" LATEST ON PETER WHITTINGHAM AND FABIO "

The pair missed the Preston win and Slade will want them back as soon as possible to launch a play-off push

Saturday February 2016

By Phil Smith

It was an excellent win for Cardiff City today, ending Preston's four match winning run and improving their own impressive home record.

Indeed, the day's only real negative came an hour before kick-off, when it was revealed that Peter Whittingham and Fabio had been unable to take a place in the squad due to injury.

Fabio had been taken off at half time in the 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough, but Whittingham's absence came as a surprise.

So how severe are the injuries and what games will they miss in the play-off push?

PETER WHITTINGHAM

We're told Peter Whittingham picked a calf strain in the Boro defeat, keeping him out for around ten days.

A big disappointment for the veteran midfielder who has become increasingly influential in recent weeks.

SHOULD RETURN FOR: Bristol City (A, April 5th)

SHOULD DEFINITELY BE BACK FOR: Leeds United (H, March 8th)

FABIO

We understand it was a groin problem that forced him off at half-time against Boro, and we know think that he will be missing for around two weeks.

Lee Peltier took his place against Preston today, and will be hoping he can step up and replace the Brazilian's irrepressible energy.

WILL MISS: Bristol City (A, March 5th), Leeds United (H, March 8th), Ipswich Town (H, March 12th)

SHOULD RETURN FOR: Reading (A, March 19th)

We really missed whitts' presence today which I never thought Id say

We really missed whitts' presence today which I never thought Id say

We really did. The guy is cool as a cucumber, and we needed that. Ralls wasn't doing it for me on the left.

We didn't miss them that much we won. Cmon the city!!!!!

The longer Fabio out injured the better the chance city have of making the play offs, he is the weakest link.

The longer Fabio out injured the better the chance city have of making the play offs, he is the weakest link.

Unbelievable.

We really missed whitts' presence today which I never thought Id say

We really did. The guy is cool as a cucumber, and we needed that. Ralls wasn't doing it for me on the left.

Definitely missed him and rails playing in centre. Gunner just doesn't do it for me. Seems great guy and 100% and all that but passing often messes up moves for us and just so limited. When we had the 4/5 last week in midfield v Brighton some of our interplay was brilliant as all have pretty good touches and techniques including okeefe

We really missed whitts' presence today which I never thought Id say

We really did. The guy is cool as a cucumber, and we needed that. Ralls wasn't doing it for me on the left.

Definitely missed him and rails playing in centre. Gunner just doesn't do it for me. Seems great guy and 100% and all that but passing often messes up moves for us and just so limited. When we had the 4/5 last week in midfield v Brighton some of our interplay was brilliant as all have pretty good touches and techniques including okeefe

Watching some of Gunnar's play today was an unwelcome flashback to our performances last season. Misplaced passes, etc. Painful to watch.

Can't fault his effort, but I think we should part ways come the summer, personally.

We really missed whitts' presence today which I never thought Id say

We really did. The guy is cool as a cucumber, and we needed that. Ralls wasn't doing it for me on the left.

Definitely missed him and rails playing in centre. Gunner just doesn't do it for me. Seems great guy and 100% and all that but passing often messes up moves for us and just so limited. When we had the 4/5 last week in midfield v Brighton some of our interplay was brilliant as all have pretty good touches and techniques including okeefe

Watching some of Gunnar's play today was an unwelcome flashback to our performances last season. Misplaced passes, etc. Painful to watch.

Can't fault his effort, but I think we should part ways come the summer, personally.

Agreed!

His lack of sharpness and poor decision making will cost us if he's our only option.

The longer Fabio out injured the better the chance city have of making the play offs, he is the weakest link.

Unbelievable.

"The weakest link" is a bit strong for me, but we always look stronger defensively when Peltier plays. Fabio has finally shown what he is capable of this year, but there are a number of players who are more important to the team than him.

We really missed whitts' presence today which I never thought Id say

We really did. The guy is cool as a cucumber, and we needed that. Ralls wasn't doing it for me on the left.

His ability to place a pass anywhere was really what we needed today, but nonetheless 3 points are 3 points