Late fitness tests have necessitated a delay in the Blues naming a starting line-up for Friday evening's game against Ulster in Belfast.
Assistant coach Geraint John said, "The requirements of the autumn internationals and our injury list means that we are still digging deep into our squad for selection. If nothing else it is a good indication of where we stand with regard to strength in depth.
"Ulster will be another tough test for both teams. Cardiff and the Blues have never won there and although Ulster have also lost several players to the Ireland camp we know that we still have to be at our very best to have any chance."
Acting Blues skipper Craig Quinnell is having a late fitness test on a leg injury while Dean Dewdney is definitely sidelined with a mouth injury that required several internal stitches after the Glasgow match last weekend.
Better news is that Tristan Davies and Nick Walne are fit again and join Ryan Powell in the group of backs possibly making their first start for some time. To cover all eventualities Premier Division players Johnathan Edwards and Dafydd Hewitt will also travel with the squad.
Squad to travel:
Backs: Craig Morgan, Matthew Nuthall, Nick Walne, Tristan Davies, Shaun James, Dafydd Hewitt, Fereti Tuilagi, Lee Thomas, Nick Macleod, Ryan Powell, Richard Smith
Forwards: John Yapp, Andrew Lewis, Rhys Thomas, Gareth Williams, Ben Evans, Martin Jones, Craig Quinnell, Deiniol Jones, Robert Sidoli, Mark Lewis, Nathan Budgett, Nathan Thomas, James Malpas, Johnathan Edwards, Robin Sowden-Taylor
Referee: Ian Ramage