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TEAM news ahead of the Championship matches taking place this weekend.

Southampton v Leeds

Championship newcomers Southampton will check on teenage star Alex Chamberlain ahead of kick-off following an ankle scare in the friendly against West Brom. Skipper Dean Hammond is available after illness in an otherwise fit squad that should include two summer signings in Jack Cork and Steve de Ridder.

Darren O'Dea will go straight into the Leeds squad after agreeing a season-long loan from Celtic but faces plenty of competition in defence. Patrick Kisnorbo is in contention again after missing last season with a ruptured Achilles tendon, as is Andy O'Brien (side strain). Luciano Becchio (hamstring) and Davide Somma (cruciate ligaments) are out so Billy Paynter and Ross McCormack are expected to start up front. Summer signing Michael Brown is hoping to make his debut in midfield.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Match odds: H 13-10 A 11-5 D 11-5
Referee: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire).

Brighton v Doncaster

Will Hoskins should be in the Brighton squad for the first competitive match at the new Amex Stadium. The former Bristol Rovers striker has beaten a hip injury but may have to settle for a place on the bench behind Ashley Barnes and Craig Mackhail-Smith. Defenders Tommy Elphick (Achilles) and Adam El-Abd (foot) remain sidelined, while winger Will Buckley and full-back Romain Vincelot are eyeing debuts.

Doncaster boss Sean O'Driscoll could hand a debut to winger Giles Barnes after his free transfer this week, while fellow new recruits Tommy Spurr, Kyle Bennett, James Baxendale, Richard Naylor and Chris Brown could also feature. Rovers have a lengthy injury list, with James O'Connor, James Chambers, Martin Woods, Brian Stock, Adam Lockwood, Shelton Martis and Mark Wilson out.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Match odds: H 10-11 A 16-5 D 23-10
Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).

Bristol City v Ipswich

Jamie McAllister's thigh injury could keep him out of a Bristol City side that already has concerns over the fitness of Damion Stewart and Christian Ribeiro. Jordan Spence, back on a season's loan from West Ham, will start.

Ipswich boss Paul Jewell has a fully-fit squad to choose from, with goalkeeper David Stockdale, defenders Ivar Ingimarsson and Aaron Cresswell, midfielder Lee Bowyer, and forwards Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Michael Chopra and Nathan Ellington vying to make their debuts.

Last season: Bristol City 0 Ipswich 1, Ipswich 2 Bristol City 0
Match odds: H 6-4 A 2-1 D 2-1
Referee: Mark Haywood (W Yorkshire).

Burnley v Watford

Burnley boss Eddie Howe has new signings Jon Stewart and Keith Treacy at his disposal, while Manchester City loan pair Ben Mee and Kieran Trippier are also likely to feature. They must fill holes created by the departure of Chris Eagles, Tyrone Mears, Clarke Carlisle but Martin Paterson could feature after the club rejected Portsmouth's advances.

Iwelumo is set to debut for Watford against his former side after beating a hamstring strain. Mark Yeates, David Mirfin, Carl Dickinson, Prince Buaben, Craig Forsyth and Tom James are also available in squad that is only missing Steve McGinn (knee).

Last season: Watford 1 Burnley 3, Burnley 3 Watford 2
Match odds: H 21-20 A 13-5 D 23-10
Referee: Mark Brown (East Yorkshire).

Coventry v Leicester

Coventry will be without Freddy Eastwood (hamstring) and Ben Turner (knee) for the visit of promotion favourites and local rivals Leicester. Late fitness tests are planned on Gary Deegan, Clive Platt and Jordan Clarke, who have been struggling with knocks. Goalkeeper Joe Murphy will replace departed number one Kieren Westwood.

Sven-Goran Eriksson begins his first full season as Foxes manager with a full squad to choose from. The Swede has made 10 summer signings, with Kasper Schmeichel, Lee Peltier, Matt Mills, Paul Konchesky, Neil Danns, David Nugent, Sean St. Ledger and Michael Johnson all fit and available. Gelson Fernandes and John Pantsil should also feature if they receive clearance in time.

Last season: Leicester 1 Coventry 1, Coventry 1 Leicester 1
Top scorers: N/A
Match odds: H 13-5 A 11-10 D 11-10
Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire).

Derby v Birmingham

Nathan Tyson is a major doubt for the Rams' after limping out of their final warm-up match with a groin complaint. Conor Doyle was another casualty of that match with Aston Villa, adding to an injury list that already included Gareth Roberts, Shaun Barker, Paul Green and Jake Buxton against Villa. Jamie Ward and Stephen Pearson AND Kevin Kilbane is hoping to earn a debut.

