Cardiff City have just been handed a huge fitness boost after Neil Etheridge was named to play in his first competitive game since the opening day of the season.
The Bluebirds No.1 has been sidelined with a grade three hamstring tear, which he sustained in the defeat by Wigan, but Neil Warnock has hinted he is near a return to the first-team fray.
And now there has been the biggest indication yet that Etheridge could be in line for a recall this weekend after he was today named in the Under-23s team to face Sheffield Wednesday.
However, Etheridge is not a shoo-in to return between the sticks for the senior side against Middlesbrough this Saturday, with the incumbent, Alex Smithies, having grabbed his chance with both hands and impressing in recent weeks.
It means Warnock is likely to face somewhat of a selection dilemma this weekend should the Philippines international prove he is back to full fitness.
Etheridge lined up against the young Owls alongside Gary Madine, Curtis Nelson and Isaac Vassell, while promising youngsters Cameron Coxe, James Waite and Aaron Bolger also feature.
Etheridge shipped two goals, one which was sent into the top corner from close range and one from the penalty spot, as the young City side came out eventual 3-2 winners.
Madine, Vassell and Bolger were all on the scoresheet for the Bluebirds.
