Barnsley v Ipswich
New loan signings Ronnie Wallwork, Kyel Reid, Grant McCann and Leon Knight will go straight into Barnsley's squad for the visit of Ipswich.
The Tykes, who sacked manager Andy Ritchie earlier this week, signed West Brom midfielder Wallwork, winger Reid, from West Ham, Cheltenham midfielder McCann and Swansea striker Knight in time to make their debuts in caretaker-manager Simon Davey's first game in charge.
Striker Tommy Wright has joined League Two leaders Walsall on loan ahead of the transfer deadline.
Academy manager Davey, placed in charge as Ritchie's assistant Rick Holden has also left the club, must decide whether to stick with Daniel Nardiello up front alongside Paul Hayes, a second-half replacement for Wright last week, or recall Marc Richards, who has been nursing a thigh strain.
Antony Kay is expected to start alongside skipper Paul Reid at the heart of defence with Martin Devaney and Michael McIndoe on either wing.
Davey has no new injury or suspension problems as the Tykes look to bounce back from two successive defeats.
Ipswich boss Jim Magilton's selection plans have been thrown into chaos ahead of the trip to Oakwell after Wigan recalled on-loan keeper Mike Pollitt.
Magilton may now have to play 19-year-old Shane Supple, despite the fact that he is suffering from a groin injury which restricted him to a place on the bench in the derby win over Norwich when Pollitt made his debut.
Welsh international Lewis Price fractured a rib at Southend last month and has not played since, while Czech Republic keeper Jaroslav Drobny, who is on a short-term contract, has a hamstring problem.
Striker Billy Clarke is definitely out with damaged ankle ligaments and fellow 18-year-old Danny Haynes is his most likely replacement.
On-loan winger Gary Roberts is expected to recover from a groin injury in time to play.
Burnley v Birmingham
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill will be without Frank Sinclair for the clash with Birmingham at Turf Moor.
The experienced defender was sent off in the 3-0 defeat at West Brom and serves a one-match ban.
There is a question mark over the inclusion of full-back Jon Harley, who is doubtful with a foot problem sustained against the Baggies, although he has been given the green light to return to training after scans revealed he has only bruised it.
The only definite injury absentee is John McGreal with the veteran defender still sidelined with a medial knee ligament problem.
Cotterill said: ``We're without Frank but we've prepared to be without him sooner or later because he was on four bookings.
``Jon was in a fair bit of pain over the weekend but it has got better as the week has gone on. I wouldn't bet against him being out there at the weekend.''
Birmingham defender Matthew Upson could make his first appearance of the season when Blues travel to Turf Moor.
Central defender Upson has been missing from the Birmingham line-up since February after initially sustaining an ankle injury.
But in the warm-up prior to his scheduled warm-up game in April, Upson sustained a rupture of the Achilles tendon which ended his 2005-06 season - which meant he had to watch Blues' relegation from the sidelines.
A minor groin injury has since delayed his return but City manager Steve Bruce has now confirmed Upson is fit and available for the Clarets clash after outings in two reserve games and a practice match.
Midfielder Damien Johnson is certain to miss out though while he continues his recovery from a double fracture of the jaw
Colchester v Southend
Colchester midfielder Kevin Watson returns from injury while new boy Hogan Ephraim goes straight into the squad to face Essex derby rivals Southend at Layer Road.
Watson has been sidelined for a month with a calf injury sustained during the televised clash with Coventry, but he got an hour's run-out for the reserves in midweek and is available.
Teenage striker Ephraim arrived on a month's loan from West Ham on Thursday and will be hoping for a spot on the bench as the Us go in search of a seventh straight home win.
Aussie forward Richard Garcia has been pencilled in for a return next week having resumed training following heel and ankle trouble, so Marino Keith (ankle) remains Colchester's only long-term absentee.
Southend make the short trip to Layer Road seeking their first win in 15 matches.
The Blues squad has been ravaged with injuries in recent weeks but Steve Tilson has fewer problems to deal with this time around.
