Mr Friend has been a regular League referee over the past two seasons, mainly in league One or Two but with 10 Championship games as well. His only previous match in charge of Cardiff City was at Ninian Park last October when City beat Rotherham 2 - 0.
The referee for next Tuesday's home game with Leeds will be Steve Tanner from Somerset. His assistants will be Keith Buller from Somerset and Andy Sainsbury from Wiltshire.
Mr Tanner like Mr Friend has only been a regular League referee for the past two seasons. His only previous City match was the 1 - 1 draw with Crewe last season.