Cardiff City

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Striker Steven Thompson is hoping to be back playing within four weeks. The former Rangers ace is yet to kick a ball this term due to an ongoing groin injury. However, Thompson, who is currently transfer-listed, is looking to feature this month.

[Jose_Mourinho]

Cardiff suffer double injury blow!

Cardiff City striker Steven MacLean and midfielder Riccardo Scimeca are set for long injury lay-offs.

MacLean has been ruled out for three months after rupturing ankle ligaments in a reserve match on Tuesday.

Scimeca has suffered a set-back to his comeback after pulling up with a problem on the groin that was operated upon over the summer.

Bluebirds manager Dave Jones said he hopes to sign replacements on loan as soon as possible.

"Its a massive blow for both players and the club and I'll have to sit down with the chairman to discuss bringing somebody in," Jones told the South Wales Echo.

"Steve will be out for three months and Riccy has torn a muscle in the same part of the groin.

"He gets to a certain level and it breaks down again, he will see a specialist today [Thursday] and we will know more later."

MacLean joined Cardiff on a free transfer in June, and the 25-year-old has scored once in five appearances so far this season.

Scimeca, 32, was hoping to return to action this month but now looks set for at least another four weeks on the sidelines.

Source:BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Cardiff City | Cardiff suffer double injury blow

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Cardiff City have confirmed that they have signed a 'detailed agreement' with rugby union side Cardiff Blues over the sharing of their new ground. The stadium at Leckwith, which will initially seat 25,000 but can be increased to 30,000, is due for completion in 2009.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Cardiff v Preston preview

Glenn Loovens has missed Cardiff's last two games with a knock and is struggling to be fit in time for the clash with Preston.

Peter Whittingham and Joe Ledley are pushing for recalls as Cardiff aim to halt a run of three consecutive home defeats, while Robbie Fowler could be left out after a disappointing start to his Championship career.

Preston boss Paul Simpson will be without on-loan Newcastle striker Andy Carroll because of a ban, so he could decide to bring in Neil Mellor.

Paul McKenna (groin) is still sidelined but Wayne Henderson could return in goal after a back strain.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Cardiff - Preston 2-2

1-0 27 min. Fowler
1-1 52 min. Davidson
2-1 61 min. Fowler
2-2 90 min. Davidson

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Fowler double not enough for win

Cardiff fans were left seething as the home side twice threw away the lead to draw 2-2 with Preston.

Both Cardiff and Preston have endured disappointing starts to the Championship season, Cardiff with seven points from six games prior to Saturday's encounter at Ninian Park and Preston sitting third bottom with just four points.

It was the home fans who were left seething, though, as Cardiff twice threw away the lead to finish with just a point for their efforts.

The Bluebirds had a great chance to take the lead early in the game when Paul Parry's cross in from the right found the head of Joe Ledley. His effort was on target but tipped over the crossbar by Andy Lonergan.

The home side enjoyed the better of possession in the first half and it didn't take long before they found the back of the net.

Ledley was involved again as he sent a beautiful ball in from the right to Robbie Fowler at the far post, who finished with a great header to net his first for the club and put City in front inside the half hour mark.

Continuing to press, Cardiff were by far the better side in the first half and had another good chance to go ahead after a dangerous chip from Parry went just wide of the left post, catching Lonergan unaware.

The Bluebirds played the much more controlled football, as Preston struggled to fend off City's attack.

Preston started the second half with an early free kick awarded for a handball 30 yards out. Darren Carter's forceful shot hit the wall and was eventually cleared but it was a much more promising start for Preston, who had struggled to make any sort of impact in the first half.

Half-time chat

Lilywhites manager Paul Simpson must have made quite an impact on his players during the half-time talk, because minutes later they equalised.

Callum Davidson's first goal in 18 months was impressive to say the least.

Completely unmarked his shot from outside the area went straight into the bottom right corner of the net.

Celebrations were short lived though for the visitors. The third goal in the game came just after the hour mark with Fowler again proving his worth and finding his way through the Preston defence. His second effort was a low header from Ledley's corner; a scrambled goal but a goal none the less.

Lasting 80 minutes before being taken off as a substitute, Fowler left the pitch to a roar of applause following his impressive goalscoring contribution.

Steven Thompson was brought on to freshen up Cardiff's attack as they looked to build on their lead in the final few minutes.

Davidson delight

But deep in stoppage time Stephen McPhail conceded a free kick for shirt pulling. The free-kick, 30 yards out, cleverly found the feet of Davidson, who again produced an absolute screamer into the bottom left corner.

There were distressing scenes in the final minutes as Roger Johnson was stretchered off just before the full time whistle.

His injury was picked up in an accidental clash with goalscorer Davidson and certainly made the fans much quieter in what was a sad note to end a thrilling encounter.

Skysports

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Cardiff City v Burnley match preview

Cardiff will be desperate for a win after going five Championship outings without success.

Dave Jones has welcomed Darren Purse back into his squad, although Steve Thompson (shin) and Steve MacLean (ankle) are out.

Cardiff have also lost the services of keeper Ross Turnbull after he was recalled from by season-long loan by Middlesbrough.

Michael Duff's knee injury suffered against Crystal Palace looks like ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Ex-Preston man Graham Alexander is set to continue at right-back while a hamstring injury means Chris McCann is out.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Cardiff City 2-1 Burnley

Cardiff secured their first home win of the season with a 2-1 success against Burnley. The Bluebirds went ahead on 36 minutes when Joe Ledley towered a header home after good work by Kevin McNaughton. Half-time substitute Ade Akinbiyi levelled matters just five minutes after coming on - but Cardiff were ahead just moments later when Paul Parry jinked his way in from the right and fired home from 20 yards to seal the win.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Cardiff City's Matt Green has joined League Two side Darlington on a month's loan. The Bluebirds have confirmed that the striker will join up with Dave Penney's men ahead of Tuesday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy second round game against Leeds. The 20-year-old has made six league appearances for Cardiff this season, all as a substitute.

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Cardiff City 1 Scunthorpe 1

Scunthorpe came from behind to secure a share of the spoils as Cardiff's unhappy form at Ninian Park continued. The home side went ahead after a drab opening when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink moved out to the flank and crossed into the box for fellow former Leeds man Stephen McPhail to bundle the ball home. Scunthorpe levelled 10 minutes into the second half after a swift counter-attack ended with a fierce cross-shot from James Goodwin which gave on-loan goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel no chance.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Cardiff v Crystal Palace match preview

Dave Jones has reaffirmed his intent to fight for his job at Cardiff and he has been boosted by the return to fitness of Trevor Sinclair.

Manchester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is also available again after sitting out the Carling Cup defeat at Liverpool.

Neil Warnock is also under pressure in his early tenure at Selhurst Park, but midfielder Tom Soares has now served his suspension.

Carl Fletcher (leg) and Lee Hills (back) are both doubts though, as Palace try to propel themselves out of the relegation zone.