Injury Boost for City

Leading scorer Peter Whittingham, key defender Kevin McNaughton and loanee forward Kelvin Etuhu all had to limp off during yesterday's brilliant but hard fought 1-0 victory for Cardiff City at Middlesbrough.


However the club had a boost today with news that "Whitts" and SuperKev sustained minor knocks only and both should be available for the home clash against Leicester City this Saturday.


It's not all good news though as Etuhu having just returned to the club after more than 2 months injured has been sent back to Manchester City for a scan and treatment with a badly swollen ankle. The club believe there is a problem and are preparing for a further lenghty absence of a player getting no luck at all at present.

Cardiff will be ready for West Brom says Jones

Cardiff manager Dave Jones looks ahead to Tuesday's Championship clash with West Brom at the Hawthorns.

He confirms there are doubts over Quinn, McNaughton and Ledley while Bothroyd is suspended giving a likely opportuinity to Kevin Etutu. Ledley's injury is discussed as well as Michael Chopra's current goal drought.



You can watch it all here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8400405.stm

SuperKev's Out Again

Whether we like it or not, the label 'injury prone' is one that will be applied to Kevin McNaughton as Cardiff City's star defender has had continual problems in the past couple of seasons but nothing as bad as this term.

Having missed all the season to date after an ankle injury sustained after collision in a pre-season game with Celtic, his absence was softened by the emergence of Adam Matthews but Kev remains a vital player for City so fans were delighted to see his return at Barnsley last weekend.

However that lasted barely 20 minutes after he pulled up clutching his leg. Early reports from the club suggested he had a back spasm that was being checked out but it has now been confirmed as the more obvious hamstring pull.

City officials say it is a slight tear and that he will be absent for a fortnight. Fingers - and everything else! - crossed he then gets a sustained injury free period.

** On a sidenote, I can never believe how many Cardiff players have hamstring problems, it always seems far worse than any other club.

Matthews a doubt for Barnsley afterc Wales injury

CARDIFF CITY 17 year old starlet Adam Matthews made his Welsh Under 21 bow in a 2-1 deafeat at Bosnia-Hercegovina last night.

Starting the game however, Matthews was withdrawn at the interval with a foot injury. I have wondered whether Dave Jones would start him in Saturday's trip to Barnsley and this midweek jaunt but I suspect the injury news now makes it a racing certainty that Kevin McNaughton will return to action at right back this weekend while the recent struggling Mark Kennedy will continue on the left, hopefully refresheed by a 2 week break.

SuperKev ready to start the season for Cardiff City

Cardiff City's defence have lacked pace, cover and composure a feww too many times this season and a significant reason for that has been the absence of Kevin McNuaghton who tore ankle ligaments in a pre-season home friendly against Celtic.


Today, he played 45 minutes against Hereford United reserves and although City lost 2-0, McNaughton was in fine form and withdrawn after 45 minutes to save himself for Saturday's trip to Barnsley.

There's a strong probability he will start that game but will it be right or left back? Mark Kennedy has looked jaded and vulnerable recently but a fortnight's break should have recharged his batteries but Kev is destined to play on the left this season. On the right side, Adam Matthews has stamped his mark but he may be rested from time to time and considering he is in Bosnia tomorrow playing for Wales Under 21's, Dave Jones may decide to rest him after getting back.

Either way, Cardiff City followers will be delighted to see SuperKev back in the blue colours at last.

McCormack warms up for Jackland

CARDIFF CITY held a 'closed doors' friendly against Exeter City at the new stadium today and emerged 2-0 winners.

It was essentially a run out for the sub's bench but key interest was in Ross McCormack who is certain to replace the suspended Michael Chopra at Swansea this weekend and he stood out scoring the opener with a stunner free-kick. Tony Capaldi doubled City's lead before the interval and a goalless second half saw McCormack withdrawn on the hour. The encounter also saw Kevin McNaughton get a more than useful run out as he bids to get into first team contention having missed the entire season to date.

