Hudson set to start

06 May 2011 14:00
Cardiff`s influential centre-back Mark Hudson is likely to return to the starting XI at Burnley. Hudson made a welcome comeback from his knee injury to the club`s matchday 18 against QPR and has now started the last three matches on the bench. But Monday`s woeful 3-0 home defeat to Middlesbrough, a result which shattered Cardiff`s automatic promotion hopes, is set to lead to his reinstatement. On-loan left-back Jlloyd Samuel was poor against Boro and taken off after 31 minutes, meaning he is most likely to make way at Turf Moor with Hudson partnering Dekel Keinan in the heart of defence and Kevin McNaughton switching to the vacant full-back slot opposite Paul Quinn. Manager Dave Jones must also decide whether to reshuffle his midfield and attacking areas after the defeat as the Bluebirds look to consolidate third place under the threat of local rivals Swansea. Fit-again striker Michael Chopra and midfielders Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Darcy Blake and Jason Koumas are all options.

Source: PA