" HOW VITAL IS HUDSON TO US ? "

" HOW VITAL IS HUDSON TO US ? "
Gerrard would then be dropped.



Cardiff City captain Mark Hudson will undergo an eleventh hour fitness test as he battles to be fit for Sunday's Carling Cup final against Liverpool.

Hudson and midfielder Stephen McPhail will be assessed in London on Saturday morning, with the Bluebirds walking out at Wembley just over 24 hours later.

The Cardiff skipper has been struggling with a calf strain for the past few weeks, while McPhail's Sjogren's Syndrome has once again left the Irishman unable to feature.

Hudson returned to training this morning and is now waiting to see if there is any reaction in his calf.

"It has been frustrating because I have missed some big league games. But leading the team out at Wembley would be a dream.

"We are going to be underdogs but have a right to be in the final and we believe we can win," he said.

If Hudson does prove his fitness, he is likely to lead the team out in Sunday's final, with Anthony Gerrard expected to drop to the bench.

Striker Rudy Gestede appears to have handed Malky Mackay a boost, with the Scot declaring every player fit and ready with the exception of Hudson and McPhail.

He could be the difference, if he could last for 70mins that could be massive for Cardiff

I think the last few games have shown how important he is to us. His organising is key and when Liverpool are likely to have the majority of the possession we need a leader who is going to front up

If he's fit then Hudson should play but if he's off the pace in training then I would pick Blake before Gerrard. Gerrard is simply not good/intelligent enough to cope with Carroll or Suarez plus he gives the ball away for fun

Blake's distribution ain't great but he's quick and that makes up for a lot, just ask Rooney

Agree with the above post,unfortunately i cant see blake coming in if Huds cant make it

I think Hudsen is vital for us to have chance on Sunday.

Our lack of organisation in recent games proves this.

If he doesnt make it on Sunday i hope that Malky drops Gerrard for Blake but dont think he will.

Anyway Im going there positive that im going to have an absolutley fantastic day....

I'm not sure Anthony Gerrard's mind is going to be on the game, given the circumstances with his boy at the moment. Hudson is probably not ready, so it's got to be Blake and Turner in central defence, surely?

I'm not sure Anthony Gerrard's mind is going to be on the game, given the circumstances with his boy at the moment. Hudson is probably not ready, so it's got to be Blake and Turner in central defence, surely?

Agree. He's obviously not going to be match-fit (it says it all that he's undergoing a late fitness test) so Blake should play but if it's Gerrard I won't lose too much sleep over it. It's going to be a very difficult game whoever plays for us.

Circumstances with his boy? I know that he's living away from his family, but what exactly is the situation?

I'm not sure Anthony Gerrard's mind is going to be on the game, given the circumstances with his boy at the moment. Hudson is probably not ready, so it's got to be Blake and Turner in central defence, surely?

Agree. He's obviously not going to be match-fit (it says it all that he's undergoing a late fitness test) so Blake should play but if it's Gerrard I won't lose too much sleep over it. It's going to be a very difficult game whoever plays for us.

Circumstances with his boy? I know that he's living away from his family, but what exactly is the situation?

Today's Echo mentioned that he's in Alder Hey children's hospital. It quoted Gerrard as saying he hadn't slept for about 36 hours due to the worry.

I'd go with Hudson if his calf is ok. Even if he isn't 'match fit' - sure he's had some time out but he's a professional sportsman, he should still be fit enough to last 90 mins. I think we've missed him massively looking forward to seeing him back. If not drop Gerrard and get Blake in there.

Hudson seems to get them organised, as does McPhail, fair play. We could do with at least one of them being fit

I think the pitch will be too big for Hudson, with him coming back from a few weeks lay off!

Got to be Darcy to start alongside Turner for me, which should provide us with a fairly pacey back four, which should help combat the pace of Suarez, Bellamy, Kuyt and possibly Downing!

With Wembley being such a big pitch, I think that Darcey's pace would be more beneficial, than the height we'd lose by not playing Hudson or Gerrard, even if Carroll is playing!

I'd see how Blake does, with a view to bringing Hudson back in against West Ham, should Darcy not take his chance at Wembley!

I'm not sure Anthony Gerrard's mind is going to be on the game, given the circumstances with his boy at the moment. Hudson is probably not ready, so it's got to be Blake and Turner in central defence, surely?

Agree. He's obviously not going to be match-fit (it says it all that he's undergoing a late fitness test) so Blake should play but if it's Gerrard I won't lose too much sleep over it. It's going to be a very difficult game whoever plays for us.

Circumstances with his boy? I know that he's living away from his family, but what exactly is the situation?

Today's Echo mentioned that he's in Alder Hey children's hospital. It quoted Gerrard as saying he hadn't slept for about 36 hours due to the worry.

Oh right - I had no idea about that! Whatever's up, I hope things improve

I think the pitch will be too big for Hudson, with him coming back from a few weeks lay off!

Got to be Darcy to start alongside Turner for me, which should provide us with a fairly pacey back four, which should help combat the pace of Suarez, Bellamy, Kuyt and possibly Downing!

