City v Argyle. Match preview

Last updated : 28 December 2008 By Michael Morris

Jones named an unchanged XI for the visit of Reading on Boxing Day and Jones could well have the luxury of naming the same team for the third game in succession.

The Cardiff boss - who clocked up the 600th game of his managerial career in the 1-1 draw with the Royals - still has striker Ross McCormack (hamstring) injured, so on-loan forward Michael Chopra will start the last game of his spell with the Bluebirds before returning to parent club Sunderland.

Midfielder Peter Whittingham (ankle) came off the bench during Friday's game after a long injury lay-off and is pushing for a start.

Cardiff's draw with Reading was their 11th so far this season, although City have the enviable record of suffering just three defeats since the beginning of November and are unbeaten in their last seven league games.

Plymouth Argyle winger Craig Noone is a doubt for the trip.

Noone shrugged off illness to star in the 2-0 home win over Southampton but was substituted after 66 minutes as he was still feeling unwell.

Argyle boss Paul Sturrock recalled striker Rory Fallon, central defender Craig Cathcart, fit-again skipper Karl Duguid and right-back David McNamee and gave a first start to Noone, who had previously been used from the bench.

Sturrock's squad is boosted by the return of Emile Mpenza, back from Belgium and fit again after recovering from a hamstring injury, but midfielder Simon Walton is suspended.

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