Match Preview: Cardiff City v Blades

In midweek United disappointedly missed out on catching the top two after drawing 1-1 with relegation threatened Derby County. Andy Gray put the Blades ahead but the game hit a low when a penalty (which was out of the area) was given, in which Ian Taylor duly finished.

United will be without duo Kristian Rogers (Macclesfield Town) and Kevan Hurst (Boston United) who left the club on loan to their new respective clubs.

Dries Boussatta will also be missing after he stormed out of the club on Thursday after a disagreement with the manager. It is expected that striker Izale Mcleod will replace the Dutchman on the bench after the 19 year old wasn't allowed to play against the Rams.

Defender Simon Francis and Striker Paul Shaw will probably start on the bench and could be given an outing by Neil Warnock.

Striker Steve Kabba (broken leg) is a welcome edition to the training ground but will not play. It is estimated that he may be fit for next Saturday's clash with Forest but fear that remains doubtful.

A Ben Williams own-goal secured a 1-0 victory for Cardiff City in there clash against Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road last Saturday.

The Bluebirds will be missing key players Graham Kavanagh (ankle), Ryhs Weston (knee) and former Stoke City striker Peter Thorne (foot) through injury. Meanwhile Willie Boland (thigh) and Spencer Sprior (knee) remain doubtful.

Lennie Lawrence will have wait on former Bradford City man Garethy Whalley (dead leg), John Robinson and Paul Parry (both hamstring) who will face late fitness tests.

Former Sheffield United loanee Andy Campbell will start on the bench. Campbell was on loan from Middlesbrough during 1998-99 season and played 11 times whilst scoring three times against Bolton Wanderers and Grimsby Town (twice). Last season he scored the winning goal in the Play-Off Final against Queens Park Rangers which sent them to Division One.

CARDIFF CITY V SHEFFIELD UNITED Saturday 27 March 2004 Nationwide League Division One Kick-Off: 5:35pm @ Ninian Park Cardiff City: Martyn Margetson, Tony Vidmar, Gary Croft, Daniel Gabbidon, Lee Bullock, John Robinson, Richard Langley, Gareth Whalley, Collins, Alan Lee, Robert Earnshaw. Substitutes: Chris Barker, Gavin Gordon, Andy Campbell, Jason Bowen, Neil Alexander. Sheffield United: Paddy Kenny, Chris Morgan, Robert Kozluk, Robert Page, Nick Montgomery, Andy Gray, Phil Jagielka, Michael Tonge, Stuart McCall, Jack Lester, Peter Ndlovu. Substitutions: Jonathan Forte, Izale McLeod, Wayne Allison, Simon Francis, Paul Shaw.

Last Time Round: Cardiff City 0-0 Sheffield United, 11/02/1989 (Division 3)