Former Coventry City striker Craig Bellamy is set to play for Cardiff at The Ricoh on Tuesday evening and is preparing himself for a hostile reception from the Coventry supporters.
Bellamy is on loan at The Bluebirds from Manchester City and has a persistent knee injury which means he cannot play more than once a week.
Having missed playing against Bristol City on Saturday, the way is now open for the unpopular striker to play against one of his former clubs.
Bellamy was bought from Norwich City in 2000 by Gordon Strachan, but angered Sky Blues fans by saying that if Coventry were relegated he would not play in a lower division. He also claimed that his move from Norwich to Coventry was a 'backward step'. When Coventry were relegated in 2001 he moved to Newcastle United for £6.5m.
Bellamy, not one for diplomacy, enraged the City faithful after his move to Newcastle when he said, “I never once enjoyed it at Coventry. The players were a great bunch of lads, but the ground was poor (Highfield Road). I felt quite demoralised. I had enjoyed myself so much at Norwich, but I found I had taken a backward step.”
Strachan bought Bellamy to score goals, but he managed only seven goals in a sky blue shirt in 39 games.
Bellamy is now on loan at Cardiff where he has been reunited with a former Coventry team mate Jay Bothroyd.
Bellamy's troublesome knee has meant he has only played four times since his season long loan to Cardiff, but the medical staff there believe he will be able to play at least 30 games this season if he diligently follows the strict training programme he has been given.