MALKY: FGR A GOOD FITNESS SESSION

Watch Malky's post-Forest Green Rovers press conference in full now on Cardiff City Player

City boss Malky Mackay spoke to Cardiff City Player at Forest Green Rovers' New Lawn on Saturday, following his side's opening pre-season defeat to their Gloucestershire-based hosts.

"It was really a fitness session for us and I wasn't expecting to learn too much about my senior players," said the Gaffer.

"The pitch was fantastic and I did know it was going to be a nice little work out for us. I was always going to give everyone forty-five minutes each."

With reference to referee Steve Tanner's decision not to allow City to replace Stephen McPhail in the second half after the midfielder limped off with a hamstring strain, Malky explained: "We had agreed to have rolling substitutes, but then the referee said the FA would have a go at him if he permitted it, but that's the way things go.

"We'd made eleven changes at half time and a twelfth in the first half when Kevin Sainte-Luce replaced Jessie Darko; again that change was always in my plans. (Rovers boss) Dave Hockaday asked the referee for him to allow us a returning player after Stephen was forced off, but there was nothing we could do about it. In the end it worked out as a good fitness session for the ten players left on the pitch.

"It was very much for us about getting people touching the ball again this afternoon and we can move forward in our preparations."

Watch highlights of Forest Green Rovers v Cardiff City now on Cardiff City Player