Ipswich v Cardiff. Match Preview.

Last updated : 20 August 2004 By Matthew Gabb
After the disappointment of last Friday's home defeat by Plymouth Argyle, Lennie Lawrence will be hoping for better from his side at Portman Road.

With so many players on international duty this week it's difficult to know what the side will be.

Earnie, Gabbidon and Parry all missed Wales' excellent 2-0 win in Latvia on Wednesday, with Page playing the whole game and Collins getting on for around an hour after Melville went off injured. Word is all three of our absentees trained this week and have travelled with the squad so hopefully they will be in contention.

Also in action this week for the Wales U21s were Stuart Fleetwood, Byron Anthony, Nicky Fish and Danny Parslow. They all played in an encouraging performance as the youngsters drew 0-0 with their Latvian counterparts in Riga.

Alan Lee came back injured from the Ireland camp after picking up a knock in training, and Kavanagh played for half an hour. Langley made the long trip to Jamaica for their game with the USA and won't have returned until Thursday afternoon.

Jobi McAnuff is now eligible to play for us after his transfer from West Ham last week and will no doubt play some part in proceedings, either on the bench or maybe even starting on the right hand side of midfield.

Willie Boland will be fit enough to travel after missing the first three games, and the thinking is that Peter Thorne will be fit for the league cup match at Kidderminster next Tuesday, but will not make the squad for Ipswich.

Ipswich reached the playoffs last season, gaining their place on the last day of the season with a 1-1 home draw against the Bluebirds, and will be looking to improve on a start which has seen them pick up 4 points from 3 games.  They are a good footballing side when on form, and were probably the best side to come to Ninian Park last season, beating us 3-2 in November.  City will need to be on top form to get a result out of this match.

The Bluebirds will be turning out in their new red away kit for the first time this season. Tickets are still on sale from the club for this match to season ticket holders and members.