Cardiff V Colchester at Cardiff City Stadium : Match Preview

01 January 2015 12:01
Cardiff V Colchester - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Bluebirds to make changes

Cardiff boss Russell Slade will use the FA Cup third round clash with Colchester as a chance to rest his under-performing stars.

Bruno Manga looks set to make his final Bluebirds appearance before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations but he is unlikely to be joined by many of the starting line-up that lost 4-2 to Watford on Sunday.

David Marshall, Peter Whittingham, Sean Morrison, Adam Le Fondre and Craig Noone could all be handed the evening off for a cup tie that is set to be played in front of a meagre crowd.

Anthony Pilkington is available again after his hamstring injury and is likely to come into contention as they look to end a five-game winless run.

Colchester defender Ben Gordon is an injury doubt and striker Rhys Healey is ineligible for the U's, who face Cardiff for the first time in the FA Cup.

Gordon was forced out of Sunday's goalless draw at Crawley midway through the second half due to a knock and was replaced by Cole Kpekawa, who could return to the starting line-up.

Healey joined the U's on loan from Cardiff in September and will miss out against his parent club.

Boss Tony Humes must decide whether to stick with teenage midfielder Sammie Szmodics, who stepped in for Craig Eastmond at Crawley, while defender Magnus Okuonghae (Achilles) and winger Drey Wright (knee) are still out.


Source: PA