Championship preview: Boro to welcome back O'Neil as Commons leads Rams attack

But this game is likely to come too soon for midfielder Kevin Thomson, while Jonathan Franks (herniated disc), Willo Flood (knee), Rhys Williams (pelvis) and Matt Kilgallon (back) remain in the treatment room.

Coventry chief Aidy Boothroyd has no new injury or suspension problems.

Midfielder Sammy Clingan (knee) is progressing and could return by the end of December while central defender Ben Turner (also knee) is looking towards January before he plays again.

David Marshall will make his first Cardiff start for two-and-a-half months at home to Preston, with regular No 1 Tom Heaton on crutches having this week picked up a ligament injury. Defender Paul Quinn (also ligament damage) and Chris Riggott (match fitness) remain unavailable to manager Dave Jones.

Preston chief Darren Ferguson may be reluctant to make changes, although captain Callum Davidson is available again after a groin injury.

Derby will have leading scorer Kris Commons back at home to fellow play-off side Norwich after a sickness bug.

James Bailey and Dean Moxey have also been struggling and John Brayford was under the weather before the game at Burnley.

Norwich midfielder Andrew Surman will not play again in 2010 after suffering a recurrence of a knee problem which had kept him out for three months.

Ipswich will be able to call on their four loanees for the televised game with Swansea. Jack Colback, Rory Fallon, Jake Livermore and Gianni Zuiverloon missed Wednesday night's Carling Cup quarter-final victory over West Brom as they were cup-tied, but manager Roy Keane will welcome them back into the squad along with Damien Delaney, who was suspended.