Neil Harris is hopeful to have new signings Perry Ng and Max Watters in the squad to face Queens Park Rangers at Cardiff City Stadium. (7pm kick-off)
The Bluebirds managed to get two new recruits into the squad, as they look to turn around their fortunes following five consecutive defeats.
Watters and Ng signed from Crawley Town and Crewe Alexandra respectively, with both players having impressive seasons at their respective clubs prior to the move.
Quotes from the boss
Harris stressed the need for a balance within his side but admitted that if there was to be anymore transfer business within the window, it would be at the expense of an outgoing player to make room in the squad.
“If anyone goes out we have to bring someone in… I think it would be the lads that have to go before anyone comes in. I don’t really want to let anyone go unless we could add to the group in that position.”
Currently sitting in 15th place, Harris stated the importance of going on a winning run if his side is to get back into play-off contention: “It’s a big ask. Every game that goes by where we don’t change our form it becomes tougher.
“This team is capable of winning games in succession. We need to win three or four and it takes you from a long way off to back in the fringes again.
“It’s trying to give the players confidence again. It’s getting that first one, winning that first game.”
Team News
There still isn’t much joy for Neil Harris on the injury front ahead of the game, with a number of key players still missing for the Bluebirds.
Lee Tomlin is still out with an injury which has kept him from November onwards, with full-back Jordi Oseu-Tutu and Aden Flint both also unavailable due to injury.
City will also be without Marlon Pack, who is serving a suspension following his sending off against Norwich.
Harris revealed that Kieffer Moore was rushed back against Norwich, admitting: “We did rush him a little bit on Saturday because needs must”. Bluebirds’ skipper Sean Morrison is unlikely to appear, with a late minute decision needed to be made on the defender.
The visitors are without Bright Osayi-Samuel, after the forward signed a pre-contract agreement with Turkish side Fenerbahçe. Both clubs are hoping to sort out a transfer before transfer window closes.
Mark Warburton has admitted that Chris Willock or ex-bluebird Albert Adomah could be in contention to start, with the QPR boss stating that Osayi-Samuel won’t play for the club again.
Previous Meetings
City haven’t endured the best of times against QPR over the past few years, with Mark Warburton’s side enjoying most of the recent success in this fixture.
The Bluebirds have been on the wrong side of the result in the last two meetings, with a 3-2 defeat in October at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium following a stoppage time winner from Dominic Ball on Halloween.
One game that City fans will want to forget is their 6-1 thrashing at Loftus Road on New Year’s Day last season, where Harris’ side were outfought to every ball as the hosts were utterly ruthless to claim their biggest victory of the season.
However, the Bluebirds will be hoping for a repeat of their last meeting at the Cardiff City Stadium where a clinical display and goals from Sean Morrison, Marlon Pack and Callum Paterson led City to a resounding 3-0 victory in October 2019.
