Cardiff City Boosted By Pompey's Norris Ban

Cardiff City face Portsmouth on Saturday, the South coast side already have a threadbare squad and will now also be without key midfielder David Norris for the upcoming game.

Norris is a player who has often helped clubs do well against the Bluebirds, scoring against us for previous clubs Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town. He is joint top scorer this season, along with Luke Varney who each have 5 league goals.

Norris was sent off during Pompey's 1-0 defeat by West Ham last week. The dismissal was for violent conduct, incurring a straight red card and automatic three match ban. With such a small squad, losing such a key player is bound to affect Pompey.

Manager Michael Appleton disagreed with the decision, and was considering lodging an appeal with the Football league. However, the club have decided against this course of action, and will accept the ban.

Despite the desperate lack of bodies, Portsmouth are no walkover and remain in a mid-table position having recently beaten Watford and gained creditable draws against the likes of Leicester City and Southampton.

Cardiff City will be going all out for the three points, and will have to play well to get them. Erik Huseklepp looks likely to come in alongside Liam Lawrence and Hayden Mullins so there is no lack of Championship quality.

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