The Bluebirds travel to Nigel Clough's Derby County on Saturday after overcoming Burton Albion in Wednesday's Carling Cup first round tie. Simon Glanville previews the Pride Park fixture.
Cardiff Team News: Seyi Olofinjana is in line to make his Cardiff City debut on Saturday after signing on loan from Hull City on Tuesday. Jason Koumas is also pushing for a starting role after impressing as a substitute against Burton. Latest addition Martin John will also be hoping to feature following a steady debut in midweek.
Tom Heaton may continue in goal against the Rams if David Marshall is unable to shake off the elbow injury that forced him to pull out of Scotland's friendly with Sweden. Kevin McNaughton picked up a knock against Sheffield United last Sunday and may miss-out, whilst Darcy Blake is also in a race to prove his fitness after pulling out of the midweek Welsh squad.
Derby Team News: Defender Russell Anderson will miss the visit of the Bluebirds after picking up an injury during the Rams' opening day win at Leeds. Anderson suffered a groin problem in the opening minutes at Elland Road, and he has now been ruled out of action for the next four weeks.
Shaun Barker, Dean Moxey, Chris Porter and Ben Pringle will all be hopeing to reclaim their places after making their first starts of the season in the midweek defeaet at Crewe. Gareth Roberts and Rob Hulse are likely to be recalled after being rested in midweek, while Paul Green should play despite playing ninety minutes for the Republic of Ireland in their defeat against Argentina.
Derby's season so far: The Rams visited newly promoted Leeds United on the opening day of the campaign and put in a battling performance to claim the three points. Former Leeds man Rob Hulse fired Derby into an early lead, and although Luciano Bechhio equalised minutes later, the influential Kris Commons wrapped up a deserved win for the visitors with a neatrly converted penalty.
Derby visited League Two Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday for their Carling Cup first round tie, but the Rams left the Alexandra Stadium with their tails between their legs after the home side knocked them out of the competition. Derby signed John Brayford and James Bailey from Crewe this summer and both played against their former club, though had to suffer defeat thanks to a Shaun Barker goal in the northwest.
Last meeting: The Bluebirds travelled to the Rams on the final day of last season, though Dave Jones' side, who had already secured their place in the play-offs, fielded a much changed eleven on the day. County proved to have too much for 'City in the fixture, as second half goals from Jay McEveley and David Martin ensured the Rams ended 2009/10 on a high.
Teams from last meeting at Pride Park, 2nd May 2010:
Derby County: Deeney, McEveley, Hunt, Moxey, Barker, Tonge, Savage, Commons (Teale 74), Cywka (Ball 83), Martin (Connelly 89), Pringle. Subs not used: Connolly, O'Brien, Atkins, Henrick.
Cardiff City: Enckelman, Quinn, Gyepes, Hudson, Burke, Taiwo (Morris 82), WIldig, Capaldi, McCormack, Etuhu (Matthews 63), Feeney (Magennis 54). Subs not used: Marshall, Ledley, Jarvis, Meades.
Attendance: 31,102
Derby last time out:
Like a number of Championship clubs, Derby had a tough time against lower league opposition in the Carling Cup first round in midweek. The Rams headed to the Alexandra Stadium in high confidence to face Crewe after winning at Leeds on the opening day, but Shaun Barker's own goal on the stroke of half time meant they exited the competition at the earliest opportunity.
Derby side versus Crewe Alexandra: Bywater, Leacock, Moxey, Brayford, Barker (Roberts 69), Savage, Cywka, Bailey, Pringle (Doyle 82), Porter (Hulse 46), Commons. Subs not used: Deeney, Buxton, Martin.
Get team news, post-match reaction and a comprehensive match report here following Saturday's fixture. Highlights of the Bluebirds' game with Derby will be available on Cardiff City Player.
