Cardiff City Selection Headache

Cardiff City manager Dave Jones faces a defensive selection dilemma of a completely different kind this weekend when his Bluebirds travel to league leaders Birmingham.

Ledley, McNaughton and Gilbert have all recovered from recent injuries and all are available for the fullback positions.

Centre-back is the area, however, that has caused Cardiff the biggest worry in recent weeks. Glenn Loovens has sat out a 2 game suspension after being sent off for the second time this season against Leicester City. Roger Johnson had been the only recognised centr-back available with Simon Walton and Kevin McNaughton filling in alongside the former Wycombe stopper.

Captain Darren Purse may also be available after recoveing from a back injury that has kept him sidelined since the win over Wolverhampton Wanderers back in January. The skipper hopes to be back to face his old club on Sunday but recognises he may not regain his place regardless of his fitness:

'Since I've been out, the lads have played superb. So I'll be struggling to get my place back!' said Purse.

'It's one I'd like to be fit for, but I have to take it easy. You don't want to take chances with a back injury'.


Its a difficult one for Dave Jones: Glenn Loovens is a fantastic defender at this level and has been excellent thoughout the season. Darren Purse is an experienced head and good leader while Roger Johnson has performed superbly in their absence and really proved himself at this level, also netting his first goal for the club last week against Preston.

A welcome selection headache as Cardiff travel to the leaders with a squad at virtually full strength.

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