Jazz Richards: Cardiff City move 'a step up' says Wales assistant manager

Jazz Richards spent a spell on loan at Fulham before making the move permanent in July 2015

Jazz Richards' move to Cardiff City can boost the Wales defender's career, says national team assistant Osian Roberts.

Richards has joined the Bluebirds from Fulham with Scott Malone moving in the opposite direction.

The 25-year-old struggled with injury and lack of first team football at Craven Cottage, but Roberts hopes for a change of fortune at Cardiff.

"Hopefully this move will be a good one for Jazz so he can step up in his career," Roberts said.

Richards joined Fulham in January 2015, having played more than 50 games for Swansea City, but was not a regular at Craven Cottage towards the end of the 2015-16 season.

He has been recruited by Cardiff head coach Paul Trollope, who has been a member of Chris Coleman's Wales coaching team.

"What Jazz needs now is a regular run of games and to play week in, week out," Roberts told BBC Wales Sport.

"When he went to Fulham he played, had an injury and struggled to get back into the side.

"For whatever reason, he needs a change of environment.

"Paul knows him very well having been in the Wales set-up, has seen a what's he's like not only on the pitch, but also what he's like on a daily basis on the training ground.

"He's a good trainer and has got a great attitude."

Having featured in four of Wales' Euro 2016 qualifiers, Richards was part of the 23-man squad at European Championship finals in France.

Full-back Richards has won 10 caps and made one substitute appearance at Euro 2016 in the opening game against Slovakia.

Coventry City's former Wales full-back Sam Ricketts says Richards' move to Cardiff and regular football will be boost his chances of a regular Wales spot.

"Maybe he will be able to push Chris Gunter for a place in the Wales team," ex-Wales full-back Ricketts said.

"At the moment that is still firmly Chris Gunter's position.

"If Jazz can get some playing time and show what a good player he is, then he's got every chance of playing for Wales in the future.

"Jazz is a good player who has never really had a prolonged run of games.

"If he gets that at Cardiff it gives him an opportunity to improve and show what a good player he is."