No Game Time for Former Bluebirds as Preston Head for Cardiff

Former Cardiff City names Josh Murphy and Greg Cunningham will both miss this weekend’s clash between Cardiff City and Preston North End.

Murphy is match fit again but unable to compete against the Bluebirds under the terms which saw him loaned out by Cardiff to the Lilywhites.

This kind of arrangement is not uncommon in loan deals of course but Murphy would surely have relished the chance to show the Welsh public just what they had been missing. Sadly, despite occasional moments of flair, he never really hit the heights with any consistency for Cardiff and others have been quick to take his place as the Bluebirds have stabilised their recent form.

Left-back Cunningham remains troubled by an Achilles injury and also misses the homecoming. The Irishman joined the capital club in 2018 for a fee thought to be around £4 million but saw little first team action as the Bluebirds fell out of the Premier League.

Cardiff City should contest the fixture in a relatively relaxed mood having virtually secured their Championship survival with important victories against Wayne Rooney’s struggling Derby County and a QPR side who probably still retain hopes of a play-off spot.

Morrison has been happy to give youth it’s chance this year, managing the opportunities and expectations in a manner which has brought both results and a new contract for his efforts. Expect local youngsters Isaak Davies and Rubin Colwill to shine in a confident home line-up having both found the net in West London last time out.

Fellow Welsh caps Mark Harris and Will Vaulks will also look to turn in good performances in the hope of impressing Wales boss Rob Page ahead of the forthcoming World Cup play-off against Austria. The winners of that tie will face the victors between Scotland and Ukraine for a place in Qatar when that tie takes place. World events have caused the postponement of that fixture for the time being.

Proud Preston sit comfortably in mid-table and, on the face of it, have little to play for as they come to South Wales. There will be PNE stars looking to make a day of it though, with Irishman Sean Maguire back in contention to play a part against a team who were linked with his services in January.

North End’s Welsh international striker Ched Evans may also see the injury to former Cardiff City striker Kieffer Moore as an opportunity to force his way into Robert Page’s thinking ahead of that Austria clash and add to his 13 caps if selected. With Tyler Roberts potentially also out of action for three months at Leeds United due to injury, Evans could well sneak into Page’s squad in the number nine role. Sam Vokes at Wycombe might also be a contender for that slot.

All in all it promises to be an entertaining clash with pockets of interest all over the park. Lets hope that both teams take the field feeling able to show some style and confidence, free from the pressures which occupy the minds of those at the opposite ends of the table.

 

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