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Brighton v QPR
Brighton defender Paul McShane is set to start after fears he had damaged his ankle ligaments proved unfounded. Richard Carpenter, Mark McCammon and Albert Jarrett are also back from injuries, while Gary Elphick is available after suspension. QPR keeper Jake Cole is set to make his full debut with Simon Royce suspended after being sent off against Coventry. Paul Furlong is back from suspension, while Marc Bircham and Matthew Rose are both fit again.

Burnley v Stoke
Burnley manager Steve Cotterill has no new injury problems as he prepares his team to face former club. But winger Nathan Dyer has been recalled by Southampton and Danny Coyne is out for the season. Stoke trio Sambegou Bangoura, John Halls and Marlon Broomes are all available again after suspension. Luke Chadwick has been struggling with a hernia as well as sickness but should be fit to play, though Clint Hill and John Eustace are both still out.

Cardiff v Plymouth
Cardiff manager Dave Jones is expected to select the same side that drew 0-0 with Derby at Ninian Park. Jones has a fully fit squad of 18 players to chose from for the first time since joining the club. Plymouth Argyle are without the suspended Paul Connolly, leaving Tony Pulis with a conundrum in defensive. Manager Pulis could switch Anthony Barness from left-back to the right side, while Hasney Aljofree could be in line for a recall.

Crewe v Hull
Crewe duo Richard Walker and Michael Higdon are major doubts with their respective ankle and rib injuries. Darren Moss is set to return after a leg injury, but Juan Ugarte remains out until the new year. Hull have been hit a stomach bug, with Keith Andrews, Curtis Woodhouse and Kevin Ellison all effected by expected to be OK to play on Boxing Day. Stuart Green is fit, while Billy Paytner replaced Nicky Barmby against Brighton and could start.

Derby v Luton
Derby defender Marc Edworthy is doubtful with a knee injury, while the game is likely to be too early for Paul Boertien as he closes in on fitness. Southampton have recalled striker Dexter Blackstock, meaning Danny Graham could make his first start since joining on loan from Middlesbrough. Luton are without suspended skipper Kevin Nicholls, with Peter Holmes set to come into central midfield. Marlon Beresford is hoping to have recovered from a back injury.

Ipswich v Crystal Palace
Ipswich midfielder Kevin Horlock is available again after a knee injury and could start against Crystal Palace. Manager Joe Royle has been hampered by injury problems all season but only Sam Parkin remains on the long-term injured list with a broken ankle. Palace defender Emmerson Boyce is suspended, while Danny Butterfield is out until the new year. Marco Reich and Jobi McAnuff could start after being used as substitutes in the defeat to Plymouth Argyle

Leeds v Coventry
Leeds defender Gary Kelly is available again after suspension, but Simon Walton and Liam Miller are banned. Striker Richard Cresswell, who is fit again after knee ligament damage, could figure with Rob Hulse a doubt. Coventry boss Micky Adams has Stern John and Ady Williams fit and available for selection. Matt Heath is also back after a back injury, while Marcus Hall is a doubt with a calf injury and Stuart Giddings out after an operation.

Leicester v Millwall
Leicester defender Alan Sheehan is suspended, but Paddy McCarthy is back after serving his ban. Nils-Eric Johansson could feature after recovering from illness, while James Wesolowski is back from a broken shin but the game could some too soon. Millwall defensive duo Matt Lawrence and Tony Craig are suspended. And new boss David Tuttle has injury problems, with Andy Marshall, Carlos Fangueiro, Barry Hayles and Carl Asaba all missing.

Preston v Sheffield Wednesday
Influential Preston midfielder Paul McKenna is out for a month and Callum Davidson remains a major doubt. But manager Billy Davies is hopeful of being able to call upon striker Patrick Agyemang, who is fully recovered after a hamstring strain. Sheffield Wednesday are hopng that Lee Peacock will pass a late fitness test on an ankle injury. David Graham has returned to training after a thigh injury, but Daryl Murphy has been recalled to Sunderland

Sheffield United v Norwich
Sheffield United striker Steve Kabba is expected to return for the Boxing Day match after a hamstring injury. United have signed veteran Brian Deane for a third spell, but the striker currently lacks match fitness. Norwich are without skipper Andy Hughes, who faces six weeks out after having a metal plate inserted in a fractured cheekbone. Leon McKenzie is doubtful are picking up a knock in the reserves, while Jason Shackell has had a virus.

Watford v Southampton
Watford striker Darius Henderson is in line for his first start since sustaining a hip injury on 29 October. But midfielder Ashley Young will miss the festive period as he recovers from an ankle injury. Southampton have new manager George Burley in charge - and he has Nigel Quashie and Rory Delap available again after suspension. With Claus Lundekvam and Michael Svensson injured, Darren Kenton should continue in defence.

Wolves v Reading
Wolves trio Paul Ince, Jody Craddock and Mark Davies all played for the reserves on Tuesday and could return. Steffan Postma has suffered from a heavy cold but will be fit to play, George Ndah is in the squad but the game comes too soon for Carl Cort. Leaders Reading are without infuential midfielder Steve Sidwell, who is suspended and likely to be replaced by Brynjar Gunnarsson. Striker Leroy Lita is a doubt with an ankle injury.

from the british broadcasting corporation