Cardiff City vs Crystal Palace (Latest Team News)

Cardiff City`s recent injury worries are improving by the day, but Dave Jones may well be forced to do without several key players for tonight`s home clash against goal-shy Crystal Palace.

The Bluebirds will certainly be without lively front pair Craig Bellamy (knee) and Michael Chopra (ankle), meaning that Jay Bothroyd and Andy Keogh remain the only fit strikers in the squad after youth product Nat Jarvis joined Southend on loan.

Danny Drinkwater remains sidelined with a thigh problem, so Dave Jones must choose between the out-of-sorts Steve McPhail or Gavin Rae. However, there is good news with the return to fitness of Seyi Olofinjana who has taken part in full training this week. He will be given a late fitness test to ensure there has been no negative reaction to the training, but he is expected to play with Darcy Blake on standby should the big Nigerian miss out.


Crystal Palace have been in dire form on their travels this season, and will now have to do without the services of pacy striker James Vaughan who collected a red card in the 5-0 hammering at Derby County and is suspended for three games. Pablo Counago looks set to start in Vaughan`s stead with Jonathan Obika ruled out through a recurrence of a groin injury.

Another key omission is influential midfielder Darren Ambrose, the former Charlton Athletic man is suffering a leg injury. The Eagles recently signed Anthony Gardner on loan from Hull City, but the versatile defender is doubtful after the former Spurs man continues to be plagued by injury, this time picking up an ankle problem.

The injury list grows more worrisome for Palace who are also without full-backs David Wright (calf) and Lee Hills (knee). Lively forward Sean Scannell is out with a knee problem for a further two weeks minimum, while defender Adam Barrett misses out with a foot complaint.


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