Cardiff trio in contention for south Wales derby returnpublished at 16:15 16 January
16:15 16 January
Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
Cardiff City could be boosted by the return of as many as three senior players for Saturday's derby against Swansea City.
Top scorer Callum Robinson is back from suspension and midfielder Manolis Siopis has recovered from illness.
Both are expected to be in the Bluebirds' squad on the weekend, and there is a chance winger Anwar El Ghazi could feature after his return from a hip injury was delayed by illness.
"His illness knocked him, a bit of weight loss," said Cardiff manager Omer Riza.
"He's training, back in with the group. It [Swansea game] might be a bit too early for him but he's trained today [Thursday].
"Sio was unwell so we couldn't have him in the squad. He's trained today so he'll be up for selection."
Siopis only missed Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Watford, but El Ghazi has not played since 26 December, while Robinson was suspended for the past three games following his red card against Coventry on New Year's Day.
Long-term absentees include midfielders Aaron Ramsey and David Turnbull – who are not expected back until March and April, respectively – defender Ronan Kpakio and forward Isaak Davies.
Davies, who spent last season on loan at KV Kortrijk in Belgium, has not played yet in this campaign because of a hamstring injury.
"Isaak's training well, looking sharp," said Riza.
"He needs to complete more training sessions and minutes with the Under-21s before we can unleash him. Hopefully next couple of [Under-21s] games he could get some minutes."
The Wales Under-21 international has started the last five games for the Bluebirds, and has been instrumental in their recent unbeaten run.
"There was talk of it [going out on loan] because we have to try and help the player, and sometimes with a loan they gain experience and confidence," said Riza.
"He's stepping up a level now which is what I wanted.
"Potentially he was going to go out on loan, but now he won't be."
Ashford caught the eye last season when he scored an injury time winner for Cardiff in a 2-1 win against soon to be promoted Southampton.
He was used mostly as a substitute earlier on this season, but was given his chance in the first team following the 3-2 defeat at Oxford United.
Riza believes Ashford has matured as a player, and has learned how to deal with certain things which used to affect his performances.
"He's a quiet lad. He's a humble boy. He works really hard," Riza added.
"He lets things get on top of him sometimes and we've had lots of conversations with him.
"It's really important for us as staff and coaches to recognise when players are in those moments to help them, because there could have been times this season where he could have crumbled.
"There's been a couple of games where he wasn't comfortable on the pitch, and you recognise that and you take him out and don't allow him to do that again."
Signing a striker a 'priority' - Earnshaw published at 10:40 15 January
10:40 15 January
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Former Cardiff City striker Robert Earnshaw believes the club must strengthen their forward line during the current transfer window.
Even though the Bluebirds climbed out of the Championship relegation zone with Tuesday's 1-1 draw against Watford, they remain one of the lowest scoring teams in the league.
After having an offer rejected for Peterborough United striker Ricky-Jade Jones, Cardiff have now turned their attention to the Danish striker Yousef Salech.
The 22-year-old has scored 13 goals in 29 games for Swedish side Sirius, and is reportedly valued at between £3m and £4m.
"To be honest I don't know too much about him, but if they are looking for a striker I would agree [that they need one]," said Earnshaw.
"I think that should be a priority. Look at last night's game, you have got to take your chances and you need forwards.
"They need to bring players in for sure, but it's got to be the right players who help improve the team.
"The more goals the better."
Cardiff are unbeaten in their last four Championship games, though three of those have been draws.
Earnshaw is concerned about the prospect of seeing his former side in a relegation battle towards the end of the season.
Cardiff, who host Swansea City in the south Wales derby on Saturday, will slip back into the the bottom three if Portsmouth avoid defeat against Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night.
"I always watch the games and I don't like what I am seeing right now to be honest with you," Earnshaw told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.
"Listen they are unbeaten in a few games, brilliant, I think it's been a little bit of a turn.
"But we don't want to see Cardiff City in a relegation battle.
