FAW Premier Cup preview. TNS v Cardiff City.

Last updated : 28 January 2003 By Michael Morris
City start the defence of their FAW Premier Cup title at TNS Llansantffraid tonight.

Make no mistake this is not an easy run out. TNS top the League of Wales with 16 wins from 20 games. The other 4 have been drawn. Thats two teams City play this week with unbeaten records to defend.

TNS drew 0 - 0 at Barry on the weekend and it's Barry that trail 3 points behind TNS having played two games more.

It's expected that City will give a run out to a mainly second string team, with a couple of injuries picked up at Huddersfield and a massive league game on Friday coming up Lennie will be careful not to involve the first team line up. Rhys Weston is hoping to be fit for Friday while it's reported Leo could be out for a couple of weeks.

Names like Gavin Gordon, Fan Zhiyi and Gethin Jones are expected to play tonight along with probables like James Collins and Andrew Jordan. More team news to follow later in the day.

Lennie expects whatever team he puts out to do a job

"I respect TNS, but if we can't go there and get a result we've got a problem. They're not teenagers I'm putting in but experienced players and they have to perform."

The game kicks off at 6:55pm. It is not live on TV tonight but highlights will be shown on BBC2 Wales on Wednesday at 11:20pm.

The winners of the 1/4 finals will be drawn randomly for the semi finals followed by the final. City beat Swansea 1 - 0 at Ninian Park last season to lift the trophy for the first time. (Match report from last years final)