Weekend briefing: Ins, outs and injury doubts for this week's matches

Ins, outs and injury doubts for this week's matches.

Midfield duo missing for Cov

Coventry have been rocked by the news that skipper Liam Kelly is facing three months out with a groin injury.

The midfielder, 30, missed the goalless draw against Championship rivals Huddersfield on Wednesday after picking up the injury in a win at Wycombe on Saturday.

"It's a blow we can't afford because he's been terrific for us this season," said boss Mark Robins ahead of Saturday's trip to Sheffield Wednesday.

Coventry will also have to do without another key midfielder in Gus Hamer, who is suspended after receiving his fifth booking of the season against Huddersfield.

Robins is now trying to rush back four-goal Matt Godden even though he only returned to training yesterday after missing nine games with a foot injury.

Blackburn down to bare bones at the back

Blackburn have been dealt a blow with the news that defender Derrick Williams is going to be out until the new year.

The Irish centre-back had only just returned to Tony Mowbray's line-up after injury but he has tweaked his thigh again and is expected to miss the next three weeks.

Williams' injury only adds to the defensive problems facing Blackburn as they prepare to visit Stoke.

Their other left-sided central defender, Scott Wharton, is already out with an Achilles injury, leaving them in a difficult spot in that position.

Daniel Ayala was recalled to the starting line-up in place of Williams in Wednesday's 2-1 win against Rotherham but was hobbling towards the end of the game.

Rovers are also without two right-back options, Joe Rankin-Costello and Elliott Bennett.

Suspended pair add to Arteta's woes

Arsenal will pay the price for recent indiscipline with both Granit Xhaka and Gabriel sitting out Saturday's trip to Everton.

Swiss midfielder Xhaka serves the second of his three-match ban at Goodison after he was shown a straight red in the 1-0 loss to Burnley, while key centre-back Gabriel was shown two yellows in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Southampton.

Under-fire boss Mikel Arteta still cannot call on new midfielder Thomas Partey, while striker Gabriel Martinelli, who would represent an alternative option to misfiring forwards Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, is also sidelined.

Waterfall ban leaves Mariners in deep water ahead of derby

Grimsby head into their crunch derby showdown with Scunthorpe minus centre-back Luke Waterfall, who was sent off in Tuesday's horror 3-1 loss at League Two's basement boys Southend.

And Ian Holloway is also likely to be without key midfielder Danny Rose, who limped out of the Roots Hall loss after just 23 minutes.

Things starting to unravel for Sociedad

Real Sociedad have been knocked off the top of La Liga and are now struggling with injuries ahead of Saturday's trip to Levante.

Former Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj has been ruled out of the trip to Valencia after limping out of Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Barcelona.

The Basque side are already without pivotal midfielder David Silva.

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