CARDIFF CITY enjoyed the perfect start to the season on Saturday, thrashing Scunthorpe 4-0 to sit proudly on top of the Championship. Michael Chopra scored twice, while Jay Bothroyd and Peter Whittingham all netted in what was a comprehensive triumph. The

by MIKE SIMMONDS

CARDIFF CITY enjoyed the perfect start to the season on Saturday, thrashing Scunthorpe 4-0 to sit proudly on top of the Championship.

Michael Chopra scored twice, while Jay Bothroyd and Peter Whittingham all netted in what was a comprehensive triumph.

The game also marked the Bluebirds first-ever competitive match in their new 27,000 all-seater stadium, after moving away from Ninian Park last season.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones is now in his fourth year with the club, and took them to within a whisker of the play-offs last season, but they were pipped by Preston.

He has seen talismanic centre half Roger Johnson move to Birmingham for �5million, but much of that was used to bring in Chopra for �4million from Sunderland.

Mark Hudson has also joined from Charlton for over �1million, while Anthony Gerrard, cousin of Liverpool and England star Steven, signed from Walsall.

The Bluebirds face plenty of selection headaches for this Carling Cup tie though, as it is right in the middle of an international week.

Joe Ledley is with Wales for their friendly with Montenegro, while striker Ross McCormack and goalkeeper David Marshall are on World Cup qualifying duty as Scotland play Norway.

Defender Gabor Gyepes is also out as he is involved in Hungary's friendly clash with Romania.

Adam Matthews, Darcy Blake and Arron Morris are all included in the Wales under-21 squad for their match with Hungary, while young goalkeeper Josh Magennis is involved with the Northern Irish under-21s against Portugal.

Despite all their absentees, Cardiff can still field a team packed with internationals, as goalkeeper Peter Enckelman starts, while Stephen McPhail, Gavin Rae and Tony Capaldi have all represented their countries.

DAGGERS TEAM NEWS

Josh Scott is available after suspension, but Jon Nurse definitely misses out after picking up an injury against Crewe on Saturday.

Anwar Uddin and Mark Nwokeji are still recovering from knocks and neither are expected to be involved.

WE'VE MET BEFORE

As with Saturday's opponents Crewe, this is Daggers first ever competitive match with Cardiff.

ONE TO WATCH

It has to be Michael Chopra - a big money move to Sunderland didn't work out, but the Geordie has scored goals galore for Cardiff in his four spells at the club.

FROM THE DUGOUT

"It doesn't mean that it's right, but it seems a crazy decision to take your players away and then throw in a cup game which you cannot cancel because you've got international players away.

"We can't even delve into our youngsters because we've got so many away with the Under-21s - Ireland, Wales - so we're even hindered on that.

"So we will be using a lot of the YTS boys, whether it be on the bench or on the pitch," Cardiff boss Dave Jones.

PREDICTION

An understrength Cardiff to still prove too strong with a 3-0 triumph.

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