FA CUP THIRD ROUND Venue: Ashton Gate Date: Saturday, 2 January Kick-off: 1230 GMT Coverage: Watch live on fa.com & S4C, full commentary on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio 5 Live & online and score updates on BBC Radio Cymru & Final Score
Gavin Rae signed for Cardiff from Rangers in the summer of 2007
Cardiff City's midfield crisis deepened as Scottish international Gavin Rae has been ruled out for up to four weeks.
The 32-year-old broke two bones in his right hand after colliding with striker Craig Mackail-Smith in the second-half of Monday's 4-4 draw at Peterborough.
Bluebirds boss Dave Jones is already without Stephen McPhail, who is undergoing cancer treatment, while Riccy Scimeca recently retired.
Joe Ledley (hip) and Peter Whittingham (thigh) are also carrying injuries.
Striker Jay Bothroyd (swollen knee) and full-back Mark Kennedy (calf) could join Rae on the injured list for Saturday's FA Cup Third Round tie with Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
But full-back Kevin McNaughton, who was substituted at half-time as Cardiff surrendered a four-goal lead at London Road with a hamstring niggle, is expected to be passed fit.
Cardiff's central midfield position, though, is causing Jones greatest concern as Rae, who may need surgery to repair his damaged hand, is out until January.
The Cardiff manager has prioritised signing midfield reinforcements in the January transfer window - especially with doubts over the future of Wales international Ledley, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
"That's why it's so vital that we get into the market and try to strengthen in that area," Jones told BBC Sport.
"We have to wait and see in that and how our campaign is going - if we get what we want it would be absolutely fantastic."
Jones admits his midfield is Cardiff's "problem area" and Rae was the only fully fit central midfielder until his injury at London Road.
Teenager Aaron Wildig made his league debut earlier this month while summer signing Solomon Taiwo is another option.
But Jones needs to sign cover and he has been linked with Ipswich and Irish midfielder Owen Garvan.
Ledley needs an operation to cure his hip problem while Republic of Ireland international McPhail will return sometime in January but 34-year-old Scimeca has quit after succumbing to serious groin and ankle problems.
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