Team news and stats: How Yorkshire’s clubs look ahead of the Saturday fixtures

Championship

Leeds United v Birmingham City

Team news: Chris Wood could return after the four-goal striker missed the defeat at Middlesbrough. Will Buckley is in the squad and may start following the completion of his loan move yesterday.

Last six games: Leeds United DWDLWL, Birmingham City WLDLLW.

Referee: P Tierney (Lancashire).

Last time: Leeds United 1 Birmingham City 1; January 17, 2015; Championship. Luke Murphy rescued a point with a late equaliser to announce his return from a spell in the cold at Elland Road.

Key player: Clayton Donaldson. Netted against his former club Brentford in midweek, the Bradford-born striker has played a big part in the Blues’ good start.

Talking point: Leeds’ defence was abject at the Riverside last Sunday and Uwe Rosler’s men cannot afford to be so generous again.

Nottingham Forest v Hull City

Team news: Curtis Davies and Andrew Robertson are expected to start despite suffering from knocks during the week. Jake Livermore will start against Forest after coming off the bench against Blackburn a week ago and helping inject some much-needed urgency into the Tigers. Alex Bruce is back in the squad after a groin problem.

Last six games: Nottingham Forest DLWWLD, Hull City WLWDWL.

Referee: N Miller (County Durham).

Last time: Nottingham Forest 1 Hull City 2; December 1, 2012; Championship.

Reading v Middlesbrough

Team news: Boro are still without Alex Baptiste, Damia Abella and Rhys Williams, right.

Last six games: Reading WWLWLW; Middlesbrough WWWWWW.

Referee: K Stroud (Hants),

Last time: Reading 0 Middlesbrough 0; January 10, 2015; Championship.

Sheffield Wednesday v Preston

Team news: Striker Fernando Forestieri could return after missing two games with a calf injury, while Daniel Pudil faces a late fitness check after limping off at Brentford in the first half last weekend. Jeremy Helan is suspended after his red card at Griffin Park.

Last six: Sheffield Wednesday LLDWWW Preston LLDLDD.

Referee: A Woolmer (Northants).

Last time: Sheffield Wednesday 2 Preston NE 0, March 31 2012, League One: Two second-half goals from Gary Madine gave the Owls a 2-0 victory at Hillsborough.

Opposition key man: Daniel Johnson - Preston may be in the bottom three of the Championship, but the midfielder has scored five times already this campaign. That includes netting in the last three games, including last week’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Talking point: Stevie May is one of the many strikers who has tried and failed to solve Sheffield Wednesday’s search for a striker who can deliver 20 goals a season in the Championship. He now plies his trade with today’s visitors, and the Owls are hoping Fernando Forestieri can be the man to follow in the goal-scoring feats of Gary Madine, back in League One days.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Huddersfield Town

Team news: Mark Hudson is back in the squad after four games on the sidelines with an ankle injury but Joe Murphy remains out, Chris Powell expecting the goalkeeper to be back after the international break. Loanees Jed Steer and Elliott Ward both play the final games of their initial month long spell but Powell hopes to keep the duo.

Last six games: Wolverhampton Wanderers WLDLDW, Huddersfield Town DLLWWD.

Referee: C Kavanagh (Manchester).

Last time: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Huddersfield Town 3; October 1, 2014; Championship.

League One

Doncaster Rovers v Barnsley

Team news: Interim-boss Rob Jones (hamstring) is unlikely to feature. Luke McCullough is sidelined and Gary Mackenzie suspended. Nathan Tyson and Curtis Main are on the bench, with Dany N’Guessan and Harry Forrester pushing for starts. The Reds could have Michael Smith, Conor Wilkinson and Marc Roberts in contention, after the trio all came through unscathed after 90 minutes for Under-21s.

Last six games: Doncaster DLLDLD; Barnsley LWLWDW.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire).

Key man: Sam Winnall. Four goals so far this season and very much Barnsley’s main man up top. Hit derby goals versus Sheffield United and Bradford last term. Lives in Doncaster too.

Last time: Doncaster 1 Barnsley 0; January 17, 2015.

Harry Forrester came off the bench to score a splendid late winner for Rovers against a decidedly muted Reds side who brought little to the table. Doncaster born Mason Holgate was handed a straight red card in stoppage-time for a a late challenge on Richie Wellens.

Talking point: Last-chance saloon for Rob Jones? On being asked whether he needed to win to keep his prospects of getting the full-time job alive, Jones said: ‘I want to win for Doncaster Rovers Football Club.’ Yet lingering suspicion remains that he really needs a win to stay in the race today.

Port Vale v Sheffield United

Team news: Jose Baxter, Che Adams, Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Jay McEveley could all be back in contention for Sheffield United today.

Last six: Port Vale WWLLWD Sheffield United DLLDWD.

Referee: G Salisbury (Lancs)

Last time: Port Vale 2 Sheffield United 1, December 26 2014, League One.

Rochdale v Bradford City

Team news: Ben Williams is expected to return in goal after blunders by Brad Jones in the last two games. The Australian is unlikely to be the only change as Phil Parkinson tries to turn round the club’s season. Rory McArdle has recovered from illness after missing the midweek defeat at Colchester.

Last six games: Rochdale WDLWLW; Bradford City WWDDLL.

Referee: T Harrington (Cleveland).

Last time: Rochdale 0 Bradford City 2; August 30, 2014; League One.

League Two

York City v Cambridge United

Team news: Vadaine Oliver is still out, serving the third and final game of his ban. Dave Winfield is also out after collecting a fifth booking in midweek to join Luke Summerfield and Jake Hyde on the sidelines. Michael Coulson, though, could return to the 18 for the first time this season after coming through a development game.

Last six games: York City LWDDLL, Cambridge United LLDDWL.

Referee: B Toner (Lancashire).

Last time: York City 2 Cambridge United 2; August 19, 2014; League Two.