Cardiff midfielder Gavin Rae has won 14 international caps for Scotland

Cardiff City midfielder Gavin Rae has been ruled out for the rest of the season because of ankle injury.

The Scotland international, 32, is to undergo surgery after rupturing ankle tendons and is expected to be out for approximately 12 weeks.

However, midfielder Stephen McPhail and Joe Ledley are fit again, boosting Cardiff's push for the play-offs.

But wingers Chris Burke and Peter Whittingham are doubts for Saturday's Championship clash with Reading.

Rae's premature end to the campaign is a blow but Bluebirds boss Dave Jones is heartened as first-choice central midfielders McPhail and Ledley are back from rib and hip injuries respectively.

"It is a disappointing for Gavin because he has been a big part of what this football club has done this season," said Jones.

"But it is frustrating for us as we're getting back to full strength - then this happens."

606: DEBATE This injury has troubled him for a while and this has affected his performance - hence the earlier than expected return of Joe. If so, good timing Joe BluefromBridgend

On-loan Manchester City winger Kelvin Etuhu has also returned to the first-team after a long-term ankle injury.

Fellow midfielders Whittingham, the Championship's top-scorer, and in-form Burke face fitness tests before Saturday's visit of Reading.

Full-back Kevin McNaughton, Rae's fellow Scotsman, is also a doubt with a thigh injury but captain and centre-back Mark Hudson may also return from three months out after an ankle operation.

Fellow defender Anthony Gerrard returned from a calf problem for last weekend's Welsh derby win over Swansea City so Hudson's return could throw put into doubt young Darcy Blake's position at the back.

The Wales under-21 international has impressed in his five games back in his favoured central-defensive position and their unbeaten run - including seven points in three games against their nearest rivals - has catapulted Cardiff to the brink of sealing a Championship play-off place.

And Cardiff keeper David Marshall said: "Darcy has probably been our best player the last few weeks - and they've been big pressure games and he has handled it great."

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