Etheridge set for up to five more weeks on sidelines

Cardiff boss Neil Warnock expects to be without goalkeeper Neil Etheridge for up to five more weeks as his side prepare to tackle Fulham on Friday.

Etheridge sustained a hamstring injury in the Bluebirds’ opening-day fixture against Wigan and has not featured since, with Alex Smithies expected to return in goal after Joe Day played in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

There are fears for the fitness of a number of players who featured in the 3-0 midweek defeat to Luton. Callum Paterson has not trained since playing the full 90 minutes in that match.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is also unlikely to play, with Warnock admitting the club have been left stumped by a mysterious injury that was initially diagnosed as a hamstring problem.

Scott Parker will not be able to call on the services of Bobby Reid against the forward’s parent club.

The Fulham boss appears to otherwise have no fresh selection concerns for the trip to south Wales.

Harry Arter could face his former club, having spent last season on loan at the Cardiff City Stadium from Bournemouth.

Defender Denis Odoi has missed the last four games with a knee problem and could be absent again.