Wigan interim manager Graham Barrow is likely to resist the temptation to gamble on Nick Powell's fitness despite the desperate measures required to maintain the Latics' Sky Bet Championship status.
The 23-year-old has scored five goals in 69 minutes over three matches since a three-month spell out with a hamstring injury, but the 29 minutes he managed at Brighton was the longest he has played so far and Barrow does not consider him fit enough to start.
However, his options are limited with forwards Omar Bogle (thigh) and Will Grigg (knee) not expected to feature again this season.
Defenders Reece James, Andy Kellett and Donervon Daniels are still missing.
Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock will consider the effects of a sickness bug in the Cardiff camp before finalising his team selection.
Defender Declan John is definitely ruled out by illness and several other players have also been laid low this week.
Midfielder Joe Ralls should return after being rested for the Easter Monday victory over Nottingham Forest following a heavy workload this season.
Sol Bamba (groin) could miss out again, but former England striker Rickie Lambert has recovered from a back injury and is likely to be on the bench.
Match Officials:
Referee: OLIVER LANGFORD
Assistants: James Wilson and Robert Merchant
Fourth Official: Ross Joyce
Match facts
- Wigan have won four of their last six home league games against Cardiff (W4 D1 L1).
- Cardiff have won two of their last three league clashes with Wigan (L1), as many as they'd enjoyed in their previous 19 combined.
- Nick Powell has scored in each of his last three appearances for Wigan, netting five goals - all as a substitute. Prior to this run, Powell had scored two goals in 43 previous sub appearances in the league football, including one against Wigan for Manchester United in September 2012.
- Neil Warnock has ended up on the losing side in five of his last six Football League encounters with Wigan, with the other a 1-0 win in the Premier League as Sheffield United manager in December 2006.
- Michael Jacobs has scored in three Championship games this season and has ended up on the losing side in every game.
- The Bluebirds are winless in five away league games (D2 L3) since winning back to back games against Leeds and Derby.