Supporters are showing signs of worry with City throwing away leads in their last three matches, and going onto lose. However, we played three quality sides in Reading, Sheffield United and West Ham, and victory over Crewe is well in the realms of possibility.

Lennie Lawrence's main worry is in the striker department. Peter Thorne is a major doubt after being substituted on Tuesday with a neck strain, and has undergone intensive treatment over the past few days as he looks to recover for Saturday's clash. Alan Lee is still several weeks from returning to first-team affairs following a cartilage operation.

Andy Campbell should step in if Thorne does not recover, but the England under-21 international is a slight doubt himself. Campbell only returned to training from a thigh strain last week, and questions have been raised over whether he is yet 100% fit. This means their is a slight possibility that Gavin Gordon will start the game alongside Robert Earnshaw, but the City physiotherapist team remain confident that Thorne has a good chance of recovering in time, and if not Andy Campbell should be fit enough to return to the starting line-up.

John Robinson will definitely not be fit the game, and Jason Bowen is highly unlikely to recover from a hamstring injury picked up in training, to replace Robbo in midfield. Mark Bonner is likely to get the nod to start in midfield, with out-of-favour Layton Maxwell getting a place on the bench.

Daniel Gabbidon looks set to retain his place in the starting line-up. His stand-in James Collins did an impressive job during Gabbidon's spell-out with injury, but the inexperienced Welsh under-21 skipper will have to settle for a place on the bench. He could be sitting alongside Gary Croft, who has recovered from an appendix operation and is available for selection.

As for the visitors, their biggest loss will be the absence of influential manager Dario Gradi. The 62-year-old boss is in hospital after having heart surgery and is not expected to be back on the touchline for six weeks. Gradi's assistant Neil Baker will take charge for tomorrow. Best wishes, and lets hope for a speedy recovery to Gradi!

Crewe duo Steve Jones and Ben Rix are both doubtful. Jones has problems with a hamstring injury, whilst Rix struggles to shake off a knee problem. Allan Smart is not ready to return for the Railwaymen.

Crewe have surprised many by their start to the season, and they currently sit an impressive 10th in the First Division table, with 13 points from 8 league games. They will go into the game on a high after hammering Nottingham Forest 3-1 in their last league outing, and putting on a credible performance against Leicester City in the League Cup on Tuesday, despite eventually going down 1-0 at the Walkers Stadium.

The last meeting between the two sides was the last league fixture of City's promotion season. Robert Earnshaw netted his record-breaking 31st league goal of the campaign, as the Bluebirds drew 1-1 with the already-promoted Crewe, before going onto to win the playoffs! City had beaten Alex 2-1 at Ninian Park, thanks to a late Earnie brace.

The man in the middle for the game is the famous Graham Poll. His linesmen will be Guy Beale (Somerset) and Mike Tingey (Buckinghamshire).

Bluebird to the Bone Prediction - Cardiff City 3-0 Crewe Alexandra
City to stop the run of defeats with a comfortable win over the Railwaymen. Robert Earnshaw, Peter Thorne (if fit!), and my surprise tip of Layton Maxwell to be on the scoresheet!

Can the Bluebirds stop the run of losses? What do you think about Saturday's game? Is the growing list of injuries a worry? Leave your thoughts on the messageboard.

I couldn't resist but finish by putting up this rather amusing picture of tomorrows referee, Graham PollDancer!

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