Why 'cautious' Arsenal are delaying Jordi Osei-Tutu's return and the other Cardiff City star ruled out of Swansea City clash
It was thought that the Arsenal loanee would be back in the pitch by now, but his return has been delayed by his parent club
Wednesday 17th March 2021
Jordi Osei-Tutu's Cardiff City return has been delayed at Arsenal's request
A few eyebrows were raised when Jordi Osei-Tutu's name did not appear on Cardiff City's under-23s' team sheet for their clash with QPR on Tuesday afternoon.
Mick McCarthy had said the young right back would have two games for Steve Morison's side before coming back into the reckoning for the senior set-up.
It was thought that would begin this week. However, he did not feature in the 1-0 defeat at QPR, in which Lee Tomlin played his first full 90 minutes.
And McCarthy explained that Arsenal are being "cautious" with the 22-year-old defender, who has endured an injury-ravaged season despite starting it so brightly.
So his return to the pitch has been delayed by another week.
MICK McCARTHY:
"Arsenal didn't want him to play [against QPR] and I understand," McCarthy said.
"They are being very cautious with him and he is their player, so that's all we can do.
"The plan was for us to play him next week at Birmingham."
Cardiff face Birmingham City under-23s next Monday before welcoming Wigan Athletic's under-23s on March 30.
Given this weekend's senior clash with South Wales rivals Swansea City is the last before the international break, McCarthy will hope Osei-Tutu is available for the final eight games.
That also goes for Curtis Nelson, who will not feature in the derby this weekend.
The defender was taken off late on against Watford on Saturday and was not named in the side to face Stoke City on Tuesday evening.
McCarthy confirmed the centre back, who has been very good since the manager took over, has sustained a calf strain and is hopeful of returning after the international break when the Bluebirds welcome Nottingham Forest on April 2.
"It's a strain in his calf," the manager said.
"Certainly not for Saturday, but I am hopeful he will be back for the next game after the international break.
"He is adamant he will be and he is a stoic individual, a tough guy, so he probably will. Fingers crossed he will be."
Northern Ireland international Ciaron Brown deputised in his stead against Stoke on Tuesday and was solid enough.
It has been a big change for the young defender, who has gone from playing up at Scottish side Livingston to being a regular back with the Bluebirds.
While he still appears to be adjusting to life in the Championship, McCarthy has given him a vote of confidence and says he has no qualms over picking him should Nelson's recovery take longer than anticipated.
"Let's compliment Ciaron Brown, who has come back from Scotland and gone in at left wing-back, left centre back and done extremely well," McCarthy added.
" Nelson is not fit, Ciaron will play. And good luck to him."
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