Captain Sean Morrison says the Bluebirds have the team spirit and commitment to maintain momentum through to the end of this season.
Morrison’s men have five Championship fixtures left including two in four days, at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday and against Nottingham Forest at Cardiff City Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday (both 3pm).
They have climbed into a safe mid-table position with a solid run of results since Neil Warnock was appointed manager.
“The team spirit we have in this group is special,” says Morrison, who is nicknamed ‘Mozza’ by team-mates. “It has got better and better.
“Look at our form since the turn of the year, and with Ken (Zohore’s) firepower and the boys up front like Junior (Hoilett) and Kads (Harris) we always have chances to score.
“I’ve been here three seasons and we’ve built a fantastic team spirit. With the boys in the changing room, we all trust each other and all cover each other’s backs.”
Warnock is expecting a warm welcome at Hillsborough.
The Yorkshireman, a former Sheffield United manager and a boyhood Blades fan, says: “I’m always given a nice warm welcome and that spurs me on.
“We’ve always had that rivalry in Sheffield and it’s healthy, there’s nothing wrong with it. Just good camaraderie between the two clubs.
“I like Hillsborough and if you take the stick in the right way, it’s great. You need that relationship between fans and management.
“A good sense of humour can be few and far between at times. I know I’ll take stick, but I want my team to do my talking for me.
“We’ll be under the cosh quite a lot with the team they’ve got and a full house. We’ll have to stand up.”
Warnock has lost only one of his last 13 matches against Sheffield Wednesday in all competitions (won six, drawn six) and that was a 2-0 loss as Crystal Palace boss in February 2009.
Cardiff is hopeful Lee Peltier could return at Hillsborough or in the home game against Forest.
“Peltier is training really well and I’m toying with the idea of using him against Wednesday,” says Warnock. “But I just don’t want to risk anything. He’ll be available for Monday if not Friday.
“We’ve assessed Bamba and he’ll probably be out for the season now. His only chance will be the last couple of games.
“Lambert is training well and we didn’t use him against Brentford. I wanted someone to run into the channels so I put Pilkington on.”
Former Cardiff defender Glenn Loosens is doubtful for Wednesday after suffering an injury during their win against Newcastle United. Forward Fernando Forestieri is on the men after a knee injury and could come into the starting line-up, but midfield player Sam Hutchinson (calf) is out.
Cardiff City (possible): McGregor, Morrison, Bennett, Richards, Manga, Harris, Hoilett, Ralls, Gunnarsson, Zohore, Whittingham.
