Watford v Cardiff
Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the visit of Cardiff, as he seeks a much-needed home win to strengthen their position at the top of the Championship.
The Hornets returned to the summit with a 1-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. Boothroyd could keep faith with the side who triumphed at Hillsborough after making several changes.
Goalkeeper Mart Poom returned to the squad at the weekend after a groin injury, while Danny Shittu was again only a substitute as Matt Jackson kept his place at the heart of defence.
Damien Francis made his first start of the season against the Owls after recovering from a long-term knee injury . He will continue in midfield alongside John-Joe O'Toole, while former captain Gavin Mahon will again be left out of the squad altogether.
Nathan Ellington made a surprise start alongside Marlon King and created the only goal for Jobi McAnuff. He should continue with Darius Henderson on the bench.
Gareth Williams (knee ligaments) is out until the new year while Jordan Parkes (broken metatarsal) is a long-term absentee.
Al Bangura (broken arm) may not have played his last game for the Hornets after positive developments in his fight against deportation to Sierra Leone.
Robbie Fowler and Steven Thompson are out for Cardiff.
Former England international Fowler sprained an ankle in a reserve-team match and missed the win over Sheffield United, while ex-Rangers striker Thompson serves the second game of a three-match suspension.
Former Holland frontman Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink is likely to continue up front after completing 80 minutes in the 1-0 victory over the Blades - the Bluebirds' third Championship win in four games.
Riccardo Scimeca has returned to full training and could be named on the bench while midfielder Trevor Sinclair also remains sidelined.
Wales international full-back Chris Gunter is also expected to miss out as he negotiates a transfer to Tottenham after a fee was agreed between the teams.
Barnsley v Stoke
Barnsley will be without suspended winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce for the visit of Stoke.
The former Rotherham and Southend winger was sent off for two bookable offences - the second yellow for diving - in Saturday's defeat at Bristol City and sits out a one-game ban.
Tykes manager Simon Davey could also be without opposite winger Martin Devaney, who sustained a knock at Ashton Gate and was replaced by Sam Togwell.
Davey, whose side have lost their last two matches and won only one of their last six, is hoping defender Rob Kozluk can shake off a thigh injury.
German left-back Dominik Werling could return to the squad after missing out through a recent suspension.
Bobby Hassell, recalled to the bench on Saturday after long-term injury, will be hoping to play some part.
Manager Tony Pulis could deploy an unchanged side for the third game running, as Stoke attempt to extend their unbeaten run to eight games at Barnsley.
The Potters claimed back-to-back wins against Blackpool and West Brom to ensure they head into the festive period brimming with confidence. Pulis appears unlikely to tinker with his starting XI.
Stephen Wright (head wound) has been missing for the last two games but may feature in the matchday squad but Dominic Matteo (foot) is still out.
Salif Diao is nearing match fitness and Pulis has hinted he could feature in the coming weeks, but the game at Oakwell is expected to game too soon for the former Liverpool midfielder.
Striker Ricardo Fuller will again lead the line in attack and is bang in form after five goals in his last two outings - including a hat-trick against Albion.
Burnley v Sheff Wed
Burnley boss Owen Coyle will be without three suspended midfielders for the visit of Sheffield Wednesday.
John Spicer joins Joey Gudjonsson and Chris McCann on the sidelines, after he received a straight red card for a two-footed lunge. He left the 10-man Clarets to battle out an impressive 0-0 draw at Ipswich on Saturday.
The 24-year-old will begin a three-match suspension for his dismissal, while Gudjonsson and McCann serve the second of their respective four and three match bans.
A fatigued Robbie Blake was forced off with half-an-hour remaining at Portman Road but should be available. Alan Mahon remains a doubt after he failed to overcome a hamstring injury to feature on Saturday.
Captain Steven Caldwell made his return to help the Clarets maintain their unbeaten away record under Coyle, after missing 10 Championship matches due to a torn tendon.
Akpo Sodje could be back in contention for Sheffield Wednesday.
The striker, who has missed the last two matches due to an ankle injury, is hoping to play some part at Turf Moor.
But the Owls will be without on-loan Derby defender Michael Johnson, who played his last game for Brian Laws' side in Saturday's home defeat to Watford.
