City v Wolves. Match preview

Last updated : 01 November 2008 By Michael Morris
Wolves are a little vulnerable on the road. Their home form is great 6 wins and one defeat but away from home they've lost twice in the last three games. They don't do low scoring games either. In total this season their 14 league games have produced 55 goals compared to just 29 in Cardiff's matches.

Their last away match was a 3 - 2 win at Watford but less than a week before that they lost 5 - 2 at Norwich.

The game brings together the two top scorer's in the Championship. Ross McCormack has scored 10 league goals this season with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake on 9 (along with Reading's Kevin Doyle). Both players were on the scoresheet in midweek with McCormack securing City's win over Blackpool and Ebanks-Blake getting a couple in Wolves' win over Swansea.

There's a strong Wolves connection at City. Dave Jones of course led Wolves to the Premier League in 2003. Jay Bothroyd is a former Wolves player as are Mark Kennedy and Gabor Gyepes.

Dave Jones must decide if he keeps Peter Whittingham in the team. Whittingham has come off the bench in the last two matches. Crucially against Blackpool he scored the opening goal in thre 83rd minute. Jones could keep Joe Ledley at left back (he played most of the second half there on Tuesday) allowing Whittingham and Parry to play on either flank. Miguel Comminges was taken off by Jones in midweek after a less than convincing 55 mins at fullback. With Mark Kennedy likely to missout through injury  Ledley could start in the left back position.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy faces a dilemma over what to do with Richard Stearman.

The defender missed last Saturday's win over Watford due to suspension and while he was destined to start the midweek win over Swansea, he turned up late at Molineux due to snow and traffic and was dropped from the matchday 16 altogether.

Stearman is now likely to battle it out with loan signing Michael Mancienne to be involved at Ninian Park.

Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme looks okay to start again after a slight back problem but defender Jody Craddock (broken metatarsal) is still building up match fitness.

Winger Matt Jarvis (hamstring) and defender George Elokobi (anterior cruciate ligament) remain sidelined for the long-term.