Get the latest Cardiff City news sent straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Craig Noone and Kagisho Dikgacoi could be given the chance to step up their drive for match fitness by facing Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United on Wednesday.

Cardiff City’s development team are playing United in a behind closed doors friendly at their Aon training complex in Manchester.

Both Noone and Dikgacoi were involved as over-age players during City’s 2-1 win against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium and will be assessed on Wednesday morning before manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decides whether they are ready for more match action.

Solskjaer will also want them to play in next Tuesday’s Capital One Cup home tie against AFC Bournemouth at Cardiff City Stadium.

Noone, fit for action after a groin injury, fired a shot against the inside of a post and set up Cardiff’s first goal for Rhys Healey against Swansea.

Holding midfield player Dikgacoi, who has struggled for 100 per cent fitness after visa problems meant he missed crucial pre-season training, is also starting to find the levels needed.

Both could benefit from playing against Manchester United and Bournemouth. If they came through those matches with no problems the pair could be ready for Cardiff’s Championship home match against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday week.

(Image: Daily Mirror)

More Cardiff City news...

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to rediscover winning formula in battle of Manchester United and Real Madrid protégés

Cardiff City... Behind Enemy Lines: Meet the Middlesbrough fan who is encouraged by the Bluebirds defending

Noone and Kadeem Harris, playing in midfield wide areas, were outstanding during the win against Swansea, while striker Rhys Healey scored twice. That takes Healey’s tally to four goals in two under-21 visits to play for Cardiff at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium.

“We stuck to our strategy over the 90 minutes and were rewarded for our character,” said Cardiff’s under-21 manager Nilton Terroso.

“We scored two excellent goals. The ball was put into the right areas and we know all about Rhys and his instinct in and around the box.

“Craig and Kagisho are trying to get the minutes to enable them to play first team football again. They are outstanding professionals and to have them around our young players is first class.”

New signing Modou Barrow fired Swansea ahead during the first half in the Premier Development League clash on Monday, while Healey scored after 65 minutes from Noone’s magnificent pass and then fired an 85 minute winner. Captain Tommy O’Sullivan, Tylor Roche and substitute Danny Johnson played their part in the build-up to that winner.

Swansea City: D Cornell, L Shephard (C Roberts 84), S Kingsley, S Kingsley, J Fulton, G Gallifuoco, S Tancock (capt), M Barrow (R Hedges 46), A King (A Samuel 30), K Gorre, J Sheehan, M Emnes. Subs not used: H Jones, L Thomas (gk), C Roberts.

Cardiff City: C Horton, K Owen, J Barnum-Bobb, K Dikgacoi, T James, M Amondarain, C Noone (T Roche 76), T O’Sullivan (capt), R Healey, E Velikonja (D Johnson 79), K Harris (B Watkins 70). Subs: J Yorwerth, B Wilson (gk), B Watkins.