Team news ahead of Tuesday night's Carling Cup semi-final first leg between Crystal Palace and Cardiff at Selhurst Park (kick-off 8pm).

Palace's preparations for the game have been hit by a virus.

Goalkeeper Julian Speroni, who has missed the last three games, has just about recovered from the bug but skipper Paddy McCarthy, fellow defenders Anthony Gardner and Nathaniel Clyne, midfielder Mile Jedinak and winger Sean Scannell remain doubts.

Boss Dougie Freedman fielded a much-changed side for the FA Cup defeat at Derby on Saturday so the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Darren Ambrose, Glenn Murray and Jermaine Easter are in line to return.

On-loan Doncaster full-back Mustapha Dumbuya, who made his Palace debut at the weekend, is cup-tied but centre-back John Egan, the recent signing from Sunderland, is eligible to play.

Malky Mackay is likely to revert to his first-choice line-up.

Manager Mackay made 10 changes to the team which beat Reading 3-1 in the Championship on January 2 for the FA Cup third-round clash at West Brom on Saturday.

Only defender Darcy Blake remained in Mackay's starting XI in a game that Cardiff lost 4-2.

Midfielder Craig Conway came through a full 90 minutes unscathed for the first time in more than a month against the Baggies and will be hoping to keep his place as the Bluebirds look to take a step closer to a place in February's final at Wembley.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper David Marshall, defenders Mark Hudson and Ben Turner and striker Kenny Miller are among those expected to make a return at Selhurst Park.

However, striker Rudy Gestede limped out of the weekend trip to the West Midlands with an ankle injury and may not be available.

Defender Kevin McNaughton also remains a doubt with a calf problem sustained during the Boxing Day draw at Watford.