BARNSLEY vs MIDDLESBROUGHBarnsley manager Keith Hill has a few injury concerns ahead of this evenings game against Middlesbrough. Goalkeeper Luke Steele who missed the Southampton game on Saturday is still struggling to be fit in time for the game at Oakwell; "He's going to have a fitness test. It's unlikely but we'll give him the best opportunity to be fit. But it's not a short-term fix I'm looking for. I want to make sure he's 100% fit for the longevity of the season."
Stephen Foster was also missing from Saturday's game, "We're just looking at him today to see if he's responded to the food he's taken on and the liquids. It's an evaluation of the next 24 hours to see if he's available for tomorrow. Ricardo Vaz Te - he's a concern for tomorrow night. He's got a small tear to his thigh muscle. It's worth taking him out for the long-term prospects of him playing. It might mean he misses a week for him to regain full fitness."
In the pre match press conference Hill also commented on what he expects from his players over the course of the season, "It's very difficult but I do believe the players will be successful. I know they can meet the demands of the game. As soon as it starts clicking into place in league football then it'll be a lot easier to be sat in front of the press trying to explain what will happen. The players have got to replicate what I expect from them, then I won't have to do so much talking because I can talk and talk and talk because I love the game! But it's about the players performing and if they don't perform, ultimately, I'll be accountable."
Middlesbrough have two long term absentees due to injury, Merouane Zemmama and Kevin Thompson will not feature in tonights game as they are suffering from hip and ankle injuries respectively. Tony McMahon will also miss the game at Barnsley because of a one match ban, a result of a red card during 'Boro's game in Leeds at the weekend. Defender, Justin Hoyte may feature tonight but has not trained since the Leeds game because of a calf strain.
DONCASTER ROVERS vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll offered his thoughts on tonights opponents, Nottingham Forest in his pre match press conference, "They've invested in a top class manager in Steve McClaren, like everything else it needs time, chopping and changing managers to get where you want to get doesn't work. They've been really close on the last two occasions to giving themselves a chance of getting into the Premier division, they're not going to be far away at the end of this season either."
There's been some good news this week for Doncaster fans on the injury front, Paul Keegan and Mark Wilson have returned to full time training, although neither will feature in the game this evening, and O'Driscoll expects Brian Stock and Shelton Martis to follow suit in the coming days.
Nottingham Forest have a new strike force in the form of Matt Derbyshire and Ishmael Miller, both players signed up this week and will be chomping at the bit to feature in the game at The Keepmoat tonight. Steve McClaren still has doubts over the fitness of Paul Anderson who missed the game at Millwall on Saturday, while long term absentees Dexter Blackstock and Gareth McCleary are still a long way from a return to the first team.
IPSWICH vs SOUTHAMPTON
Lee Martin and Invar Ingimarsson are the only injury concerns for Paul Jewell ahead of tonights match against Southampton. Martin is expected to play after suffering a slight muscle strain at the weekend. Ingimarsson however looks set to be on the sidelines again after an injury in training.
Ipswich suffered defat at the hands of Hull City on Saturday and in light of that Jewell is looking to alter his teams lineup, "I think possibly we might have to look at changing the formation. We have to be careful not to put too much onus on Michael Chopra. I think we have got the best striker in the division, certainly one of the best strikers, and we can’t expect him to do it on his own.”
Southampton gaffer, Nigel Adkins has been discussing his relationship with Paul Jewell, "Me and Paul Jewell are the same age. We were schoolboys at Liverpool together and we played in the same team at Wigan, so I have known him for a long time. He has done fantastically in management, what he has done is top drawer and he now has an opportunity to go and do it again. He has had teams promoted from the Championship and stayed in the Premier League and done well there too, so Ipswich have a manager who will give them every opportunity to get back there. They are a big football club and as I have said there are a lot of clubs with aspirations of getting into the Premier League."
Danny Fox is set to make his debut for the Saints while Richard Chaplow starts a three match ban after being shown red against Barnsley at the weekend.
LEEDS vs HULL
Leeds will be hoping to get some points on the board in tonights game with Hull, after losing their previous two league games Leeds find themselves second bottom in the Championship. Simon Grayson said, "It's a derby of sorts and has a bit more spice about it. They won at Ipswich on Saturday and we know it'll be tough. We had two competitive games against them last season, but we know what we are capable of doing. We're looking for our first win and we're chomping at the bit to get that. Nigel will have them well organised and set-up, but they can play as well. Matty Fryatt is a threat, he has a great record wherever he's played. The other players such as Adebola and Simpson, and the wide players they have are all good players."
