Charlie Oatway was back to bolster Albion's midfield in today's showdown at Ninian Park against one of his former clubs.

Oatway recovered from a groin strain, which ruled him out of Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Wycombe Wanderers.

His recall at the expense of striker Lee Steele produced a switch back to a 4-5-1 formation.

Oatway joined fellow Cardiff old boy Richard Carpenter and skipper Paul Rogers in the centre of the park, with Gary Hart on the right and ex-Cardiff trainee Nathan Jones on the left.

Albion gave a taste of the big match atmosphere to youth teamer Daniel Harding.

He warmed up on the pitch with the rest of the players before kick-off after turning out for the Reserves in midweek at leftback.

Micky Adams' close friend and former No. 2 Alan Cork was desperate for a win for his expensive Cardiff side following three defeats out of four.

Cork made a couple of changes to the team beaten 2-1 at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday.

Josh Low came into the midfield in place of Andy Legg while Paul Brayson was preferred upfront to Leo Fortune-West.

Brayson partnered Peter Thorne, the Welsh giant's recent record £1.8 million buy from Stoke.Team News: Cardiff v Albion Charlie Oatway was back to bolster Albion's midfield in today's showdown at Ninian Park against one of his former clubs.

Oatway recovered from a groin strain, which ruled him out of Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Wycombe Wanderers.

His recall at the expense of striker Lee Steele produced a switch back to a 4-5-1 formation.

Oatway joined fellow Cardiff old boy Richard Carpenter and skipper Paul Rogers in the centre of the park, with Gary Hart on the right and ex-Cardiff trainee Nathan Jones on the left.

Albion gave a taste of the big match atmosphere to youth teamer Daniel Harding.

He warmed up on the pitch with the rest of the players before kick-off after turning out for the Reserves in midweek at leftback.

Micky Adams' close friend and former No. 2 Alan Cork was desperate for a win for his expensive Cardiff side following three defeats out of four.

Cork made a couple of changes to the team beaten 2-1 at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday.

Josh Low came into the midfield in place of Andy Legg while Paul Brayson was preferred upfront to Leo Fortune-West.

Brayson partnered Peter Thorne, the Welsh giant's recent record £1.8 million buy from Stoke.

Cardiff City: Neil Alexander; Rhys Weston, Spencer Prior, Daniel Gabbidon, Michael Simpkins, Josh Low, Graham Kavanagh, Willie Boland, Des Hamilton, Paul Brayson, Peter Thorne. Subs: Legg, Fortune-West, Bowen, Hughes, Jeanne.

Albion: Michel Kuipers; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Simon Morgan, Paul Rogers, Gary Hart, Charlie Oatway, Richard Carpenter, Nathan Jones, Bobby Zamora. Subs: Pitcher, Brooker, Steele, Wicks, Pethick.

Referee: Mr M. Warren (Walsall).

Cardiff City: Neil Alexander; Rhys Weston, Spencer Prior, Daniel Gabbidon, Michael Simpkins, Josh Low, Graham Kavanagh, Willie Boland, Des Hamilton, Paul Brayson, Peter Thorne. Subs: Legg, Fortune-West, Bowen, Hughes, Jeanne.

Albion: Michel Kuipers; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Simon Morgan, Paul Rogers, Gary Hart, Charlie Oatway, Richard Carpenter, Nathan Jones, Bobby Zamora. Subs: Pitcher, Brooker, Steele, Wicks, Pethick.

Referee: Mr M. Warren (Walsall).