Goalkeeper John Ruddy will make his first Premier League appearance for almost three years against Cardiff as Wolves prepare him for their FA Cup quarter-final.

Rui Patricio has been ever-present in the league this season, but boss Nuno Espirito Santo will start Ruddy in Saturday's visit of Cardiff before the last-eight clash with Manchester United in two weeks.

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The former Norwich player, 32, has been Wolves' keeper for the cup competitions. Ruddy's last top-flight appearance was in Norwich's 3-0 defeat at Everton in May 2016.

Nuno, who has no fresh injury worries, said: "In terms of who is going to play, we have already made our decisions.

"We don't normally do this, but to avoid any confusion, John Ruddy is going to play because we consider it is the right moment to prepare him for what's coming in front of us.

"Because in two weeks' time, we're going to play in the FA Cup, and John Ruddy is going to be in goal. We consider this is the right moment for him to get some game time in competition, and to be stronger.

"We have a lot of confidence in the three goalkeepers we have. Rui has been playing in the league, John has been playing in the cup, Will Norris has not had a chance until now to play but we have 100 per cent confidence in all three."

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Neil Warnock has revealed he has held frank talks with his Cardiff players after heavy home defeats to Watford and Everton, and told them to "look in the mirror".

Cardiff have dropped into the Premier League relegation zone with 10 games left to play after losing 5-1 to Watford and 3-0 to Everton.

"I had a chat with them all and put my point of view forward about the remainder of the season," Warnock said.

"After that they had a meeting of their own, and I was quite pleased about that.

"When you do make mistakes you don't tend to look in the mirror, you tend to look around. All I've asked is for them to look in the mirror."

Team news

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As well as Ruddy starting in goal, Romain Saiss and Ruben Vinagre may also be handed Wolves recalls against the Bluebirds.

Cardiff welcome back Victor Camarasa and Oumar Niasse for the trip to Molineux.

Spanish playmaker Camarasa has not started since January 19 because of a calf problem, while loan signing Niasse was ineligible to play against his parent club Everton on Tuesday.

Harry Arter and Callum Paterson could both return after being rested in midweek, while Joe Ralls has recovered from a calf strain to rejoin the squad.

Opta stats

• Wolves have lost five of their last seven league matches against Cardiff (W2), losing the reverse fixture at the Cardiff City Stadium in November.
• Cardiff City, 2-1 winners at Molineux in August 2017, are looking to win consecutive away league matches against Wolves for the first time since February 1988.
• Wolves have won four of their last five home matches in all competitions (D1), as many as they'd won in their first 12 games at Molineux this season (W4 D3 L5).
• Cardiff have won two of their last four away Premier League games (L2) - as many as in their first 28 in the competition (W2 D6 L20).
• Wolves haven't lost consecutive matches in all competitions since November 2018, when they lost against Huddersfield and Cardiff.
• Cardiff have conceded at least three goals in 11 different Premier League games this season, more than any other side.
• Wolves failed to register a shot on target in their 0-1 defeat to Huddersfield, only the third time they had failed to do so in a league match under Nuno Espirito Santo (also against Barnsley in January 2018 and Man City in January 2019).

Merson's prediction

Cardiff have hit a brick wall, haven't they? You were expecting this from Cardiff earlier in the season, so fair play to them. Those games against Watford and Everton were huge for them. Neither of the games were even tight.

I can't see Cardiff taking anything from this. Wolves will have to bounce back after a shocking result against Huddersfield, and I think it'll be comfortable for them.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (9/1 with Sky Bet)

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