91Èȱ¬

Russell Slade will travel with the Cardiff City squad for the first time for Friday's Championship game at Blackpool, 91Èȱ¬ Wales Sport understands.

Cardiff want to appoint Slade as their new manager as soon as possible.

Slade has been helping Cardiff as a consultant since quitting as Leyton Orient boss on 24 September.

His presence with the squad, who are flying to the north west of England on Friday morning, is the strongest indication an appointment is close.

But if Slade is not confirmed on Friday then caretaker managers Scott Young and Danny Gabbidon will again be in charge at bottom side Blackpool.

The pair have been in temporary charge since former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stepped down on 18 September.

Young and Gabbidon have held talks with owner Vincent Tan and Slade but insisted they had control of team selection ahead of the match at Bloomfield Road.

Cardiff are unbeaten in three league matches under Young and Gabbidon, although they lost 3-0 against Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup.

Former Notts County and Yeovil manager Slade watched Cardiff's 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday and was at Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Brighton.

The Bluebirds and Slade's former side, League One Leyton Orient, are in dispute over his proposed appointment at the Welsh club.

Goalkeeper David Marshall said after the game at Brighton he was hopeful Slade would be confirmed as Cardiff's new boss by the end of the week.