South East Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City are waiting to discover the extent of a groin injury to club captain Joe Ralls.

The midfielder missed Saturday's 1-1 Championship draw with Bristol City after sustaining the injury during last Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth.

"After the Portsmouth game he had a groin strain so we're managing him," said Cardiff manager Omer Riza.

"He's been on the grass, not training. We're just seeing how bad it is and hopefully it won't be too long."

Cardiff were also without defender-turned-midfielder Calum Chambers for the Bristol City draw because of illness but he is expected to make a swift recovery.

The Bluebirds' next fixture is away at relegation rivals Plymouth Argyle next Saturday.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City manager Omer Riza praised the impact of Aaron Ramsey as his "sublime" contribution on his Championship return helped rescue a draw against Bristol City.

Ramsey came on during the second half of Saturday's 1-1 draw to make his first league appearance for the Bluebirds since August after a hamstring injury.

With the Bluebirds trailing 1-0 in the 90th minute, the 34-year-old played a delicate through ball to fellow substitute Cian Ashford, whose low cross was converted by another replacement, Yousef Salech.

"It was a sublime pass. We know that's the quality he's got," said Riza.

"It wasn't the only one, he made three or four passes like that, which were key opportunities. That's what he's good at and when the game opened up a little bit and we introduced him into the game, it was a perfect time for him."

Ramsey had made his comeback from injury by starting last Saturday's FA Cup win at Stoke City but sat out Tuesday's Championship defeat at Portsmouth.

"Aaron was ready to play," Riza explained when he was asked why Ramsey was on the bench against Bristol City.

"He played in the Stoke game, which was his first game back. He didn't play at Portsmouth because he can't, and probably ain't going to go Saturday/Tuesday ever.

"So playing Saturday to Saturday is something that will probably happen with Aaron but today was just selection and was my decision.

"I knew what he'd give us coming onto the pitch when the game opened up a little bit and he did that. So that was very pleasing for me. Aaron was probably disappointed he wasn't playing.

"But again, it's how you deal with disappointment and he dealt with it really well. He came on and showed character, leadership and quality to boot."

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Garry Ringrose says Simon Easterby remains 'dead focused' on his role as Ireland's interim head coach amid reports he could be the next Wales boss.

The 49-year-old has guided the side to two bonus-point wins to start their Six Nations campaign with usual head coach Andy Farrell on secondment with the British and Irish Lions.

He has, however, been linked to the Wales job following confirmation of Warren Gatland's departure on Wednesday.

The former back row was a player and head coach with Scarlets and still lives in Wales, who Ireland play in Cardiff on 22 February.

"I only heard it off one of the lads but, sure, it's not a thing at all," said Ringrose of the reported interest.

"Simon is dead focused on trying to prepare as best we can and that's aligned with what the players are driving to."

Ireland's head of athletic performance Aled Walters, who worked at Scarlets when Easterby was a player, feels such "speculation" was inevitable.

"He's that good a coach that there's always going to be speculation in professional sport, that's human nature," said Walters.

"There's been a change with Wales, and the fact that he lives there, he was always going to be linked.

"That's the quality of the man. Credit to him and credit to the group, nothing has been said about it. 

"We just carry on preparing for Wales as we would normally."

Walters, who joined the Irish staff last year, has been impressed by how Easterby has taken to the head coach's role having been an assistant on the ticket for more than a decade.

"He's really brought his own flavour to things. It's been great to see," he added.

"Even in the autumn, he's a leader. It's not like he's been sat back in the shadows and all of a sudden thrust into the limelight.

"It hasn't felt that different. He's been there the whole time."