Cardiff City midfielder Stephen McPhail will miss Saturday's match with Crystal Palace as he recovers from an operation on his neck.

But the club's medical team are hopeful that he will be available for the home match with Coventry on Tuesday.

McPhail, who starred in City's big victories over Derby and Watford explained: "I knew I had to have the operation to remove a growth in my neck. The surgeons went ahead on Monday of last week at the start of the international break, and I expected to be out for 10 days or so, which would have meant I was available to play against Palace.

"But the operation took much longer than expected because the growth was much bigger than they thought. A sample has been sent away for tests, but I'm told there's nothing to worry about.

"I first noticed the growth about three months ago. I was very conscious of it, and the surgeon said it had to come out. The op took 90 minutes instead of half an hour, and the growth was so big that the docs had to cut through muscle in my neck to complete the operation.

"It's left me with a four-inch scar on my neck just under the jawline. I can kick a ball all right, but with the stitches I have, heading the ball is out of the question. I'm feeling fine, but I'll have to be careful over the next few days."