Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison has highlighted the absence of Sol Bamba as a huge loss for Cardiff City this season.
They sit 11th in the Championship table ahead of Friday's clash against Sheffield Wednesday after a mixed start to life back in the second tier.
The Bluebirds have been in impressive form at home but that hasn't translated on the road, leaving Neil Warnock's side with only 16 points from a possible 33.
One man who is yet to feature for Cardiff this season is Bamba, who suffered a serious knee injury at the end of last season.
Captain Sean Morrison and summer recruit Aden Flint have been Wanrock's first-choice centre-back pairing so far this season, in his absence.
However, Morrison believes that the return of Bamba could have a huge influence on results, due to his contribution on the pitch and in the dressing room.
Speaking to Sky Sports as part of their punditry team for Cardiff's clash against Sheffield Wednesday, he said: "I think they're missing Sol Bamba, he's a leader. I was speaking to Sol a few weeks ago and they're missing him massively.
"Neil Warnock relies on him massively, not just for what he does on the football pitch but off the pitch, his talking. I think they're really missing him.
"When he does come back in, they could play a three. Him, Flint and Morrison, they'll be a threat for set pieces. Obviously, a lot of strikers now get down the side of them.
"Flint and Morrison are really good when strikers play up alongside them but they don't want to be running back to their own goal."
