His potential absence is offset by the return of David Mirfin, though, who made his comeback from an ankle injury in Tuesday's Carling Cup win at Swansea, while teenager Niall Canavan will be hoping to keep his place after scoring against the Swans.

Adkins is without full-back Andrew Wright who has a fractured metatarsal and Kenny Milne (knee) but leading scorer Gary Hooper will return to lead the line at the expense of Jonathan Forte.

Michael O'Connor should also return to the Iron midfield, with either Sam Togwell or Josh Wright sitting out.

Jay Simpson goes straight into the QPR squad for the trip to Scunthorpe.

The 20-year-old striker has joined Rangers on a season-long loan deal from Arsenal and is in line for an immediate debut.

Boss Jim Magilton will check on the fitness of centre-half Fitz Hall, who missed the midweek Carling Cup win over Accrington with a rib injury and remains doubtful.

Skipper Martin Rowlands has stepped up his training following the ankle injury he suffered on the opening day of the season, but Saturday will probably come too soon.

Winger Lee Cook remains on the sidelines as he continues his recovery from a summer knee op.

Fellow wideman Hogan Ephraim is pushing to be involved from the start after his goal against Stanley on Tuesday night.

Sheffield United v West Bromwich Albion

On-loan winger Keith Treacy is an injury concern for Sheffield United's Championship clash with West Brom.

The Irishman limped out of the Blades' 3-1 victory at Reading last weekend with a calf injury.

Treacy returned to training on Thursday, but Blackwell will monitor his fitness ahead of the game with Roberto Di Matteo's side.

If the 20-year-old is ruled out David Cotterill is expected to replace him after scoring the third goal against the Royals.

Former Barnsley midfielder Brian Howard is also doubtful after missing the Reading clash with a bout of tonsillitis.

If Treacy is passed fit, Blackwell is unlikely to make changes to his starting line-up as the Blades look to maintain their unbeaten start in the Championship.

Head coach Roberto Di Matteo has a welcome striking dilemma for West Brom's trip to Brammall Lane.

Roman Bednar returned in Wednesday's Carling Cup win over Rotherham after a three-month suspension due to drug allegations, while Simon Cox also grabbed his first goal for the club in the 4-3 triumph.

They will compete with Luke Moore, Chris Wood and Reuben Reid to start up front but fellow forward Craig Beattie will not be available after completing a switch to Swansea.

Midfielder Robert Koren is expected to recover in time from a calf injury but wide man Chris Brunt is struggling with a similar problem and is not expected to make it, while winger Jerome Thomas has overcome illness.

New signing Gonzalo Jara looks set to miss out as he awaits international clearance following his move from Chile but fellow defender Joe Mattock (bruised shin) should be okay.

Filipe Teixeira and James Morrison (both heel), Gianni Zuiverloon (hamstring), Neil Clement and Ishmael Miller (both knee) all remain sidelined.

Swansea City v Watford

Craig Beattie and Lee Trundle will make their first and second debuts for Swansea as they host Watford at the Liberty Stadium.

Beattie has agreed a three-year deal and will join from West Brom for a club-record undisclosed fee while Trundle, a cult hero in south Wales following a previous spell with the Swans, has joined on loan from Bristol City until January 1.

The pair's arrival is a timely boost for manager Paulo Sousa who is currently without a number of first-team players.

Leading scorer Stephen Dobbie is out with a hip injury while captain Garry Monk, defender Angel Rangel and striker Gorka Pintado are all suspended following their dismissals in Tuesday night's Carling Cup defeat to Scunthorpe.

Another new striker, Besian Idrizaj, is struggling with a thigh strain but Joe Allen (hamstring), Ferrie Bodde (knee) and Fede Bessone (groin) are nearly fit.

Darren Pratley (shoulder) and Thomas Butler (hernia) are definitely out.

Watford striker Danny Graham faces a late fitness test ahead of the trip to the Liberty Stadium

The summer signing from Carlisle, who has scored two goals so far this season, suffered a knee injury during Tuesday night's 2-1 Carling Cup defeat at Leeds and will be assessed closer to kick-off.

With Nathan Ellington still struggling with a knee injury and Tommy Smith leaving to join Portsmouth, the Hornets could find themselves desperately short of numbers in attack.

Youngsters Marvin Sordell - who scored at Elland Road - and Liam Henderson may figure alongside Will Hoskins at the Liberty Stadium.

Winger Jobi McAnuff, who was thought to have missed out in midweek with a back injury he suffered against Nottingham Forest, joined Reading on Thursday.

PA Sport