Cardiff City v Newport County. Match preview

Last updated : 19 February 2008 By Michael Morris
Cardiff City and Newport County meet this evening in the semi final of the FAW Premier Cup. Cardiff City have failed to get a grip of this tournament over the years with just one success in 2002.

City usually use the tournament to play young sides but tonight we may see a few first team squad members in action with reports that Steve Thompson, Darren Purse, Glenn Loovens, Trevor Sinclair and Ricci Scimeca could be involved.

Thompson and Purse are regular bench warmers for the first team but Glenn Loovens sits out the next two league games through suspension so he may get a game.

Trevor Sinclair came off the bench for a few minutes against Wolves as he battles back to full fitness after injury and for Ricci Scimeca it's a return to action after almost a year out.

Newport are bringing around 900 - 1000 fans to Ninian Park this evening as they take the competition very seriously indeed. They will also be bringing back players that have previously played for City like Jason Bowen, Damon Searle, Lee Jarman and Lee Fowler. Also City's FA Cup hero over Leeds Utd, Scott Young, who is the Newport assistant manager as well as managing Cardiff City's football in the community scheme.

Kick off is at 7:00pm. The game is live on BBC2W and there will be a minutes appreciation for former Cardiff and Newport player Brian Harris before the game. Harris, 72, died on the weekend.