Cardiff City marksman Michael Chopra – who has netted seven times in four games so far this season – looks set to sit out tonight's game with a hip problem.

And that is likely to mean Kelvin Etuhu making his full debut alongside Jay Bothroyd up front.

Etuhu, signed on loan from Manchester City, featured from the bench in the Bluebirds' 3-0 weekend demolition of Bristol City.

"Kelvin can play down the middle or on either wing," said Cardiff boss Dave Jones. "He can adapt – that's what you need at this level.

"We have a few players with slight knocks and we will see how they are before deciding what to do. I want to put out the strongest team possible."

Etuhu knows he faces an almost impossible task in trying to breaking into Manchester City's attack with the likes of Emanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez, Craig Bellamy and Brazilian ace Robinho all standing in his way.

And he believes it will also be a challenge making his mark with the Bluebirds after their storming start.

"Everyone can see it's a battle for anyone to start at Eastlands – but it won't be any easier here because everyone is performing," he said.

"Everyone saw how well the team played against Bristol City and it's going to be hard to break into that.

"Hopefully, I can show my ability and in time it can be good enough to make the starting line-up."

Chopra, Bothroyd, Peter Whittingham, Chris Burke, Paul Quinn and Anthony Gerrard – who had stitches in an eye wound during Sunday's victory – will all be assessed today before Jones names his side. Though most are expected to be fit to play, Jones will balance that against a need to give goalkeeper Peter Enckelman, Stephen McPhail, Gabor Gyepes, Darcy Blake and a number of others match action.

Full-back Tony Capaldi is also available again after serving a one-match suspension, while Riccy Scimeca, fit again after injury, could be among the seven substitutes.