Bothroyd ‘gutted’ to be missing South Wales derby
Of all the weekend’s to pick up a one-match ban.
Jay Bothroyd will be kicking himself that his needless foul during Cardiff’s last game against Norwich, which put the Bluebirds top of the league, brought about his fifth booking of the season and a suspension. Not only does the 12-goal striker miss the much-anticipated derby against Swansea on Sunday, he looks to have missed the chance to impress England manager Fabio Capello just days before the Italian picks his squad for the international against France.
With Wayne Rooney and Bobby Zamora out injured, Jermain Defoe on his way back from injury and Emile Heskey having quit the international side, Bothroyd has been ear-marked as a potential option for Capello in attack. The former Arsenal youth-teamer has failed to be drawn upon an England call-up but he has been talking about his disappointment of missing this weekend’s clash.
“I’m gutted to be missing what is a big match for the fans, but three points are well within reach,” Bothroyd told BBC Wales.
“Cardiff fans are fantastic – I just wish I could be out there on Sunday, but Cardiff City have the players to earn the win everybody in this part of Wales craves.
“Everybody at Cardiff City knows what the aim is this season.
“We go out feeling we can win every game and the players will have that belief on Sunday.”
Andy Keogh will come in to replace Bothroyd in attack in the only change to the side that disposed of Norwich 3-1. The third placed Swans have their own key-player missing courtesy of a suspension, as Darren Pratley serves a one-match ban. Andrea Orlandi is expected to shrug off illness to replace him.
The derby clash puts QPR, who currently occupy second place in the league, in a win-win situation this weekend as the team either directly above or below them will drop maximum points.
Tommy Smith is pushing for his first QPR start since joining on-loan from Portsmouth, whilst Heidar Helguson is still doubtful with a shoulder injury. Reading will assess winger Jimmy Kebe, who could return after missing the last two games with a knee injury and Noel Hunt is pushing for a recall after creating two-goals as a substitute last weekend.
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