Stuart O’Keefe is set to celebrate his birthday by playing for Cardiff City in their under-23 match this evening (Monday).
The young Bluebirds are intent on earning a third successive Professional Development League win when they entertain Sheffield United at Cardiff City Stadium (7pm).
Sion Spence, Danny Williams and Dan Griffiths scored for City in a 3-0 win against Queens Park Rangers at Cardiff International Sports Campus, while they had defeated Millwall away in their previous fixture.
Lloyd Humphries netted the only goal against the Lions in London.
Suffolk-born O’Keefe has been a regular for the young Bluebirds since returning to South Wales from a loan spell with Plymouth Argyle.
His 28th birthday was on Sunday and is keeping match fit by playing for the development team under the over-age rule.
Teams can include up to four players aged over 23.
O’Keefe signed for Cardiff from Crystal Palace more than four years ago and has made 45 first team appearances, scoring five goals.
He has had loan spells with MK Dons, Portsmouth and Plymouth.
Tonight’s Cardiff v Sheffield United match will kick off at 7pm and spectators can gain have free entry via gate three.
Travis Binnion, a former professional footballer who also made one appearance for Nottinghamshire Cricket Club, is Sheffield United’s u-23 coach.
Defender Binnion’s playing career was ended by injury after he had graduated through the Sheffield United Academy, although he did make six appearances for Finnish Premier Division side IFK Mariehamn in 2008.
Centre-half Joel Bagan has made six appearances for the u-23 side this season and says: “We’re all looking forward to the match. It’s always a big occasion to play at the Stadium. Hopefully we can continue our run of form.”
Bluebirds team-mate Dan Griffiths said: “We are playing strong opposition.
“Hopefully, we can go on and keep our fantastic winning run going. We’re confident as a team that we can do well together.”
Cardiff City, from: Warren Burwood, Ryan Pryce, Jac Davies, Laurence Wootton, Lloyd Humphries, Trystan Jones, Ben Margetson, Joel Bagan, Sion Spence, Sam Bowen, Stuart O’Keefe, Dan Griffiths, Aaron Bolger, Danny Williams, Matthew Hall (gk), Sam Parsons.
Cardiff City’s Welsh Youth Cup (u-19) semi-final against Swansea City will be played at Llanelli Town this Wednesday (March 6, 7.30pm).
Both semi-finals will be at neutral venues with the Bluebirds and Swans facing off at Llanelli’s Stebonheath Park.
The other semi-final pits The New Saints against Cardiff Metropolitan University.
That match is at Latham Park, Newtown on Sunday, March 10.
Match tickets will be available on the gate, costing £4 for adults and £2 juniors and senior citizens.
