‘ UPDATE ON SEVEN INJURED BLUEBIRDS ‘

The Bluebirds are costing the cost of player injuries as they head into the Christmas period, so what's the latest on the seven current missing players?
Glen Williams


Friday 18th December 2020




The hectic fixture schedule in the Championship was always going to hit squads hard when it came to injuries.

And Cardiff City have been unable to avoid the injury pile-up, with as many as seven first-team stars absent owing to a myriad of different issues.

The Bluebirds have done tremendously well to record an impressive five wins in their last six matches, notwithstanding being without so many important players.

The festive period is a typically difficult time for managers when it comes to managing game time, while still trying to field the best possible XI to ensure no ground is lost in the bid to launch themselves up the table.

But Neil Harris has had the luxury of being able to name the same side five times in a row, which yielded largely brilliant results, that Swansea City defeat aside.

However, the manager was forced to name three academy kids on the bench for the first time against Birmingham City on Wednesday night, highlighting the toll injuries have taken on the squad.

Joe Ralls was absent from that one due to suspension following his red card in the South Wales derby, and although Harris said the player has been carrying a niggling injury over the last few weeks, he is expected to come back into contention against Norwich City this weekend.


As for the other seven, here is their situation and when they are expected to return...


Jordi Osei-Tutu

Jordi Osei-Tutu's injury might actually be the most significant of all, because it has arguably weakened two positions.

And that is no slight on Leandro Bacuna, who many rightly believe has filled in excellently in the Arsenal loanee's absence.

But with Osei-Tutu being the only recognised right back, the move to shift Bacuna into that void means he is unable to affect the game in midfield, where he was so good last season.

But there is positive news when it comes to Osei-Tutu. This week he held a consultation with the specialist to see if he could get the green light to step up his training, which is most certainly welcome news.

It is thought that Osei-Tutu will return to the first-team training group between Christmas and New Year.

Expected return : Beginning of January.


Lee Tomlin

It has been such a shame that Lee Tomlin has not been able to stamp his mark on this season and build on the incredible campaign he enjoyed last term.

A forward stable of Tomlin, Harry Wilson, Sheyi Ojo, Kieffer Moore and Robert Glatzel was really one to get excited about, but the 31-year-old's absence has been missed.

There have been games, particularly at the start of the season, in which Tomlin's magic was sorely missed. They were the sort of games in which he made the difference time and time again last term, the sort of performances which earned him the Player of the Year gong.

But, with the club trying to manage his protracted groin injury at the beginning of the campaign, they bit the bullet in November and all parties decided it was best he went under the knife.

Tomlin is recovering from groin surgery, but it is a tricky one, because the wound is in a place which can be opened so easily if training is resumed too soon.

Having undergone his operation over a month ago, it is thought he is around halfway to being able to train properly once again, so don't expect him back in the first-team training group until at least the middle to end of January.

Expected return : February.


Josh Murphy

Josh Murphy is not someone who has had too much of an impact this season, it has to be said.

It looks as though Sheyi Ojo has overtaken him in the pecking order on that left-hand side, and rightly so, while Harry Wilson and Junior Hoilett have largely been preferred on the other flank.

As is the case in this of all seasons, though, as evidenced by this very article, his time should come. It has to, really, especially with the January transfer window just around the corner, there is bound to be speculation surrounding him.

But he has another three fixtures before the transfer window opens, as well as a packed January including an FA Cup clash, to fight for his spot and it looks as though he will be fit and ready for all of those.

Not an injury, per se, but Murphy missed the Birmingham City win on Wednesday night due to illness, although it is nothing Covid-related, we are told, and it is hoped he will recover in time for this weekend.

Expected return : This weekend.


Junior Hoilett

Many believe that Junior Hoilett hasn't quite hit the heights this season, but he is most certainly an excellent asset to have in the squad.

He has now missed the last three matches owing to a niggling groin injury and Neil Harris, who is clearly an admirer of the Canadian's, will be desperate to get him back in the mix as quickly as possible.

Norwich this weekend, though, might seem a little bit of a stretch.

When asked about Hoilett's chances of making the Norwich clash this weekend, Harris did not sound overly confident, so it might just come a little bit too soon for him.

Expected return : Boxing Day.


Kieffer Moore

The Wales striker has been the signing of the season, quite arguably throughout the division not only at Cardiff City, although Ivan Toney at Brentford might have something to say about that.

But Moore has been a bona fide success so far this term, having netted eight goals and been central to the Bluebirds' tremendous recent form.

News of his torn hamstring came as a hammer blow this week, given his importance to this Cardiff side and how the play; his all-round game is so important and he is difficult to replace.

Robert Glatzel did very well, though, it must be said, against Birmingham City on Wednesday night, but the German will have to hit that form regularly as we move into the New Year to ensure Moore's absence is not too sorely felt.

Neil Harris ruled Moore out for at least five games, with one eye on the FA Cup fixture with Nottingham Forest on January 9 as a very tentative return date.

I would be hugely surprised if he plays that game, though, with Harris also admitting that the league is rightly the priority this season.

Expected return : Mid-January.


Aden Flint

While Aden Flint is, as of now, on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, recent news of his uncertain immediate future once again brings him under the Cardiff City umbrella.

Flint started excellently up at Hillsborough after sealing a deadline-day move, but a torn hamstring back in October has ruled him out for a considerable length of time.

He underwent surgery and is now back undertaking his rehab with the Bluebirds, which last week prompted Wednesday boss Tony Pulis to say he is unsure whether he will see Flint again this season.

