Saturday, October 4

Barnsley (23) v Doncaster (22)

Reuben Noble-Lazarus became the youngest player in Football League history when he stepped off the bench in the midweek defeat at Ipswich - but Tykes boss Simon Davey would not reveal whether the 15-year-old striker will figure tomorrow.

James Coppinger has returned to training after illness and could play, while fellow midfielder Brian Stock should continue back problems. Defender Sean McDaid (knee) is likely to remain sidelined but striker Gareth Taylor resumed full training this week after overcoming a torn hamstring and may return to action.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Barnsley L L D D L; Doncaster L L L L L

Top scorers: Iain Hume (Barnsley) 2; Lewis Guy & Richard Wellens (Doncaster) 2

Match odds: H 13-10 A 7-4 D 21-10

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Birmingham (2) v QPR (8)

Blues midfielder Sebastian Larsson has recovered from a hamstring injury. Manager Alex McLeish has the opportunity to rotate his attacking options with Marcus Bent, Garry O'Connor and Kevin Phillips pushing for starting berths. Right-back Stephen Kelly (thigh) and midfielder Damien Johnson (back) are both out.

Akos Buzsaky and Patrick Agyemang are pushing to return to the QPR starting line-up. Winger Hogan Ephraim and forward Angelo Balanta are pushing for starts but Italian midfielder Damiano Tommasi is not up to speed and Rowan Vine has suffered a slight setback in his return from a broken leg.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Birmingham W W L W D; QPR W W L L D

Top scorers: Cameron Jerome, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie & Kevin Phillips (Birmingham) 3; Dexter Blackstock (QPR) 6

Match odds: H 10-11 A 5-2 D 11-5

Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex).

Blackpool (14) v Cardiff (7)

Tangerines boss Simon Grayson could again name an unchanged side. Grayson will assess the fitness of striker Daniel Nardiello, while midfielder Jermaine Wright and defender Stephen Crainey are out. However, Stephen McPhee (calf) is closing on a return and Zesh Rehman is available again.

Dave Jones is expected to keep faith with his Cardiff side. Mark Kennedy could start again after a solid return from his hamstring problem, but the game may to come too soon for Riccardo Scimeca (knee) and Tony Capaldi (knee).

Last season: Cardiff 3 Blackpool 1, Blackpool 0 Cardiff 1

Last five league matches: Blackpool W L W D D; Cardiff D W D L W

Top scorers: Ben Burgess (Blackpool) 3; Ross McCormack (Cardiff) 7

Match odds: H 11-8 A 13-8 D 21-10

Referee: Nigel Miller (Durham).

Charlton (17) v Ipswich (11)

On-loan Portsmouth centre-half Linvoy Primus is expected to be fit for Charlton following back trouble - should he miss out, Martin Cranie could move across from right-back, with Jose Semedo or Yassin Moutaouakil coming in. Jonathan Fortune (knee), Therry Racon (foot), Harry Arter (Achilles) are out but Izale McLeod (knee) has been pencilled in for a reserve game next week.

Town boss Jim Magilton is set to name an unchanged squad after seeing two players who came into the side against Barnsley - midfielders Owen Garvan and Ivan Campo - score. Defender Ben Thatcher (thigh) is out and Moritz Volz (hamstring) and fellow defender Pim Balkestein (groin) are also unlikely to feature.

Last season: Ipswich 2 Charlton 0, Charlton 3 Ipswich 1

Last five league matches: Charlton L W D L L; Ipswich W D D D W

Top scorers: Andy Gray (Charlton) 4; Kevin Lisbie & Jonathan Stead (Ipswich) 3

Match odds: H 5-4 A 7-4 D 11-5

Referee: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire).

Coventry (13) v Southampton (16)

Defender Elliott Ward is a big doubt and, with Ben Turner sidelined with an ankle injury, the experienced Marcus Hall is expected to fill in at the back. Leon Best is pushing for a starting place against his former club, after Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman admitted he is tempted to shake up his forward line.

Saints striker Stern John (hamstring) faces a late fitness test but captain Michael Svensson is back in full training having rested his troublesome knee and should be available but Morgan Schneiderlin (hamstring), Lee Holmes (knee) and midfielder Jason Euell (shoulder) remain long-term absentees.

Last season: Southampton 0 Coventry 0, Coventry 1 Southampton 1

Last five league matches: Coventry D D W D L; Southampton L D D W W

Top scorers: Scott Dann, Freddy Eastwood, Clinton Morrison, Robbie Simpson & Elliott Ward (Coventry) 2; David McGoldrick (Southampton) 5

Match odds: H 10-11 A 5-2 D 11-5

Referee: Michael Jones (Cheshire).

Norwich (19) v Derby (18)

On-loan striker Leroy Lita is poised to start for City. Dejan Stefanovic is suspended and Jonathan Grounds has been recalled by Middlesbrough, so Tottenham youngster Troy Archibald-Henville could make his debut at centre-back. Left-back Adam Drury and midfielder Sammy Clingan could be recalled after injury.

Derby look likely to be without Martin Albrechtsen, who has hamstring and groin problems, and could be replaced by Lewin Nyatanga. Scottish international Kris Commons is set to miss out as he continues to battle a hamstring injury, while fellow midfielder Stephen Pearson is doubtful with a knee problem.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Norwich W L W D L; Derby W D D W D

Top scorers: Arturo Lupoli (Norwich) 3; Nathan Ellington (Derby) 3

Match odds: H 23-20 A 19-10 D 11-5

Referee: Pat Miller (Bedfordshire).