Adam Barrett and Lee Bradbury both played for United's reserve side during the week and came through unscathed.
Spencer Prior limped off against Plymouth last weekend with a knee problem but he has trained this week, as has Lewis Hunt who was sidelined for two weeks with an ankle injury.
Billy Paynter is likely to be the only absence as he continues to recover from a hamstring strain.
New loan signings Alan McCormack and Arnau Riera are both fit and they will go into contention for their first starts of the season.
Derby v Leicester
Derby defender Michael Johnson has returned to the first-team reckoning ahead of the Rams' East Midlands clash with Leicester.
Central defender Johnson is pushing for a recall in time for the Pride Park clash after overcoming a slight hamstring injury and completing a one-game suspension after picking up five yellow cards.
But a question mark continues to linger over the fitness of striker Paul Peschisolido who has been hampered by a long-term thigh injury which the Rams hoped would have cleared by last weekend.
Midfielder Bob Malcolm is certain to miss out though with the Scotsman not expected to make his comeback from an ankle operation until after the turn of the year.
Paddy McCarthy returns from suspension to captain Leicester.
The Irishman missed last week's home defeat to Preston as he served a one-match ban for accumulating five yellow cards but will return at Pride Park, probably at the expense of Gareth McAuley who deputised admirably against North End.
Fellow defender Richard Stearman looks likely to continue in an unfamiliar midfield role as Andy Johnson (ankle), James Wesolowski (leg) and Gareth Williams (ankle) are still out injured.
Chris O'Grady returns to contention following ankle and calf problems but Darren Kenton's calf complaint is threatening to rule him out once more
Norwich v Hull
Norwich manager Peter Grant has worries in attack for the visit of Hull after Ian Henderson hit a snag in his comeback from injury.
The 21-year-old has been out of action since early September after damaging knee ligaments in the Carling Cup victory over Rotherham.
Henderson returned to training last week but Saturday's game likely to come just a few days too early.
Luke Chadwick and Lee Croft are also sidelined with knee and ankle problems respectively.
Chadwick could be out of action for up to a month after picking up a serious gash against Ipswich, and Croft is sidelined for another three weeks at least.
Craig Fleming is back in light training after a hamstring injury but he will not be tested, and Andrew Cave-Brown is still unavailable with an ankle troubles.
Hull boss Phil Parkinson has failed in his bid to sign a new striker on loan ahead of the trip to Carrow Road.
With an ankle ligament injury ruling out Jon Parkin for six weeks, Parkinson was keen to bring in a temporary replacement but saw a bid for Sheffield United's Neil Shipperley fall through because of a calf injury.
Aside from Parkin's absence and a long-term knee injury keeping defender Sam Collins on the sidelines, the Tigers could boast an otherwise fully-fit squad.
Skipper Ian Ashbee returns after completing a three-match ban and midfielder David Livermore also comes back into contention after a niggling calf injury.
Striker Steve McPhee is edging closer to fitness after 14 months out with a knee injury and could earn a place in the squad.
He scored twice for the reserves on Wednesday as they beat Sheffield United 4-2 and Parkinson may be tempted to hand him a place on the bench.
Parkinson also fielded Livermore, Michael Bridges, Nick Barmby and Mark Yeates against the Blades and all four players are pushing for inclusion at Carrow Road.
Plymouth v Leeds
Plymouth defender Mat Doumbe remains the only injury doubt for Ian Holloway's side ahead of the home Championship clash with Leeds.
The Frenchman is still sidelined with the knee injury which has kept him sidelined since the 1-1 draw with Ipswich at the end of the month.
His place in the back four has gone to fit-again Hasney Aljofree, who has recovered from a broken nose and shin injury.
Bojan Djordic looks set to keep his place after scoring against Southend last time out and being taken off the transfer list in the week, while central defender Gary Sawyer continues to act as cover and is set to keep his place on the bench.
Holloway failed to add any new faces to his squad, despite confirming his interest in Gillingham winger Matt Jarvis earlier in the week.
Ugo Ehiogu and Tresor Kandol are both expected to go straight into Leeds' squad.
