Scott Malone’s experience at Cardiff battling former Manchester United youngster Fabio for the left-back slot has stood him in good stead for a battle at Fulham with Ryan Sessegnon.

The 16-year-old Sessegnon has shot to prominence this season with fine displays when he has featured for the Whites.

The youngster still has much to learn and Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has put his faith in former Millwall man Malone as his regular left back.

And Black Country-born Malone has warned the highly-rated youngster he has no intention of giving up his shirt.

“I had it last season with Fabio,” said Malone. “I’m used to the challenge. It’s my shirt and it will be my shirt to the end of the season.”

Fabio da Silva in action for Cardiff against Huddersfield last season

Malone returns to Wales on Sunday to face his former side in the FA Cup and has fond memories of his time in Cardiff.

“I’m looking forward to going back,” he said. “There’s no pressure [to get] three points. It’s in the cup. We’ll go out there and show what we can do.

“I loved it there. I played 41, 42 games last year. I enjoyed the way they played and we played with a winger, Anthony Pilkington, up front for the majority of the season.

“I think if we [had] had an out and out striker, we might have got promoted.”

Malone is desperate for a run in the cup and not just for the chance to return to winning ways after the Whites’ January 2 defeat at Brighton.

“A good cup run would be nice,” said the defender. “You need that continuity from the league. A win will be nice to get the momentum going again.

Scott Malone of Cardiff on the attack
Scott Malone of Cardiff on the attack

“I got to the fourth round with Burton. We beat Middlesbrough and then faced Burnley. We had to play in the first round etc.

“I had a good cup run there but, apart from that, I’ve been knocked out in the third round since, I think.”

Fulham fans are furious at the 11.30am kick-off time – with the match being shown on BBC Wales –especially as the first train from London is not due into the Welsh capital until 10.59am and the ground is an half-hour walk from the station.

Malone understands fan frustration but says he also understands the circumstances of the timing.

He added: “I’ve heard the first train gets in around one. It’s not great.

“It’s always the same when you play Cardiff in the cup – they put it on BBC Wales and we’ve got to respect it’s in a different country and they want to put it on – the BBC – so it’s fair enough.”

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