Town boss Paul Jewell says youngster Luke Hyam is amongst the candidates to replace the suspended Grant Leadbitter when the Blues take on Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday. Leadbitter misses one game after being red-carded in the closing moments of Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over Burnley.

Jewell says Hyam is amongst his options but feels he isn’t short of options: “He might well [come back in] but there are a lot of good players who aren’t in the 16 at the moment.

“Luke Hyam has done terrific when he’s been in the side. We took him out, but we did say we were going to rotate the squad.

“Grant’s suspension on Saturday might give someone else an opportunity. We might well give a couple of the youngsters like Lee Bowyer or Mark Kennedy a game!”

Alternatively, Andy Drury could be in line for a recall, while recent signing Ryan Stevenson and Jimmy Bullard, who returned to the fold last week after his two-week club suspension, are outsiders to take over from the former skipper.

Town haven’t beaten Watford in 14 games home and away in all competitions (13 in the league) since March 2004 when a Dean Bowditch hat-trick and a rare strike from Jermaine Wright condemned the Hornets to a 4-1 defeat at Portman Road.

The Blues' last victory at Vicarage Road was in September 2003 when a debut goal from Shefki Kuqi and a deft chip by Jim Magilton saw Joe Royle's men to a 2-1 win, Scott Fitzgerald netting for the Hornets.

Jewell is aware of the hoodoo, but takes these things with a pinch of salt: “We’ve got a few bogey sides us, haven’t we? Every week I get asked about bogey teams!

“I think we’re Cardiff’s bogey team. I don’t think Malky Mackay had ever lost a game against Ipswich until he came here [recently]. But I’m not a massive believer in all that stuff.”

Photo: Action Images

Garv added 16:26 - Mar 23 He wasn't particularly good*
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