' A RACE AGAINST TIME FOR CITY DEFENDER '

' A RACE AGAINST TIME FOR BEN TURNER '

Cardiff City centre-back Ben Turner faces a race against time as he battles his way back from another long-term injury. The Birmingham born defender is no stranger to injury but with his contract up at the end of the season, this time, its a much more serious matter.

Turner joined the club back in 2011 when he was signed from Coventry City for around £750,000 by then manager Malky Mackay. The centre-back’s injury problems were a problem back then as he was prevented from making his début for just under a month. Despite the early injury worries, Turner was to become a vital part of the 2011/12 season and the signing was fast seen as money well spent.

The former England U-19 international was soon to become something of a fan favourite when he bundled in Cardiff’s extra time equalizer against Liverpool in the final of the Carling Cup at Wembley Stadium in 2012, a goal which won’t be forgotten any time soon.

Turner is known for his no-nonsense defending, big tackles and long passes, making him a typical safe centre-half in many respects. His big sliding tackle against Swansea City in the Bluebirds’ 1-0 home win in the Premier League was labelled a turning point, playing a big part in Cardiff winning the game.

The former Coventry man missed the majority of last season with injury problems as well as three months of the current campaign with a lateral knee injury picked up in pre-season. Turner finally made his return to the football pitch this week in a development team fixture against Bristol City, playing for just over an hour before being brought off to avoid over-doing his return.

It would seem ‘Big Ben’ now has a big task on his hands if he wants to remain at the Cardiff City Stadium, between now and the end of the season he has to prove that he is fit enough and good enough to be a valuable squad member. There’s no doubt Turner, in the past, has proven his abilities but it would be difficult for Russell Slade to give him a new contract when he hasn’t contributed to the cause during Slade’s time in charge.

Ben not only has to re-gain a high level of match fitness but he has to knock in-form Sean Morrison and Matthew Connolly out of the team which will be increasingly difficult, especially when between them, they have kept five clean sheets in six, or be it with the help of in-form goalkeeper David Marshall.

One thing Turner really does need is to keep fit for the remainder of the season because if he doesn’t then Russell Slade may have no choice but to let him go. Its also worth adding that Slade will have to prove himself as manager also, with his own contract coming to an end in the summer.

Ben Turner has made a respectable one-hundred and ten league appearances for Cardiff City during a four year period, scoring three league goals in that time. Malky Mackay gave Turner a new contract during the promotion season of 2012/13 but his contract runs out at the end of the current season.

I don't know but he would be good for back up and i don't think Turner will want to be on the bench.