Cardiff v Ipswich. Match preview

Last updated : 24 April 2009 By Michael Morris

After 99 years at their current home, the Bluebirds will this summer move across Sloper Road to take residence in their new 27,000 all-seater stadium, and the club are looking to go out with a bang as they chase promotion to the Premier League.

One more point will definitely secure a play-off place and a further fixture at Ninian Park in May, although victory against Roy Keane's newly-acquired side could potentially keep alive their slim hopes of automatic promotion.

Goalkeeper Stuart Taylor missed Tuesday's dramatic 2-2 draw against Charlton with a dead leg and he will be hoping to shake it off before this weekend. Tom Heaton will continue in goal if he does not make it.

Kevin McNaughton is also battling to overcome a groin injury that ruled him out at The Valley, while fellow defender Roger Johnson was forced off late on with a knee problem but may be okay.

Midfielder Chris Burke came on as a second-half substitute and changed the game, meaning he could force his way into Dave Jones' plans, while Stephen McPhail and Peter Whittingham will be looking to regain their place in the matchday 16.

Roy Keane will be without several players for his first game in charge of Ipswich.

Combative full-back Ben Thatcher suffered knee ligament damage in the 3-2 win over Norwich last Sunday and will be out for the last two games of the season while possible replacement David Wright is also out until the summer with a hamstring injury.

Moritz Volz is one option to start at left-back. The on-loan Fulham defender has missed the last three games with a troublesome groin problem but after a series of injections is back in training and could feature.

Should Volz miss out then winger Jaime Peters - who came on for Thatcher against Norwich - may be called into emergency action from the start.

However, captain Gareth McAuley remains a doubt after his hamstring injury and forward Jon Walters is also unlikely to feature as he recovers from an ankle injury.

Winger Luciano Civelli is not expected to be back until 2010 after picking up a serious knee injury.

Sporting Life