Cardiff City Stadium

Bluebirds host Reading again in FA Cup replay

Cardiff could progress to FA Cup fifth round with a win

Cardiff City Stadium

THE Bluebirds face Reading for the third time in 10 days in an FA Cup 4th round replay tonight.

Neil Harris’ side drew 1-1 at the Madjeski Stadium on January 25 and the City manager will look to rotate his squad following the league clash last week.

The two teams again drew 1-1 on Friday night at Cardiff City Stadium with Callum Paterson rescuing a point for the home side after Yakou Meite opened the scoring for the visitors – the two same goal scorers as the first FA Cup game at the Madjeski.

The match on Friday coincided with transfer deadline day and after the game Cardiff announced the signings of winger Albert Adomah and defender Dion Sanderson, while full-back Lee Peltier left for West Brom.

The two new boys join left back Brad Smith who signed earlier in the week.

All three new signings will be in contention to start as Harris looks set to rest key men.

That could also mean starts for some fringe players including young right-back Cameron Coxe, winger Josh Murphy as well as a recovering Joe Ralls.

A win for the Bluebirds will see them host the Premier League’s sixth-placed side Sheffield United in the fifth round.

After the game Cardiff next face three sides threatened with relegation. First travelling to Luton on Saturday, before heading to Huddersfield next Wednesday and then hosting Wigan on 15th February.

So, a good performance and a victory tonight could provide the springboard for Neil Harris’ men to close the seven-point gap to the play-offs.