Injury briefing

Ins, outs and injury doubts for the weekend's matches

Ndidi scare threatens flying Foxes

Leicester stood up to another tough challenge by coming from behind to secure a well-deserved 1-1 draw at Everton on Wednesday but the result may have came at a cost because Wilfred Ndidi and Jonny Evans were both forced off with injuries.

Evans went off in the 76th minute with blurred vision, although manager Brendan Rodgers gave a positive post-match assessment and it would be no surprise to see the centre-back lining up at home to Leeds on Sunday.

Rodgers was also reasonably upbeat about Ndidi, who suffered from a tight hamstring and had to come off just before half-time.

However, he admitted that the Nigerian would have to be assessed and that makes him a doubt for the weekend.

Losing Ndidi for any length of time would be a blow.

In the ten league games he has started this season Leicester have amassed 23 points, while in the other ten matches they have registered just 16.

The Foxes are certain to be without Jamie Vardy, who continues his recovery from a hernia operation.

Ipswich suffering a striker shortage

Ipswich's 1-0 loss to League One promotion rivals Sunderland on Tuesday night was heavily influenced by a tenth red card for striker Kayden Jackson, who was rightly punished for a tackle on Bailey Wright.

It was only Jackson's second appearance in six weeks and his subsequent three-match ban is a blow for the Tractor Boys, who are short of attacking options for Saturday's clash at Crewe.

Under-fire manager Paul Lambert will be without Oli Hawkins (knee) and is unsure of the availability of James Norwood (hamstring).

Freddie Sears came off the bench against the Black Cats and could be in line for his first start since November.

Key duo back on board for Pirates

Bristol Rovers have sorely missed creative midfielder Erhun Oztumer and attacker Sam Nicholson in recent weeks but both returned from injury in Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Peterborough – handing the club a massive boost in their battle against League One relegation.

Oztumer and Nicholson combined in one of the best moves of the game which culminated in Nicholson hitting the post.

Overall Rovers were pleased with a point but manager Paul Tisdale can look forward to better times ahead if he can keep Oztumer and Nicholson fit.

Both were substituted but Tisdale explained that he was merely protecting them for the weekend clash at home to Rochdale.

Tisdale said: "The temptation at 0-0 was to keep them on, but I had to stick with my plan before the game, which was not to take a chance with their long-term health."

Double defender blow for Cambridge

Cambridge's League Two promotion push has been based on solid foundations – they have conceded just 23 goals in 25 league games – but their defence will need a rejig before Saturday's clash at home to Crawley.

Highly-rated centre-back Harry Darling recently sealed a transfer to MK Dons and loanee Robbie Cundy was recalled to his parent club, Bristol City, before sealing a temporary move to Gillingham.

The centre-backs have been influential with Darling featuring in 16 league games and Cundy making 17 appearances.

Manager Mark Bonner has impressed in his first full season but he needs to come up with an alternative defensive plan to maintain his team's presence in the top three.

Bans leave Newport stretched in midfield

League Two highflyers Newport have gone eight matches without a win and must tackle Saturday's trip to Harrogate with a depleted midfield.

Josh Sheehan completes a three-match ban after his dismissal in a 0-0 draw at home to Salford 13 days ago and Joss Labadie starts a three-game ban after he was red-carded in the 3-2 loss at Oldham last weekend.

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