MATCH THREAD " CARDIFF CITY V READING FA CUP " MATCH THREAD

Reading : Royals have to make do once again without centre-back Anton Ferdinand.

The former West Ham and QPR defender misses out with a groin problem picked up in training this week.

Jamie Mackie is also expected to sit out the trip to south Wales with a groin strain.

New signing Nathaniel Chalobah should make his debut in central midfield. Jem Karacan looks set to start on the bench once again.

Hope Akpan remains sidelined as he continues to recover from surgery to fix a dislocated shoulder.



Who’s the ref?
Lee Probert (Wiltshire): Officiates mainly in the Premier League. Born in South Gloucestershire, now based in Wiltshire.

Has refereed in the Premier League since 2007.



What the managers say
Russell Slade: “I like the FA Cup. I think that it can bring momentum to your football club, which is what we’re looking for.

There will be a few team changes. It will be a great opportunity for others to come in and stake a claim, which is what we’re demanding.”

Steve Clarke: “Winning the FA Cup as a player in 1997 is still one of the best moments of my career.

“I’ve been lucky to be involved in the latter stages with a lot of clubs. I reached the final as a coach with Newcastle and Liverpool, I won it as a coach with Chelsea.

“I’ve got a really good record in it. It’s a competition I enjoy and I look forward to trying to add a bit more to the personal Steve Clarke history in the FA Cup.”

City to win 2-0

Nicky Maynard however is out for another five weeks with his back problem - and with links to Huddersfield, that probably rules out a move this window.

I expect the crowd to be about 8K.
Has anybody heard what ticket sales are?

I expect the crowd to be about 8K.
Has anybody heard what ticket sales are?

Yes Sold 9,000 incl 1,700 Reading so far

This game is there for us to win

Every home game should be there to win, and they will be once we get in two decent players who can run the midfield,someone who can do the basics like pass and move

Sky

Boss Russell Slade has also hinted at a new midfield role for Manchester United loanee Fabio, who has not started a game since December 20.

Since when has Fabio been on loan to us from Man Ure????

Sky

Boss Russell Slade has also hinted at a new midfield role for Manchester United loanee Fabio, who has not started a game since December 20.

Since when has Fabio been on loan to us from Man Ure????

OOps Steve, That came direct from Sky, I should of read it properly

Cardiff City: Moore, Fabio, Malone, Turner, Morrison, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Harris, Noone, Jones, Revell.

Cardiff City subs: Wilson, Connolly, John, Adeyemi, Ralls, O’Sullivan, Macheda.

Ravel and Jones, I wonder what type of football we'll be playing today

Pleased to see Fabio starting and O'Sullivsn on the bench hope he gets some game time.

Said in echo Slade will unleash Fabio in midfield wow can't imagine Fabio being unleashed on anyone
Score 2 0 to city

The 2 ex city boys scored against the jacks too Conway and Gestede good old Rudy

Please don't hurt Gunter or Kanu.

Murder Chabolah.

10 minutes in.

First real chance of the game from Reading. Shot just over the bar.

20 minute mark:

Nothing to report.

26 minutes GOAL Cardiff 1 Reading 0

Kenweyn Jones header from a Whittingham corner.

The Bluebirds lead, Kenwyne Jones meets Whittingham's corner kick with a precision header to give Slade's side the lead. (1-0)

30 minute mark.

Reading upping the tempo since the goal.

35 minutes : First ReadingFC change: Chris Gunter forced off through injury, replaced by Stephen Kelly to applause from both sets of fans.

40 minutes:

Reading struggling with injuries. Game well balanced now.

HT Cardiff 1 Reading 0

A Kenwyn Jones header from a Whittingham corner. Malone perhaps the best of Cardiff at the moment. Connolly on for Turner.

Second half under way.

Early chance for Reading, excellent save by Moore tipping a shot over the bar.

1 - 1 Norwood freekick

65 minute mark. GOAL Reading.

Free kick from just outside the box. Reading firmly in charge after making half time changes.

Slade won't know what to do now ... clueless feckwit

70 minutes

Adeyemi on. 3 in midfield.

80 minutes.

Cardiff trying to get back into it. Noone has been awful.

Feck me, Bradford just gone 3-2 up