CARDIFF City could revive their interest in Middlesbrough left-back Dean Gordon if they clinch promotion to the First Division.

The Bluebirds took Gordon under their wing earlier this season when he moved to Ninian Park on loan.

They entertain Stoke tonight in the second leg of their play-off semi-final, holding a 2-1 lead from the first encounter at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday.

And, should Cardiff win through, ultimate success in the final in their own city at the Millennium Stadium could give former Boro boss Lennie Lawrence the bargaining power to lure Gordon back with the guarantee of First Division status.

Lawrence has already returned to Boro once this season to complete a deal, the £950,000 signing of striker Andy Campbell in March.

As revealed in Northern Echo Sport last week, Division One Gillingham are keen on 29-year-old Gordon, whose near-four years with Boro have been blighted by injuries, notably a career-threatening cruciate problem.

Bryan Robson signed Gordon from Crystal Palace for £900,000, but new boss Steve McClaren told the former England Under-21 international early this season that he did not figure in his plans.

McClaren confirmed: "Dean knows the situation. He's out of contract this summer and he will be leaving. We'll be helping him to find another club.''

The loan signing of Frenchman Franck Queudrue, who is poised to complete a permanent move from Lens, and the promotion of Hartlepool-born teenager David Murphy to the first-team ranks, have knocked Gordon back in the pecking order for the left-back spot.

McClaren, meanwhile, has revealed his "bitter disappointment'' over the way Boro's season has fallen apart since their FA Cup semi-final defeat by Arsenal.

After losing to the Gunners through an own goal by Gianluca Festa at Old Trafford, Boro suffered three straight defeats, culminating in last Saturday's 2-0 home reverse at the hands of Arsenal's Cup final opponents Chelsea.

However, McClaren has also taken time to thank the fans who have stood by the club in his first season in charge.

"There was bitter disappointment about the Chelsea result, but it wasn't about Saturday," said McClaren.

"Those who stayed after the game appreciated the efforts over the season, not just on Saturday.

"But we have to acknowledge that the last three results have been disappointing and that is a combination of peaking for the semi-final, injuries and playing players just coming back from injury. It has just all caught up with us.

"It's been disappointing for the fans; we wanted to give them something to shout about.

"But I want to thank them for the reception they gave us on Saturday, both before and after the game.

"I think they can reflect on how we have developed as a team this season. We gave them a great day out in the semi-final, but we need to give them more.

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