Cardiff City Defensive Worries

Cardiff City captain Darren Purse is struggling to be fit for Saturday’s crunch game against Sunderland.

The ex-West Brom defender has been out for some time with a back problem, and despite playing an hour of two reserve team games, is yet to make his first team comeback. With regular centre-half Glenn Loovens already ruled out with a stress fracture in his foot, Purse’s recovery has caused a defensive headache for Bluebirds boss Dave Jones.

Should Purse fail to recover, Kevin McNaughton will continue in the unfamiliar role at centre-back despite a costly mistake against Derby while Joe Ledley and Chris Gunter (or Kerrea Gilbert) will fill the full-back roles.

Alternative options at centre-half would be Simon Walton or Riccardo Scimeca but Dave Jones is almost certain to go with McNaughton who has done a good covering job in that position thus far.

Roger Johnson will again be asked to marshall the defence. The third choice centre back has been excellent recently and has excelled in his first season at Championship level.