FOOTBALL: ROVERS HAVE TO TRUMP ACE PAIR

STOP Graham Kavanagh and Robert Earnshaw and you will halt Cardiff's FA Cup dream - that's the prediction from rising Wales and Tranmere Rovers star Jason Koumas.

Koumas goes head-to-head with midfielder Kavanagh hoping to ground the Bluebirds after their controversial giant-killing act against Leeds United.

With all the publicity that followed Cardiff's victory over David O'Leary's high-flying side both on and off the pitch, the fact remains that the Second Division outfit out-gunned their illustrious opponents.

Koumas's form for Tranmere this season has been outstanding and has attracted interest from top Premiership clubs, which can only enhance his international career.

Koumas, 22, said: "The game against Cardiff will be in the spotlight and I hope it's for football reasons.

"Cardiff beating Leeds will add an extra bit of spice to the game and hopefully all the talk will be about what happens on the pitch and not off.

"There are two main players that we feel we have to control in this game Kavanagh and Earnshaw.

"If we let Kavanagh take control in the centre of the park then Cardiff will be strong in going forward.

"Graham has a good eye whilst on the ball and is a good passer of the ball, so we need to close him down and reduce his space to work in.

"The main threat going forward will be Earnshaw, who on his day is razor-sharp and has unstoppable pace.

"That has been highlighted throughout the season with the number of goals he has scored for Cardiff and their position in the league.

"If we can keep these two out of the game then our defence should have a quiet game.

"Home advantage could be the telling factor, because when the boys played at Cardiff earlier in the season it was very intimidating.

"Our only thought is for victory as not many teams travel to Tranmere and win."

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