Cardiff squad hit by injury and suspension ahead of Millwall clash

Posted Tuesday, December 24, 2019 by PA

Neil Harris prepares to take on former club Millwall with his Cardiff squad hit by injury and suspension.

Influential midfielder Joe Ralls faces up to three weeks on the sidelines after breaking his hand in the recent 3-3 draw at Leeds.

Junior Hoilett (hamstring) and Joe Bennett (Achilles) are also major Boxing Day doubts, while club captain Sean Morrison serves the second game of a three-match ban.

Josh Murphy was jeered by fans when substituted during the goalless home draw with Preston on Saturday, and Harris – who managed Millwall for four years before leaving in October – could replace him with Northern Ireland international Gavin Whyte.

Millwall are aiming to bounce back from Saturday’s shock 2-1 setback at home to Barnsley, their first defeat in eight games.

Alex Pearce and Murray Wallace both missed that match through illness and could return to bolster the Lions’ defence.

Midfielder Ben Thompson (ankle) will be checked, but striker Aiden O’Brien looks set to return to the starting line-up after coming off the bench to score against Barnsley.

Ryan Leonard (rib), Frank Fielding (quad muscle) and Tom Elliott (hamstring) remain out injured.