Cardiff City vs Burnley FC (Team News)

Cardiff City suffered some worrying injury blows in midweek so will have to make changes to the starting XI and bench when Burnley visit and try to become the first side to take points from the CCS this season.

The Bluebirds already have long term absentee Nicky Maynard (knee) ruled out, so were missing on key striker even before the attacking duo of Craig Bellamy (ankle) and Tommy Smith (hamstring) were hurt on Tuesday. Both have been assessed this week, and will not feature but there are hopes that neither will need a lengthy lay-off.

City have moved quickly to secure a new addition with pacy winger Kerim Frei arriving on loan from Fulham. He will compete with the likes of Conway and Noone for the wide roles while Gunnarsson and Kim Bo Kyung will also hope to feature following the injuries.

Cardiff City may also have midfielder Jordon Mutch available again after foot injury. He was expected to be out for only a week, but has yet to play in 2 months following the injury. He is now in full training and available if Malky opts for the former Birmingham City man.



Burnley also have had a lively striker ruled out with a serious knee injury, but Danny Ings made a welcome return on Tuesday - coming on as a substitute and gaining 20 minutes football - his first action of the season. It seems too soon, however, for his to return to the starting line-up and a bench place is the best he will hope for.

Influential defender Jason Shackell is now back in the starting XI, having suffered several hamstring problems this season. He is being carefully monitored but will be selected if he had no tightness following the midweek win over Bristol City.

Winger Ross Wallace was a late withdrawal from that win, suffering a hamstring pull during the warm up. He faces a late fitness test, but is rated doubful to face the Bluebirds. Fellow midfielder Marvin Bartley has a groin problem and will definitely miss out.

Another player sure to miss the game is defender Ben Mee, who collected his fifth booking of the campaign on Tuesday. Joseph Mills or the versatile David Edgar looks likely to replace him at left-back.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.