Hirst replaces Kayden Jackson, who was sidelined with an adductor injury last week against Leeds but trained for the first time on Friday.
Town’s team is largely unchanged from the one that lost 4-3 to Leeds last week.
Cardiff’s goalkeeper Alex Runarsson and winger Ollie Tanner make their league debuts, while new acquisition Jonathan Panzo sits on the bench.
Mark McGuinness, a former Blues loanee, begins at the heart of the visitors’ defense.
Hladky, Clarke, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis, Morsy (c), Luongo, Burns, Chaplin, Broadhead, and Hirst for the Town.Slicker, Williams, Ball, Evans, Taylor, Hutchinson, Jackson, Scarlett, Ladapo are the substitutes.
Cardiff: Runarsson, Goutas, McGuinness, Ralls (c), Ramsey, Grant, Collins, Meite, Siopis, Tanner, Ng. Subs: Alnwick, Romeo, Wintle, Etete, Ugbo, Adams, Sawyers, Panzo, Colwill. Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey).
