Darren Ambrose

Darren Ambrose is excited about the Carling Cup semi-final second leg

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Crystal Palace star Darren Ambrose says the squad are not worried about tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Cardiff City.

The Eagles hold a 1-0 lead from the first encounter, while the 27-year-old scored a memorable goal at Old Trafford to help the Eagles make this stage of the competition.

“I’m not (nervous) at all no,” he said. “We had the weekend off, most of us.”

“We know what Cardiff are going to bring. We played them a few months ago. If it’s the same score then they’re through (the Bluebirds triumphed 2-0 on November 5).

“I think we coped with everything they threw at us in the first leg. This game could be turned on its head in the first five minutes, we know that.

“If we can nick an early goal, it’ll be a hard task for them.

“These are the games you grow up for.”

Ambrose has scored five times for Palace this season and is obviously keen to add to that tally.

“I was pleased to get that goal and I’ll be looking to do it again and in as many games as I can,” he said.

“I’m always looking to shoot and I love scoring goals as everyone will tell you. If I can get a one-yard tap-in I’ll be happy with that.”

Palace boss Dougie Freedman compared Ambrose’s shooting to Steven Gerrard, saying that only those two will have a go from long-range.

“It’s a massive compliment,” Ambrose said. “There’s been a few compliments for myself. The compliment Gary Neville paid me after the game (he described it as the best away goal at Old Trafford) was fantastic. I had 100 texts telling me what he said and hopefully I can do it again.

“Gerrard is one of the best players in the country, if not the world. He’s a player I admire but we’re just looking at Cardiff.”