CHRIS WISE Cardiff manager Dave Jones believes Robert Earnshaw will be welcomed back to Ninian Park with open arms this afternoon. The Norwich City striker will be making his first competitive visit to his old haunt since his £3m move to West Brom nearly two years ago and having scored 104 goals in 205 appearances for the Bluebirds Jones is certain he will get a warm reception from the home punters.

CHRIS WISE

Cardiff manager Dave Jones believes Robert Earnshaw will be welcomed back to Ninian Park with open arms this afternoon.

The Norwich City striker will be making his first competitive visit to his old haunt since his £3m move to West Brom nearly two years ago and having scored 104 goals in 205 appearances for the Bluebirds Jones is certain he will get a warm reception from the home punters.

But once the game gets under way he hopes the supporters will refocus on the task of getting behind their side as they attempt to end their home programme on a high by taking three points from Earnshaw's current employers.

“I'll let others focus on Rob and I'll focus on the job in hand,” he said. “He left before I came here so I never got a chance to work with him, that's life in football.

“But I know he was a great servant here and I am sure he will get the reception he deserves.

“Hopefully he'll get a standing ovation and that will be that. Then we can get stuck into them and get the result that we want.

“We want to finish as far up the table as we can because that will set us up for next season.

“On top of that it is our last home game and you don't want to go out with a defeat. We'll be pushing to get the win as much as they will because I'm sure they will also want to finish on a high.

“The most important thing as far as I am concerned is that we are prepared properly and have a right good go and that is what I will be drumming into the players.”

Like the Cardiff boss, Earnshaw is also looking forward to this afternoon's game. He has played in a couple of testimonials at Ninian Park since leaving his first professional club, but this will be his first league game for the opposition at the ground where he scored so many of his goals.

He expects it to be a special occasion - both before and during the match.

“It will be nice to go back there - and it's a match I am really looking forward to,” said the Welsh international.

“The Cardiff fans were always excellent to me when I was there - and it has been the same whenever I have gone back.

“It's something I really appreciate. These days when players go back to their former clubs they often get a lot of stick but I've been given a really good reception in the games I have played since I felt - and hopefully it will be the same on Saturday.

“It will be good to play in front of them again, although obviously I won't be doing them any favours once the game gets under way! “I don't stop scoring for anyone - and I'll be doing my utmost to score some goals down there. But as long as we play, well, and get a positive result I won't be complaining.”