Saturday Aug 12

Barnsley v Norwich

Barnsley boss Dave Bassett is poised to introduce three new players into the squad after being forced to shuffle his pack following a summer exodus. Carl Regan, Mitch Ward and Lee Jones come in after Craig Hignett, John Curtis, Georgi Hristov and Nicky Eaden quit the club in the wake of their play-off final defeat against Ipswich at Wembley.

Norwich captain Matt Jackson is doubtful for the opening game of the season. Jackson, a recent target for Sheffield Wednesday, missed most of the Canaries' pre-season campaign and he is joined on the treatment table by Cedric Anselin and Paul Dalglish. The pair have both had hernia operations and are likely to be missing for the next six weeks. New signing Steen Nedergaard is also out of the trip to Oakwell with a foot injury, but Phil Mulryne and Paul McVeigh should feature.

Last season: Barnsley 2 Norwich 1, Norwich 2 Barnsley 2

Last five league matches: Barnsley W L W L L, Norwich W D L W L

Ref: Phil Richards (Preston)

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Saturday Aug 12

Blackburn v Crystal Palace

New signing Craig Hignett is struggling with an Achilles injury and is unlikely to be risked as title favourites Blackburn kick off their campaign. With Egil Ostenstadt up for sale and Ashley Ward on his way to Everton or Bradford, Nathan Blake looks likely to partner Matt Jansen in attack. Rovers boss Graeme Souness is definitely without last season's captain and top scorer Lee Carsley, who starts a three-match ban.

New Palace boss Alan Smith has veteran defender Neil Ruddock set for his debut after joining from West Ham while striker Mikael Forsell has returned on loan from Chelsea. Palace were also hoping to tie up the signing of midfielder Jamie Pollock from Manchester City.

Last season: Crystal Palace 2 Blackburn 1, Blackburn 1 Crystal Palace 1

Last five league matches: Blackburn D D D L L, Crystal Palace D L L W W

Ref: Clive Wilkes (Gloucester)

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Saturday Aug 12

Bolton v Burnley

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce faces a selection headache as he battles against injuries and suspensions. Mike Whitlow and Robbie Elliott are suspended - a hangover from the explosive play-off clash with Ipswich - while Dean Holdsworth, Jimmy Phillips, Ricardo Gardner and Dean Holden are all injured. Midfielder Per Frandsen is set for his second 'debut' after returning from Blackburn while defender Mark Fish, who needed five stitches in an eye injury following a friendly at Bury, is expected to be available.

Burnley striker Andy Payton looks set to miss the short trip due to a foot injury. He fractured a toe in pre-season training and is highly doubtful for the Clarets' visit to the Reebok Stadium. Former Luton striker Phil Gray could stand in, while there should be debuts for two other new faces, Kevin Ball and Lee Briscoe.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Bolton W W W D D, Burnley L W W W W

Ref: Bill Burns (Scarborough)

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Saturday Aug 12

Fulham v Crewe

Fulham manager Jean Tigana is sweating over the fitness of hitman Karlheinz Riedle (shoulder) as he prepares to make his bow in English football. The former German international will be given a late fitness test. Defender Simon Morgan is still recovering from a knee injury while new signing Louis Saha has an ankle injury.

Crewe defender David Walton is unavailable for the trip to London as he has a groin strain but manager Dario Gradi will be picking from an otherwise fully fit squad.

Last season: Crewe 1 Fulham 1, Fulham 3 Crewe 0

Last five league matches: Fulham W L D L W, Crewe W W D L W

Ref: Rob Styles (Waterlooville)

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Saturday Aug 12

Gillingham v Stockport

Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler could hand debuts to Paul Shaw (a £450,000 signing from Millwall), Marlon King (£250,000 from Barnet) and Chris Hope (£250,000 from Scunthorpe) as he takes over from Peter Taylor, who took charge of Leicester after guiding the Gills to promotion via the play-offs.

Stockport travel south with a lengthy injury list. Goalkeeper Carlo Nash broke his thumb last week and is out after an operation, Jim Gannon is on his way back from a cruciate knee ligament injury and Keith Briggs must sit out the opening fixture with an ankle problem.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Gillingham W L L W D, Stockport L L W W L

Ref: David Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill)

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Saturday Aug 12

Grimsby v Preston

Grimsby boss Alan Buckley is set to name new signing Michael Jeffrey in his starting line-up. Buckley's preparations have been hit by a number of injuries to key players and striker Jeffrey, who only made the switch to Blundell Park from Kilmarnock on Wednesday afternoon, is favourite to land one of the forward berths. Peter Handyside (groin), Tony Gallimore (knee), Richard Smith (back) and Wayne Burnett (groin) are missing for the Mariners.

