Swans midfielder Darren Pratley will miss the crunch derby but manager Brendan Rodgers does welcome back Mark Gower and captain Garry Monk to compensate the loss.
Pratley picked up his fifth booking of the season in last weekend's 3-0 triumph at Crystal Palace and will now serve a one-match ban.
But his absence is countered by the return of Gower after a four-game absence due to a hamstring tear sustained against Reading.
Key centre-back Monk also returns to the frame having served a one-match suspension of his own at Selhurst Park.
Andrea Orlandi should be okay despite missing training on Thursday due to illness, while fellow midfielder Kemy Agustien (knee) will be assessed but he is unlikely to start.
Defender Albert Serran remains in the treatment room nursing a thigh injury.
Cardiff will be without key striker Jay Bothroyd.
Bothroyd picked up his fifth booking of the season in last weekend's 3-1 victory over Norwich, resulting in an automatic one-match ban for the target man whose dazzling form this season has led to shouts for an England call-up.
The Bluebirds number nine tops the Championship's scoring chart with 10 goals to date, including five in his last four games, and his loss is an obvious blow for manager Dave Jones, although the City boss insists he has the strength in depth to cope.
On-loan striker Andy Keogh represents the straight swap option, while Jones could turn to Jason Koumas on the wing and promote Craig Bellamy up front alongside Michael Chopra.
Other options include playing Chopra up front on his own in a 4-5-1 formation or alongside Bellamy and another forward of choice in a 4-3-3 system.
