Birmingham v Saints preview stats (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Birmingham v Saints preview stats

12:56pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Sport

Birmingham (4) v Southampton (2) Chris Hughton has received a triple boost ahead of Birmingham's clash with Southampton. Nikola Zigic injured his knee scoring his fourth goal at Leeds in midweek but Hughton hopes to have the Serbian available. Fellow striker Marlon King has recovered from a groin strain while midfielder Guirane N'Daw also returned to training on Thursday following Senegal's exit from the African Nations Cup.

Billy Sharp is set to make his Southampton debut after joining from Championship rivals Doncaster. David Connolly will drop to the bench if Sharp is drafted into the starting line-up alongside top scorer Rickie Lambert. Boss Nigel Adkins has a few injury concerns with defender Jos Hooiveld, winger Steve de Ridder (both hamstring) and midfielders Guly do Prado (thigh) and Richard Chaplow (knee) all carrying knocks.

Last season: No corresponding fixture Last five league matches: Birmingham D W W W W; Southampton L L W L D Top scorers (all competitions): Marlon King (Birmingham) 11; Rickie Lambert (Southampton) 19 Match odds: H 11-10 A 21-10 D 21-10 Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside) Brighton (11) v Leicester (13) Kazenga LuaLua and Mauricio Taricco are fit after both recovering from hamstring injuries, but Craig Noone has the same problem and will face a late fitness test. Defenders Joe Mattock and Gonzalo Jara-Reyes should be involved after joining on loan, while striker Sam Vokes could make his full debut following a substitute appearance at Crystal Palace in midweek.

Ben Marshall will be available to Leicester manager Nigel Pearson. Marshall moved to the King Power Stadium on deadline day, but the winger's registration did not come through in time for him to play against Middlesbrough on Wednesday. Fellow new signing Wes Morgan was an unused substitute in midweek.

Last season: No corresponding fixture Last five league matches: Brighton L W W W D; Leicester D W L W D Top scorers (all competitions): Ashley Barnes (Brighton) 9; David Nugent (Leicester) 10 Match odds: H 7-4 A 13-10 D 21-10 Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire) Bristol City (20) v Leeds (10) Bristol City will be without the suspended Louis Carey against Leeds following his dismissal at Reading. However, manager Derek McInnes has been buoyed by the return to training of Marvin Elliott (hamstring) and Liam Fontaine (knee) and both could feature on Saturday. Striker David Clarkson is out for the rest of the season after suffering an ankle fracture.

Leeds could hand debuts to Adam Smith and Robbie Rogers as caretaker-manager Neil Redfearn takes charge of his first game. United States international winger Rogers has had to wait for his first appearance due to delays over paperwork, while Tottenham defender Smith, a deadline-day loan signing, is also in contention. Paddy Kisnorbo remains sidelined with a season-ending knee injury, while Andy O'Brien has only this week returned to training after receiving treatment for depression.

Last season: Bristol City 0 Leeds 2, Leeds 3 Bristol City 1 Last five league matches: Bristol City W W L W L; Leeds L W D W L Top scorers (all competitions): Albert Adomah (Bristol City) 8; Ross McCormack (Leeds) 14 Match odds: H 13-10 A 7-4 D 21-10 Referee: James Linington (Isle of Wight) Burnley (9) v Peterborough (17) Burnley winger Keith Treacy faces a late fitness test on a back injury before the visit of Peterborough. Martin Paterson is stepping up his recovery but is expected to sit out along with fellow hamstring victim Junior Stanislas. Danny Ings (knee) will not be risked as he looks to build match fitness, while new signing Danny Lafferty is doing likewise following his move from Irish side Derry City.

Ryan Bennett will remain part of Peterborough's starting XI despite signing for Norwich this week. The England Under-21 international defender has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal but the Canaries have allowed him to remain at London Road on an emergency loan until the end of this month. Long-term absentee David Hibbert aside, manager Darren Ferguson has a full squad to choose from after captain Grant McCann, fellow midfielder Lee Frecklington and forward George Boyd returned from injury to start against Portsmouth last weekend.

Last season: No corresponding fixture Last five league matches: Burnley W L W D W; Peterborough D D L L L Top scorers (all competitions): Jay Rodriguez (Burnley) 16; Grant McCann (Peterborough) 8 Match odds: H 13-20 A 17-5 D 5-2 Referee: Colin Webster (Tyne & Wear) Cardiff (3) v Blackpool (7) Cardiff manager Malky Mackay may be able to call on Mark Hudson for the visit of Blackpool. Hudson missed the last two games with a groin strain, but could return to action. Full-back Kevin McNaughton is likely to keep his place in defence after starting ahead of Darcy Blake against Southampton in midweek, while strikers Joe Mason and Rudy Gestede are both aiming for recalls.

