Get the latest Cardiff City news sent straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Teenager Declan John is set for a sensational start as Cardiff City make their Premier League bow at West Ham on Saturday... but inspirational Championship title-winning skipper Mark Hudson will miss out.

WalesOnline understands manager Malky Mackay has virtually decided on his team for the Upton Park opener and is ready to throw in 18-year-old Merthyr product John for his dream league debut.

John will get the nod at left-back in the absence of the suspended Andrew Taylor, part of a new-look defence which will feature Ben Turner and new signing Steven Caulker as the preferred combination in the middle.

Mackay’s decision means there is no place for club captain Hudson, City’s player of the year as they surged to promotion last season.

*DISCUSS THESE SELECTIONS IN BLAKEY'S BOOT ROOM FROM 1PM FRIDAY*

Hudson will have to make do with a place amongst the substitutes, with Craig Bellamy chosen as the man to lead the Bluebirds into battle on their big day.

Mackay will not reveal his team until just before kick-off on Saturday, but it seems the only question still to be answered in his mind is whether Chilean international Gary Medel goes straight in.

City’s £9.5m club record signing from Sevilla has not yet trained with his new team-mates and doesn’t arrive back from international duty until this evening, Chile having met Iraq in a friendly last night.

But the likelihood is Mackay will also go with Medel, backed up in the midfield by the creative flair of Peter Whittingham and Kim Bo-kyung.

Matt Connolly, is expected to be selected ahead of John Brayford, will get the nod at right-back, accompanied by teenager John on the other flank.

Manager Mackay pondered whether to bring in an extra left-sided defender to his squad for the game, but John played for 90 minutes in wins over Italians Chievo (1-0) and La Liga club Athletic Bilbao.

His promising performances have earned former Cyfarthfa High School pupil John the chance of a starting place against the Hammers.

Danish centre-forward Andreas Cornelius returned to training this week, having sustained an ankle injury in training, and could join Hudson among the substitutes at Upton Park.

City (probable): D Marshall; M Connolly, S Caulker, B Turner, D John; P Whittingham, G Medel, Kim; T Smith, C Bellamy (capt); F Campbell.