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Cardiff City extended their unbeaten home record with a 4-2 victory over Birmingham in the Welsh capital, despite playing most of the second half with ten men following Danny Ward's dismissal.

The striker was shown the red card in the 52nd minute for a dangerous challenge on Kerim Mrabti, but Joe Ralls struck twice in the second period to seal a much-needed victory for the Bluebirds following their derby defeat last time out.

Ward can count himself lucky that Ralls was in clinical form on Saturday, as it looked as though the striker's dismissal would cost his side dearly with there being so much of the match still to play when he was given his marching orders.

However, the Bluebirds produced an accomplished second-half performance with a man down to spare Ward's blushes, but the former Rotherham will still be deeply regretting the moment where he committed to the challenge on Mrabti.

This is because Ward is now set to miss Cardiff's next three matches with suspension, and this will prevent him from cementing his spot in the starting line-up in place of Robert Glatzel who is recovering from an injury.

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Ward looked set to have an extended run in the side during Glatzel's absence, and the 28-year-old would have been aiming to take the opportunity by continuing his fine goalscoring run, but it now appears this chance has disappeared.

The frontman has scored four goals since his return from injury in mid-September, even though his playing time had been somewhat limited by the presence of summer signing Glatzel, but both players are now missing for the Bluebirds.

This means either Omar Bogle or Callum Paterson are likely to lead Warnock's attack in the duo's absence, with three strikers now unavailable including Ward, Glatzel and Isaac Vassell who is also injured.

Ward and Cardiff supporters alike will be frustrated by the events of Saturday afternoon, as many fans were calling to play Ward from the start of matches even before Glatzel's injury, but the striker has now needlessly blown this opportunity.

It will be interesting to see how Warnock decides to set his side up with these key attackers absent, while it may now be some time before the Cardiff boss decides to trust Ward from the start of matches again following his seismic error of judgement.

This is now a selection dilemma that Warnock would have been hoping not to face, but the positive side is that Cardiff will have restored some confidence with the Birmingham win, so morale should be growing in the Bluebirds camp as the prepare to face Bristol City on the weekend.