Brighton vs Cardiff City (Team News)

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay is considering changes to his starting line-up as the Bluebirds bid to end a run of poor form with a much needed win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Mackay will be without young French striker Rudy Gestede, who pulled a hamstring against West Ham and will miss out. The youngster has become an important figure for City, offering a different dimension in attack - though he has looked tired and raw at times. Miller, Mason and Earnshaw will all be hoping to start in attack.

Gestede joins Steve McPhail on the sidelines, but City do now have an experienced and high quality option in midfield after the recruitment of Liam Lawrence on loan from Portsmouth. Lawrence is expected to go straight into the squad.

Haris Vuckic, Darcy Blake and Craig Conway are all pushing for a return to the starting XI and their fresh legs could be used by Mackay with the likes of McNaughton, Cowie and Miller all looking tired.


Brighton will be without former Swansea City defender Marcos Painter who has a hamstring injury. Painter is nearing a return, but is lacking match fitness and will not feature.

The Seagulls also have midfeilders Gary Dicker (calf), and Vicente Rodriguez sidelined through a lack of match sharpness, but nearing a return to full fitness. The Spaniars has proved dangerous when fit, but has been warned by manager Gus Poyet to get 100% fit before he will break back into the side.

Defender Tommy Elphick has an Achilles problem, and will also miss the clash.

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