Cardiff City v Nottingham Forest. Match preview

Last updated : 17 April 2017 By Michael Morris

C:WindowsTempphp35F3.tmpCardiff boss Neil Warnock is confident leading scorer Kenneth Zohore will be fit to face Nottingham Forest despite looking "shattered" during Friday's defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

Zohore played the full 90 minutes at Hillsborough, with Warnock feeling he did not have much option but to leave the 23-year-old Dane on after finding out substitute Rickie Lambert was not fit.

Former England striker Lambert, 35, was struggling with a back problem and it remains to be seen if he will be involved against Forest.

Warnock has promised to make "a few changes" after criticising his side's defending for Wednesday's late winner, and he will hope to have Sol Bamba - missing for the last two matches with a groin injury - available again soon.

Matt Mills will be hoping to start for Nottingham Forest after he lasted just 45 minutes of the 1-0 home defeat to Blackburn on Good Friday.

Central defender Mills was withdrawn at the break with Michael Mancienne coming on as Reds boss Mark Warburton opted for a change in system.

Armand Traore was fit to start against Rovers having struggled with cramp in the clash with Huddersfield.

Danny Fox could come back into the squad having served a one-game ban, while striker Ross McCormack has missed Forest's last four matches and it remains to be seen if he is involved in Wales.

 

Match Officials:

Referee: Andy Madley
Assistants: Robert Merchant and John Flynn
Fourth official: Daniel Robathan.

 

Match facts

  • Cardiff have been beaten just once in the last nine games in which they've hosted Forest in the league (W5 D3).
  • Forest have lost five of the last six league meetings with Cardiff, drawing on their last visit to the Cardiff City Stadium.
  • Rickie Lambert has scored four times in his last three league appearances against Forest.
  • The only time Neil Warnock has seen one of his sides concede seven goals in a Football League game came against Forest in March 2012, when his Leeds team were hammered 7-3 at Elland Road.
  • Forest are winless in 11 away league games, their worst run since August 2010 (a run of 12).