Cardiff v Sheff Weds. Early team news

Last updated : 20 December 2008 By Michael Morris

The Sunderland marksman had to come off after just 35 minutes of Saturday's 2-1 win against Ipswich at Portman Road after taking a blow to a foot.

Boss Dave Jones allayed fears he will be out for the long-term by revealing it was only a soft tissue injury, but it remains to be seen whether he will line up against the Owls.

Eddie Johnson would step in and partner in-form Jay Bothroyd in attack should Chopra not make it, while leading scorer Ross McCormack remains sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Stephen McPhail will be hoping to start from the off but is likely to remain on the bench due to the impressive form of Cardiff's midfield in his absence, meaning Joe Ledley should also keep hold of the captain's armband.

Left-back Tony Capaldi (knee) continues to build up his match-fitness but is not yet ready, while midfielder Peter Whittingham (ankle) remains sidelined.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws could include another teenager in his first-team squad for the clash.

Laws has been forced to recall first-year professional Sam Liversidge from his loan spell at Buxton due to the on-going injury crisis at Hillsborough.

Fellow youngsters Rocky Lekaj, Richard O'Donnell and Nathan Modest were all on the substitutes' bench against Bristol City last week.

Modest, 17, will be included in the squad again as Laws will be without Jermaine Johnson (knee) and Etienne Esajas (broken toe), while a third winger, Wade Small, remains doubtful due to an eye injury.

Experienced Steve Watson is also doubtful after having an injection in a hip, as is fellow midfielder Jimmy Smith due to illness, while defender Frank Simek (hamstring) is definitely out.

Akpo Sodje (knee), Richard Hinds (broken leg) and Peter Gilbert (Achilles) are all long-term absentees.

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