Rae, Scimeca and Capaldi will all miss out with McNaughton, Blake and Kennedy facing fitness tests ahead of the game at Bramall Lane.
Dave Jones has to decide if Eddie Johnson is ready for a league run out or if Jay Bothroyd will come back in to partner top scorer Ross McCormack.
Sheffield United could have James Beattie back on the bench but Keith Gillespie (ankle) and Lee Hendrie (foot) will not feature.
Chris Morgan could play after recovering from concussion.
"I intended to put James Beattie on the bench against Huddersfield in the Carling Cup but I realise I don't need to be greedy.
I think with the game against Cardiff followed by an international break, I can be a bit more pragmatic about feeding Beattie in.
"I am the one under pressure now, they [Ugo Ehiogu and Chris Morgan] have done everything I have asked them to do and now I have a decision to make as to who will play on Saturday.