" NICKY MAYNARD "

" Cardiff City striker Nicky Maynard steps up his bid for match fitness by playing for an hour as an over-age player against Ipswich Town at under-21 level. "

Bluebirds include four 18-year-olds plus Rhys Abbruzzese, 17, in development team

Wed 30th Thurs April 2015.

By Terry Phillips

Striker Nicky Maynard played for an hour in Cardiff City’s development team against Ipswich Town this week.

The former West Ham forward, who has regained fitness after a recurring back problem, made his first team return when he replaced Joe Mason with five minutes left during the 3-2 home win against Blackpool.

Then, two days later, Maynard started in City’s final Professional Development League match against Ipswich Town, which ended in a goalless draw, before making way for Danny Johnson after 61 minutes.

Maynard, who is out of contract this summer, went close when he struck a fierce shot from 25 yards, but that was saved.

Manager Russell Slade decided against including Ben Turner and Kagisho Dikgacoi in a young Bluebirds’ team which was full of youth Academy players.

Both, along with Maynard, have a chance of being involved in the final Championship fixture against Nottingham Forest away on Saturday.

Cardiff's under-21 team manager Kevin Nicholson blooded younger players including 17-year-old Rhys Abbruzzese from the Cynon Valley plus 18-year-olds Ashley Baker, Robbie Patten and Abdi Noor against Ipswich.

Midfield player Patten was outstanding, while Baker, Noor and Abbruzzese all did well.

Ipswich, who had former Cardiff full-back Mark Kennedy in charge of their team, included experienced former Newcastle midfield player Darren Ambrose in their team.

Cardiff City Development team: B Wilson, A Baker, R Abbruzzese, B Watkins, M Amondarain, C Watkins, M Southam, R Patten, T Roche, N Maynard, A Noor. Subs: D Rees, T James, T Wharton, D Johnson, E Phipps.

Maynard will be gone in the summer

Maynard will be gone in the summer

Costing us over £20,000 plus a week and we paid £2.5mill for him.

Well never really know what he could have don, but I think two years of serious injuries at his age now is probably too much to become the player he once was

Well never really know what he could have don, but I think two years of serious injuries at his age now is probably too much to become the player he once was

I do have sympathy for him as most recognise he is talented.

Slade wanted to see what he could do. So he gave him five minutes