Club skipper Chris Morgan is ready to start the battle to reclaim his first-team shirt following loanee Gary Cahill's return to Aston Villa.

The combative stopper was left out after the defeat at Bristol City in early October and has been kicking his heels for the last thirteen matches.

However, his calf strain cleared up and Cahill out of the reckoning, Morgan is all set for a recall at Cardiff City on Saturday.

Bryan Robson expects his skipper to return in bullish mood and probably all the better for his absence:

"Chris went through a period in which he made mistakes which were costly and it opened the door for one or two others to stake a claim. But he is reliable, a good professional and has a great attitude.

"He will be back as captain at Cardiff and I hope that have been on the outside looking in he will come back as fresh and steady as ever."

That will mean stand-in skipper Gary Naysmith relinquishing the armband and Morgan teaming up in centre-defence alongside Matt Kilgallon.