Cardiff City are sweating on the fitness of top scorer Callum Robinson for Saturday’s Championship home game with Norwich City.
Interim manager Omer Riza said the four-goal Republic of Ireland striker had sustained a knock on his Achilles tendon.
Robinson has netted three of his goals in the six games Riza has been in charge and will be assessed ahead of the Norwich clash.
Riza said: “A lot of the boys are in good form at the moment and we don’t want to lose players.
“At the same time we have players chomping at the bit to play as well.
“But Callum has been a really important, integral part of the team and I hope he will be okay.”
Riza will be forced into a change of personnel from last weekend’s goalless draw away to West Bromwich Albion, because right-back Perry Ng is suspended having collected five bookings this season.
His one-match ban coincides with Cardiff having to deal with Norwich winger Borja Sainz, who could lay claim to currently being one of the best players in the Championship.
Riza said: “Perry has been outstanding, obviously he is a big loss to us in this game.
“We are playing against probably one of the best wingers in the league at the moment in Sainz. He has scored 10 goals so far this year, is creative and causes problems. Perry would have dealt with that, but I think we will be fine.”
Cardiff have options in the position with former Manchester United player Will Fish and ex-Aston Villa defender Callum Chambers among possible contenders.
Riza said: “The boys have to be ready to play where they need to play, they need to be prepared and take ownership of what is given to them, what obstacles are put in front of them and I am sure they are all professional enough to do that.”