Harris relishing old pal Gerrard clash

The Scholars officially open the Bluebirds' new Cardiff City Stadium tonight (7.45pm) in a prestigious friendly with Gerrard - who made the switch from Walsall to Wales last week - primed to make his debut.

Harris was in the first-team squad with Gerrard before he left the Banks's Stadium in January and is excited about locking horns with his old pal.

He said: "I can't wait to play him. I have not spoken to him but I will when I get down there. It should be good, hopefully I'll get a few tackles in.

"When Dan Fox and Scott Dann went I didn't think it would be long before Anthony went, so I'm surprised he's only just moved.

"But he's deserved everything and it's great Cardiff came in for him."

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder insists any inside knowledge he has on Gerrard's game won't help his cause.

He said: "I don't think it'll make much difference, because he's a brilliant player and he's not going to change his game."

The Scholars have developed a close relationship with Cardiff following their FA Cup third round clash last year and played each other in a friendly last summer.

Harris, who has ambitions to return to the Football League, will use the game to showcase his talents.

He said: "It's a shop window and hopefully there's going to be a few clubs watching. It's a nice big ground with a big crowd and the atmosphere is going to be good.

"Since the back end of last season when the club announced it I've just been buzzing and so have the other lads.

"But it's not a jolly up. We're still preparing for pre-season and this summer has been harder than the pre-seasons at Walsall."

Charlie Blakemore's side travelled down this morning and have a guided tour of the ground ahead of the game.

Harris added: "It's a massive honour to be invited to play the first game. Look at all the teams they could have invited and they've invited Chasetown.

"The club deserve everything it gets following the FA Cup and - whatever happens - tonight will be great.

"We've had a few games against smaller sides but this is the big one.

"Tonight I'll be playing in front of a bigger crowd than the Walsall lads will have at home all season."