Deon Burton stepped off the bench against the Hornets, following a three-match absence due to a knee injury, and could give boss Laws a different option up front.
But Jermaine Johnson is doubtful after he sustained a gashed ankle that required five stitches against Watford.
Defender Frank Simek, striker Francis Jeffers (both ankle) and defender Richard Wood (shoulder) remain long-term absentees.
Colchester v Southampton
Colchester midfielder Kem Izzet is a doubt for the visit of Southampton after a trip to the hospital on Saturday night.
Izzet suffered a dislocated thumb and a nasty gash, after a collision with QPR winger Gareth Ainsworth dumped him into the advertising hoardings at Loftus Road.
Fellow midfielder Kevin Watson is expected to miss the festive period with a calf injury, so Luke Guttridge could be handed a rare start in the centre.
Skipper Karl Duguid was only deemed fit enough for a place on the bench at Rangers following his thigh problem and will push for a recall.
Kevin Lisbie could start alongside Clive Platt in attack with veteran Teddy Sheringham back among the substitutes.
Marek Saganowski has been ruled out for Southampton.
The Polish striker suffered a groin strain during the latter stages of Saturday's defeat by Preston after coming on as a substitute and could be sidelined for a couple of weeks.
Saints boss George Burley named the same starting line-up for a fourth successive game against Preston but he may be tempted to restore Wayne Thomas to his back-line, after the centre-half recovered from flu to make the bench on Saturday.
Winger Nathan Dyer is out for three months after undergoing ankle surgery and midfielder Inigo Idiakez is recovering from an Achilles problem.
Claus Lundekvam (ankle), Chris Makin (hip) and Alexander Ostlund (hamstring) are still missing.
Coventry v Crystal Palace
Kevin Kyle is suspended as Coventry host Crystal Palace.
The striker saw red for elbowing Blackpool skipper Shaun Barker in Saturday's clash with the Seasiders, leaving his side to suffer a 4-0 defeat. The Scotland international will now serve a three-match ban.
Fellow striker Leon McKenzie will be hoping to shake off a knee problem in time to replace Kyle, after limping out of the Coventry's last home clash with Southampton with a thigh strain.
If the former Norwich man returns, he will partner star striker Michael Mifsud in attack. Jay Tabb made his comeback from a mystery stomach problem against Blackpool and should continue.
Neil Warnock could name the same line-up for a fourth successive game.
The Eagles took their unbeaten run to 10 matches with Saturday's impressive 2-1 win over Plymouth.
Warnock does have the option of restoring Jose Fonte to his back-line, after the Portuguese centre-half recovered from a thigh injury.
Winger Paul Ifill is finally on the mend following an abductor muscle injury, which has kept him out for five weeks.
The former Sheffield United man will not be fit to face Coventry but could make the trip to meet the Blades on December 29.
Full-back Tony Craig is continuing his rehabilitation following shoulder surgery. Midfielder Mark Kennedy is still struggling with Achilles trouble and Paul Dickov's toe problem keeps him out.
Hull v Wolverhampton
Fraizer Campbell is a doubt but Dean Windass is available after suspension for Hull's home clash with Wolves.
The 38-year-old striker missed Saturday's 1-1 draw at Charlton due to a one-match ban and could come straight in, as on-loan Manchester United forward Campbell limped off after scoring at The Valley.
Midfielder Nick Barmby made his first-team return after a four-month absence last time out after recovering from a knee injury. He could feature again but Henrik Pedersen (knee) remains sidelined.
Striker Stephen McPhee and defender Damien Delaney will also hope to be involved, as the Tigers go in search of back-to-back wins at the KC Stadium.
Jody Craddock is fit to return for Wolves.
The defender has recovered from a groin problem and featured for the reserves last week. Gary Breen could also be in contention for a recall after a knee problem.
Michael Kightly (ankle) is also likely to miss the trip. Goalkeepers Matt Murray and Graham Stack (both knee) remain out. Wanderers are without a win in three league matches.
Leicester v Ipswich
Leicester boss Ian Holloway has no fresh injury or suspension concerns ahead of the visit of Ipswich.