Talking to CardiffCityFC.co.uk, McCormack said, "I was always going to play some part today, I would have been happy to go on for 90 minutes, but the decision was made to take me off, and I was happy to go along with it. I'll train Thursday and Friday to make sure I'm ready for Swansea".

City's side: Enckelman; Quinn-Morris-Gyepes-McNaughton, Comminges-Taiwo-Scimeca- Capaldi; McCormack-Feeney.

Reserve Friendly: Bristol Rovers 1 Cardiff City 1

Miguel Comminges - City scorer today

Despite dominating from beginning to end, Cardiff City had to accept honours even if a friendly against Bristol Rovers at their Memorial Ground this afternoon after conceding an 89th minute penalty.

Cardiff took a mix of Academy kids and pros in the shape of Enckleman, Capaldi, Taiwo, Scimeca and the returning Celtic duo of McNaughton and McCormack.

City opened their scoring in the 21st minute via a Miguel Comminges drive and should have got more but have to reflect on a series of superb saves, near and bad misses as well as hitting the woodwork.

Enckleman was a virtual spectator but was left to pick the ball out of his net as Duffy fired that late penalty past him.

The best news is that all players came through unscathed and surely McNaughton and McCormack will be in the squad for the weekend home game against Crystal Palace.

Another Rangers Man Heading To Cardiff City?

Cardiff City have been raiding Scotland fast and often for talent, so much so that BMIBaby flights between Wales and Scotland are probably surving on players and their famiily/friends flying between the two countries.


Rangers have been the most raided club of all with Steven Thompson, Gavin Rae, Chris Burke and Super Ross McCormack heading to Ninian Park whilst Kevin McNaughton arrived from Aberdeen although it's not one way traffic with Warren Feeney, Willo Flood and Glenn Loovens gone the other way.


Now it appears another may be coming this summer. Promising but injury hit defender Steven Smith, who played well for Cardiff in a friendly at Merthyr last week, is being touted as a possible signing. Gavin Rae commenting, "“I heard that and I spoke to Smithy when he was down. There’s a lot of ex-Rangers players at Cardiff and the gaffer seems have a bit of success with the ex-Rangers boys, so it’s great and he’s a great wee player.”

SuperKev and The Jay Walker are ready for the Wurzles

I WANT YOU BACK !!!

I WANT YOU BACK TOO!!!

BRISTOL CITY FANS
PREPARE TO WELCOME BACK TRUNDLE!
(see below)

CARDIFF CITY have been handed a boost ahead of this Sunday’s Derby in Wurzleland at Bristol City (kick-off 1:15pm live on Sky Sports) as two of their key players are set to return from injury.

Mr Reliable a.k.a. SuperKev a.k.a. Kevin McNaughton has limped the last 4 games with a hamstring problem since limping off at half-time in the home 0-0 aganst Q.P.R.. His return really could not be any more timely as Darcy Blake, his deputee, now faces his own absence after being taken off at Norwich on Tuesday night with a calf problem.

Meanwhile, talisman forward Jay Bothroyd – who is now viewed as pivotal in City’s formation and play – is set to return at Trashton Gate too. He has managed just 2 minute spells in City’s last 6 games with a calf problem and proved a big miss.

City certainly need their big men present but it does look as though they will have to persevere a while longer without defender Mark Kennedy and goalkeepers Tom Heaton and Peter Enckleman and it’s the loss of goalies causing most concern as Dimi is redefining the term’ “dodgy keeper” with horrific errors at Wolves and again at Norwich arguably costing City a crucial 3 points.

Another boost came as The Carrot Crunchers were forced to take back Championship waster Lee Trundle. They tried to offload him to Leeds but the League One side don’t want him and decided against extending his loan having not used him recently. I do hope they’re desperate enough to play him against Cardiff!!!

Tonight's Cardiff City Phone In Show with SuperKev

Silver Fox a.k.a. Kevin McNaughton, Cardiff City's Scottish international defender, was guest on the show aired on GTFM this evening. Listen to, or download, the recording via the below link.

http://www.mediafire.com/?nzi23zvhzwj