"To be honest I played the ball slightly too hard. I wanted to hit it with the inside of my foot but because the ball was so hard I risked it with my laces and it was the perfect hit."

Babel's short-term contract expires at the end of the season, and he is not expected to play in the Championship with relegated Fulham next term.

"It's unfortunate my contribution could not help keep the team in the Premier League," he added. "But I'm very grateful for the chance and I tried to do my best.

"I see a lot of potential, it's a very nice club. With Scott Parker as coach they have something on their hands.

"I don't know the ideas of the club in terms of the future of the manager but it's definitely real progress."

Cardiff are on the brink of joining Fulham through the trapdoor, lying four points adrift of 17th-placed Brighton with two games remaining.

Boss Neil Warnock tried to stay optimistic, however.

He said: "I can't fault the lads. They've been fabulous all season. We haven't finished yet. There's still life in us.

"We've got Crystal Palace and Manchester United to play, and we'll just go and try and do our best.

"Who's to say we're not still in the fight? We're not out of it yet. You just don't know in football."

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