DANNY Gabbidon insists Anton Ferdinand wants to play in the FA Cup fourth round against Chelsea - despite the controversy surrounding the QPR defender in the earlier game between the two clubs.
Gabbidon (pic) scored his first goal in seven years to win Hoops their first FA Cup tie since 1991 when he headed home in Tuesday night's clash against a plucky MK Dons, and reckoned the man alongside him can withstand the white hot glare of an unwelcome spotlight.
Chelsea defender John Terry defends a criminal prosecution of directing racist comments towards Ferdinand just four days after the two meet again at Loftus Road in the Cup, but the QPR player has never indicated to Gabbidon or any team-mate he would prefer to duck out of the game.
"It was hard on Anton, and then getting threats against his family just added to it. And it's dragged on longer than he would have wanted - but of course he'll want to play," said Gabbidon. "He played well in the first game."
But whether the former Wales international plays in the tie hangs in the balance after QPR moved closer to signing Chelsea defender Alex last night.
The Brazilian has yet to play in the Cup - and would be eligible to face his former employers, with Gabbidon expecting the worse.
He said: "If I stay in the team, that's great, and if not I'll try my hardest to win back my place. That's the way football goes."