Liverpool loanee Danny Wilson and Neal Eardley could both feature in defence for Blackpool as centre-back Ian Evatt serves the first game of a two-match suspension for collecting 10 bookings. Midfielder Keith Southern remains a doubt with a gashed ankle.

Last season: No corresponding fixture Last five league matches: Cardiff W W D W D; Blackpool L W D W W Top scorers (all competitions): Kenny Miller (Cardiff) 10; Kevin Phillips (Blackpool) 10 Match odds: H 3-4 A 14-5 D 5-2 Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire) Coventry (24) v Ipswich (19) Midfielder Oliver Norwood comes into the reckoning for his Coventry debut at home to Ipswich after joining on loan from Manchester United. Full-back Hermann Hreidarsson dislocated his shoulder prior to his unfortunate role in Blackpool's equaliser in midweek and faces a late assessment. Midfielder Conor Thomas (adductor) is unlikely to feature. Defender Chris Hussey (ankle) is set to return to training next week while Cody McDonald (knee) continues to miss out.

Paul Jewell will be hard pushed to make any changes to his Ipswich side after the 5-1 win over league leaders West Ham in midweek. Jewell has no new injury or suspension concerns to contend with, leaving midfielder Lee Bowyer (groin) as the only absentee. Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy is available after a one-match suspension but Arran Lee-Barrett is set to keep his place between the sticks.

Last season: Coventry 1 Ipswich 1, Ipswich 1 Coventry 2 Last five league matches: Coventry W L L W L; Ipswich L L D L W Top scorers (all competitions): Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) 4; Michael Chopra (Ipswich) 8 Match odds: H 13-10 A 7-4 D 21-10 Referee: Nigel Miller (Durham) Doncaster (22) v Reading (8) Doncaster manager Dean Saunders could name an unchanged side after El-Hadji Diouf committed himself to the club. That means Diouf should retain his wide position against the Royals, with Habib Bamogo and James Hayter continuing in attack following the sale of Billy Sharp to Southampton. James Coppinger is facing six weeks on the sidelines with a broken cheekbone and Adam Lockwood will remain in the heart of defence as Habib Beye continues a three-match ban.

Reading manager Brian McDermott is sweating over the fitness of several key first-team players. Midfielder Mikele Leigertwood has been recovering from a thigh injury which kept him out of the 1-0 victory over Bristol City, while Jimmy Kebe missed the same match with a knee problem. Defender Matthew Connolly could make his debut after joining on loan from QPR, but forward Mathieu Manset is doubtful after tweaking his hamstring in a reserve-team match.

Last season: Doncaster 0 Reading 3, Reading 4 Doncaster 3 Last five league matches: Doncaster L W D L D; Reading W L W L W Top scorers (all competitions): James Hayter (Doncaster) 4; Simon Church & Adam Le Fondre (Reading) 6 Match odds: H 12-5 A 1-1 D 21-10 Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire) Middlesbrough (5) v Crystal Palace (15) Middlesbrough will be without striker Scott McDonald after the Australian suffered a medial knee ligament injury in the 2-2 draw at Leicester. Top scorer Marvin Emnes suffered a slight hamstring strain in the same game but boss Tony Mowbray is hopeful the Dutchman will be fit. Goalkeeper Jason Steele (wrist) played through the pain barrier against the Foxes and will keep his place with rookie Connor Ripley on the bench as back-up in the absence of Danny Coyne (calf). Julio Arca serves the final game of a three-match ban.

Crystal Palace welcome back captain Paddy McCarthy after suspension for the trip to Middlesbrough. Paul McShane has extended his loan deal from Hull until the end of the season but could make way if McCarthy returns to the starting XI. Left-back Dean Moxey is fit after a spell out with a knee injury but midfielder Jonathan Williams is still recovering from the broken leg he suffered in November.