Second Division champions Preston will be without the services of defender Michael Jackson for the season opener as he begins a three-match suspension. They will also be missing defender Ryan Kidd, who is not likely to be available for another month after an operation on his neck. Forward Lee Cartwright has been struggling with ankle ligament damage but summer signing Steve Robinson is likely to be included in an otherwise full-strength squad.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Grimsby D D L L D, Preston W W L W W

Ref: Roy Pearson (Peterlee)

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Saturday Aug 12

Huddersfield v Watford

Kevin Gallen is set for his Huddersfield bow after joining on a free transfer from QPR while Jamie Vincent, who recently broke a bone in his wrist while doing DIY, is fit to play. But midfielder Chris Beech has been ruled out after he suffered a calf injury in the friendly defeat by Leeds.

Watford defender Dean Yates has called time on his career because of knee trouble, while Richard Johnson, Micah Hyde, Allan Smart, Nick Wright and Gifton Noel-Williams are also absent. On the plus side as the Hornets look to bounce back from relegation, new signings Allan Nielsen and Espen Baardsen are set to make their competitive debuts for the club.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Huddersfield W L W L L, Watford L L L D W

Ref: David Laws (Whitley Bay)

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Saturday Aug 12

Nottingham Forest v West Brom

Forest's preparations have taken a blow as they will be missing injured defensive duo Salvatore Matrecano and Colin Calderwood and striker Stern John for the visit of West Brom. Gary Jones could make his debut after joining from Tranmere.

West Brom manager Gary Megson could hand debuts to £2million striker Jason Roberts, former Rangers midfielder Derek McInnes and defenders Neil Clement and Des Lyttle. But the Baggies boss is still without long-term injury victim Larus Sigurdsson.

Last season: Nottm Forest 0 West Brom 0, West Brom 1 Nottm Forest 1

Last five league matches: Nottm Forest W D D W W, West Brom D L W D W

Ref: Paul Taylor (Cheshunt)

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Saturday Aug 12

QPR v Birmingham

Striker Paul Furlong is set to line up against his former team-mates after joining QPR on loan. He could be partnered by another new arrival at Loftus Road, former Wrexham striker Karl Connolly, while defender Clark Carlisle, a £250,000 buy from Blackpool, is set for his debut.

Peter Ndlovu remains in the plans of Birmingham boss Trevor Francis after his proposed move to Forest fell through. "He is very much in contention for Saturday," said Francis. A slight knock to Danny Sonner is not expected to prevent the former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder from making his debut but there remain injury doubts over Dele Adebola and Andy Johnson.

Last season: QPR 2 Birmingham 2, Birmingham 2 QPR 0

Last five league matches: QPR L W D D W, Birmingham W L D L W

Ref: Graham Barber (Tring)

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Saturday Aug 12

Sheffield Utd v Portsmouth

Sheffield United skipper Keith Curle, signed from Wolves over the summer, should make his debut despite a damaged muscle behind his knee. With Cameroon international Patrick Suffo banned from football until November, loan signing John Newby could partner Marcus Bent in the Blades attack after making a temporary switch from Liverpool.

Portsmouth manager Tony Pulis has defender Linvoy Primus at his disposal after a miracle recovery. Primus, who recently joined Pompey from Reading on a free transfer, was left unconscious and needed 11 stitches in his lip following a collision with a team-mate in a practice match last week. Midfielder Nigel Quashie is set for his debut following a £600,000 move from Nottingham Forest while striker Lee Mills has completed a £1million switch to Fratton Park from Bradford.

Last season: Sheff Utd 1 Portsmouth 0, Portsmouth 2 Sheff Utd 0

Last five league matches: Sheff Utd L D D L D, Portsmouth D D D L L

Ref: David Pugh (Bebington)

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Saturday Aug 12

Wimbledon v Tranmere

Wimbledon's first foray into the Nationwide League sees them without the suspended John Hartson against Rovers while Kenny Cunningham, Andy Roberts, Dean Blackwell, Gareth Ainsworth and Michael Hughes are all out injured. Young striker Paul Robinson, experienced midfielder Ian Selley and promising Irish defender Dessie Byrne go into the squad but club captain Robbie Earle is still sidelined with stomach problems.

Promising Tranmere striker Andy Parkinson will definitely miss the trip to London as he has an ankle injury, while long-throw specialist Dave Challinor is doubtful with a hamstring problem.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Wimbledon L L L D L, Tranmere W L D W L

Ref: Andy Hall (Birmingham)

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Saturday Aug 12

Wolverhampton v Sheffield Wed

Wolves will hand a debut to Temuri Ketsbaia after he joined from Newcastle for £900,000 but George Ndah is still struggling with injury. Young defender Joleon Lescott could partner last season's player of the year, Frenchman Ludovic Pollet, in the heart of defence if Steve Sedgley is ruled out.

Paul Jewell will be hoping for a bright start to his Wednesday management career after a woeful last year for the Owls. Jewell is still searching for a keeper but centre-half Ashley Westwood has joined on a month's loan from Bradford and defender Simon Grayson has been borrowed from Blackburn.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Wolverhampton L W W L W, Sheff Wed L L L D W

Ref: Mark Halsey (Welwyn Garden City)

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