I'm fit and ready to boost promotion bid says McPhail

Cardiff City’s Stephen McPhail is ready to play his part in their promotion bid over the hectic Christmas schedule – declaring to his manager ‘I’m fit and ready’.

McPhail has come through a series of matches with the Bluebirds’ development squad unscathed as he continues to make his recovery from problems with his hamstring and ongoing treatment for Sjogren’s Syndrome – the condition affecting his body’s moisture levels.

But with fixtures coming thick and fast over the festive season – their next test is at Leicester City on Saturday – manager Malky Mackay is likely to need to call on all his squad’s players.

And McPhail, who has played just 19 minutes first team football in a Capital One Cup tie with Northampton all season, is eyeing his chance to make his mark should Mackay see fit to call on his services.

The 32-year-old said: “I’m fit now to be fair.

“I have played six or seven games with the development team so hopefully I will be involved at some point.

“It’s good. I spoke with the gaffer a couple of days ago about the situation. Obviously the boys are playing really well and there’s some good young boys who are doing well.

“But if needed, I’m looking forward to playing.”

Mackay’s charges prepare for Saturday’s match at fifth-placed Leicester City and beyond that a home clash with Crystal Palace, who are only two points behind leaders Cardiff in second, and McPhail is ready if needed.

Palace come to Cardiff City Stadium on Boxing Day, the second of four possibly season-defining fixtures before their FA Cup third round tie versus Barrow or Macclesfield on January 5.

A decent haul of points would see the City cement their promotion credentials.

But McPhail said the squad isn’t getting ahead of itself and is taking nothing for granted, having been in a similarly healthy positions during December in seasons-gone-by.

“Obviously we have started really well in the league,” he said.

“Twenty-odd games have gone and we are right in the thick of it.

“We do speak about concentrating about what’s ahead and the challenge facing us that week and go from there.

“People and players who have been here have had disappointments come the back end of May.

“We have got to make sure it doesn’t happen and concentrate on getting over the line.”

McPhail sees the way forward as a “one step at a time” progress that McPhail hopes will add up to a Premier League return come May.

It is eight years ago he was last there with Leeds United.

And it was in football’s top tier, coincidentally in the December of 1999, that he announced himself on the scene with a brace versus Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – his first senior goals.

McPhail, whose current deal runs out at the end of the season, says he would love to be there again but he knows as well as anyone there is a long way to go yet.

He said: “It feels like a long, long time ago since I played there.

“We are in a great situation at the moment.

“But many of us have been here before and there is a long way to go. Every one of us is prepared to work hard for each other in the quest for what we feel can be achieved.”



Read more: Wales Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z2FNrxHzmU

excellent news - so pleased he's doing well, and if he is needed, he'll give his all for us.

My favourite City player

get him out on loan and match fit for a month!

Dont care what anyone says, huge respect to this man and his attitude is fantastic as a player.

Fit for what?

10 mins, maybe manage 15 this time. Waste of a space on the bench.
Need the places for players who can play more than 10 mins., who can potentially score and pass forward.

Fit for what?

10 mins, maybe manage 15 this time. Waste of a space on the bench.
Need the places for players who can play more than 10 mins., who can potentially score and pass forward.

Oh dear dear dear
you just couldn't make this shit up

You ll see the best of whittingham with macphail in team,he ll sit back and let whitts get forward.

You ll see the best of whittingham with macphail in team,he ll sit back and let whitts get forward.

And who is going to do the donkey work? Tackling back and covering? McPhail cannot
tackle to save his life. Him and Whitts? too lightweight!

You ll see the best of whittingham with macphail in team,he ll sit back and let whitts get forward.

And who is going to do the donkey work? Tackling back and covering? McPhail cannot
tackle to save his life. Him and Whitts? too lightweight!

They have played together to good effect before so no reason they couldn't again.

McPhail is more willing to put a tackle in than Cowie who for all his good work closing down he doesnt actually win the ball.

Im glad he,s fit and well but he wasnt good enough last season and he wont be this season either IMO

Unfortunately for him, he won't get anywhere near the side.

Unfortunately for him, he won't get anywhere near the side.

Yeah, even illness history aside, he's too old for central midfield in a team that is pushing for promotion. If he had been a much better player maybe but I'd be surprised if he's anywhere near the squad. Pleased he is fit and well though and would love him on the coaching staff at the club or involved in youth development. Top bloke.

I wouldnt rule him out he's played in some monumental moments for cardiff city and some of our most defining wins

Im sure stephen mcphail is older than 32 though i thought 33-34

Suprised there was'nt a clamour for his return after the defeat to Peterborough,every time there's a set back his fans come out of the woodwork,as if he's some sort of saviour.I'm glad he's well but he's my least favourite player of all time,and the sooner he moves on the better.

I wouldnt rule him out he's played in some monumental moments for cardiff city and some of our most defining wins

Im sure stephen mcphail is older than 32 though i thought 33-34

I would say some of our best football came when he played last season.

Cardiff City’s Stephen McPhail is ready to play his part in their promotion bid over the hectic Christmas schedule – declaring to his manager ‘I’m fit and ready’.

McPhail has come through a series of matches with the Bluebirds’ development squad unscathed as he continues to make his recovery from problems with his hamstring and ongoing treatment for Sjogren’s Syndrome – the condition affecting his body’s moisture levels.

But with fixtures coming thick and fast over the festive season – their next test is at Leicester City on Saturday – manager Malky Mackay is likely to need to call on all his squad’s players.

And McPhail, who has played just 19 minutes first team football in a Capital One Cup tie with Northampton all season, is eyeing his chance to make his mark should Mackay see fit to call on his services.

The 32-year-old said: “I’m fit now to be fair.

“I have played six or seven games with the development team so hopefully I will be involved at some point.

“It’s good. I spoke with the gaffer a couple of days ago about the situation. Obviously the boys are playing really well and there’s some good young boys who are doing well.

“But if needed, I’m looking forward to playing.”

Mackay’s charges prepare for Saturday’s match at fifth-placed Leicester City and beyond that a home clash with Crystal Palace, who are only two points behind leaders Cardiff in second, and McPhail is ready if needed.

Palace come to Cardiff City Stadium on Boxing Day, the second of four possibly season-defining fixtures before their FA Cup third round tie versus Barrow or Macclesfield on January 5.

A decent haul of points would see the City cement their promotion credentials.

But McPhail said the squad isn’t getting ahead of itself and is taking nothing for granted, having been in a similarly healthy positions during December in seasons-gone-by.

“Obviously we have started really well in the league,” he said.

“Twenty-odd games have gone and we are right in the thick of it.

“We do speak about concentrating about what’s ahead and the challenge facing us that week and go from there.

“People and players who have been here have had disappointments come the back end of May.

“We have got to make sure it doesn’t happen and concentrate on getting over the line.”

McPhail sees the way forward as a “one step at a time” progress that McPhail hopes will add up to a Premier League return come May.

It is eight years ago he was last there with Leeds United.

And it was in football’s top tier, coincidentally in the December of 1999, that he announced himself on the scene with a brace versus Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – his first senior goals.

McPhail, whose current deal runs out at the end of the season, says he would love to be there again but he knows as well as anyone there is a long way to go yet.

He said: “It feels like a long, long time ago since I played there.

“We are in a great situation at the moment.

“But many of us have been here before and there is a long way to go. Every one of us is prepared to work hard for each other in the quest for what we feel can be achieved.”



Read more: Wales Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z2FNrxHzmU

He has been written off before, but he keeps coming back, if he gets a chance and does well then good lock to him

Past it or not its about time some player his age actually has the commitment to fight to get into the team.