Gerrard fitness boost for Cardiff

Last updated : 18 May 2010 By BBC Sport

Anthony Gerrard will be fit for Cardiff City's Championship play-off final with Blackpool at Wembley on Sunday.The centre-back has missed the last three Cardiff games - including their two-legged play-off semi-final with Leicester - due to a calf strain.

"We've a few bumps but Anthony will be fine," said boss Dave Jones.

Gerrard's recovery gives Jones a "good" central defensive selection headache as both Darcy Blake and Mark Hudson have been in good form.

"I've got something to think about which is good because everyone is chomping at the bit and wants to get a shirt," Jones told BBC Sport.

Peter Whittingham has also vowed he will shrug off a groin strain to play.

The Championship's in-form top-scorer was replaced by Ross McCormack in their play-off semi-final second-leg win over Leicester City with a groin strain.

But the 25-goal winger, who has scored three times in his last three games, has reassured Cardiff he will be fit.

Whittingham said: "I'm confident I'll be fit for the final. The physios are brilliant and I'm sure I'll be fine."

The former England under-21 international scored crucial goals in both play-off semi-final games against Leicester as Whittingham continued his superb goal-scoring form.

But he hobbled off in the 91st minute of the second leg - after scoring the tie levelling penalty - and there were fears that the 25-year-old may miss the May 22 showpiece after Cardiff won the tie 4-3 in the penalty shootout.

"We've got ten days before the final and hopefully it will all be fine," Whittingham told the Cardiff City website. "I should be alright."

"I just felt my groin after the free-kick. It was just precaution to take me off. We didn't want to be carrying anyone in a predicament like that, heading into extra-time."

Whittingham had scored 24 goals in his previous six years as a professional but the former Aston Villa player has more than doubled that tally this season.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport