Cardiff v Southampton preview

Bluebirds host Saints in six-point encounter

Last updated: 28th March 2008

Nigel Pearson Southampton

Pearson: Cardiff test

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Cardiff look to keep their play-off hopes alive as they host struggling Southampton at Ninian Park.

The Bluebirds are unbeaten in four league games and are sitting seven points off a play-off spot.

The Saints are languishing just two points above the drop-zone but have only been beaten twice in their last eight league games and will be desperate to pick up some much-needed points in the Welsh capital.

Bluebirds boss Dave Jones will hand a late fitness test to Joe Ledley after the 21-year-old pulled out of Wales' friendly with Luxembourg with a hamstring injury.

The winger is expected to be okay to face the Saints but with the FA Cup semi-final against Barnsley just a week away, Jones is likely to adopt a cautious approach with one of his prized assets.

Striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink serves the second match of a three-game ban for his recent red card and defender Kevin McNaughton could again miss out with a hamstring problem.

Warren Feeney, Trevor Sinclair and Aaron Ramsey will all hope to make the starting line-up after being named as substitutes in last week's win over Bristol City.

Saints news

Southampton manager Nigel Pearson has named new recruit Chris Perry in his squad ahead of the trip to Cardiff.

The veteran former Wimbledon and Tottenham centre-half has been drafted in for the relegation run-in after joining on loan from League One side Luton.

Wayne Thomas and Darren Powell should start at the back with Perry providing cover on the bench after Andrew Davies was ruled out for the season with a fractured cheekbone.

Ian Pearce has gone back to Fulham following an injury-hit loan spell and a third centre-back, club captain Claus Lundekvam, was this week forced to retire.

Richard Wright should keep his place in goal after a clean sheet in the draw with Coventry on his debut, although Kelvin Davis (dislocated finger) was fit enough to be on the bench.

Midfielder Inigo Idiakez will miss out but is close to a return after a hamstring injury.