But Gary Hart, Andy Arnott and Paul Armstrong are all battling to be fit to help the Seagulls avoid six home defeats in a row for the first time in their history.

Former Reading stalwart McPherson was forced off at half time at Mansfield on Saturday.

He was able to train yesterday and manager Jeff Wood said: "He is happy to play. It doesn't affect his breathing and his nose is not the prettiest anyway'

"He is very important to us. I brought him in for his experience and if he didn't play it would weaken us considerably."

Hart has been struggling for the past fortnight with foot and ankle injuries. Arnott knocked a calf in training yesterday and Armstrong has a slight shoulder problem.

On the plus side, Phil King is expected to recover from the thigh strain which kept him out on Saturday and Jamie Moralee is available after a three-match ban.

'All of the players are coming to the ground at a quarter past six and it will be like a fitness parade,' added Wood.

Cambridge will replace Cardiff at the top of the table if they win.

Albion (from): Ormerod; Culverhouse, Sturgess, Minton, Doherty, McPherson, Arnott, Bennett, Hart, Storer, Johnson, Barker, Armstrong, Ansah, King, Davies, Moralee.

Cambridge Utd (from): Marshall; Chenery, Mustoe, Duncan, Eustace, Campbell, Wanless, Taylor, Butler, Benjamin, Ashbee, Russell, McKenzie, Bruce, Walker, Preece.

CARDIFF SPOTLIGHT: Page 24

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