Selecting Sam Parkin's replacement is Joe Royle's main decision ahead of Monday's live Sky game at Cardiff City (Sky Sports One, KO 7.45pm). The Town boss has named an 18-man squad for the trip to Wales.

Parkin had an operation to insert screws into his broken ankle on Wednesday and is out of action for a minimum of three months, probably longer.

A number of players are in the running to be the former Swindon man's stand-in alongside Nicky Forster, with Adam Proudlock, back in the squad after a knee injury, perhaps the favourite.

Royle could also call on Dean Bowditch and hasn't ruled out sending Richard Naylor up front, while reports elsewhere suggesting Fabian Wilnis may join the attack seem far-fetched, although the Dutchman would be Naylor's replacement at the back should Town's longest-serving player be pushed forward.

Academy striker Billy Clarke has received his first senior call, having impressed Royle in the reserves and U18s, and could make his debut from the bench: "Billy's movement is as good as anyone's at the club when comes to what to do and where to be, and he loves scoring goals. He scored a cracker [for the reserves] the other night."

Midfielder Owen Garvan is not included in the party travelling to Cardiff but is on the mend after his ankle problem and is expected to play at Elland Road on Wednesday when the U18 side begins their defence of the FA Youth Cup against Leeds. The Town management are hopeful that the Irish youngster will be available for the Wolves game on Saturday.

There are minor concerns regarding Jimmy Juan (calf), Sito (ankle) and Lewis Price (finger), but all are expected to be fit enough to play. Ian Westlake has not made the trip after picking up a foot injury in the reserve game at Charlton. Canadian international winger Jaime Peters has been added to the squad as his replacement.

New Norwegian signing Vemund Brekke Skard is currently sidelined having undergone a groin operation last week and, regardless of his fitness, is unavailable until the transfer window opens in January.

Royle has not been surprised at Cardiff's progress this season: "I expected them to do OK. They've had the facility to bring players in and manager Dave Jones knows his stuff. They lost a couple of centre-halves and they've replaced them in the summer and with Cameron Jerome up front they were always going to be a danger."

Dutch defender Glenn Loovens is a doubt for the Bluebirds, while fellow centre-half Darren Purse, an old foe of Richard Naylor, is suspended.

Midfielder Kevin Cooper could return after knee surgery and one-time England striker Michael Ricketts is back in training after injury.

Monday's referee is West Midlands-based select group official André Marriner who has shown 12 yellow and two red cards in five games this season. Marriner last refereed the Blues in February's 2-1 home defeat to Watford.

Squad: Bowditch, Currie, Clarke, De Vos, Forster, Horlock, Juan, Magilton, McEveley, Naylor, Peters, Price, Proudlock, Richards, Sito, Supple, Williams, Wilnis.

Photo: Action Images

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