Lennie set to name unchanged starting XI. Chesterfield preview.

Last updated : 12 April 2003 By Michael Morris

"I'm amazed people think Danny should play on Sunday. I find it staggering," Lawrence told Fridays pre match press conference

"When I told Danny I was going to leave things alone for the Chesterfield game, you could see he thought it was the right thing to do."

"Danny has made enormous strides. He got 30 minutes at Wycombe. It was the perfect introduction for him. He's getting there but he played in the reserves on Wednesday and he looked tired at the end of it."

Gabbidon will be on the bench with Spencer Prior and Chris Barker starting the game.

Lennie still has to decide on Neil Alexander. The City keeper has recovered from his injury but it's unlikely that Lennie will throw him straight back into the starting line up. That would be harsh on Martyn Margetson who's waited all season for his chance. Alexander will be in the squad but most likely on the bench.

There is no place for Gareth Whalley or Andy Campbell. They are not quite ready yet and both will play for the reserves against Cheltenham on Tuesday.

City therefore expect to line up

Margetson, Weston, Prior, Barker, Croft, Ainsworth, Boland, Kavanagh, Mahon, Earnshaw, Thorne. Subs Alexander, Legg, Bonner, Gabbidon, Gordon.

Robert Earnshaw is still looking for his 31st and record breaking league goal. The scoring honours have moved to Peter Thorne in the last couple of games with three goals for the City front man. Thorne is now on 11 league goals this season.

Earnie needs just one to beat Stan Richards' 57 year record of 30 league goals in a season.

Last season City picked up all three points at Chesterfield, the same again this season is crucial if we are to push on and earn automatic promotion. City sit out todays round of games and will be watching the games at Blackpool, Cheltenham Bristol and QPR with interest.

Anything other than wins for Crewe at Blackpool, Oldham at Cheltenham, Bristol at home to Mansfield and QPR at home to Luton will be a bonus for City. Whatever happens Cardiff must push on and win their own games.

It would be nice to go to Chesterfield on Sunday knowing a win would put us second. Come on Blackpool.

Chesterfield have lost 8 from the last 12 matches, they have dropped from mid table to only 5 points above the drop zone. They are not battling for mid table obscurity but still have work to do to avoid relegation. Crewe and QPR have both taken the points from Saltergate in recent weeks. Their last game was a four nil reverse at Huddersfield but their only win in their last four games was a 4 - 0 home win over Wycombe.

The game is all ticket on Sunday with no sales on the day. The next away game though at Peterborough on Wednesday April 16th is pay on the gate. If you cannot make Chesterfield then the team will welcome your support at Peterborough.

Chesterfield v Cardiff City
Saltergate, 2pm
Sunday April 13th.