Warnock will be keeping everything crossed that Gunnarsson stays fit...

CARDIFF City go into their next Premier League fixture against Everton on the back of a morale-boosting win over Brighton.

Despite beating the Seagulls, Neil Warnock’s men remain in the relegation zone over the international break, although they are just one point behind 14th-placed Newcastle ahead of the clash with Marco Silva’s side.

Warnock will continue to work with those who are not away on international duty at the club’s Vale Resort training base over the next 10 days or so ahead of the trip to Merseyside.

And there’ll be plenty for the Cardiff faithful to ponder while we take a break from league action.

Here’s a closer look at the items to keep an eye on...

Can Aron Gunnarsson return to South Wales unscathed?

After missing more than two months of the campaign through injury, Gunnarsson has once again shown his class since returning to the first-team fold.

It’s no coincidence that their two wins of the season so far against Fulham and Brighton have come when the 29-year-old has been in the side and at his best. But Warnock will once again be keeping his fingers crossed as Gunnarsson links up with Iceland over the international break.

The Euro 2016 quarter-finalists take on Belgium in the Nations League tonight before facing Qatar four days later.

And given Gunnarsson’s struggles with injury during Warnock’s tenure at Cardiff, you could forgive the Bluebirds’ boss for wanting to wrap up the central midfielder in cotton wool.

“I’ve told Gunnar how important Everton is, he doesn’t train with us everyday anyway,” said Warnock before the Brighton game.

Here’s hoping Gunnarsson can be fit and firing for when the Bluebirds take on the Toffees.

The Premier League meeting

Premier League chiefs will meet with all 20 clubs this week to once again discuss the key matters surrounding the division.

And one of the items set to feature at the top of the agenda will be Video Assistant Referees.

The technology-led approach became a hot topic of discussion during the 2018 World Cup in Russia and there could well be a vote on Thursday to determine whether or not VAR is introduced next season.

Clubs voted against introducing VAR in April although if their opinions are divided this week, a new vote will be postponed until the New Year.

They will also discuss potential changes to rules on homegrown players brought about by Brexit.

Clubs will be given the details of an FA proposal to reduce the number of foreign players in Premier League squads, it has been reported.

Where does Callum Paterson play?

Paterson links up with Scotland for their Nations League double-header against Israel and Albania having scored three times in his last four matches for the Bluebirds.

The 24-year-old netted against Brighton on Saturday to extend his tally to three goals for the season having been deployed in a lone striker role.

Prior to his latest effort against Chris Hughton’s side, his international manager Alex McLeish spoke about Paterson’s versatility, although it remains to be seen in which position he will play for Scotland.

“Callum is very versatile. I played him as a wing-back against Costa Rica. But we felt that he has also been pretty effective middle to front in the Mexico and Peru games,” said McLeish.

“We played him in an attacking role in Mexico but didn’t give him the service that I think he would have appreciated.

“So that’s something we will have to tactically work on if he was coming into a forward area.

“But he’s been very effective in the middle to front area for well over a season now.”

Whatever happens with Scotland, Paterson is likely to lead the line once again when Cardiff travel to Merseyside on November 24. But it will certainly be intriguing to track Paterson’s progress if he turns out for his country.

Marco Silva’s international stars

Everton boss Silva will be keeping a close eye on his international stars, with several members of his squad being called up to play for their country. But the Portuguese has some concerns ahead of the clash with the Bluebirds.

Gunnarsson’s international team mate Gylfi Sigurdsson was forced to withdraw from Iceland’s squad after picking up an injury in the Toffees’ 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Sunday, while Andre Gomes will miss Portugal’s games with Italy and Poland.

And Silva will also be praying that summer signing Richarlison – who was substituted late on at Stamford Bridge due to an ankle problem – returns unharmed after being away with Brazil for their games against Uruguay and Cameroon.

A number of other Toffees, including the likes of Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne, have also been called up for international duty.

Warnock’s other internationals

In addition to Gunnarsson and Paterson, Warnock will also be without Bruno Manga, Harry Arter, Junior Hoilett and Neil Etheridge over the international break.

Hoilett’s Canada take on St. Kitts and Nevis, Manga’s Gabon are at home to Mali, Arter’s Republic of Ireland are up against Northern Ireland and Denmark while Etheridge’s Philippines side take on Singapore, Timor-Leste and Thailand.

Jazz Richards has not been included in the Wales squad for the matches against Denmark and Albania.