Blues have a striker shortage, with three front men - Marlon King (knee), Nikola Zigic (groin) and Cameron Jerome (ankle) - all out and Adam Rooney left to lead the line. Scott Dann and Liam Ridgewell should both start in defence despite continued speculation over their futures, with Chris Burke, Boaz Myhill, Steven Caldwell, Jonathan Spector and Morgaro Gomis all looking to make their bows.

Last season: No corresponding fixture Top scorers: N/A Match odds: H 9-5 A 8-5 D 21-10 Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

Middlesbrough v Portsmouth

On-loan goalkeeper Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme is in line to replace the unfit Luke Steele for Boro, while there are also question marks over Joe Bennett and Andy Halliday. Midfielder Kevin Thomson is a definite absentee as he recovers from ankle and leg surgery but striker Curtis Main is hoping to make his debut.

Pompey striker Dave Kitson will be handed a late fitness test on his thigh injury, leaving Kanu and new boy Luke Varney in attack. Jason Pearce must wait to make his debut as he is suspended after being sent off playing for Bournemouth last season. Tal Ben Haim is back in the squad after falling out of favour last term.

Last season: Portsmouth 0 Middlesbrough 0, Middlesbrough 2 Portsmouth 2 Match odds: H 11-10 A 13-5 D 11-5 Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire).

Nottm Forest v Barnsley

Summer signings Jonathan Greening and George Boateng are set for their Forest debuts, while the returning Andy Reid is poised to make his first league appearance for the Reds in more than six years. Midfielder Chris Cohen is expected to fill-in at left-back, while long-term injuries Dexter Blackstock and Garath McCleary are the only players unavailable to new manager Steve McClaren.

Barnsley manager Keith Hill has virtually a full-strength squad to choose from, although Andy Gray remains on the sidelines with a long-standing hip problem. Among several new signings are midfielders Matt Done and David Perkins, striker Craig Davies, defenders Miles Addison, Jim McNulty, Scott Wisemen and Rob Edwards and winger Ricardo Vaz Te. All are fit for selection.

Last season: Nottm Forest 2 Barnsley 2, Barnsley 3 Nottm Forest 1 Match odds: H 7-10 A 9-2 D 12-5 Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne & Wear).

Peterborough v Crystal Palace

Long-term knee injury victims Joe Lewis and Dave Hibbert are the play-off winners' only confirmed absentees. Left-back Grant Basey has recovered from a knee problem of his own and the left-back will be in the squad, while striker David Ball has been given the all clear despite hobbling out of a friendly at Gillingham last weekend.

Andrew Davies and Ryan McGivern are in line to make their Palace bows after securing one-month loan deals. They will provide cover for the injured Nathaniel Clyne (foot) and the suspended Dean Moxey (three-game ban). Summer signing Glenn Murray will start in attack while Freedman will also add new midfielders Mile Jedinak and Jonathan Parr to his squad.

Last season: No corresponding fixture Match odds: H 13-10 A 21-10 D 9-4 Referee: James Linington (Isle of Wight).

Reading v Millwall

Royals midfielder Mikele Leigertwood and striker Simon Church are hoping to prove their fitness after pre-season injuries. Jay Tabb is suspended for the first of two matches after his play-off final red card.

Millwall pair Paul Robinson and Liam Trotter are hoping to be passed fit after battling knee and thigh problems over the summer and goalkeeper David Forde has been given the green light after ankle trouble. Therry Racon, Darius Henderson and Jordan Stewart are awaiting debuts but Shaun Batt is out with cruciate ligament damage.

Last season: Reading 2 Millwall 1, Millwall 0 Reading 0 Match odds: H 19-20 A 16-5 D 11-5 Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire).

West Ham v Cardiff

Kevin Nolan will captain the Hammers on his competitive debut for the club, who are also set to include summer additions Matt Taylor and Joey O'Brien. A fourth newcomer, defender Abdoulaye Faye, has a hamstring problem. Goalkeeper Robert Green, midfielder Scott Parker and striker Carlton Cole are all expected to start despite being linked with transfers. Gary O'Neil and Jordan Brown (both ankle) are absent.

Cardiff are set to unveil a new-look side under Malky Mackay, with a handful of close-season signings awaiting the call. Kenny Miller, Aron Gunnarsson, Craig Conway and Andrew Taylor are in the frame, while Robert Earnshaw is back at the club for a second spell. Stephen McPhail and Paul Quinn are missing with a virus.

Last season: No corresponding fixture Match odds: H 5-6 A 7-2 D 23-10 Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).