Leeds v Birmingham preview

Leeds skipper Lee Peltier, Rudy Austin and Michael Tonge are all in a race to be fit for Saturday's home game with Birmingham in the Championship.

Last Updated: 26/10/12 at 15:32   

Lee Peltier: Skipper hopeful of return

Lee Peltier: Skipper hopeful of return

Defender Peltier and Austin have both had scans on respective ankle injuries and Tonge is still struggling with the shoulder injury he sustained in the recent win over Barnsley.

Austin is the least likely to make it in time, but fellow midfielders David Norris (thigh) and Paul Green (knee) returned to the starting line-up on Tuesday night following long injury lay-offs and provide manager Neil Warnock with several midfield options.

Warnock recalled defender Adam Drury and forward Luke Varney to his starting line-up against Charlton at the expense of Aidy White and Tonge, and must decide whether to retain them.

Recent loan signing Ryan Hall has been an unused substitute in Leeds' last two matches following his arrival from Southend and is pushing for his debut, but striker Ross McCormack (ankle) is still out.

Leeds are unbeaten since mid-September with three wins and three draws from their last six league games.

Birmingham's Jonathan Spector hopes to return for the trip to Leeds.

The midfielder missed Tuesday's dramatic 3-3 draw at Millwall through suspension having been sent off against Leicester last weekend, during which he also suffered a thigh problem.

Spector is now free of suspension and has also overcome the injury, with the American returning to training with his team-mates on Friday ahead of the Elland Road encounter.

Nikola Zigic, who scored four times in a 4-1 win in the corresponding fixture last season, serves the final game of his three-match ban and misses out.

Peter Lovenkrands (groin) and Pablo Ibanez (broken toe) are also sidelined, although the pair have stepped up their respective recoveries and should return next week.

Full-backs Stephen Carr (knee) and Paul Caddis (shoulder) continue to miss out with their long-term injuries.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Championship Fixtures

Monday, 27 May 2013
15:00
C Palace v Watford  

npower Championship

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Cardiff 46 27 87
2 Hull City 46 9 79
3 Watford 46 27 77
4 Brighton 46 26 75
5 C Palace 46 11 72
6 Leicester 46 23 68
7 Bolton 46 8 68
8 N Forest 46 4 67
9 Charlton 46 6 65
10 Derby 46 3 61
11 Burnley 46 2 61
12 Birmingham 46 -6 61
13 Leeds 46 -9 61
14 Ipswich 46 -13 60
15 Blackpool 46 -1 59
16 Middlesbro' 46 -9 59
17 Blackburn 46 -7 58
18 Sheff Wed 46 -8 58
19 Huddersfld 46 -20 58
20 Millwall 46 -11 56
21 Barnsley 46 -14 55
22 Peterboro 46 -9 54
23 Wolves 46 -14 51
24 Bristol C 46 -25 41

Updated Sat, 04 May 2013

Footer 365

Ferran Soriano says it's time for new era at Manchester City after Roberto Mancini sacked

Chief executive Ferran Soriano says Manchester City are 'just looking for the next cycle' after sacking Roberto Mancini.

TP disappointed to leave Stoke

Tony Pulis is disappointed to have left Stoke but understands the board's wish to take the club in a different direction.

Former Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov to take up coaching role at the club

Aston Villa have confirmed that Stiliyan Petrov will take up a coaching role with the club.

Mail Box

Mails: Jol Out And Other Demands...

You might notice that we haven't included a single mail about teams in pubs, because most of them were terrible. Instead we have a disgruntled Fulham fan and Scouse maths...

A Night In The Pub With Aston Villa...

Villa are the latest team to get the pub treatment, while the morning mailbox also includes missives on Tony Pulis leaving Stoke and Chelsea's future under Jose Mourinho...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved