Sheffield United and Cardiff City meet at Bramall Lane in Round Three of the Emirates FA Cup.
The two sides did battle little under a month ago with the Blades running out 2-0 winners that day. Kieffer Moore netted twice against his former club, to put United top at Christmas, whilst Cardiff spent the festive period in the relegation zone.
Last time out, Cardiff drew away to Middlesbrough, whilst Sheffield United came away from Vicarage Road with a 2-1 victory. After a busy fortnight or so with so many league games played over a short amount of time, the Championship is on pause, for the cup.
Both Chris Wilder and Omer Riza are likely to make wholesale changes to their sides with the league the priority. Wilder hasn’t had many players to choose from in recent weeks following a raft of injuries. As for Cardiff, at one point they had 11 players out for their game against Oxford United on Boxing Day.
The Bluebirds were dealt bad news last week when they discovered that the FA would be rejecting their appeal to overturn Callum Robinson’s red card. He was given a straight red card on New Year’s Day for an apparent elbow on Coventry City’s Bobby Thomas, and as a result was given a three game ban.
It was something that Riza was far from happy with, voicing his displeasure at the decision. Speaking to BBC Radio Wales last Saturday, he said: "I was disappointed about that.
"I still don't think it was a red card. He will now miss three games. "He is a big miss for us, he is our talisman, he gets the goals and we will have to find an answer.
"We have boys who will have to go in and do a job."
The Republic of Ireland striker, who was previously contracted to Sheffield United for a year, isn’t the only absentee Cardiff have. They have two players who won’t play until March at the earliest, and others who have yet to play a competitive game this season.
With all that in mind, the Star has rounded up the latest injury news from both sides below.
9. David Turnbull (Cardiff City)- out
Suffered a hamstring injury at the end of November against Coventry City. He had to undergo surgery and it was feared he might not play again this season. | SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Djeidi Gassama of Sheffield Wednesday breaks away from David Turnbull of Cardiff City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday FC and Cardiff City FC at Hillsborough on November 23, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) Photo: George Wood/Getty Images
![Omer Riza said: "Initially it was looking like it could be [the end of the season].
"It's still quite long but he's had the operation and walking around.
"He's not feeling any pain so once that happens he can progress with his strength work and rehab work. Hopefully it will be March or April, so the back end of the season, but there is potential he could feature before the end of the season."](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2025/01/07/12/51/GettyImages-2186595706.jpeg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
10. David Turnbull (Cardiff City) - out (continued)
Omer Riza said: "Initially it was looking like it could be [the end of the season]. "It's still quite long but he's had the operation and walking around. "He's not feeling any pain so once that happens he can progress with his strength work and rehab work. Hopefully it will be March or April, so the back end of the season, but there is potential he could feature before the end of the season." | Getty Images
11. Callum Robinson (Cardiff City) - out
He will miss this game through suspension. Robinson was red carded for violent conduct against Coventry City on New Year's Day. Cardiff appealed but were unsuccessful, and he will now serve a three-game ban. | Getty Images Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
12. Anwar El Ghazi (Cardiff City) - doubt
A hip problem has kept El Ghazi out for the last two games. | Getty Images