Midfielder James Wesolowski is doubt as he battles back from a hamstring injury. He is hoping to make his comeback during the hectic Christmas schedule.
DJ Campbell is facing up to the news that he could be sidelined yet again. The former Birmingham striker faces up to three months out due to a pelvic problem shortly after returning from a knee injury.
Fellow striker Elvis Hammond also remains out due to an ankle injury, with Holloway revealing he will be looking to add some extra attacking firepower to his squad in the January transfer window.
He said: ``I need some wide men who can cross it and I need some centre-forwards who can score.''
Luis Castro Sito faces a late fitness test for Ipswich.
The left-back was forced off after just 20 minutes of the goalless draw with Burnley on Saturday, after taking a blow to the head and was spent the night in hospital with concussion.
Boss Jim Magilton has not ruled out Sito returning but veteran Fabian Wilnis is on standby to deputise.
Tommy Miller played the full 90 minutes against the Clarets after suffering with a virus. He should
continue while midfielder Sylvain Legwinski remains out with an ankle injury.
Defender Richard Naylor is still out with a slipped disc in his neck but has returned to training and could be back in the first-team early in the new year.
Norwich v Charlton
Norwich manager Glenn Roeder could recall striker Jamie Cureton for the clash with Charlton.
Cureton came off the bench to score a late winner at Scunthorpe on Saturday and is pushing for a starting place.
Veteran Dion Dublin partnered on-loan Manchester City striker Ched Evans at Glanford Park but, due to the rigours of three games in a busy festive period, Roeder may rest the 38-year-old and bring Cureton back into the fold.
Winger Luke Chadwick could be back in contention after delaying a shoulder operation until the new year but Roeder is expected to keep faith with the midfield which has been behind their recent return to form.
Long-term absentees Adam Drury (knee) and Matthew Gilks (ankle) remain sidelined for the Canaries, who will be looking to record a win which could lift them five points clear of the Championship relegation zone.
Charlton are without Danny Mills, Jonathan Fortune and Andy Reid.
They also have doubts over Chris Iwelumo, Sam Sodje and Lloyd Sam.
Mills played the last game of his loan spell in south-east London after picking up a three-match ban for his sending-off against Hull on Saturday, and Fortune serves the final game of his suspension.
Skipper Reid missed out against Hull having been ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury. Sodje came off in the first half as he was suffering with flu. Sam was withdrawn at half-time with a leg knock.
Top-scorer Iwelumo was struggling with an ankle injury at the end of the game, although he will probably be patched up yet again. Luke Varney will hope to be fit after a virus kept him out on Saturday.
Yassin Moutaouakil (ankle), Grant Basey (groin), Ben Thatcher (knee), Cory Gibbs (foot) and Svetoslav Todorov (cruciate) are all sidelined.
Plymouth v QPR
Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock could recall Lilian Nalis and Lee Martin to his squad for the visit of QPR.
French midfielder Nalis is available again following suspension, but was not involved in Saturday's defeat at Crystal Palace.
On-loan Manchester United winger Martin, who has shaken off a hamstring injury, also missed out on Saturday.
Sturrock could be tempted to make changes after criticising his players for their slow start at Palace, with defender Paul Connolly and striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake both pushing for starts.
Dutch defender Marcel Seip suffered a cut head at Selhurst Park but is expected to be fit.
Otherwise, Sturrock has no new injury or suspension worries as his side look to return to winning ways.
QPR will travel without the services of centre-half Damion Stewart following his weekend dismissal.
Stewart saw red after collecting two bookings in nine minutes during the 2-1 win over Colchester and serves a one-match ban.
With Michael Mancienne still struggling with a hamstring injury, Pat Kanyuka out with his long-term thigh problem and Sampsa Timoska doubtful with a virus, boss Luigi De Canio finds himself short in defence.
Martin Rowlands will hope to return to the squad after missing the Colchester game through illness, and fellow midfielder Simon Walton should be involved again after two substitute appearances following five months out with a broken leg.
The win over Colchester lifted Rangers off the bottom of the table and out of the relegation zone.
Preston v Scunthorpe
Lewis Neal could be in contention for his first start of the season for the visit of Scunthorpe, after his substitute heroics at Southampton.
