Bristol City have no new injury worries ahead of the game, but Keith Millen could make changes with Danny Rose, David Clarkson and Brett Pitman pushing for recalls after making an impact from the bench in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
Millen still has defensive problems, though. Liam Fontaine (ankle) and Jamie McAllister (calf) could be out for some time, while Louis Carey and Christian Ribeiro are not expected to be fit to face the Bluebirds or QPR on January 3.
Of the walking wounded, the closest to making a return is captain Carey who is recovering from illness and a torn calf muscle.
"Louis is back training now but is working on his own with the physios. This weekend is probably too soon for him but at least he is on the mend," said Millen.
Last season's top scorer Nicky Maynard has been back in training for a month and is close to making a comeback, but Millen added: "We are not setting any target dates for him. We have to be careful with Nicky and we will look at his situation week by week."
Cardiff boss Dave Jones is to assess his options ahead of the game but will hope to have star duo Craig Bellamy and Jay Bothroyd available again.
Jones felt his depleted squad were finally stretched to breaking point as they put in what he said was probably their worst performance of the season in going down 4-1 at Watford on Tuesday.
Any changes will depend on bodies available to do so, but Bellamy should be back after resting his troublesome knee problem which prevents him from playing games in quick succession, while Bothroyd also stands a good chance having already missed two further games than expected in his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Midfielder Danny Drinkwater failed to return from a virus in time to feature at Vicarage Road while winger Chris Burke battled through 73 minutes having also been one of a number of players struck down with the illness. Both will be monitored again.
Returning defender Chris Riggott was unable to manage two appearances in three days after eight months on the sidelines but could return to face the Robins. Full-back Lee Naylor could well find himself on the bench having been substituted early on Tuesday following a nightmare opening 35 minutes.
