Cardiff City To Promote Mason To Starting XI

Cardiff City look set to recall promising young forward Joe Mason for the difficult home clash with Blackpool with Malky Mackay talking up the former Plymouth Argyle man ahead of the game.

Mason can feel aggrieved to have featured so little this season, after such an impressive debut season and having acquitted himself well when appearing as a substitute. However, he has suffered with the arrivals of the likes of Helguson, Bellamy, Maynard and Smith - finding himself a substitute for all the games so far.

With the devastating injury to Nicky Maynard, and Malky Mackay looking to continue his 4-4-2 attacking philosophy at home - there is a place in the starting XI going with Mason a favourite to be promoted from the bench.

Craig Bellamy could easily partner Helguson in attack, but has been used primarily on the left flank so far this season. Bellamy also will not feature in every game so Craig Noone or Kim Bo Kyung will also hope to be restored to the starting XI.

That means Joe Mason is likely to step in, with Etien Velikonja providing cover from the bench. French striker Rudy Gestede is close to returning to contention while Robert Earnshaw has departed to Israel on loan.

Mason has looked sharp this season, and is a very intelligent footballer with exceptional instincts. His movement will cause problems and he is comfortable dropping deep to receive possession, or playing on the shoulders of the opposition defence. He has one goal to his name this season, during the 4-2 defeat away at Bristol City - hopefully, he can add to that against Blackpool and help fire City to a crucial victory.

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