After another pleasing performance on Tuesday night, Cardiff head north this weekend with a Bramall Lane clash with Sheffield United. Simon Glanville previews another big game for the Bluebirds.
Cardiff team news: Boss Dave Jones should have a strong Cardiff City squad to choose from with a lot of his players now available again. Ross McCormack and Kevin McNaughton are having to bide their time on bench with the team performing well, while Mark Kennedy has impressed since returning at the back. Striker Warren Feeney is also fit again following a long-term injury, while there is also some positive news on Kelvin Etuhu, who could be fit and back in training after the next international break.
Sheffield United team news: Kevin Blackwell has boosted his injury-hit strike force with the signing of Henri Camara, with the former Wigan goal scorer likely to be involved on Saturday. On-loan Richard Creswell is considered a major doubt after recently playing through the pain barrier despite suffering broken ribs, but Blackwell was without no less than ten first-team players for the Blades latest loss at Blackpool. A fresh injury concern is Darius Henderson with an ankle problem, while United could also bring in Ian Bennett in goal following some indifferent displays from Mark Bunn.
Sheffield United's season so far: After making an encouraging start to this campaign, Sheffield United's results have come up short in recent weeks. Last season's beaten play-off finalists held Middlesbrough at the Riverside on the opening day, before comfortably seeing off Watford and then drawing with Leicester at Bramall Lane. The Blades then won impressively at Reading, before continuing their strong start to the season with a home draw with West Brom and another away victory, this time at Derby.
It's since then though, that the form book has taken a turn for the worse. Kevin Blackwell's side were edged out in five-goal thriller at Coventry, and despite seeing off arch-rivals Sheffield Wednesday in the steel city derby, they then lost at Swansea. United then required a last minute goal to draw at Ipswich, before being held at home to Doncaster. Their last two games have been on the road, and both times they have gone home dejected. Scunthorpe saw them off at Glanford Park last weekend, before Ian Holloway's Blackpool put three past them at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday night.
Last meeting: Cardiff fans won't have fond memories of the last time we met Sheffield United, which was only back in March. The Blades visited Ninian Park for a Sunday afternoon kick off, and they took the advantage early on. Gabor Gyepes was harshly sent off for a foul in the box after appearing to take the ball, and David Cotterill converted from the penalty spot against his home-town club.
To make matters even worse, Ross McCormack was then given his marching orders for an even more obscure incident, leaving 'City with just nine players. That proved to be just too much of an upheaval battle for Cardiff, who conceded further goals in the second-half to Jamie Ward and Stephen Quinn.
Teams from last meeting at Ninian Park on 22nd March 2009:
Bluebirds: Taylor, McNaughton, Gyepes, Roger Johnson, Kennedy, Rae, Ledley, Burke (McPhail 31), McCormack, Chopra (Comminges 26), Bothroyd (Eddie Johnson 76). Subs not used: Whittingham, Owusu-Abeyie.
Blades: Kenny, Halford (Ward 41), Naysmith, Morgan, Kilgallon, Cotterill (Lupoli 84), Montgomery, O'Toole, Quinn, Naughton, Henderson (Beattie 70). Subs not used: Howard, Bromby.
Attendance: 17942.
Sheffield United last time out: The Blades' poor form continued on Tuesday night after Blackpool taught them a lesson at Bloomfield Road. Goals from Marcel Seip, Jason Euell and Charlie Adam saw the home side cruise to a 3-0 win and inflict a third defeat in five games on United in the process.
Blades: Bunn, Morgan, Kilgallon, Taylor, Walker, France (Treacy 75), Quinn, Harper, Cotterill (Williamson 80), Cresswell (Evans 75), Henderson. Subs not used: Bennett, Little, Stewart, Fortune.
Full match commentary will be available on Cardiff City Player, followed by extensive highlights and match reaction.
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