CARDIFF City are set to tempt Blackburn Rovers with a cut-price deal for star defender Danny Gabbidon.

Rovers manager Mark Hughes has long been an admirer of the Welsh international and has identified the defence as the main area he needs to strengthen after his side shipped eight goals in their last two Premiership games.

I understand that although Gabbidon signed a two-year extension to his current contract earlier this season, Cardiff would still be willing to let him go when the January window opens to help dig them out of their current financial crisis.

They recently sold top scorer Rob Earnshaw to West Brom and John Robinson to Gillingham in a continuing attempt to raise money for a new stadium and clear £25m worth of debt.

Bluebirds boss Lennie Lawrence also has sufficient cover at centre back in two other Welsh internationals, Robert Page and James Collins, while releasing Gabbidon would ease their wage bill considerably.

The 25-year-old is currently the club's highest paid player on £10,000 a week and City are likely to want £2.5m, which is below his original valuation.

Hughes has previously admitted his interest in the centre half, who he gave his Welsh debut to back in March 2002 in a goalless draw against the Czech Republic.

"I'm always interested in good players and Danny is a good player," Hughes said.

"But whether or not there is a possibility of him coming is down to his own football club."

Blackburn have made no official approach for Gabbidon but he could become their number one target if they don't address their current problems at the back before the new year.

They have leaked 22 goals and the goal difference stands at minus 15 following the back-to-back 4-0 defeats to Middlesbrough and Chelsea.

The next test is also likely to be a stern one as Liverpool arrive at Ewood Park for a live Sky TV game on Saturday evening.

"Defensively we need to be a lot better than we are at the moment and when we improve defensively then we'll see out results improve," said Hughes.

"But it's a collective thing and I'm not just singling out the back four, it's from the front and midfield as well."

Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers reserves have switched their home game with Manchester United to tomorrow as United are in Carling Cup action tonight.

Kick-off at Morecambe is 7pm.