With Wembley being such a big pitch, I think that Darcey's pace would be more beneficial, than the height we'd lose by not playing Hudson or Gerrard, even if Carroll is playing!

I'd see how Blake does, with a view to bringing Hudson back in against West Ham, should Darcy not take his chance at Wembley!

I think it says it all that he's having a late fitness test in order to try and play. He's obviously not match-fit so I'd have to concur with everyone in saying that Blake should come in. I'm fairly confident Turner can cope with Carroll

Kuyt, pace? In all seriousness though, he's a quality player and Taylor will have his work cut out if starts. Bellamy is lightning obviously and I rate Downing (overpriced, admittedly). He might not be the most eye-catching but he's a solid player. Is Suarez that quick though? In terms of pace I'd be prepared to argue that there are others that are quicker, but in terms of his footballing brain and quickness of feet, then he's quite clearly world-class!

I'm sure Darcy will do well in his favoured position though, providing he plays of course. If he does 'take his chance' then he should be allowed to continue for the foreseeable future really (as is par for the course to be honest), and Hudson should be slowly eased back into the side (i.e. 20-30 minutes here and there) as a calf injury is quite nasty and you don't want it gone again too soon. We do need him back sooner than later though - he is quality and we've obviously missed him.

Got to feel sorry for McPhail, hope he gets better soon.

Would have been great seeing him get a run out at wembley

Yea Hudson has come under a lot of criticism and some of it has been warranted.I think Hudson has settled now and I think he has been very good for us this season .

The partnership he has with the big man is very good and just look at the results when he plays.I think now he is one of those first names on the team sheet for us and its nice to see him doing so well long may it continue.

Another who has been good for us always is Mcfail and I hope he is back playing soon.

Yea Hudson has come under a lot of criticism and some of it has been warranted.I think Hudson has settled now and I think he has been very good for us this season .

The partnership he has with the big man is very good and just look at the results when he plays.I think now he is one of those first names on the team sheet for us and its nice to see him doing so well long may it continue.

Another who has been good for us always is Mcfail and I hope he is back playing soon.

Seriously?

Got to feel sorry for McPhail, hope he gets better soon.

Would have been great seeing him get a run out at wembley

yeah definetly, stephen deserved to lead the team out after what hes been through of late,been class when hes come into the side this season,
maybe whitts or super kev will lead the boys out in huds abscence,both great servants to the club

I think he is important to us but it's just as vital that Gerrard doesn't play, he will get destroyed

I think the pitch will be too big for Hudson, with him coming back from a few weeks lay off!

Got to be Darcy to start alongside Turner for me, which should provide us with a fairly pacey back four, which should help combat the pace of Suarez, Bellamy, Kuyt and possibly Downing!

With Wembley being such a big pitch, I think that Darcey's pace would be more beneficial, than the height we'd lose by not playing Hudson or Gerrard, even if Carroll is playing!

I'd see how Blake does, with a view to bringing Hudson back in against West Ham, should Darcy not take his chance at Wembley!

The pitch size is exactly the same width size as ccs and only 5 yards longer so pitch size should make no difference

its a funny old game. hudson and mc phail have taken some serious shit on here, and i include myself in that. but its strange. these are the 2 players now. that i hope . play sunday

I think the pitch will be too big for Hudson, with him coming back from a few weeks lay off!

Got to be Darcy to start alongside Turner for me, which should provide us with a fairly pacey back four, which should help combat the pace of Suarez, Bellamy, Kuyt and possibly Downing!

With Wembley being such a big pitch, I think that Darcey's pace would be more beneficial, than the height we'd lose by not playing Hudson or Gerrard, even if Carroll is playing!

I'd see how Blake does, with a view to bringing Hudson back in against West Ham, should Darcy not take his chance at Wembley!

The pitch size is exactly the same width size as ccs and only 5 yards longer so pitch size should make no difference

It's still 5 yards further for him to cover then!

Seriously though, I don't think that he should make his comeback after so many weeks out by starting on Sunday, although I wouldn't be unhappy with him on the bench!

I still think that Darcy would provide better cover for us at the back alongside Turner, but my gut feeling is that Malky will stick with Gerrard!

Very

If Huds and Macca are fit on Sunday, I would play them both for sure!

Hi Annis - we have the most amazing day down the vale yesterday with the team, and after speaking to Huds he said hes fit and the bits we were allowed to see of training he joined in it all, As for Macca when i asked him if hes fit for sunday he said "ive no chance" and im sorry to say he looked gutted, hope he was pulling my plonker as i would love him to feature.
As for Malky - that man is a legend in the making - his presence is just so powering.
It was a brillliant day and i cant wait for sunday now

I like McPhail but he was off the pace and poor against Southampton - not surprising perhaps if he is unwell again. If he is fit, I would give him a cameo for a few minutes at the end as leaving sentimentality out of it, we can't afford to risk him getting hurt early on and disrupting the game plan Malky comes up with.