Smith has doubts over loan switch to Cardiff

ALEX FERGUSON has confirmed he wants Alan Smith to go to Cardiff on loan to improve his match fitness — but the striker is undecided.

Cardiff contacted Manchester United on Thursday to ask if the former Leeds player was available on loan and received a favourable response from Ferguson despite being short of forwards himself.

Smith, 26, has made only four appearances this season — two in the Carling Cup and two as substitute in the Champions League — and has not reached the level he was at when he broke a leg and dislocated an ankle against Liverpool in February.