Cardiff's Arsenal loanee to miss 3

Gilbert was dismissed for lashing out at Norwich player Paul McVeugh in the closing minutes of City's 1-0 defeat at Carrow Road. Both men were shown a straight red card for violent conduct and Gilbert will now serve a 3 match ban.

It was unnecessary and silly from Gilbert but he is only 19 and playing his first full professional season but it does leave somewhat of a problem for Dave Jones and Cardiff City.

Kevin McNaughton is returning early from a hamstring injury. It was initially feared he would be missing for 7 weeks but he has recovered well and is now training again. It may well be too early for him to play against Derby County this weekend although the player has marked that game as his return date.

If McNaughton is not fit to play, Cardiff must look at other options. Loan signing from Watford looks set to switch to his more natural right-back position with McNaughton (if fit) slotting into left-back or if not then Joe Ledley is likely to fill that role with Paul Parry switching sides and Flood / Kamara coming in on the right. Joe Jacobson is a promising young left-back who made his debut at the end of last season but it is unlikely that he, or Darcy Blake, will be asked to step in.

Riccy Scimeca can play right-back but Jones will be reluctant to split up his balanced central midfield partnership with McPhail.

Aside from Derby County (H), Gilbert will miss away trips to Sunderland and Colchester.

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