Cardiff City have had their struggles this season but a top-six finish is not out of the question just yet.

The Bluebirds are seven points adrift of the play-off places as things stand but with 16 Championship games left of the season, a late surge could see them in the mix.

Cardiff were relegated from the Premier League last season but have not had the sort of dominance in the second flight of English football as they may have been hoping for.

They've been too inconsistent to properly challenge for the top six thus far but are a respectable 12th place, however, in the Championship struggles can be just around the corner.

With that in mind, here are three possibilities that could cause the Bluebirds' season to crumble...

Etheridge is unable to return.

Cardiff's aspirations for the season have been impacted by the amount of time that their first-choice shot-stopper has been sidelined.

Injuries kept him out during the start of the season, while his recent absence has been down to links to him leaving the club during the January transfer window.

You feel his return could buoy Cardiff for a late push but if he is unable to return it could be a real hammer blow to their aspirations.

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Tomlin runs out of steam.

Lee Tomlin was approaching 'flop' territory ahead of this season. Having failed to make much of a positive impact since making the switch from rivals Bristol City.

The playmaker has been a revelation this season and has contributed to more league goals than any other Bluebirds player, scoring six times and providing six assists.

But Tomlin is 31 now and fitness has been an issue in the past, there is no guarantee he won't run out of steam, which would surely cause them to crumble.

Injuries to key men.

Outside Tomlin, it's difficult to pick out many outstanding players in the Bluebirds squad this season but that doesn't mean injuries to their key mean wouldn't be a huge blow.

It's unfortunate but waves of injuries are not uncommon–just ask Huddersfield Town or Charlton Athletic.

Injuries to key men could be crippling to a Cardiff side that have been pretty inconsistent already this season.