Striker Michael Chopra says Cardiff City need to bring in new players to help deal with an injury and illness crisis.

Manager Dave Jones' squad has been reduced to the bare bones over the last few weeks with a growing sick list.

A patched-up Bluebirds side made it through to the FA Cup fourth round after beating Bristol City 1-0 in Tuesday's third round replay.

"There's a lot of players struggling," Chopra told BBC Sport Wales.

"We've such a small squad at the moment and I think with everything that's going on at the club we need to bring some players in.

"You know when you've been called upon to do a job you've got to do it because you've got fans who have paid good money to watch us play.

"There's a lot of lads that have got the bug and there's a lot of lads that have got injured. We are really short.

"If we are going to go places this year we've got to bring some players in.

"You look at all the teams around us and they are trying to strengthen and they haven't got the bug or so many injuries like we've got.

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"If we continue to get injuries then we are going to be struggling to be putting teams out."

Chopra admitted he played through Tuesday's FA Cup third round replay despite feeling unwell and that he has been struggling for the last three weeks.

Other members of the squad have also suffered with illness including strike partners Jay Bothroyd and Ross McCormack.

But boss Jones also has defenders Mark Hudson, Adam Matthews, Kevin McNaughton and midfielder Aaron Wildig all carrying injuries, while Gavin Rae and Josh Magennis remain on the sidelines.

Matthews, 18, and Wildig, 19, played through the pain barrier against Bristol City but were substituted during the game.

"Three games in six days at that age is far, far too much," said Jones. "Adam is struggling with his groin and Aaron with his back."

Cardiff will face Leicester City in the fourth round on Saturday after Chopra's shot rebounded off the post and hit Bristol City's Bradley before going into the net to seal a 1-0 win.

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