"I would love the club to continue [the unbeaten run] and get some wins, because in that league, if you continue [to struggle] and you are there in March and April, it's going to be very difficult to get out of it. I hope this month we will start to see some more wins."
Cardiff league position making players 'anxious', says Rizapublished at 06:28 15 January
06:28 15 January
Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
Cardiff City's lowly position in the Championship table is causing players to feel "anxious", according to manager Omer Riza.
The Hornets' 87th-minute equaliser was their first shot on target, whereas Cardiff missed several chances and should have secured what would have only been their second league victory since 2 November.
Riza's side have made a habit of conceding late equalisers, having done so in recent matches against Stoke and Coventry.
"There are always things you can work on which we [coaches] are bringing to light all the time," said Riza.
"The position we are in the league leads the boys to be anxious or nervous at times. But we had enough control of the game to keep it, play out, make the opposition work more.
"We allowed them to have the ball, when we went too early with the ball, we allowed them to hurt us. That's what happened at the end. For huge parts of the game we didn't give them much."
This is an important week for Cardiff. As well as searching for valuable points in their fight against relegation, they host Swansea City in a south Wales derby on Saturday.
Although the Bluebirds have squandered leads lately, they are at least unbeaten in their past five matches in all competitions.
"It's frustrating and there is stuff we need to work on. That will improve as the season goes on," said Riza.
"We know we need three points, but we are out of the bottom three for now. It was a good performance and we have to take that into Saturday."
Riza hopes fans will play part in home improvementpublished at 05:01 14 January
05:01 14 January
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Omer Riza hopes Cardiff City's fans will play a part in easing the pressure this week as the Bluebirds face home games against Watford and Swansea City.
Riza's side take on Watford on Tuesday (19:45 GMT) before returning to the Cardiff City Stadium for the south Wales derby on Saturday.
Cardiff are second from bottom in the Championship having struggled on their own patch this season aside from a run of four straight home wins in October and early November.
Since the last of those successes, against Norwich City, Riza's side have taken just one point from five games at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Only Hull City have claimed fewer home points than Cardiff this season, but Riza hopes his team – who are unbeaten in four games in all competitions – are primed to improve their record this week.
"We have had some disappointing performances [at home]," said the Cardiff boss.
"I think the pressure of the [league] position, the fans at times - I think the players feel it a little bit.
"Hopefully the fans will keep getting behind the boys and we can all try to do it together."
Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
Cardiff drew their last home game, against Coventry City, despite losing Callum Robinson to a contentious red card early in the second half.
Coventry's visit came after Cardiff's win at Watford on 29 December, and preceded a creditable 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough and last Thursday's FA Cup triumph at Sheffield United.
Asked if his team have turned a corner, Riza said: "We have been working hard. There have been games where we should have had wins, there have been some disappointing results and performances.
"We are just focused on trying to do the job, get it done, pick up points and get ourselves out of this position because we feel we are better than that, but we have got to prove it."
Pick of the stats - Cardiff City v Watfordpublished at 13:08 13 January
13:08 13 January
Watford travel to Cardiff on Tuesday (19:45 GMT) looking to end a run of three consecutive defeats in the Championship.
The Hornets have slipped out of the play-off spots and down to ninth - and have also won just twice away from home this season (D2 L8).
The Bluebirds are 23rd following a run of one win in their past 12 league matches (D5 L6)
Cardiff City are unbeaten across their past four league games against Watford (W3 D1), winning each of the past two in succession. The Welsh side haven't won three in a row against the Hornets since March 2010.
Watford are unbeaten across their past five away league games against Cardiff City (W4 D1), since a 2-1 defeat in October 2012. Across that time, the Hornets have netted 14 goals in total.
After a run of four successive home league wins between October/November, Cardiff are winless in their past five such games (D1 L4).
Watford have lost four of their past five league games (W1) and could lose four such games in succession outside the top flight for the first time since November 2014.
Only Sunderland (28), Stoke City (23) and Norwich City (18) have had more goal involvements from players aged 21 and under in the Championship this season than Watford (16).
Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
