Lee Tomlin was forced to miss Friday night’s Championship clash with Derby owing to whiplash after he was involved in a car accident earlier this week.
The playmaker has impressed since he was reintroduced into the squad against Huddersfield a few weeks back, but in another twist of cruel fate he is once again banished to the sidelines.
It is understood, however, that the whiplash is not too serious and he should not be out of the fray for too long.
Callum Paterson has returned to full fitness and replaced Tomlin in the starting line up for the game at Pride Park.
Manager Neil Warnock said after the match: "He just had a bit of whiplash.
"He was OK but the next day, as you find with whiplash, two days later you get a bit dizzy.
"The doctor said we ought to leave him five days so there was no rush even though we were short."
The Bluebirds were hit by further off-field drama after the stadium was evacuated shortly before kick-off .
Flares fired in the stadium's concourse prompted the action.
You can follow the game here.
