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Article & Interview: Mark Denham (@MarkDen_CCFC)

Bluebirds defender Ben Turner spoke exclusively to Cardiff City's official match-day programme CF11 ahead of Saturday's clash with Portsmouth.

And the commanding centre-half - who has featured in every League game for City since making his full debut against Ipswich Town on October 15th - says that any temptation to think of Tuesday's Carling Cup Semi-Final second leg with Crystal Palace could lead to slip-ups against a tough Pompey side.

"The media will naturally be looking towards Tuesday's Carling Cup game already, but we understand that Saturday's game against Portsmouth is as big as Tuesday if we are to achieve what we want to achieve this season," said Ben.

"Everyone is fully focused on Saturday's game at Cardiff City Stadium where we're looking for a good result after three difficult games on the road. Once Saturday is done, then we can think about Palace again."

Twenty-three year-old Turner - who turns twenty-four on Saturday - was keen to acknowledge the impact his centre-half partner Mark Hudson has had alongside him in the heart of the Bluebirds' defence this term saying: "Huds has been fantastic to play alongside and thoroughly deserves the contract extension he's been given here.

"He's been great since I've joined the Club and is a fantastic leader and a great defender. He's been given his new deal based on his consistently good performances and I think Huds is doing a fantastic job for Cardiff City Football Club. I really enjoy playing beside him."

To read the full feature-length interview with Ben, remember to pick up your copies of the official Cardiff City match-day programme CF11 from one of our official vendors around the Stadium or the Stadium Superstore. Programmes cost just £3.

Listen to live and uninterrupted commentary of City v Pompey from 2.40pm Saturday on Cardiff City Player