December
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Cardiff can do themselves a big favour tomorrow if they can win at Wrexham. The Robins are level on points with City (25) but have a game in hand, as do 5 of the other 6 teams below us. A gap has formed. City lie in 17th position. Colchester in 16th are 6 points ahead of us. For the next couple of games at least the bottom 8 will be left to scrap it out. We are only 3 points ahead of the dreaded 21st place. Reading are sat there at the moment but with a game in hand, Scunthorpe are 20th with 24 points, Wrexham (19th) and Oxford (18th) are both on 25 points with Cardiff.

Its important that the players remain focussed on the task in hand. They must not let the off field headlines get in the way of their preparation.

The first team squad is looking strong. The only absentees are Russell Perrett (suspended) and Scott Young (injured). Scott though is on the mend, he has resumed training and could be in contention for the Luton game on Jan 30th.

Ian Feuer is on standby to make his debut tomorrow. The keper who has now received clearance to play has been in sparkling form in training and trained today with the 10 outfield players that will start the match.

Frank will field the same 10 outfield players that drew with Oxford last week. All are fit and available.A decision will be made on the No. 1 shirt in the morning. Richie Humphreys will be keen to break into the team after recovering from injury but will be on the bench to start tomorrow. If a third loan month is not agreed early next week then tomorrow will be Richie's last game.

City have taken an 18 man squad to the Racecourse it is:-
Hallworth, Low, Legg, Eckhardt, Schwinkendorf, Ford, Boland, Bonner, Carpenter, Nugent, Bowen, Feuer, Fowler, Hill, Faerber, Brazier, Humphreys and Phillips.

Early preview from TotalWales.
MIKE FORD has stressed the need for self-belief among Cardiff City players on the eve of one of the biggest Welsh derbies for years.

City head for Wrexham tomorrow with both clubs locked on 25 points and in the middle of a Second Division relegation battle.

But City captain Ford reckons the Bluebirds can fly to safety by backing their ability a bit more.

“The important thing is to always believe in what you’re doing,” said veteran Ford, who may be needed again at The Racecourse tomorrow despite a worrying back problem.

“When you’re at the top it’s easy to believe in yourself because you’re winning games week in, week out.

“But at the bottom it’s more difficult. From a playing point of view, however, you’ve got to do it. We have to believe that we’re good players and capable of beating anybody.

“You’ve got to try and relax because if you don’t you get frightened of missing the target or not doing the right thing.”

While Cardiff were being held at home by Oxford United last weekend, Wrexham ended a 16-game winless streak in the league at Bury.

Neil Roberts’s two goals kept Wrexham out of the relegation zone and gave them the perfect boost before the derby game.

“They’ve had a great result at Bury - but I don’t know if the game needed setting up,” said Ford.

“Derby games are always special and with the position we’re both in points are crucial. Maybe we should have beaten Oxford, but we’ve got to take the good points out of the game into the Wrexham match.”

They played an entertaining 1-1 draw at Ninian Park in August, 10-man Wrexham securing a share of the spoils with a second-half equaliser.

“It was a cracking game and perhaps we were a bit unfortunate on the night,” said Ford.

“We were on a bit of a roll from the end of last season and created enough chances to have won it.

“They were probably very happy with the result, but this is a different game. You’ve got to look forward to these games because it’s a Welsh thing.

“There are only three Football League clubs in Wales and you’ve got to make the most of it.”

Cardiff are again without the banned Russell Perrett and have to decide whether to play Craig Middleton, who spoke to Exeter City this week about a possible transfer.

After waiting so long for a league victory, Wrexham may change a winning formula.

Brian Carey, Darren Ferguson and Phil Hardy are available again after suspension and could be recalled by manager Brian Flynn.