Cardiff City: Turner and Dikgacoi to return before season's end

Ben Turner was part of the Cardiff City team that won promotion to the Premier League in 2013

Cardiff City manager Russell Slade says defender Ben Turner and midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi will return to action before the end of the season.

It had been feared that Turner would miss the rest of the season after injuring an ankle in January.

"Ben's been taking some part in training sessions and should be back in full training next week," said Slade.

Neither Turner or Dikgacoi is available against Reading on Saturday, though Joe Mason could return.

Striker Mason was on loan at Bolton, but returned to the Bluebirds in January after suffering a hamstring injury from which he has now recovered.

Cardiff, who are 14th in the Championship, play 19th-placed Reading at the Medejski Stadium.

Slade says Turner and Dikgacoi - who has played only three games for Cardiff since joining from Crystal Palace - are both close to returns.

"Ben is making good progress. He's a determined lad and we're hoping he'll be fit after the next couple of games," added Slade.

"Kagisho is in full training now and has a chance of getting some football before the end of the season."

The Bluebirds manager is also hopeful that Anthony Pilkington will be back in contention soon.

The winger hasn't played since November because of a hamstring injury.