UK Soccer Championship Preview: Newcastle look to keep top spot

A look ahead to this weekend's Coca-cola Championship action, with Newcastle looking to hang on to the top spot in the league and Reading hoping to stay out of the relegation period.

Newcastle go into their game with Preston three points clear of rivals West Brom and five points clear of third placed Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Manager Chris Houghton could name the same side that thrashed Coventry mid-week. The Magpies have no new injury worries the only dilemma is whether to start Alan Smith. Jose Enrique and Butt are working their way back to fitness but are not in contention for the match, with Ameobi, Taylor and Barton still sidelined. Darren Ferguson could ring the changes the Preston after their 5-3 defeat against Derby on Tuesday, Neill Collins and Tom William could be replaced in defence as well as many other players. Davidson, Chaplow, Parry are all sidelined along with long term absentee Nicholson. Nottingham Forest have no new problems as they face Middlesbrough looking for a ninth straight home win. Middlesbrough have doubts over Killen and Pogatetz for the trip, O'Niel returned to the side on Tuesday and although not fully fit could be asked to continue, Arca is also pushing for a place in the starting eleven after coming off the bench. But Seb Hines and Matthew Bates still remain sidelined. Derby take on Swansea this weekend and Stephen Pearson is expected to shake off a rib injury to take part. Lee Croft and Lee Hendrie could also make the bench if required. Leacock and Davies are working their way back to fitness. Leon Britton is back in contention for the trip to Pride Park, but Beattie, Bessone, van der Gun and Serran are missing for the Swans. Cardiff are facing a race against time to have Peter Whittingham fit for their home clash with Barnsley, the defender was forced off with a groin strain against West Brom on Tuesday. Jay Bothroyd, Aaron Wildig, Gavin Rae and Darcy Blake will all be assessed as they look to get over knocks and niggles. Manager Jones is already without, McPhail, Ledley, Hudson, Comminges, Magennis and Etuhu. Barnsley also have injury worries with on-loan Trippier set to miss out with a hamstring injury, Hassell is also a doubt after suffering concussion and a broken nose. Hallfredsson, Hume and Kozluk are set to miss the clash with Shotton serving the final game of his four match ban. Plymouth defender Johnson faces a race to be fit for their clash with Leicester on Saturday, Alan Judge is set to be back in contention for Argyle, Noone is also back, but McNamee is ruled out by injury. Leicester have no new problems and could select the same starting eleven for the third straight game. Peterborough are set to start with striker Craig Mackail-Smith on the bench as the new boss sets to defend his 100% home record. Zakuani is boss Gannon's only injury worry. Marcel Seip, Chris Morgan, James Harper, Ryan France, Derek Geary and Kyle Bartley are all missing for Sheffield United, Blackwell will make late decisions over their fitness Toni Kallio, Nick Montgomery, Nyron Nosworthy, Lee Williamson and Jamie Ward may also miss out but with such a depleted squad players maybe forced to play regardless of injury. Blackpool will be without a handful of players when they host Reading at the weekend, Rob Edwards is suspended, Coid, Nardiello, Eardley and Clarke all still remain sidelined. Reading could have captain Ingimarsson back in the starting eleven after he was rested for the 3-1 win midweek, Long will be missing a he serves his four game ban, Matejovsky and Hunt are also missing due to injury. QPR will be without Leigertwood and could be without Ephraim and Bent for the visit of Doncaster, Rangers will also be missing long-term injury victims Rowalands and Mahon. Doncaster will asses the fitness of Gareth Roberts ahead of the clash, but it remains to be seen whether he will be included or not, Wood although has resumed training will not feature at Loftus Road, Shackell, Lockwood and Webster still remaine sidelined for Rovers. Crystal Palace will check midfielders Danns and Ambrose before the clash with Coventry. Danns is set to be doubtful after suffering back spasms but Warnock is confident Ambrose will be fit. Matt Lawrence and Alan Lee are expected to have recalls after their 3-1 defeat against Reading. Chris Coleman is hoping to have Freddie Eastwood and Clinton Morrison for the trip to Selhurst park after the left the field during the 4-1 defeat to Newcastle, Leon Barnett will miss the trip after being sent off against the Magpies. McPake has a good chance to pay, and David Bell could also return. New signings Freddie Sears and John Stead have made sub appearance since their arrival to Ricoh Arena and will be looking for involvement on Saturday. Scunthorpe welcome back Cliff Byrne when Watford travel to Glanford Park, Winger Gary Thompson could also return but Nigel Adkins will monitor his fitness. Andrew Wright is a doubt for the Iron after picking up and injury on on Tuesday night. Tom Cleverley returns for Watford and on-loan striker Helguson could start giving boss Mackay a fully fit squad to choose from. Sheffield are unlikely to make any changes to their squad when they host Ipswich, defender Buxton and Johnson remain sidelined for the Owls with David Wright hoping to win a recall. Daryl Murphy is set to start for Keane's side along side Counago with Healy set to be dropped to the bench. Keane's only injuries are Richard Wright and Luciano Civelli.