Middlesbrough defender Ehiogu and Barnet striker Kandol both signed before the loan transfer window shut on Thursday and could make their debuts at Home Park.
But striker Richard Cresswell and defender Gary Kelly are both struggling. Cresswell tweaked knee ligaments in the recent home win over Colchester and missed last week's defeat to Southampton.
Veteran full-back Kelly has missed the last two matches due to a back injury, so Hayden Foxe could start again, with Stephen Crainey at left-back and Matthew Kilgallon partnering on-loan Matt Heath in central defence.
David Healy is in line to return to the squad in Cresswell's absence, with manager Dennis Wise to decide on who to play up front.
Geoff Horsfield, Robbie Blake and Ian Moore will also be hoping to start, while goalkeeper Neil Sullivan has gone on loan to Doncaster and former skipper Paul Butler has completed his loan switch to MK Dons.
Preston v Crystal Palace
Preston striker Patrick Agyemang will be available for North End's home clash with Crystal Palace.
The forward was taken off in the 1-0 win over Leicester with problems associated with a summer hernia operation.
But Simpson has been able to play down concerns over Agyemang and said: ``He's fine and there are no problems at all. He's got stronger as the week has gone on and that's really good.
``The big thing is to get him to calm down a bit and not do the extra bit because he goes into the gym on his day off and we're having to put the reins on him a bit and to calm it down.''
Defender Callum Davidson (groin) is also back in full training but fellow defender Youl Mawene (knee), midfielder Adam Nowland (thigh) and striker Neil Mellor (knee) all still in the treatment room.
Midfielder Tommy Miller is still awaiting his debut after failing to make the 16 last weekend, having joined on loan from Sunderland.
Crystal Palace are confident they will have Michael Hughes back for the tough trip to Deepdale.
The influential midfielder missed training during the early part of this week after collecting a thigh strain during the 2-0 victory over Barnsley last weekend.
But the Ulsterman has now resumed training, and Eagles boss Peter Taylor is confident Hughes will be able to take his place in the starting line-up against Paul Simpson's team.
However, defender Leon Cort has still not recovered from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the Barnsley game.
The win against Barnsley saw Taylor's men end a run of eight matches without a win, but they remain under pressure as they are 20th in the Championship, just five points above the relegation zone.
Young defender Rhoys Wiggins (knee) is a long-term casualty.
QPR v Coventry
QPR will be without winger Gareth Ainsworth for the home match against Coventry.
The 33-year-old damaged ankle ligaments during last week's 1-0 win at Cardiff, and could face a long spell on the sidelines.
Forward Dexter Blackstock also came off during the second half of that game with a hamstring injury, but he has suffered no after-effects and will be available for the clash with Micky Adams' team.
Midfielder Martin Rowlands is also in line for a return to first-team action after shaking off a groin injury, while forward Kevin Gallen is also back in full training following thigh trouble.
But midfielder Marc Bircham is still suffering from hamstring and back problems, while defenders Pat Kanyuka, Dominic Shimmin and Matt Hislop remain sidelined along with forward Paul Furlong.
Loan signing Darren Currie goes straight into Coventry's squad for the tricky trip to Loftus Road.
Currie has joined City from Championship rivals Ipswich until January with a view to making a permanent switch.
He provides cover for fellow midfielder Don Hutchison, who will be sidelined for around three months after scans revealed he broke his ankle in last week's defeat of Sheffield Wednesday.
Richard Duffy and Clive Clarke remain available to City boss Micky Adams after extending their respective loan spells from Portsmouth and Sunderland.
Stern John is likely to return from injury after Adams allowed Wayne Andrews to join the Owls on loan while Elliott Ward is fighting to overcome a back problem to be in contention.
Sheff Wed v Cardiff
Wayne Andrews will go straight into Sheffield Wednesday's squad for the visit of Cardiff.
The Coventry winger signed on loan in time to be included as cover for the suspended Wade Small, who starts a three-match ban following his dismissal for violent conduct in the defeat at Coventry last week.
Midfielder Chris Brunt also misses out through suspension, having been sent off for a professional foul on Chris Birchall in the same game.
Manager Brian Laws has no new injury worries for his third game in charge with on-loan Mark Crossley set to continue in goal, although Shwan Jalal - a deadline day arrival from Woking - could be in the squad.
Laws must decide whether to stick with Madjid Bougherra and Lee Bullen in central defence or recall Graham Coughlan to his starting line-up.
Meanwhile, full-back Peter Gilbert is fast-approaching a first-team comeback following his eight-month lay-off due to knee ligament damage. He came through unscathed for the reserves this week.
Cardiff boss Dave Jones face a selection dilemma for the trip to Hillsborough.
Jones has signed experienced full-back Alan Wright on a month's loan from Sheffield United as a replacement for injured Arsenal loanee Kerrea Gilbert.
However to accommodate Wright in the starting line-up, Jones would have to drop teenage defender Chris Gunter, who impressed when making his full league debut against QPR last Saturday.
If Wright does start, he will do so at left-back with Scotland cap Kevin McNaughton switching to right-back.
Southampton v Luton
Gareth Bale, Inigo Idiakez and Kenwyne Jones face late fitness checks ahead of Southampton's clash with Luton at St Mary's.
Left-back Bale took a kick to an ankle in last Saturday's win at Leeds and did not train during the early part of the week, but he is expected to be fit to face the Hatters.
Midfielder Idiakez (thigh) and striker Jones (ankle) both sat out the Elland Road trip and remain doubtful.
David Prutton could make a surprise return to the bench having been out since the summer following ankle surgery.
The former Nottingham Forest midfielder came through a specially-arranged reserves game in midweek, although he still needs to work on his match fitness.
Darren Powell, Michael Svensson and Djamel Belmadi are continuing their recoveries from long-term knee injuries.
Struggling Luton will be without top scorer Rowan Vine for the trip to St Mary's.
The 24-year-old striker, who has scored nine goals this season but has not netted in five league games, misses the game after collecting his fifth booking of the season in last weekend's home defeat by Derby.
And with Vine's fellow forward Sam Parkin a long-term casualty with an ankle injury, manager Mike Newell is likely to pair Warren Feeney with Adam Boyd in attack.
New signing Dean Kiely will compete with Marlon Beresford to start in goal after joining on loan from Portsmouth on Thursday as Luton look to end a run of six straight defeats in all competitions, which has seen them slip to 19th in the Championship.
Chris Coyne and Paul Underwood are still building match fitness after long-term injuries, while fellow defender Sol Davis is recovering after suffering a stroke last month.
Young forward Calvin Andrew remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Stoke v West Brom
Stoke manager Tony Pulis should hand a debut to Aston Villa midfielder Patrik Berger after signing the Czech star on loan on Thursday.
He has no new injury worries to contend with as the Potters look to make it four wins from four in the league, but they will be without the suspended duo Ricardo Fuller and Dave Brammer.
The Jamaican striker sits out the final game of a three-match ban after his sending-off against Coventry, so Vincent Pericard will again partner Mamady Sidibe in attack.
Midfielder Brammer picked up his fifth yellow card of the season after appearing as a second half substitute against Hull, and he is subsequently sidelined for one match.
Defender Clint Hill felt no ill effects when he came on as a substitute last week and he will expect to line-up alongside Michael Duberry on Saturday.
West Brom winger Zoltan Gera is in a race for fitness ahead of the Baggies' trip at The Britannia Stadium.
The Hungarian has been troubled by a calf niggle and manager Tony Mowbray will make a late decision on whether the Hungarian should play a part against the Potters.
But Jonathan Greening is ready for a return to the side after completing a one-game suspension triggered after collecting five yellow cards.
Neil Clement continues to be ruled out as he has yet to regain full fitness following a knee operation in April, although the 28-year-old defender is hoping to make his first-team comeback by Christmas.
And central defender Thomas Gaardsoe remains short of fitness thanks to career-threatening groin troubles.
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C-C Championship 24-25th Nov
