Cardiff City's David Marshall believes that his goalkeeping rival Tom Heaton should start in his place at the Carling Cup final because of his semi-final performance.

Heaton's penalty shootout heroics against Crystal Palace clinched Cardiff's place in the final at Wembley against Liverpool.

Scottish international Marshall has been the first-choice in the league all season, with Heaton taking the shirt for the cup games, and the 26-year-old has said that he believes this should continue.

"Everybody in the squad would love to play in the final and I am no exception," said Marshall.

"But Tom has played in most of the Carling Cup ties and has earned the right to play.

"He did an outstanding job against Crystal Palace in the semi-finals and, for me, he deserves to play."

Heaton has picked up a minor injury in training, but is expected to be fit for the game against Leicester City on Saturday.