After getting a first away win of the season last time out at Watford, Cardiff will do well to come away from Bournemouth with another three points against a team who could go top if results go their way.
Bournemouth left-back Ian Harte is unlikely to feature in Saturday's Sky Bet Championship clash with Cardiff City at Dean Court.
The 37-year-old left-back has made a speedy recovery from a calf problem and is back in training, but the clash with Russell Slade's men is probably a game too soon, with the former Leeds man likely to make the squad to face Liverpool on Wednesday.
Fellow defender Elliott Ward is being eased back into training as he steps up his recovery from a knee injury but he will not be involved, nor will South African Tokelo Rantie (shoulder).
The likes of Eunan O'Kane and Ryan Fraser staked their claims for a start in a 4-0 friendly win over Exeter in midweek.
Slade could rotate his Cardiff squad after last weekend's goalless draw with Rotherham.
The Bluebirds struggled to create chances going forward, with playmakers Mats Daehli and Ravel Morrison watching on from the bench, and the pair, along with Federico Macheda, could be in Slade's pre-match thinking as they look for just their second away win in the league this season.
Anthony Pilkington (hamstring) misses out once more along with centre-back Bruno Manga, who has a knee problem.
Former Crystal Palace midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi remains a long-term absentee with a hamstring problem.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-Head
• Bournemouth won 3-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium in the Capital One Cup on 23 September.
• This is the first league meeting since Cardiff won 3-1 at Bournemouth in the old Division Two in February 2002.
• Both sides have won three of the last seven meetings in all competitions, drawing the other one.
• Cardiff have won three of the last four meetings at Bournemouth in all competitions, losing one.
Bournemouth
• Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last 11 games in all competitions, winning eight. Their last defeat was 2-0 at Derby in the Championship on 30 September.
• Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last seven home games in all competitions, drawing the last two. Their last defeat at home was 3-1 against Leeds in the Championship on 16 September.
Cardiff
• Cardiff are unbeaten in their last four games, winning two. Their last defeat was 3-0 at Bolton on 4 November.
• Cardiff won their last away game 1-0 against Watford on 29 November - their first away win in the Championship this season.