Cardiff City v Reading. Match preview

Last updated : 23 January 2015 By Michael Morris

C:WindowsTempphpEDCF.tmpCardiff City v Reading

FA Cup 4th Round.

Cardiff City Stadium Saturday 24th January 2015, ko 3:00pm.

Referee: Lee: Probert
Assistant Referees: Derek Eaton and Richard Martin
Fourth Official Kevin Johnson

Tickets are on sale on the day from outlets at the stadium.

**Travel advice: Junction 33 (Cardiff West) of the M4 is closed this weekend. Please take an alternative route when heading to CCS**

Cardiff will be looking to put their league woes behind them when they host fellow Championship side Reading in the FA Cup fourth round.

The Bluebirds went down 2-1 against Middlesbrough in midweek - their seventh defeat on the road - and have shipped five goals in their last two matches.

Defender Scott Malone is a doubt after missing the trip to Teesside with an ankle problem, meaning Matt Connolly and John Brayford could continue as makeshift full-backs.

Boss Russell Slade has also hinted at a new midfield role for Manchester United loanee Fabio, who has not started a game since December 20.

Reading can add two new faces to their squad in the shape of Jure Travner and Nathaniel Chalobah.

Slovenian left-back Travner has signed a short-term deal having been training with the Royals since December, and England Under-21 international Chalobah has arrived on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season.

Midfielder Hope Akpan is back in training after a shoulder problem but is unlikely to be risked just yet while defender Anton Ferdinand is still struggling with a calf problem.

Club captain Jem Karacan played for the reserves in midweek again to build up his match fitness following 16 months out with a knee injury and should be on the bench

MATCH FACTS

  • Cardiff and Reading have been drawn together four times previously in the FA Cup with both sides progressing twice.
  • The last time the two sides met in the FA Cup was 2009 when City won 2-0 in round three.
  • City have won 18 and lost just three of their last 28 home FA Cup matches.