The midfielder was praised by boss Alan Irvine, after coming off the bench to score the only goal of the game and secure back-to-back away wins for the Lilywhites.
Captain Paul McKenna remains a doubt after suffering ankle ligament damage in the derby victory at Turf Moor. Full-back Billy Jones and on-loan Blackburn striker Paul Gallagher recovered from knocks to faces the Saints and should continue.
Striker Patrick Agyemang returned from a hamstring injury with a 20 minute run-out at St Mary's, after passing a late fitness test.
Despite winning three of their last four games, Preston remain just a point clear of the relegation places.
Cliff Byrne could return from injury to ease Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins' defensive concerns.
Defenders Andy Butler (metatarsal), Izzy Iriekpen (groin) and Kelly Youga, who sits out the last game of a four-match ban, are all out.
Byrne could return from a broken leg at Deepdale with Adkins describing the 25-year-old as ``very close'' to a comeback.
Byrne could replace on-loan Chelsea youngster Jack Cork at right-back. Player-coach Ian Baraclough dropped back from midfield to partner skipper Andy Crosby at the heart of defence in Saturday's home defeat to Norwich and may well fill in again.
Midfielder Matt Sparrow, winger Cleveland Taylor and on-loan Leeds striker Tomi Ameobi are all hoping to return to the starting line-up after stepping off the bench against Norwich.
Adkins has no new injury or suspension problems as his side look to secure their first win in 12 matches.
Sheff Utd v Blackpool
Rob Hulse could return to the starting line-up against Blackpool for the first time since breaking his leg in March.
The Blades striker came through unscathed after stepping off the substitutes' bench in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Cardiff as a second-half replacement for Billy Sharp.
Manager Bryan Robson must decide whether to sacrifice Sharp or James Beattie if he opts to play the former Crewe and Leeds forward from the start.
The Blades are expected to be without skipper Chris Morgan, who turned his ankle at Cardiff in his first match back in the starting line-up since October.
Chris Lucketti is expected to partner Matt Kilgallon at the heart of United's defence, while midfielder Lee Hendrie is hoping to play a bigger role after he started on the bench on Saturday.
Blackpool manager Simon Grayson will be reluctant to make changes to a winning side.
The Seasiders notched up their biggest victory of the season on Saturday with a 4-0 win over Coventry, as Grayson celebrated his contract extension in fine style.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher was withdrawn after 45 minutes of the triumph and could be a doubt to feature at Bramall Lane. David Fox came on in midfield and could be in line to start if Taylor-Fletcher fails to recover.
Grayson's only definite absentee will be midfielder Keith Southern, who faces two months out following an ankle ligament operation.
Andy Morrell started against the Sky Blues and is expected to continue attack at the expense of Bartosz Slusarski.
The Seasiders will move within a point of their opponents in midtable if they beat the Blades.
West Brom v Bristol City
West Brom boss Tony Mowbray has a near fully-fit squad to pick from for the visit of Bristol City.
Goalkeeper Dean Kiely returned to the Baggies team for Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Stoke despite still struggling with a broken toe.
Carl Hoefkens also returned at the Britannia Stadium after recovering from a hamstring injury, while Mowbray is gradually reintroducing his five knee injury victims.
Strikers Ishmael Miller and Kevin Phillips both came on as half-time substitutes, with defender Martin Albrechtsen being introduced later on.
Midfielder James Morrison was an unused substitute and could play a part, but defender Neil Clement is still battling for his first team return.
Mowbray said: ``We've got some players coming back to fitness and striving for minutes on the pitch.''
Darren Byfield could be pushing for recall to the Bristol City starting line-up.
The striker came off the bench to score a dramatic late winner to secure a 3-2 victory over over Barnsley.
He may replace Lee Trundle, who has failed to find his best form since arriving at Ashton Gate from Swansea in the summer.
Defender Liam Fontaine plays his last game before serving a one-match ban, after picking up his fifth yellow card for the season in Saturday's victory.
Steve Brooker is closing in on a first-team return, following a second operation on his knee injury that has kept him out for nearly 10 months.
A fifth win in six matches would see the Robins leapfrog the Baggies and possibly top the Championship if leaders Watford lose to Cardiff.
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26th Dec: The Championship
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