Cardiff City vs Middlesbrough (Team News)

Cardiff City have plenty of injury concerns ahead of the clash with in-form Middlesbrough and will anxiously wait to see which players, if any, will be ready to play and hand the Bluebirds a big boost.

The biggest question mark is at right-back whereby all fingers are crossed that Matthew Connolly will return and replace Kevin McNaughton who has a hamstring problem. If unfit, City must find an emergency alternative with Aron Gunnarsson a possibility, or utilise youngster Deji Oshilaja.

Craig Bellamy has been given the all clear to return to contention following an ankle problem, but he will be lacking match fitness and may be aiming only for a place on the bench. The same can be said for experienced midfielder Stephen McPhail who got a valuable 90 minutes midweek for the development squad but is yet to feature for the first team this season.

Jordon Mutch (foot) and Don Cowie (hamstring) are both near to a return but are unlikely to feature this time while Nicky Maynard remains unliekly to play again this season (knee surgery).



Middlesbrough have their own injury concerns and will keep their physio department busy today/tomorrow morning with at least three players scheduled for late fitness tests.

Key defender Jonathan Woodgate (calf) and highly rated Josh McEachran (ankle) are unsure of their availability with McEachran the more likely to play. Striker and former Swansea City man Marvin Emnes is another with doubts over his hamstring.

Kevin Thomson (calf) and Ishamel Miller (groin) are both back in full training but are lacking in match fitness. Mowbray will make a decsion on both players' involvement depending on who is or is not passed fit to play for the above.

Defender Seb Hines (thigh) and Luke Williams (hip) are definitely back in contention following their own respective injury absences. Both will hope to be involved.

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