Neil Harris this week also clarified the situation, admitting there is a real possibility that Flint might remain with Cardiff when he returns to full fitness at the beginning of next year.


That might have ramifications for Filip Benkovic next month, given the Leicester loanee is yet to play a minute of first-team football, but that is a conversation to be had in a month's time.

Expected return : February.


Isaac Vassell

A player who will have so desperately wanted to play a big part this season, but it sadly hasn't worked out like that.

The striker has not played a competitive match for well over a year now and still looks nowhere near close to doing that.

Ahead of Cardiff City's clash with Vassell's former club Birmingham City, the forward was seen walking over to his old colleagues very gingerly to meet them, he certainly did not look like a player on the brink of a return.

What the long-term future holds for Vassell is, quite frankly, anyone's guess. But his story over the last few years is a really sad one.

Let's hope he can find some fitness, a bit of luck and, whether it's in the Welsh capital or not, a future in the game. Because at 27 it is a real shame that his career is heading in this direction.

Expected return : Unknown.

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I feel for both and their 'issues' but I'm not sure I'd include the last two as 'current' players, as one is (technically) on a season-long loan to Sheffield Wednesday and the other has not played for the first team for some considerable time

I doubt we will ever see IV play a full 90 minutes for us. A mutual termination of contract sooner rather than later I think.

I feel for both and their 'issues' but I'm not sure I'd include the last two as 'current' players, as one is (technically) on a season-long loan to Sheffield Wednesday and the other has not played for the first team for some considerable time

Chris,

For me we should not be responsible for Flint, but I dont know the agreement.

Jordi Osei-Tutu


It is thought that Osei-Tutu will return to the first-team training group between Christmas and New Year.

Expected return : Beginning of January for training.




Lee Tomlin

Tomlin is recovering from groin surgery, but it is a tricky one, because the wound is in a place which can be opened so easily if training is resumed too soon.

Having undergone his operation over a month ago, it is thought he is around halfway to being able to train properly once again, so don't expect him back in the first-team training group until at least the middle to end of January.

Expected return : February for training .






Josh Murphy

Expected return : This weekend.




Junior Hoilett

When asked about Hoilett's chances of making the Norwich clash this weekend, Harris did not sound overly confident, so it might just come a little bit too soon for him.

Expected return : Boxing Day.





Kieffer Moore

I would be hugely surprised if he plays that game, though, with Harris also admitting that the league is rightly the priority this season.

Expected return : Mid-January.





Aden Flint

Expected return : February.







Isaac Vassell

What the long-term future holds for Vassell is, quite frankly, anyone's guess. But his story over the last few years is a really sad one.

Let's hope he can find some fitness, a bit of luck and, whether it's in the Welsh capital or not, a future in the game. Because at 27 it is a real shame that his career is heading in this direction.

Expected return :Totally Unknown.

Out of contract at the end of this season.Possibly only Mark Harris will stay.
Junior Hoilett
Joe Bennett
Greg Cunningham
Sol Bamba
Joe Day
Mark Harris
Tom Sang

Out of contract at the end of this season.Possibly only Mark Harris will stay.
Junior Hoilett
Joe Bennett
Greg Cunningham
Sol Bamba
Joe Day
Mark Harris
Tom Sang

I hope you don’t mind I have made a topic of it

Out of contract at the end of this season.Possibly only Mark Harris will stay.
Junior Hoilett
Joe Bennett
Greg Cunningham
Sol Bamba
Joe Day
Mark Harris
Tom Sang

I hope you don’t mind I have made a topic of it

Nope.Fine by me,

Out of contract at the end of this season.Possibly only Mark Harris will stay.
Junior Hoilett
Joe Bennett
Greg Cunningham
Sol Bamba
Joe Day
Mark Harris
Tom Sang

I hope you don’t mind I have made a topic of it

Nope.Fine by me,

Thank you

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=219196

I feel for both and their 'issues' but I'm not sure I'd include the last two as 'current' players, as one is (technically) on a season-long loan to Sheffield Wednesday and the other has not played for the first team for some considerable time

Chris,

For me we should not be responsible for Flint, but I dont know the agreement.

I agree, Annis but I've seen other players return to their 'parent' club for 'treatment' in the past

The big issue is that they signed him 'for the season' but now (now with Pulis at the helm) appear to want to dump him

Doesn't seem right or fair, does it?

I doubt we will ever see IV play a full 90 minutes for us. A mutual termination of contract sooner rather than later I think.

Why would a player agree to have his contract terminated when he could stay at the club receiving full pay and treatment to get over his injury? No other club is going to pick him up until he's fit. I think we are stuck with him until his contract expires.

I doubt we will ever see IV play a full 90 minutes for us. A mutual termination of contract sooner rather than later I think.

Why would a player agree to have his contract terminated when he could stay at the club receiving full pay and treatment to get over his injury? No other club is going to pick him up until he's fit. I think we are stuck with him until his contract expires.

agree the mutual termination only works if your confident you are going to be signing for someone else...

I doubt we will ever see IV play a full 90 minutes for us. A mutual termination of contract sooner rather than later I think.

Why would a player agree to have his contract terminated when he could stay at the club receiving full pay and treatment to get over his injury? No other club is going to pick him up until he's fit. I think we are stuck with him until his contract expires.

agree the mutual termination only works if your confident you are going to be signing for someone else...

Well you both might be right. A player who has played three (3) substitute appearances in three years of contract,,,, or was it four,,, I’m not quite sure!