Carlo out of Carling Final

Last updated : 22 February 2005 By Paul Lagan

Carlo Cudicini is facing up to the prospect of losing his Carling Cup Final medal after the Blues today dropped their appeal for his dismissal on Sunday.

Cudicini was sent off for up-ending Newcastle's Shola Ameobi in the final minute of the FA Cup defeat.

Jose Mourinho had promised the 31-year-old Italian a starting place in goal for the match against Liverpool.

But now, after initially saying they will appeal, Chelsea have changed their minds and Cudicini will serve the automatic one-match ban and miss the showpiece occasion in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday.