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Sam Feierabend & Tom Coleman

Cardiff City news as Lamouchi outlines blueprint for derby success against Swansea and new date set for Rotherham clash

Here's your round-up of all the latest news from the Cardiff City Stadium for Thursday, March 30.

Lamouchi urges Cardiff to control derby day emotions

Sabri Lamouchi says Cardiff City will have to keep their emotions under control to end their South Wales derby hoodoo this weekend.

The Bluebirds take on Swansea City at the Cardiff City Stadium having won just one of the last eight meetings between the two sides.

Their rivals secured the first league double in the history of this fixture last season, and will aim to do so again this time around, having won the reverse clash at the Swansea.com Stadium earlier in the season.

READ MORE: Cardiff City press conference in full as Sabri Lamouchi gives key team news updates and addresses Rotherham United fiasco

On that occasion, Cardiff's efforts were hampered by a red card for Callum Robinson after just seven minutes, with the Swans going on to secure a 2-0 win.

Having played in the Milan derby and Le Classique as a player, Lamouchi knows a thing or two about a fiery derby encounter, and says his team will have to ensure they keep their emotions under control if they are to claim all three points.

"This will be the wrong scenario. The worst scenario.

"We must be on fire outside. But icemen inside. Just to not have a wrong attitude or do things to penalise the team. This would be absolutely wrong."

Quizzed on what Cardiff will specifically need to do to stop the Swans, he added: "We have to be united and compact and to have the ball more than them.

"These will maybe be the best things we can do. I like the way they play. They try to play very offensive. Sometimes very offensive. Sometimes very open. Sometimes very risky.

"I know why people in Swansea are going to see the team because they play very good football."

EFL make Rotherham decision

Cardiff City have confirmed they will take on Rotherham United on April 25, following the EFL's decision to replay the game in full.

The decision means the Bluebirds' 1-0 lead from the original clash, which was controversially abandoned after 48 minutes, will be wiped out.

Jadon Philogene had put Cardiff ahead in the crunch battle between two sides looking to avoid relegation into League One before the referee called off the match after a downpour of rain.

In a statement, the EFL said: "In respect of this particular fixture, the matter was referred to the EFL Board under EFL Regulations at the request of the clubs involved.

"The EFL Board reviewed submissions from the clubs giving consideration to factors including the time of the abandonment (48th minute) and the subsequent time remaining in the contest, alongside the differing circumstances at play had the fixture been re-started from that point on a re-arranged date.

"In considering matters such as these, the League seeks to adopt consistency with previous occurrences where fixtures have been abandoned for weather-related reasons and could not be re-started."

Cardiff have responded to the news with a statement of their own, expressing their disappointment at the decision, before confirming that the fixture will now take place in the week of April.

In a statement, Cardiff said: "We are extremely disappointed that this fixture will now be re-scheduled and replayed in its entirety, a decision which disregards the first half of the original fixture, which was unaffected by any weather conditions.

"Despite submitting a detailed incident report to the EFL, which contained photo and video content that documented the events that took place at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on March 18th, we are aggrieved that the points we have raised have been dismissed.

"We are particularly frustrated that our staff, players and supporters who travelled to South Yorkshire must now make the long journey once again, during a time of heightened personal costs and fixture congestion.

"We would like to thank our loyal supporters for travelling in their numbers to the AESSEAL New York Stadium, and look forward to seeing them at the re-arranged fixture which will now be played on Tuesday, April 25th (7.45pm kick-off)."

Lamouchi delivers mixed injury update

Meanwhile, there's been mixed news on the injury front for Sabri Lamouchi ahead of the South Wales derby.

Top scorer Callum Robinson will miss out, while Callum O’Dowda is expected to be fit after an injury scare on international duty for the Republic of Ireland.

“He [Callum Robinson] will not be available,” said Lamouchi.

“We have worked hard with our medical department to do our best and find Callum back as soon as we can.”

Elsewhere, Mahlon Romeo and Romaine Sawyers have arrived back in the Welsh capital from international duty with Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Kitts and Nevis respectively. Both are expected to train with the squad tomorrow.

READ MORE

Cabango looks ahead to 'massive’ derby day

Wales international Ben Cabango has said he and the rest of the Swansea City squad are “looking forward to the massive” South Wales derby on Saturday.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Cabango said: "We always can’t wait for the match. It’s always a massive game for us players and fans.

“We’ll give it our all and hope to play to the best of our ability.”

Cabango won his sixth cap for Wales against Latvia in midweek and recognises how important the game is. He also scored in last year's fixture at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Former Bluebirds youth coach lands Wales role

Former Cardiff City under-18s manager Lee Skyrme has been appointed to Gemma Grainger’s coaching team for Wales Women.

Skyrme managed the under-18s from 2006 until 2013, before moving to Exeter City and Southampton B.

“I’ve known Lee a while from the setup at Southampton. He’s a top coach,” said Grainger on his appointment.

Skyrme comes onto the team as a third coach, with former Swansea City academy manager Jon Grey being appointed assistant manager. Wales Women play Northern Ireland at the Cardiff City Stadium on April 6th.

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