Forest v Cardiff preview

31 December 2011 14:01
From press sources.

Paul Anderson is Nottingham Forest's main injury concern ahead of the visit of Cardiff.

Anderson limped out of the home defeat to Peterborough on Boxing Day after just six minutes because of a tight hamstring. The midfielder will continue to be assessed and a late decision will be made on his fitness.

Doubts also surround the fitness of Joel Lynch after the defender missed that game with a groin problem, so midfielder Guy Moussi is on standby to line up in the back four again.

Brendan Moloney suffered a knee injury in training last week. The full-back joins a list of defensive casualties that also includes, Wes Morgan (ankle) and Jamaal Lascelles (stress fracture), while Chris Cohen, who can also play at the back, will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Striker Ishmael Miller remains sidelined with a foot injury.

Forest have endured a miserable end to 2011 having failed to score in their last six Championship matches, losing five of them.

Cardiff have been given a boost with the news that defender Kevin McNaughton is likely to be fit.

McNaughton was substituted 18 minutes into Cardiff's 1-1 draw at Watford on Boxing Day with a tight calf, but the Scot is expected to be available to manager Malky Mackay.

However, should McNaughton not be fit, Darcy Blake is set to deputise.

Young midfielder Joe Ralls was not included in the matchday squad at Vicarage Road following a knee problem but could push for a recall, while Craig Conway is challenging Joe Mason for a place in the starting XI.

Cardiff will be without Stephen McPhail, though, as he remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Source: FOOTYMAD