Leeds' new acquisition, Andy Keogh will go straight into this evenings squad as they struggle with the losses of Luciano Becchio, Max Gradel, Davide Somma, Billy Paynter and captain Jonny Howson.
Hull loanee, Robbie Brady is in a confident mood ahead of the Leeds game, "It's a game I've been looking at ever since I saw it on the fixture list. It's a big game for all of us and it's one that we can't wait for. We know it's an important game for the games, but it's important to us as players as well and hopefully we can get a win tonight. We're going there confident after the win at Ipswich and that was a great three points for us."
Nigel Pearson has no injury worries for tonights game and is expected to stick with the same team that secured 3 points at Ipswich on Saturday. Assistant manager, Craig Shakespeare said, "There's a few aches and pains and niggles, but they all reported in [on Sunday]. They'll train again and there are a couple who might just do a bit less, but we'll wait and see how they are on Tuesday morning."
PORTSMOUTH vs READING
Aaron Mokoena is hoping for a big performance from Pompey tonight, "We cannot lose games at home as it is unacceptable. On Tuesday we play against a big side and we need to bounce back. The boys need to prove a point and give something to these fans now before it becomes too late. I’m sure we’ll bounce back; we’ve just got to believe in ourselves. We need to win it and that’s the point right there: we just need to win."
Benjani, who resigned for Portsmouth at the weekend will be looking at making his second debut for the south coast club, Dave Kitson is another player who will be expecting a start after coming off the bench in the defeat to Brighton on Saturday. Summer signing Jason Pearce should also come straight into the team after missing the first few games of the season due to suspension.
Reading boss Brian McDermott is looking forward to a good performance from his team after a great performance against Leicester last time out, "That was a game we wanted to win, we performed well on the day and now we move on. I said yesterday we have to leave it behind us. Last year we learned so much, both personally and the players, that this League is a mentality thing, you look at every game individually, get your tactics right, the lads carry the tactics out and we try to win."
Shaun Cummings and Jay Tabb may return for the Royals.
WATFORD vs WEST HAM
Watford manager, Sean Dyche has a near fully fit squad with Stephen McGinn the clubs only long term injury concern. Since the weekends game with Derby two of Watford's youngsters have departed on loan, Michael Bryan has joined up with League Two's, Bradford City while Jonathan Bond is now part of the Brackley Town squad.
Dyche looks forward to the game with the Hammers tonight, "West Ham have got very good players, no question there. They've made a statement of intent with some of their signings and Sam Allardyce is no doubt tweaking things to his liking as the weeks go on. It's a game to look forward to, for definite. But we must focus on ourselves and we've been preparing properly. It's a big game, but no bigger an ask than going out there against another side looking to take all the points. I think the crowd could see the lads giving everything on Saturday and rest assured that'll be the case against West Ham. With a good atmosphere, there's no reason for us to home in on thinking about anything other than victory."
West Ham's assistant boss, Neil McDonald is looking to his Hammers charges to record back to back wins tonight, "We have hopefully laid the ghost to rest with the away form but we have another tough one coming up. The boys are really looking forward to it after the good win at Doncaster. We will be looking on to carry the good form. We just have to find the balance between playing some good football, scoring goals and keeping clean sheets and that is what we aim to do in the majority of games."
The Hammers have no injury concerns for the Watford game, with a full squad to select from.
CRYSTAL PALACE vs COVENTRY
Palace midfielder, Darren Ambrose limped off in their win against Burnley on Saturday and manager, Dougie Freedman will be hoping he can make a swift return to the fold, "He possibly could be back for Tuesday night but that could be me wishing more than it’s going to happen. He is up and running so we’ll have to wait and see.” There are also concerns over the fitness of Glenn Murray who is suffering from an ankle problem, Dean Moxey is still serving his match suspension and will not feature tonight.
Andy Thorn has concerns over some of his players ahead of the game with Crystal Palace, "We picked up some knocks on Saturday and we've got a couple who could be struggling. It's not exactly what you want three games into the season but the lads were bright and buzzing in training and we're all looking forward to the game. All you can ask of anybody is that they play to the best of their ability and that's what the boys gave me on Saturday."
Coventry will be hoping to improve on their previous two league games, both which have ended with a 1–0 reverse.
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