Cardiff v Liverpool. Early team news

Last updated : 26 February 2012 By Sporting Life
Liverpool forward Craig Bellamy has recovered from the back problem which kept him out last weekend and is set to return to face his hometown club Cardiff in Sunday's Carling Cup final.

The Wales international had an injection to ease a spasm and has trained this week.

Centre-back Daniel Agger, rested for the FA Cup win over Brighton, is set to resume his successful partnership with Martin Skrtel.

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay will hand late fitness tests to Mark Hudson and Stephen McPhail.

Captain Hudson is battling to overcome a calf problem, while midfielder McPhail has missed the last four games due to the effects of the immune system disorder Sjogren's Syndrome.

Goalkeeper Tom Heaton, the hero of the semi-final win over Crystal Palace, is set to overcome an ankle knock to take his place ahead of regular first-choice David Marshall, having been given his chance in the cup competitions this season.

Teams:

Cardiff (from): Marshall, McNaughton, Taylor, Kiss, Hudson, Gerrard, Whittingham, Cowie, Miller, Earnshaw, Conway, Keinan, Quinn, Gestede, Gunnarsson, Naylor, Vuckic, Mason, Heaton, Blake, Turner, Harris, McPhail, Ralls.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique, Adam, Gerrard, Henderson, Bellamy, Suarez, Carroll, Doni, Kelly, Carragher, Coates, Aurelio, Spearing, Shelvey, Downing, Rodriguez, Kuyt.

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