Charlton Athletic vs Cardiff City (Team News)

Cardiff City manager may look to the likes of Aron Gunnarsson to freshen up his side who let a halt-time lead slip away once again but is likely to largely stick with the same side who lost 2-1 to Bolton. Gunnarsson, Fulham loanee Kerim Frei and full-back Kevin McNaughton are those pushing for starts although Rudy Gestede is a potential alternative to Heidar Helguson who has played an awful lot of games considering his age.

The Bluebirds are without injured trio Jordon Mutch (foot), Tommy Smith (Hamstring) and Craig Bellamy (knee) - all of who would certainly hyave featured in the matchday squad. Key striker Nicky Maynard is out for the season with knee ligament damage.

City also have Stephen McPhail and Kadeem Harris returning to fitness, though neither has featured all year and remain some distance from the first team squad.


Charlton Atheltic have their own injury concerns, and will be without attacking midfielder Yann kermorgant - a popular figure amongst Bluebirds fans after opting to chip a penalty attempt in a crucial penalty shoot-out. The former Leicester City man remains sidelined for several more weeks with an ankle injury.

Experienced striker Riccardo Fuller has a hamstring injury and will also miss the game, while Rhoys Wiggins has a foot problem and will not be risked. Lawrie Wilson is the newest recruit to the treatment room - he has a thigh injury and also misses out.

Midfielder Dale Stephens (hamstring) and defender Matt Taylor (foot) are back in contention after injuries and are likely to make the squad. Taylor will be severely lacking match practise having not featured for over 2 months, however he remains an important player for the addicks and could be in line for a recall to shore up their leaky defence.

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