Peter Enckelman has paid tribute to the man who has relegated him to the Cardiff City bench.

Keeper Enckelman, tipped for a return to the first team in tomorrow's Carling Cup third round tie at Aston Villa, has been playing second fiddle to David Marshall since the Scot's arrival from Norwich City during the summer.

But Encks said: "I'm really happy that David has been playing so well, and at 24 he's got a big future. He's a good lad and we get along really well. We room together on away trips and we're both calm, laid back and easygoing.

"I'm hoping to go on for a few seasons myself, but when I tell Dave he's got a long time ahead of him in the game he says: 'Oh my God! All those pre-seasons!'

"I was especially happy for David after the win at Reading, where he had a very good match. If he plays well, it's a reflection on the goalkeeping department at the club."

Former Villa keeper Enckelman said: "I always look forward to going back there. They gave me my chance in this country. Villa Park is a great stadium and a nice place to play.

"I remember Gabriel Agbonlahor as a kid when I was there. He was a lightning-quick lad and he's turned out very well.

"We were well below par against QPR on Saturday, and we must go to Villa and show we can compete. Maybe we're not expected to get a result, but there are still quite a few  lads at Cardiff who won at Middlesbrough and drew with Arsenal. 

"If we can go to Villa and compete, we will go back to league games with more confidence."