English - The Championship Preview...

Charlton Athletic v Reading FC

Reading boss Steve Coppell could hand a debut to new recruit David Mooney who has signed from Cork City for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old forward follows in the footsteps of current Royals forward Kevin Doyle who swapped Cork for Berkshire in 2005 and will be hoping to make a similar impact on English football. Charlton will be without midfielder Therry Racon after a mid-week X-ray confirmed the Frenchman had broken his fifth metatarsal in the 1-0 defeat to Watford last weekend. The Addicks have suffered back-to-back defeats after winning their opening game of the season and boss Alan Pardew will be desperate to get back to winning ways against his former club.

Birmingham v Barnsley

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will have to make do without Tunisia international Medhi Nafti as Blues play host to last season’s FA Cup semi-finalists Barnsley. The news that Nafti will be sidelined for two weeks with a hamstring injury, picked up in last week’s victory over Southampton, will come as a blow to McLeish who is already short of midfielders with former captain Damien Johnson still ruled out. Barnsley’s Iain Hume will miss the trip to St Andrews as he serves a one match ban while forwards Kayode Odejayi and Miguel Mostto are pushing for starting places. Simon Davey has right-back Rob Kozluk available again after he missed the 2-1 defeat to Coventry as The Tykes go in search of their first points of the season.

Ipswich v Wolves

Ipswich boss Jim Magilton had hoped to solve his striker problem by securing the services of Newcastle forward Shola Ameobi in time for Saturday’s clash with Wolves. Ameobi’s move to Portman Road has been put on hold however as a hamstring injury was detected in the 26-year-old’s medical forcing Magilton to persevere with the same front-line that beat Burnley 3-0. Wolves will head to Ipswich full of confidence following their 4-1 demolition of Sheffield Wednesday last weekend but captain Jody Craddock will not be making the trip east. The 33-year-old defender will be out of action for three months following a broken metatarsal so Mick McCarthy has handed the captaincy to Karl Henry.

Coventry v Bristol City

Coventry are sitting pretty at the top of The Championship having taken maximum points from their opening two matches and have no fresh injury concerns as they host Bristol City. Malta international forward Michael Mifsud is unlikely to play any part after his collapsed transfer to Bristol City in the summer has left him sitting on the sidelines at The Ricoh Arena. City defender Liam Fontaine is expected to return to strengthen Gary Johnson’s defensive options having missed the 1-1 draw with Derby last week. Nicky Maynard scored his first goal for The Robins against Derby since his big money move from Crewe and will continue to lead the line while Marvin Elliott is still two weeks from fitness.

Derby v Southampton

Derby boss Paul Jewell believes he has brought some much-needed flair to his side following the acquisition of 18-year-old midfielder Nacer Barazite from Arsenal. The Holland Under-19 international joins The Rams on an initial one-month loan and could be thrown straight into the match at Pride Park on Saturday as Derby look to bounce back following their relegation from The Premier League. Southampton will also have a new face on show in the shape of 19-year-old Jack Cork who joins on a one-month loan from Chelsea until January. Saints boss Jan Poortvliet has moved quickly to replace the departing Andrew Davies who secured his switch to Premier League new boys Stoke in midweek and was delighted to have snapped up the England Under-19 captain.

Blackpool v Sheffield United

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell has warned his players not to take their feet off the gas after last week’s thumping 3-0 win over QPR. Fresh from his hat-trick last weekend, Billy Sharp is sure to retain his place in The Blades’ starting line-up with Blackwell still deprived of forwards James Beattie and Jon Stead. The Blades may also be without Chris Morgan after Blackwell revealed his central defender blacked out for 25 minutes following his concussion against QPR. Blackpool boss Simon Grayson is expected to chop and change his starting line-up once more as he experiments with his new-look side following 12 new recruits in the summer.

Cardiff v Norwich

Norwich midfielder Sammy Clingan will not be making the trip to Ninian Park having picked up an ankle injury while on midweek international duty with Northern Ireland. Canaries boss Glenn Roeder is expected to push midfielder Darel Russell into attack in his search for goals having lamented his side’s lack of killer instinct in their opening games of the season. Cardiff boss Dave Jones will hand a debut to Hungarian international defender Gabor Gyepes who comes in as a replacement for the departing Glen Loovens. The 27-year-old will go straight into the heart of The Bluebirds’ defence but winger Joe Ledley remains a major injury doubt.

Nottingham Forest v Watford

Nottingham Forest boss Colin Calderwood faces an injury crisis as his troops entertain Watford on Saturday with Lewis McGugan becoming the sixth Forest player to be sidelined. Forest have scored just once in the league so far this season and Calderwood might hand a debut to veteran striker Andy Cole or give Nathan Tyson his first start of the season to bolster his attacking options. Gzregorz Rasiak came off the bench in Watford’s 1-0 victory over Charlton last Saturday and is in line for a first start since his move from Southampton after impressing manager Aidy Boothroyd. Forest came out in top the last time these two sides met in March 2005 and the visitors have a good record at Vicarage Road, with eight victories to Watford’s five.

Plymouth v Swansea

Plymouth have no new injury concerns as they place host to newly-promoted Swansea with The Pilgrims going in search of their first win of the season. Paul Sturrock may give new signing Craig Noone his first appearance following his switch from non league Southport while defender David McNamee is back in contention having recovered from a hamstring injury. Swansea have acclimatised quickly to life in The Championship and sit comfortably in mid-table so Roberto Martinez is expected to name an unchanged line-up for the trip to Home Park.

Queens Park Rangers v Doncaster

QPR will welcome back captain Martin Rowlands for Saturday’s clash with Doncaster as the midfielder has served his three-match suspension. Former West Ham forward Hogan Ephraim missed the start of the season with shin splints but could be handed a surprise start while Patrick Agyemang is also available again. Doncaster boss Sean O’Driscoll is expected to name an unchanged line up for the trip to Loftus Road as Darren Byfield remains sidelined following a hernia operation. But Brian Stock could feature for Rovers having overcome the back injury that forced him out of Wales’ midweek loss to Georgia.

Sheffield Wednesday v Preston North End

Sheffield Wednesday has bolstered his defence with the addition of Tony McMahon who joins on loan from Middlesbrough and will go straight into the starting XI against Preston. Laws will also be grateful for the timely return of Marcus Tudgay who has recovered from a thigh injury having bagged two on the opening day of the season. Preston have been boosted by the news that Callum Davidson’s knee injury is not as bad as first thought and the Scot could make the trip to Hillsborough. Matt Hill will deputise for Davidson should the full-back not recover in time.

Crystal Palace v Burnley

Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock admitted his frustration at failing to land enough quality players over the summer but believes his troops will get back to winning ways against Burnley Palace sit precariously one place above the drop zone after their first two games of the season but Warnock will be buoyed by the news that Matt Lawrence has signed a new contract. Burnley are rock bottom of The Championship after two games with no points and seven goals conceded as boss Owen Coyle continues in vain to bring new faces to the club.