Neil Warnock’s Bluebirds are aiming to earn success on four fronts this month.
First up is the FA Cup third round tie against Mansfield Town at home on Saturday, while manager Warnock is also working to bring in a couple of signings.
Cardiff City also have three Championship fixtures this month and badly need a decent haul of points from matches against Sunderland and Bolton Wanderers (both home), plus Sheffield Wednesday away.
Warnock’s team have suffered four successive defeats and slipped to fourth in the table, making that trio of games crucial.
Finally, City’s fourth task, sees medical staff are working tirelessly to help injured players regain full fitness.
“We seem to be going to one crisis to another,” says Warnock. “We are that thin on the ground I honestly don’t know how we will have 18 players on the team sheet.
“I’d love to win [the cup tie] but it’s not the end of the world if we don’t. Let’s enjoy it and put on a performance.”
Lee Peltier (hip) and Matt Connolly (calf) are the latest arrivals in the treatment room, joining Sean Morrison, Aron Gunnarsson, Danny Ward, Lee Camp, Kadeem Harris and Frederic Gounongbe on the injured list.
City will include as many fringe players as possible against Mansfield and that may include Omar Bogle and Rhys Healey leading the attack.
Bruno Manga and Sol Bamba are available at the back, who Warnock would love to give one of them a break before the home clash with Sunderland on Saturday, January 13.
That may mean the versatile Greg Halford being asked to cover at centre-half.
Warnock is confident that Wales international Jazz Richards will play for the first time in more than three months.
Richards has recovered from an ankle injury and boss Neil Warnock says: “He has worked hard over the last few weeks. I would like him to get a game under his belt.”
On the signings front, Warnock is keen to add a ‘top class’ midfield player and a striker, while he has extended the loan of Liam Feeney from Blackburn until the end of the season.
The winger has made 13 appearances for City and is available for the FA Cup tie against Mansfield.
“I want a top-class midfield target, who I think will fit into the way we play and make us better,” says Warnock.
“We can’t just keep relying on Joe Ralls.
“There is a need for a striker having lost Danny Ward.
“I’m desperate and the owners are desperate to try and help me because we need bodies, particularly with our long-term injuries.
“We are also desperate for a bit more quality in that squad.
“The ones I’m looking at, the fans would really enjoy seeing them.
“I want to get two signings in before next weekend. If I can get three it will be like winning the pools.”
More than 1,000 Mansfield fans will be at Cardiff City Stadium for Saturday’s cup clash, hoping the Stags can extend their unbeaten run of six matches.
The two clubs have never played each other before in the FA Cup.
Cardiff City, possible: Cardiff City: Etheridge, Paterson, Manga, Halford, Richards, Hoilett, Tomlin, Feeney or Bryson, PIlkington, Bogle, Healey.
