Town boss Joe Royle has a virtually full squad to pick from as the Blues go into Sunday's vital final league game of the season at home to Cardiff. Only long- term absentees Chris Makin and Pablo Couñago will be unavailable for selection.

Royle initially named the same 18-man squad as he did for last week's trip to
Sheffield United but has reduced the party to 16, with central defenders Drissa Diallo and Georges Santos dropping out.

Midfielder Tommy Miller is OK after missing training earlier in the week due to a sciatic problem, while Chris Bart-Williams will be assessed on Friday having come through two reserve games this week.

Full-back Makin will not be involved until next season, having had a hip operation earlier this year, while Spanish front man Couñago is on the mend after first a hamstring injury and then a groin strain. The former Celta Vigo man is expected to be available should the Blues reach the play-offs.

Town are likely to make one change to the line-up which started at Bramall Lane, with Richard Naylor looking likely to come in for Dean Bowditch up front, the Blues' longest-serving player having impressed as a substitute striker in recent games.

Royle says it is pleasing to have so many players fit at a crucial stage: "It's about time we went into a game with a clean bill of health. On a number of occasions this season we've talked about having four academy boys on the bench, so it's nice to say that the academy boys there on Sunday will be there on merit and not because of Emergency Ward 10."

The Town boss thinks his side are in the sort of form which should bring them the victory they need against the Bluebirds: "We're strong, we're in a decent run. In the two games we've lost recently we've played well enough to have won. That's all I can ask.

"A performance like the one at Sheffield last Friday would give us a great chance but I think we need to do a bit more going forward than we did, particularly in the first half at Sheffield.

"It's always that balance with us. We're either so cavalier that we're going forward and making chances and risk being caught with our pants down, or sometimes we look a little bit impotent.

"But I think there's been a greater steadiness about us recently, particularly since Matt Elliott arrived. He's a calm centre-half, a collected centre-half, he doesn't rush about and he and John McGreal have formed a good partnership."

Royle says the crowd have a big role to play on Sunday: "The crowd have a massive part to play. We need your help!

"We have a set of fans here who are quite battled hardened when it comes to the play-offs. The crowd know the importance of the game, it's going to be very nervous, I can appreciate all of that, but come and give us a hand."

Cardiff have Paul Parry out with a badly bruised ankle, with Richard Langley taking over in his midfield role. Keeper Martyn Margetson, given a free from Manchester City by Joe Royle, will play in goal despite having broken a finger.

Sunday's referee is Richard Beeby from Northampton. This season he has shown 91 yellow and 10 red cards in 32 matches. The only time he has previously refereed Town was in the 3-2 home win against Sheffield United last season in which he sent Pablo Couñago off.

Town go into the game knowing that a win will definitely see them into the play- offs, while a draw or even a defeat may be enough depending on results elsewhere.

Town squad: Davis, Price, Wilnis, Richards, Elliott, McGreal, Magilton, Miller, Wright, Westlake, Reuser, Bart-Williams, Bent, Naylor, Bowditch, Kuqi.

Photo: Action Images

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