Cardiff should welcome back midfielder Stephen McPhail for their home clash against Coventry.

McPhail missed Saturday's 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace having seen an operation to remove a small lump on his neck take longer than expected and subsequently rule him out for an extra couple of days.

His return, having been in top form for the Bluebirds prior to the international break, will represent a big boost to manager Dave Jones who must now decide whether to include the Irishman in his starting XI or keep faith with central pairing Joe Ledley and Gavin Rae.

Forwards Ross McCormack and Warren Feeney and defender Kevin McNaughton made the bench at the weekend having been sidelined for lengthy periods due to injury and all three will be battling for involvement once again.

That means Jones will have a full-strength squad at his disposal as his third-placed side look to cut the gap on Newcastle and West Brom.

Jay Bothroyd will come up against his former club and he will likely be joined in attack by Michael Chopra, who will not be taking any further action following the alleged racial slur he received from a Palace player at the weekend.