The Bluebirds return to league matters with an important Championship fixture with Scunthorpe United on Saturday. Simon Glanville previews our trip to Glanford Park.
Cardiff team news: Gavin Rae has become the latest Cardiff City injury victim after limping off in the midweek F.A. Cup draw at Bristol City. Rae has a hamstring problem and will not be involved for the trip to Glanford Park.
Solomon Taiwo, who had been set to go out on loan, could now get a chance to impress while Aaron Wildig will also fancy his chances of earning an extended run in the side. Jay Bothroyd (virus) and Chris Burke (rib) are doubts for the game with the Iron, while Stephen McPhail has yet to set a date for his return.
Scunthorpe team news: Iron boss Nigel Adkins is likely to be without midfielder John Wright and defender Rob Jones for the visit of the Bluebirds. Wright has not trained all week due to illness while Jones is struggling with a hamstring injury.
In more positive news for Scunthorpe, 'keeper Joe Murphy could come back into contention after missing their last two games due to a shoulder injury. Grant McCann will return from a two-game suspension, but Kenny Milne will miss-out after suffering a setback in his return from a knee problem.
Scunthorpe's season so far: After Cardiff City ran riot on the opening day of this season, few would have backed Scunthorpe to stay up this season after winning the League One play-offs at the end of last term. But, so far, Nigel Adkins will be reasonably pleased with his work. The Iron will host the Bluebirds on Saturday sitting nineteenth in the table, five points clear of safety.
Highlights have so far have come with big away wins over Crystal Palace and most recently Derby, while Scunny also defeated high-flying Newcastle at Glanford Park back in October. Gary Hooper has continued his prolific form up top, while Grant McCann has been pulling the strings in midfield. Scunthorpe will come into Saturday's game in good form, and will be looking to make it three wins in a row when 'City visit.
Last meeting: Cardiff will be hoping for a similar result this weekend to the one we had when we met Scunthorpe earlier this season in South Wales. The Bluebirds raced into a three-goal lead at the break thanks to a double from Michael Chopra and a goal from Jay Bothroyd. Peter Whittingham put the icing on the cake in added time with a penalty, sealing a comfortable 4-0 home win.
Teams from last meeting at Cardiff City Stadium on 8th August 2009:
Bluebirds: Marshall, Quinn, Gerrard, Hudson, Kennedy, Whittingham, McPhail, Ledley (Rae 46), McCormack, Chopra (Burke 84), Bothroyd (Magennis 89). Subs not used: Enckelman, Gyepes, Capaldi, Comminges.
Scunthorpe: Murphy, Byrne, Jones, Mirfin, Morris, Sparrow (Forte 76), McCann, Woolford, Togwell (O'Connor 76), Hayes, Hooper (Josh Wright 49). Subs not used: Lillis, Andrew Wright, Thompson, May.
Attendance: 22264
Scunthorpe last time out: The Iron had a fantastic win last time out after cruising to win at hapless Derby. The much sought-after Gary Hooper put Scunthorpe ahead at Pride Park before Garry Thompson doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time. An own goal from Marcus Williams got the Rams back into it, but a second from Thompson and a late Jonathan Forte goal meant Scunny went home delighted.
Scunthorpe: Lillis, Byrne, Mirfin, Williams, O'Connor (Sparrow 89), Woolford (Togwell 71), Thompson, Josh Wright, Andrew Wright, Hayes, Hooper (Forte 84). Subs not used: May, Picton, Slocombe, Coleman.
The match: Glanford Park is often an additional squad member for the Iron, though most Cardiff players have enough experience of life on Sloper Road to let the surroundings play too much of a factor. With the Bluebirds inability to win or see games through in recent weeks however, nerves will potentially play their part in the second half, even if Cardiff seem comfortable - a pressure point that Adkins will no doubt try to use to his advantage.
Jones is all too aware of recent capitulations, and with squad options still limited through injury and illness, options are in short supply. But Cardiff on paper still have enough to see the game to a victory and will also be pleased with the midfield efforts of both Wildig and Taiwo at Ashton Gate. We predict a tight 1-0 Cardiff win, with a a hard fought clean sheet just as important as the result.
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