Danny Ward is relishing the chance to lead Cardiff City’s attack in their Championship clash at Nottingham Forest on Sunday (1pm).
The Bluebirds are aiming to secure a third successive victory to maintain their grip on second place and Wad says: “We aren’t scared of any team.
“Obviously, though, you have to respect all opposition because there are good sides in the Championship.
“I’m really looking forward to the game at Forest. On our day we can beat anybody.
“It will be a tough one but if we keep battling and working hard we’ll get chances. It’s up to us to stick them away.”
Ward, who looks certain to start with Kenneth Zohore injured and Omar Bogle suspended, reflected on City’s 1-0 midweek win at Barnsley, saying: “It was one of those games where we had to keep scrapping, keep fighting and earned our reward.
“We take great confidence from that. We know that if we keep fighting, keep battling, our chance will come.
Ward, 25, has scored three goals this season and is intent on playing his part in a City hat-trick: “We are coming off the back of two victories and would love to make it three.
“We have just got concentrate on our own jobs, make sure that we do everything right, and I’m sure that will be enough.”
Neil Warnock has welcomed the return of Aron Gunnarsson to full fitness, but Zohore and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing are still missing.
“Take three of the best players out of any team in this league, you’ll miss them,” said manager Neil Warnock.
“But we haven’t bleated about that, we’ve just got on with it. The lads who have come in stepped up, done really well to fit in and do what I want them to do.
“We keep working ’to the end. That’s why we earned the reward at Barnsley, where I thought we grew stronger as the game went on.
“We are not going to be as exciting or flamboyant without some key players, but we can still pick up points.
“I’m not really bothered how we are playing at the moment until we get the players back.
“It’s not going to be pretty stuff, but at this time of year with the injuries and suspensions we have to be organised and try and make sure we earn points.”
Forest defeated Norwich City at home this week and are now seventh in the Sky Bet Championship table. They have won half of their fixtures, nine from 18, and have yet to draw.
They are 10 points behind the Bluebirds, two points off the play-off places, and their leading scorer is Daryl Murphy. He has netted seven times.
Warnock is hopeful Zohore will be back to face Norwich on Friday, December 1 after having minor surgery on a heel injury.
“I have not written off Norwich yet, but if not it will be the game after,” he said.
“He has had a little operation on the back of his heel and had quite a lot of scar tissue taken away.
“We don’t know exactly how long he will be out, but it shouldn’t be long.”
Mendez-Laing has a thigh injury is is a few weeks from returning, while Kadeem Harris will return to training in December.
Cardiff City, probable: Etheridge, Manga, Bamba, Morrison, Bennett, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Bryson, Paterson, Hoilett, Ward.
Bench: Murphy, Peltier, Feltscher, Damour, Gounongbe, Feeney, Tomlin.
