Cardiff City Hoping For Midfield Injury Boost

Cardiff City bossd Malky Mackay is desperately hoping his in-form Bluebirds will not be lacking in the midfield department for the tricky trip to Millwall with doubts over several of the squad.

Thankfully, lynchpin Peter Whittingham is fit and ready to play in the centre while Conway looks certain to line up on the left with Don Cowie in his inside right position.

Two more central midfielders are needed to complete the line-up if we are to stick with the 4-5-1 system which has served us so well recently. However, Irishman Stephen mcPhail will not play after suffering recurrance of his longstanding illness. He will return to action in the next week or so.

That means Mackay will be hoping that both Aron Gunnarsson (dead leg) and Filip Kiss (ankle) are passed fit to play following their recent injuries. Both are progressing well, especially Gunnarsson whom loomed almost immobile leaving the field on Sunday and are certainly close to full fitness.

Should either fail to recover, Joe Mason is a contender to step in. He would fill a more advanced role, sittin behind Kenny Miller but he has impressing in an attacking midfield role previously and replaced Kiss against Birmingham City. Another option is youngster Joe Ralls, but he is very inexperienced and it would be a big ask.

Gunnarsson and Kiss offers the best tackling ability of the current squad and are extremely useful to back-up the more mercurial Whittingham. If neither was available, Darcy Blake could be used to supplement the weakened midfield and provide a strong defensive presence in front of the back four.

Hopefully, Gunnarsson and Kiss will be passed fit and we can put out a very strong XI to face Millwall. Mackay has options if his hand is forced, but the balance and style of his first choice line-up for tomorrow would give us the best chance of achieving a result against the Lions.

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