Cardiff v Reading. Match preview

Last updated : 02 January 2009 By Angus Muller

Murty sustained a calf injury in a pre-season friendly against Havant & Waterlooville and has yet to make a first-team appearance this campaign but is fit to feature.

Manager Steve Coppell has revealed he is planning on making multiple changes after a gruelling festive period.

He said: "I want to win the game. I don't field a team to lose. But I have a squad of about 20 players and the core of that squad have played a lot of games. I will tell you that I will make wholesale changes for Saturday.

"But that is not because I want to be out of the competition. Realistically we are not going to win it and I have to do what I think is right for Reading. I don't field weakened teams in the FA Cup - I field different teams."

Defender Alex Pearce has been recalled from his loan spell at Southampton and will feature while striker Leroy Lita is back from a spell at Norwich.

Ross McCormack could make a timely return for Cardiff as they look kickstart a repeat of last season's run to the final with victory against Reading.

McCormack, the club's leading goalscorer, has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the start of December but could make his comeback at Ninian Park.

His availability would be a big boost to boss Dave Jones after on-loan striker Michael Chopra returned to parent club Sunderland earlier this week.

Midfielder Peter Whittingham will hope to start the encounter having come off the bench in the last two games after his return from an ankle problem.

Manager Jones, who masterminded the club's run to the Wembley final last season where they were beaten 1-0 by Portsmouth, said: "I'll play a team that will get me a result."

Sporting Life.