You are in > manchester.com  > News > Fowler left out of Cardiff side

General Sport

Fowler left out of Cardiff side

17/05/2008

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has been left out of the Cardiff squad that will face Portsmouth in the FA Cup final.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will start up front for Cardiff City as the former Chelsea front man looks to improve on his runners-up medal from the final in 2002.

David James is in goal for Pompey nine years on from his last appearance in an FA Cup final when he was on the same side as Fowler for Liverpool who took on Manchester United in 1999.

Pompey have named an unchanged side from the one that lost 1-0 to Fulham on the last day of the Premier League season.

Sol Campbell is the only previous cup winner on the field at Wembley this afternoon having won the competition twice with Arsenal.

If Cardiff win today they have been given permission to enter the Uefa Cup next season, which could significantly help the club's finances.

However, Jones is determined that winning the FA Cup itself is their priority.

"Winning the FA Cup is [most important], and then what follows after that will be the next stage."

Cardiff have Peter Enckelman in goal. Kevin McNaughton, Roger Johnson, Glenn Loovens and Tony Capaldi complete their back four.

In midfield Gavin Rae and Stephen McPhail anchor the middle of the park with Peter Whittingham and Joe Ledley out wide. Paul Parry partners Hasselbaink in attack.

Campbell and Sylvain Distin are at centre-back for Pompey with Herman Hreidarsson and Glenn Johnson as the full-backs.

Pompey have five in midfield including Pedro Mendes, Nico Kranjcar, Lassana Diarra, Sulley Muntari and John Utaka, while Nwankwo Kanu is up front in a lone role.