Neil Warnock and Rafa Benitez have ended a feud which dated back more than a decade.
The two men fell out in 2007 after Benitez fielded a weakened Liverpool team against Fulham and lost, helping relegate Warnock’s Sheffield United.
They go head-to-head when Newcastle United team take on Warnock’s Bluebirds at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday (12.30pm).
“Life is too short . . . and we have met a few times since then,” says Warnock.
“It surprises me to be asked about that. Everything has been said and we’ve met a few times since then.
“Funnily enough I was talking to Craig Bellamy at the academy this morning. He played for Liverpool in that game and he was telling me how the players had three days off before and the other lads weren’t bothered either.
“It’s all water under the bridge now. I have to enjoy this now. If you’d have told me when I first came in that we would be playing Rafa’s side at a full house . . . . It’s incredible.”
Benitez has done an outstanding job at Newcastle and steered the Magpies to 10th place in the Premier League last season.
“The one person Newcastle United can’t afford to lose is Rafa,” said Warnock.
“They can get away with losing any player, but his commitment to Newcastle has been fantastic. He’s in his last year now, so it’ll be interesting to see how that develops because I’m sure that Worldwide he will be targeted.
“If you look at Newcastle’s squad and their players, they have improved from last season. and they. I don’t know how much more they could improve.
“From our point of view, we have as much chance of beating Arsenal as Newcastle, but I don’t worry too much at home about anybody.
“We’re capable of earning positive results away. I understand there are games more difficult than others, but every fixture is difficult to us.
“When I look at the Championship I’m just so happy we’re in the Premier League.”
Harry Arter, signed on loan from Bournemouth, is set to make his Bluebirds’ debut Warnock confirmed: “He will be in the 18.
“Harry is such an effervescent character, full of beans on the training ground. He just wants to play football.
“We’re delighted to have him and he can give us another dimension. The same goes for Victor (Camaraso) when he gets up to tempo.”
Aron Gunnarsson is still ruled out by a knee injury, while centre-forward Kenneth Zohore will have a late fitness test on a groin injury.
Cardiff City, possible: Neil Etheridge, Lee Peltier, Bruno Manga, Sean Morrison (capt), Sol Bamba, Joe Bennett, Josh Murphy, Harry Arter, Joe Ralls, Junior Hoilett, Bobby Reid.
Cardiff City have been drawn at home against Norwich City in the Carabao Cup second round, while Swansea City entertain Crystal Place.
Newport County, who won 3-0 at Cambridge United in the first round, take on Oxford United at Rodney Parade.
The draw was made at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light and there are 25 second-round games split into north and south sections.
The seven top-flight teams involved in European competition, including holders Manchester City, will enter the EFL Cup at the third-round stage.
Carabao Cup second-round draw in full
Northern section: Leicester v Fleetwood, Leeds v Preston, Sheffield Wednesday v Wolves, Nottingham Forest v Newcastle, Doncaster v Blackpool, Burton v Aston Villa, Hull v Derby, Middlesbrough v Rochdale, Everton v Rotherham, Blackburn v Lincoln, West Brom v Mansfield, Walsall v Macclesfield, Stoke v Huddersfield.
Southern section: Brighton v Southampton, QPR v Bristol Rovers, AFC Wimbledon v West Ham, Fulham v Exeter, Wycombe v Forest Green, Cardiff v Norwich, Millwall v Plymouth, Brentford v Cheltenham, Swansea v Crystal Palace, Newport v Oxford, Bournemouth v MK Dons, Reading v Watford.
Ties to be played in week beginning August 27.
