Image source, Rex Features

The former Crystal Palace striker is certainly one for the Barnsley defence to keep an eye on this evening.

Gayle has had more shots - 31 - than any other player in the Championship, with 18 of those efforts on target.

And although Newcastle have scored more goals than any other team in the division, the Tykes have reason to be optimistic, having rattled in 23 - only two fewer than the Toon.

Image source, Rex Features

You don't need a pair of Jonjo Shelvey's improvised goggles to see Newcastle United charging up the Championship table.

Those two defeats in their opening two league games seem a long time ago now.

Second-placed Newcastle are one point behind leaders Norwich before tonight's trip to Barnsley.

But Norwich could be forgiven for feeling a little nervous about tonight's trip to Fulham. Here's why:

• Fulham have won their last six home league games against Norwich, conceding just one goal.
• The Canaries have conceded 23 goals in their last nine visits to Fulham in all competitions. 

And joint majority shareholder Delia Smith won't want a reminder of this trip to the banks of the Thames in May 2005 when Norwich went to Fulham needing to win to stay in the Premier League and lost 6-0.

Image source, Getty Images

In fact, Norwich haven't kept a clean sheet at the Cottage since they last won there in January 1986, but who was the Canaries' keeper that day?

Let's be havin' you! Answers on Twitter to #bbcefl please.

Image source, Rex Features

Norwich City begin this round of fixtures top of the Championship and are aiming for a seventh win in eight league games this evening.

The Canaries are at Fulham, which means that thankfully there shouldn't be any need for their "egg and cress sandwich" third kit to make an appearance at Craven Cottage.

With the team news done and dusted, I think it's time to take a closer look at some of this evening's Championship fixtures.

Image source, Getty Images

One bit of key team news from League One to bring you which sees Ched Evans return to the Chesterfield bench for their home game against Fleetwood.

Evans, who has not featured for the Spireites since 10 September, was last week found not guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman at a North Wales hotel.

Leeds v Wigan: One change for Leeds as Kemar Roofe replaces Alex Mowatt; Wigan make two alterations, with Will Grigg and David Perkins coming in for Adam Le Fondre and Yanic Wildschut.

QPR v Bristol City: Striker Conor Washington and defender Steven Caulker are added to QPR's starting line-up; Callum O'Dowda and Adam Matthews are among four players coming in for Bristol City.

Reading v Aston Villa: Reading unchanged from Saturday's draw with QPR; there are five changes for Villa - Jack Grealish is suspended and Ross McCormack drops to the bench, so Rudy Gestede starts up front.

Barnsley v Newcastle: Barnsley make three changes, with Conor Hourihane back for the suspended Josh Scowen, while James Bree and debutant Adam Jackson start in defence; Three changes for Newcastle, with Matt Ritchie, Mo Diame and Isaac Hayden in for Christian Atsu, Ayoze Perez and Jack Colback.

Birmingham v Rotherham: Clayton Donaldson, Jonathan Spector and Maikel Kieftenbeld all come into the Blues starting XI; Jake Forster-Caskey is one of three additions to the Rotherham side that lost at Norwich on Saturday.

Blackburn v Nottingham Forest: Blackburn make two changes, with Jason Lowe and Darragh Lenihan coming into the side; Britt Assombalonga is back on the bench for Forest after injury.

Brighton v Wolves: Just the one change for Brighton as Jiri Skalak comes in for Jamie Murphy; Nouha Dicko makes first league start since August 2015, replacing Jon Dadi Bodvarsson up front.

Derby v Brentford: Saturday's matchwinner for Derby, Johnny Russell, again has to make do with a place on the bench. Chris Baird for Max Lowe is the Rams' only change. Brentford bring in Sam Saunders, Sulley Kaikai and Yoann Barbet.

Fulham v Norwich: Kevin McDonald returns for Fulham in midfield, with Tom Cairney making way; Robbie Brady returns from concussion and replaces Alex Pritchard for leaders Norwich.

Ipswich v Burton: Ipswich bring in Teddy Bishop and Kevin Bru for Grant Ward and Jonathan Douglas; Burton captain John Mousinho and forward Jamie Ward start for the Brewers.

With those two stories out of the way, let's take a look at this evening's Championship team news.

Image source, Rex Features

Meanwhile, Aston Villa winger Jack Grealish has been banned for three games after accepting a Football Association charge of violent conduct.

Television cameras caught the England Under-21 international appearing to stamp on Wolves midfielder Conor Coady during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Villa Park, which was missed by referee David Coote.

The incident sparked an altercation between players of both sides, and the ban means Grealish will miss tonight's trip to Reading, Saturday's home game with Fulham and the Second City derby at Birmingham City on 30 October.

But before we go any further, there's a couple of news lines that have broken in the last hour that fans of Aston Villa and Derby will want to know about.

Image source, Rex Features

It's a full programme in the third tier this evening with all 24 teams playing.

There has been plenty for Scunthorpe United boss Graham Alexander to celebrate so far - his League One leaders are four points clear of Bradford at the summit and unbeaten in their last eight matches.

Tonight, the Iron travel to struggling Oldham, while second-placed Bradford host a Southend United side also at the wrong end of the table.

Elsewhere, high-flying Rochdale are looking to make it seven league wins on the bounce as they visit Swindon and bottom side Coventry face Oxford United at the Ricoh Arena.

• Barnsley v Newcastle United
• Birmingham City v Rotherham United
• Blackburn Rovers v Nottingham Forest
• Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolves
• Derby County v Brentford
• Fulham v Norwich City
• Ipswich Town v Burton Albion
• Leeds United v Wigan Athletic
• QPR v Bristol City
• Reading v Aston Villa (20:00 BST)

But that's not all...

So, what do we have for you this evening?

Ten mouthwatering games in the Championship, that's what, with five of the top six in action.

Leaders Norwich head to Fulham, looking for their first win at Craven Cottage since 1986, while second-placed Newcastle are at Barnsley.

Meanwhile, two former Manchester United centre-halves go head-to-head in the dug-out as Reading welcome Aston Villa to the Madejski Stadium.

Here's tonight's full Championship fixture list...

Image source, Rex Features

They say the Championship season is a marathon, not a sprint.

This evening marks part one of matchday 13 out of 46.

In London Marathon terms, the teams have started at Blackheath, passed Woolwich and are making their way through Greenwich at around the six-and-a-half mile mark - but there's a long, long way to go.

Stay with us to find who's going to race round the Cutty Sark this evening and who, even at this stage, is desperate for a water stop.

Welcome to tonight's action from the EFL.