Carling Cup

Mackay waits on Bluebirds duo

Manager Malky Mackay will see how Mark Hudson and Rudy Gestede react to Monday's training session before deciding whether or not to play them in Cardiff's Carling Cup quarter-final clash with Blackburn.

Both captain Hudson and striker Gestede have been struggling with hamstring injuries in recent weeks, and neither have featured in the Bluebirds' last two outings.

Otherwise, Mackay has no new injury or suspension worries ahead of the game, in which he intends to start a full-strength team as Cardiff look to upset the Barclays Premier League strugglers.

Blackburn have midfielder David Dunn available again.

Dunn returns to the squad after serving a one-match suspension, while full-back Michel Salgado could make his comeback from a hamstring problem.

Rovers have other defenders on the mend, with manager Steve Kean hopeful that Christopher Samba and Martin Olsson (both hamstring) will be fit for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Swansea. Ryan Nelsen (knee) is back in training but not yet ready for first-team action.

Blackburn manager Steve Kean says he is ready to meet some of the club's disgruntled fans if required to do so.

The Ewood Park outfit are bottom of the Barclays Premier League and a section of Rovers supporters have for some time been staging protests against Kean, calling for him to be sacked.

The Scot, who it was announced last week had signed a new contract, said after Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Stoke that he was putting the criticism to the back of his mind.

He also stressed, however, that he shared fans' frustrations about recent results - Blackburn have won just once in the league all season - and on Monday Kean insisted he would be happy to speak with them directly.

"I will always take direction from other people at the club more qualified than me to organise something like that,'' the 44-year-old said ahead of Tuesday's cup clash.

"But if it is going to happen, then I would be available to do that.''

Asked if he thought such a move was needed, Kean said: "I don't know.

"Possibly they might want access and want to know a little bit more about what is going on at Ewood.

"I think there has been a lot of suggestion that they would like to know a little bit more about the organisation and the running of the club.

"That is not my department, but I'm happy to talk on the football side.''