Cardiff City will make late decisions on the fitness of Callum Paterson and Sean Morrison before their Championship home clash with Barnsley this evening (Tuesday, 7.45pm).
A win would push the second-placed Bluebirds closer to leaders Wolves, who currently have a six point advantage.
Manager Neil Warnock is hopeful Paterson will be available, while Morrison is an outside chance.
Mark Grujic is a likely starter after being rested for the 1-0 win at Ipswich Town, a result which extended Cardiff’s winning run-in to eight matches.
Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has kept six clean sheets in that run – taking the total to 16 for the season – and City know these next two home games are crucial to hopes of promotion.
Both Barnsley and Birmingham arena the Championship bottom four.
Warnock and his players aren’t mentioning the P-word, though, and the manager insists: “We still need a few points to make sure of the play-offs.”
Yorkshireman Warnock played for Barnsley during the 1970s and says: “It’s always a tough game, who are one of my old clubs.
“I have a soft spot for the club, but we’ll still be doing our best to get one over them.”
Swansea City striker Ollie McBurnie, 21, has joined Barnsley on loan, scoring four goals in four starts, and Warnock says: “He looks a good young player and has taken his goals really well and seems to be enjoying himself.
“That’s what we are doing so well. My lads are enjoying it as well.”
Former Wales under-21 forward Tom Bradshaw, 25, is Barnsley’s leading scorer with 11 goals, although he has not found the net in his last 11 appearances.
Both Barnsley and Saturday’s opponents Birmingham have new managers with Portuguese coach José Morais in charge at Oakwell. After losing his first match, against Burton Albion, the Tykes have picked up four points in the two games since, including a potentially crucial away victory against Birmingham.
That was their seventh league triumph of the season, putting them two points above the Sky Bet Championship relegation places.
Gary Monk, who has been in charge at Swansea City and Leeds United, is the new Birmingham manager.
Cardiff City, possible: Etheridge, Manga, Connolly, Bamba, Bennett, Paterson, Ralls, Grujić, Damour, Hoilett, Zohore.
