Cardiff hunt loan signings

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay says he’ll be at the front of the queue to take in any loan signings that are made available before this week deadline.

Mackay has been in regular contact with a number of Premier League clubs over potential players that may become available and is confident that his work will mean the Bluebirds will be at top of club’s lists if they decide to send players out.

The competition for players is fierce amongst Championship and Premier League clubs but Mackay is confident City’s position in the league and their strong cup form this season means they are an attractive proposition for any player looking to gain first team experience.

After a disappointing run of just one win their last six Championship outings Mackay is hoping for a turnaround in fortunes as relegation threatened Coventry City visit the City Stadium.

Without a goal in their last two games Cardiff’s frontline is set to be boosted by the return of French striker Rudy Gestede after injury while Stephen McPhail is in line to be included for the second time in a week despite his ongoing battle with the rare auto-immune condition Sjogren’s Syndrome.

Cardiff have generally had the better of the side’s recent meetings, winning six of their last seven meetings. That run was however ended earlier in the season when Lucas Jutkiewicz cancelled out a Peter Whittingham strike to earn the Sky Blues their first point against the Bluebirds in three years.

• Npower Championship: Cardiff City v Coventry City, kick-off 7:45pm