LOUIS CAREY and his Bristol City team-mates are weighing up a big conundrum ahead of this afternoon's Anglo-Welsh derby spat with Cardiff – how to stop Bluebirds' Roger Johnson.

Standing at 6ft 3in, Cardiff's centre-back presents a danger from attacking set-pieces.

Indeed, City captain Carey has first-hand experience of just how effective Johnson can be when connecting with corners and free-kicks launched from anywhere inside the opposition's half.

He will hardly need reminding that the big defender is at his most dangerous when jumping at the far post, usually to meet pin-point crosses supplied by Welsh international midfielder Paul Parry.

Johnson put Cardiff in front from just such a cross when the Severnside rivals last met at Ninian Park in March, launching himself above City's defence to direct a powerful header back across goal and beyond the despairing dive of Adriano Basso.

City's defenders had been forewarned, because Johnson had scored with a back-post header a week earlier when the Bluebirds defeated Premier League Middlesbrough 2-0 in an FA Cup quarter-final tie at the Riverside Stadium.

Yet stopping him proved easier said than done.

And dealing with Cardiff's centre-half will not be any easier this time around. City's tallest defender, Jamie McCombe, remains sidelined by a fractured cheekbone, depriving his team of crucial height.

City boss Gary Johnson has already addressed the problem on the training ground and Carey revealed: "We're all very aware of how big a threat Johnson can be from set-pieces.

"It's strange really, because Cardiff have skilful players with bags of pace and a reputation for playing good football. But you cannot ignore Johnson and what he does from corners and free-kicks.

"We've talked about it during the week and we've come up with a few different options to try and stop him. I could try and look after him myself, or we could put Dele Adebola on him. Dele's a big lad and very good in the air."

But Carey acknowledges the best means of negating Johnson's aerial threat is to cut his supply lines.

"We have to be careful about diving in and giving away unnecessary free-kicks in our own half and around the penalty area," said the Bristolian.

"If we are careless and give them a chance to put balls into our box from corners and free-kicks, we know what is going to happen. If we're not giving those things away, Johnson can't come forward. It's as simple as that."

As well as trying to contain a Cardiff side which has yet to taste defeat in six Championship and Carling Cup outings this season, City will be forced to contend with an intimidating atmosphere inside a stadium which will resonate to the sound of thousands of passionate Welshmen.

Owing to the restrictions imposed upon them by South Wales Police – Bristol supporters with tickets will be forced to travel on official club coaches and be escorted to and from the ground without exception – City fans will be massively outnumbered in the Welsh capital.

Bristolians have voted with their feet and hundreds of tickets remained unsold at close of business last night.

"It's a pity, because there used to be a terrific atmosphere at these games," recalled Carey. "The England and Wales divide gives these games an extra edge and it's great for the players when they run out and hear the two sets of fans singing at one another. But because of the restrictions, our fans tend to stay away these days and the atmosphere is very different."

A Severnside derby veteran, Carey insists he and his team-mates will not be fazed by Welsh hostility.

"I've played there enough times not to be worried by any of that," said City's captain. "We've had some great results at Cardiff down the years and we're going there full of confidence."