Cardiff’s Mendez-Laing set to miss remainder of season

Cardiff winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing looks set to miss the rest of this season after suffering a hamstring injury.

Mendez-Laing was hurt during the Bluebirds’ Sky Bet Championship victory over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

And the Bluebirds will begin life without him against FA Cup third round opponents Carlisle on Saturday.

Manager Neil Harris is likely to make a number of changes following a 6-1 defeat at Queens Park Rangers two days ago, with Sean Morrison and Gavin Whyte among those who could start.

New loan signing Elliot Watt, who watched Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat at Crewe, is available to make his Carlisle debut this weekend.

But United could be without Jarrad Branthwaite after he missed the Crewe game due to a thigh problem.

And checks will also need to be run on Christie Elliott – an absentee at Crewe due to illness – while Stefan Scougall has been on medication for an ear infection.

Hallam Hope hurt his back in the first-half against Crewe and Mo Sagaf suffered a knock that could threaten his involvement in the Welsh capital.