• Early frontrunners Stoke City travel to title contenders Southampton

• Wrexham and Sheffield Wednesday meet in a battle to secure their first points of the season

• Promotion contenders Norwich City and Middlesbrough lock horns at Carrow Road

This week sees the Championship enter the third round of fixtures as teams jostle for positions at this fledgling stage of the tier-two campaign.

Derby County vs Bristol City (Friday, 8pm)

Derby County will go in search of their first points of the season when they host Bristol City at Pride Park on Friday night.

The Rams have a host of early-season injury concerns, with Curtis Nelson, Lars-Jorgen Salvesen, Sondre Langas, Corey Blackett-Taylor and Owen Beck all sidelined, while Kane Wilson is a doubt after a minor knee operation.

As for the Robins, Joe Williams has had a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury and is set to miss the trip to the East Midlands, joining Luke McNally, Cameron Pring and Max O'Leary in the treatment room.

Charlton Athletic vs Leicester City (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Charlton Athletic will put their unbeaten record on the line on Saturday lunchtime when they host Leicester City at The Valley.

Matty Godden is missing for the Addicks due to injury, while Joshua Edwards is doubtful after coming off for Harvey Knibbs in the second half of their goalless draw with Bristol City last time out. 

Macaulay Gillesphey is hoping to feature after recovering from a recent knock.

As for Leicester, the Foxes have some early-season injury concerns, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Victor Kristiansen, Harry Souttar and Ricardo Pereira all recovering from their respective injuries.

Norwich City vs Middlesbrough (Saturday, 3pm)

Two promotion contenders face off at Carrow Road on Saturday as Norwich City host Middlesbrough in a heavyweight Championship encounter.

Norwich boss Liam Manning has confirmed key midfielder Marcelino Nunez will be out for “a matter of weeks” due to an ankle injury.

Amankwah Forson has also picked up an early-season injury, while Kenny McClean has returned to training and is in contention for Saturday.

There are no fresh injury concerns for Boro, who could give first minutes to new loan signing Sverre Nypan following his move from Manchester City.

Southampton vs Stoke City (Saturday, 3pm)

Winning their first two games of the season, Stoke City will put their perfect record on the line when they travel to St Mary’s to face Southampton.

Damion Downs is a doubt for the clash on the south coast this weekend.

Stoke midfielder Ben Pearson missed out on the 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday last time out but is pushing for a return this weekend.

Wrexham vs Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 3pm)

Two teams still looking to get off the mark going into the third round of Championship fixtures, Wrexham host Sheffield Wednesday at the Racecourse Ground.

The Red Dragons have three injury doubts going into this game, with Liberto Cacace, George Thomason and Oliver Rathbone all hoping they can be involved.

Wednesday are expected to be without defender Di'Shon Bernard, as he recovers from a knee injury.