Ramsey back for Cardiff after long-term injury

Aaron Ramsey has won 86 caps for Wales, scoring 21 goals

Aaron Ramsey is set to return earlier than expected from an injury that has kept the Cardiff City midfielder out of action since last September.

The Wales captain, 34, has not played since injuring his hamstring during his country's Nations League win in Montenegro five months ago.

Ramsey suffered setbacks during his recovery and, although it was initially feared he would not be back until March, the former Arsenal playmaker is available for Cardiff's FA Cup tie at Stoke City on Saturday.

His return is good news for Wales, who begin their World Cup qualifying campaign at home to Kazakhstan on 22 March.

"He is in a good place: happy, smiling and training regularly with the group," said Bluebirds manager Omer Riza. "He is up for selection like any other player. He could be involved on Saturday.

"We will manage Rambo accordingly. He is a senior player; just like with all our senior players, we will manage them and rest them when we need to. Every player is really important to us in this second part of the season."

Ramsey stepped up his recovery with 45 minutes for Cardiff Under-21s last Saturday, setting up a goal as they beat Everton 3-2.

Now he could make his senior comeback in the FA Cup at Stoke, where he suffered the worst of his many injuries when his leg was broken by Ryan Shawcross' tackle in 2010.

Ramsey made a full recovery but his career has been hampered by frequent, albeit less serious, injuries.

That has been the story of his second spell at boyhood club Cardiff, for whom he has made only four appearances this season.

The Bluebirds are battling for survival in the Championship, 19th in the table and four points clear of the relegation zone.

"He [Ramsey] has got all the experience in the world, played at the highest level in the game," Riza said of the former Juventus midfielder.

"He has just had really bad luck with injuries, not being able to sustain long periods of playing. Hopefully he will get over that and be able to play.

"But we will have to manage him. The medical and coaching staff, Rambo, we are all in discussions all the time regarding it all."

Cardiff will be without winger Ollie Tanner and forward Yakou Meite for this weekend's trip to Stoke.

On Tanner, Riza said: "We've had him in a [protective] boot as a precaution. He's had scans and stuff. Hopefully we'll know the outcome [soon]. He's injured at the moment and we'll see how long he'll be out in the future. We're not quite sure at the moment."

On Meite, Riza added: "He's picked up a slight strain in his thigh. It isn't too bad hopefully. He should be alright for next week hopefully."