Last season: Crystal Palace 1 Middlesbrough 0, Middlesbrough 2 Crystal Palace 1 Last five league matches: Middlesbrough D L L L D; Crystal Palace W L D L D Top scorers (all competitions): Marvin Emnes (Middlesbrough) 11; Glenn Murray (Crystal Palace) 6 Match odds: H 13-20 A 15-4 D 23-10 Referee: Mark Heywood (Cheshire) Portsmouth (16) v Hull (6) Portsmouth will still be without David Norris when they host Hull as the midfielder serves the final game of his three-match ban. Norris used the enforced break to undergo hernia surgery and is also expected to miss Tuesday's trip to Birmingham. Defender Aaron Mokoena will be assessed after missing last week's 3-0 win at Peterborough with a hamstring strain and striker Luke Varney (knee) is expected to miss out again.

Hull midfielder Robbie Brady will return to the squad following a head injury suffered during the FA Cup defeat to Crawley. Manager Nick Barmby, who has no new injury or suspension problems, must decide whether to retain Matty Fryatt and Aaron Mclean up front or recall striker Josh King, who dropped to the bench against Doncaster after making his first start against Crawley.

Last season: Portsmouth 2 Hull 3, Hull 1 Portsmouth 2 Last five league matches: Portsmouth D W L L W; Hull L L W W D Top scorers (all competitions): Luke Varney, Erik Huseklepp & David Norris (Portsmouth) 5; Robert Koren & Matt Fryatt (Hull) 8 Match odds: H 11-8 A 13-8 D 21-10 Referee: Darren Sheldrake (Surrey) Watford (18) v Barnsley (14) Watford boss Sean Dyche is expected to stick with the same side which beat Millwall on Tuesday for the visit of Barnsley. Dyche has no new injury or suspension problems while defender Martin Taylor (broken toe) and midfielder Stephen McGinn (knee) are continuing their recoveries from lengthy absences.

Barnsley manager Keith Hill will add new signing Scott Golbourne to his squad for the clash at Watford. Hill has signed from Exeter and could make his debut, but Hill must wait a little longer for the services of another new signing, midfielder Stephen Dawson, who has an ankle injury. Recent loan signings Michael Tonge and Korey Smith are hoping to retain their places following impressive midweek debuts.

Last season: Watford 1 Barnsley 0, Barnsley 0 Watford 0 Last five league matches: Watford W L L L W; Barnsley W L W L W Top scorers (all competitions): Marvin Sordell (Watford) 10; Ricardo Vaz Te (Barnsley) 12 Match odds: H 11-10 A 21-10 D 21-10 Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire) West Ham (1) v Millwall (21) Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te are in line to make their West Ham debuts against Millwall. Striker Maynard and winger Vaz Te joined the Hammers on Tuesday and will be in the squad, but boss Sam Allardyce has hinted another arrival, young midfielder Ravel Morrison, may have to bide his time. American defender George John could also be involved for the first time since joining from FC Dallas, while midfielder Papa Bouba Diop will be assessed after missing the 5-1 thrashing at Ipswich with a thigh problem.

Republic of Ireland striker Andy Keogh goes straight into the Millwall squad after joining on transfer deadline day from Wolves and could partner top scorer Darius Henderson in attack. The Lions could also be boosted by the return of skipper Paul Robinson, who has missed the last three matches with a thigh problem, while fellow defender Jordan Stewart has resumed training after a groin injury.

Last season: No corresponding fixture Last five league matches: West Ham L W W W L; Millwall L L L W L Top scorers (all competitions): Carlton Cole (West Ham) 8; Darius Henderson (Millwall) 16 Match odds: H 4-7 A 4-1 D 5-2 Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire) Sunday, February 5 Derby (12) v Nottm Forest (23) Derby's Nathan Tyson could start against his former club Nottingham Forest after twice featuring as a substitute following a groin injury. Leading scorer Theo Robinson remains a doubt after missing the last two matches with a calf injury, but Paul Green will return to the squad after transfer deadline day passed without the midfielder leaving the club. Recent loan signings Ryan Noble and Tom Carroll could make their home debuts.

Forest are boosted by the return of captain Luke Chambers following a three-match ban and he will go straight back into the heart of the defence. He could be partnered by either Danny Higginbotham or Scott Wootton, both of whom have moved to the City Ground on season-long loan deals from Stoke and Manchester United respectively. Manager Steve Cotterill also has the option to recall midfielder Andy Reid and strikers Marlon Harewood, Marcus Tudgay and Dexter Blackstock.

Last season: Derby 0 Nottm Forest 1, Nottm Forest 5 Derby 2 Last five league matches: Derby W W W D L; Nottm Forest L W L L L Top scorers: Theo Robinson (Derby) 8; Marcus Tudgay (Nottm Forest) 6 Match odds: H 21-20 A 9-4 D 21-10 Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex)