Cardiff interim boss Omer Riza respects the threat posed by Norwich City and Championship top scorer Borja Sainz.

The Bluebirds are unbeaten in five under their caretaker boss and have won three straight games on the bounce at home.

Cardiff’s new-found defensive resolve will be tested by the Canaries, especially with right back Perry Ng suspended.

“They’re a dangerous side," said Riza, quoted on his club's official site. "They play good football, they can open you up, have it down the sides or through the middle of the pitch, they counter very quickly and they’re decisive in their attacking approach.

"We’re going to have to be really good defensively, like we were against West Brom (0-0 away draw), but I definitely feel that we’re not going into the game thinking that we are underdogs, if you like. The way we’re performing at the moment, we’re going to go in like we want to win the game, which I’ve said in every game that we approach.

“Perry has been outstanding, obviously he is a big loss to us in this game.

"We are playing against probably one of the best wingers in the league at the moment in Sainz. He has scored 10 goals so far this year, is creative and causes problems. Perry would have dealt with that, but I think we will be fine."

Cardiff’s own leading light, Callum Robinson, is a doubt with an Achilles issue as the hosts look to continue their upward trajectory.

“It’s important, I’ve always said, that the players are in a good place, mentally and physically, for them to be able to perform,” said Riza. “I think they’re in a good place at the moment and they need to continue, because we haven’t really achieved anything yet, other than trying to get ourselves back to where we thought we should have started.

"There’s a lot more work to do and we can’t sit on our laurels and think we’ve done enough, because we haven’t done anywhere near enough yet. I spoke to the boys about that, we need to keep pushing forwards and keep working hard.

“The boys have got to be ready to play wherever they need to play. They need to be prepared, they need to take ownership of what’s given to them, what obstacles are put in front of them and I’m sure they’re all professional enough to do that."