Warnock worried about Arter for Cardiff’s D-day

Cardiff City (8/5 – Match Betting) manager Neil Warnock doesn’t think Harry Arter will be fit in time for his side’s must-win Premier League match against Crystal Palace (7/4, Draw 13/5) on Saturday.

Warnock thinks the on-loan Bournemouth midfielder is unlikely to be involved at the Cardiff City Stadium this weekend, but striker Kenneth Zohore should be available.

Republic of Ireland international Arter has missed the last three games with a calf strain and, despite training this week, remains a big doubt for the relegation-threatened Bluebirds.

“I don’t think he’ll make it,” Warnock told reporters on Friday.

“He’s done some training this week. Unless there’s quite an improvement today. We’ve got a couple of knocks and we’ll see how they are in general.”

Danish forward Zohore took a knock in Cardiff’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham last weekend – a result that has left Warnock’s side a five-point gap to bridge to Brighton (14/1 Relegation – Premier League 2018/19) with only two matches to play.

But the manager confirmed his striker has trained “really well” this week and is available.

Winger Josh Murphy was left out of the squad for the loss at Craven Cottage and has managed just one late substitute appearance in the last three games, but Warnock indicated the midfielder could be set for a recall on Saturday.

“He’s trained a lot better this week as well,” he said on Murphy. “You can’t just turn things on in football, you have to train like you play. You can’t just turn up on a Saturday.

“Hopefully the lesson’s learned and he’ll play a major part in the next two games.”

Crystal Palace have been dealt a blow with the news that Christian Benteke will not be able to make the trip to Wales.

The Belgian striker, who has only just rediscovered his goalscoring touch, took a blow to his cheekbone during the draw with Everton and has not trained all week.

Mamadou Sakho, James Tomkins, Jeffrey Schlupp and Pape Souare are also ruled out by injuries.

Odds subject to change.