Nottm Forest (24) v Crystal Palace (20)

Forest striker Robert Earnshaw has a 50-50 chance of recovering from a hamstring injury and playing. Defender Wes Morgan is in contention after a ban, while on-loan Brighton defender Joel Lynch may be handed his home debut. Lewis McGugan (thigh), Paul Anderson (thigh) and Joe Garner (knee) continue to miss out.

Midfielder Neil Danns is close to returning to the Palace squad after a groin problem. Strikers Alan Lee, James Scowcroft (both hamstring) and Calvin Andrew (knee) are still missing so on-loan West Brom frontman Craig Beattie keeps his place. Left-back Clint Hill is expected to play despite an ongoing groin problem.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Nottm Forest L L D L L; Crystal Palace W L L D W

Top scorers: Robert Earnshaw (Nottm Forest) 5; Nick Carle (Crystal Palace) 3

Match odds: H 7-5 A 8-5 D 21-10

Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire).

Plymouth (12) v Sheff Wed (5)

Argyle manager Paul Sturrock is still without defenders Gary Sawyer (hamstring) and David McNamee (calf). The versatile Jim Patterson is back from injury and striker Emile Mpenza is still looking for his first start.

Owls captain Richard Wood (groin) and Peter Gilbert (hamstring) face late fitness tests, while striker Francis Jeffers is nearing a return following a serious ankle injury. Winger Jermaine Johnson could be in contention after an ankle injury, while Wade Small (hamstring) is also in the reckoning.

Last season: Sheff Wed 1 Plymouth 1, Plymouth 1 Sheff Wed 2

Last five league matches: Plymouth L W W W D; Sheff Wed W L D W W

Top scorers: Rory Fallon & Paul Gallagher (Plymouth) 3; Etienne Esajas & Marcus Tudgay (Sheff Wed) 4

Match odds: H 11-10 A 2-1 D 11-5

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire).

Reading (3) v Burnley (4)

Royals captain James Harper is back in contention after an ankle injury but will struggle to regain a starting place. Boss Steve Coppell has no fresh injury concerns, although Marek Matejovsky (knee) Michael Duberry (calf) and club captain Graeme Murty (calf) remain absent.

Clarets boss Owen Coyle will be reluctant to make changes with his team unbeaten in nine matches. On-loan Sunderland defender Russell Anderson is out for the season with damaged knee ligaments while Ade Akinbiyi and Kevin McDonald could again miss out due to injury.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Reading L W D W W; Burnley W W D W W

Top scorers: Kevin Doyle (Reading) 8; Martin Paterson (Burnley) 7

Match odds: H 4-7 A 4-1 D 5-2

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).

Sheff Utd (6) v Bristol City (10)

Brian Howard could make his debut after his move from Barnsley but the game comes too soon for midfielder Matthew Spring (ankle). Greg Halford is a doubt with a shin injury - on-loan Southampton winger Nathan Dyer is on stand-by. David Cotterill and Lee Hendrie are available, Sun Jihai is back from a ban and James Beattie should be fit after picking up a dead leg in midweek.

City have Michael McIndoe, Louis Carey and Marvin Elliott back, while Nicky Maynard is also fit despite being withdrawn with a foot injury midway through the draw with Plymouth. Jamie McCombe remains sidelined with a broken cheekbone and Steve Brooker (Achilles) and Christian Ribeiro (knee) are also absent.

Last season: Sheff Utd 2 Bristol City 1, Bristol City 2 Sheff Utd 0

Last five league matches: Sheff Utd L D L W W; Bristol City D L W L D

Top scorers: Billy Sharp (Sheff Utd) 4; John Akinde, Steve Brooker & Michael McIndoe (Bristol City) 3

Match odds: H 19-20 A 23-10 D 9-4

Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).

Swansea (15) v Wolves (1)

Swans midfielder Ferrie Bodde is banned, Owain Tudur-Jones may replace the Dutchman in the starting XI. Tom Butler will undergo a late fitness test on a hamstring problem but midfielder Darren Pratley (ankle) remains a doubt. Winger Shaun MacDonald is approaching full fitness after a hamstring problem.

On-loan Sunderland winger Carlos Edwards is expected to start for Wolves, with Michael Kightly and Matt Jarvis ruled out by hamstring injuries. Left-back Stephen Ward is set to play despite badly bruised ribs but Chris Iwelumo (ban), Matt Hill (knee), George Elokobi (knee) and Jody Craddock (metatarsal) are out.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Swansea L D D L W; Wolves W W W W L

Top scorers: Ferrie Bodde (Swansea) 4; Chris Iwelumo (Wolves) 8

Match odds: H 13-8 A 11-8 D 21-10

Referee: Trevor Kettle (Rutland).

Watford (21) v Preston (9)

Midfielder Al Bangura is set to replace John Eustace (thigh). Captain Jay DeMerit may replace Leigh Bromby but Sam Sodje has returned to Reading with a knee problem and Grzegorz Rasiak (shoulder), Mart Poom (shoulder), Scott Loach (abdominal muscles), Lloyd Doyley (hamstring) and Jobi McAnuff (back) are out.

Callum Davidson is suspension-free and may return at the expense of on-loan Derby defender Jay McEveley. for Preston. Michael Hart (ankle) may be out for several weeks and midfielder Richard Chaplow (hamstring) could miss out again. Wayne Henderson (back), Liam Chilvers (Achilles) and Neal Trotman (hernia) are out.

Last season: Watford 0 Preston 0, Preston 1 Watford 0

Last five league matches: Watford L L D L L; Preston D W L L L

Top scorers: John-Joe O'Toole (Watford) 5; Neil Mellor (Preston) 5

Match odds: H 11-8 A 13-8 D 21-10

Referee: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire).