Cardiff City

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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.

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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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Cardiff City boss Omer Riza says his side will "take the game" to Bristol City on Saturday (12:30 GMT) as the Bluebirds look to boost their Championship survival prospects.

Despite losing just two of their last 11 games, Cardiff are only two points outside the second-tier drop zone.

"We're focused on what we need to do," Riza told BBC Sport Wales.

"It's an important game. We know we need to be better. We have the capability to do well. The boys are up for it - they know how important it is.

"They'll be up for it as well, but we're at home and we will take the game to them. We'll look to hurt them where we can."

Midfielder Joe Ralls is likely to feature having moved into the Bluebirds' top 10 all-time appearance list having played in the midweek defeat at Portsmouth.

"It gives me massive pride," Ralls told BBC Sport Wales.

"There are some unbelievable names in there, some that I know very well and some not so well, a little bit before my time.

"It's just fantastic to be alongside some of those greats that have played for the club. I'm in illustrious company and really proud to be in there."

Leah Bower

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Joe Ralls says Cardiff City are facing a "massive" spell in their season as they attempt to pull clear of the Championship relegation scrap.

The Bluebirds are 20th in the table and only two points out of the drop zone.

With only six points between 18th-placed Portsmouth and bottom-club Luton Town, the battle at the bottom is compelling.

Cardiff host Bristol City in the Severnside derby on Saturday (12:30 GMT) before fixtures against fellow strugglers Plymouth and Hull.

"I think all the teams that are down there, including us, want to try and get to the next pack in that sort of mid-table, which is not too far away," Cardiff skipper Ralls told BBC Sport Wales.

"There are some good sides that are really fighting and trying to pick up points and we're in that category as well.

"We've got massive games coming up where we need to get a couple of points and pull ourselves away from that area. We're in the crunch now."

Cardiff have suffered two league defeats so far in February, but Ralls believes the club's January additions will help Omer Riza's side in the weeks eahd.

"Will [Alves] looks really, really sharp," he said.

"Sivert [Mannsverk] as well has settled in really well. They're going to be a massive part of it and we've got a big squad when everyone's fit.

"That will only be a benefit for us, especially with the games coming through thick and fast."

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Kion Etete's difficult season is continuing at Bolton Wanderers after the on-loan Cardiff City striker suffered a thigh injury which could keep him out for five weeks.

Etete signed a new Cardiff deal last month before joining Bolton for the remainder of the season.

But after playing only 23 minutes in Bolton colours – as a substitute at Reading earlier this month – the 23-year-old is facing another spell on the sidelines.

Etete made only one Cardiff appearance this season, in the FA Cup at Sheffield United, after a serious hamstring injury.

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Cardiff City will travel to Villa Park for their FA Cup fifth-round tie with Aston Villa on Friday, 28 February (20:00 GMT).

Two Cardiff Championship fixtures will be moved as a result of the Villa tie, which will be shown live on ITV.

The Bluebirds will now face Hull City on Tuesday, 25 February, 2025 (19:45 GMT) at Cardiff City Stadium, with that game brought forward 24 hours because the Villa match is being played on Friday.

The Hull fixture had originally been scheduled for the cup's fourth-round weekend.

Cardiff will host Burnley on Tuesday, 4 March (19:45 GMT), with that game switched from its original 1 March date.

Cardiff boss Omer Riza says his side's cup success has caused a scheduling headache.

"Of course one more game doesn't help as there are a lot of games already in the league," Riza told BBC Sport Wales.

"But we are in the fifth round of the FA Cup. The fans enjoyed their day [at Stoke in round four] and they will enjoy the game that is coming.

"We have to deal with it. It gives us less recovery time, but it is what it is."

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Cardiff City boss Omer Riza says the Bluebirds have given themselves wiggle room for if they decide to try and sign any free agents.

The Bluebirds left Raheem Conte, recalled from a loan at Woking, out of their EFL 25-man squad list despite being unable to send him out on another loan.

Cardiff only named 24 players in their squad list and Riza says that was a deliberate move.

"We wanted to keep spaces open in case we had to bring in any free players in an emergency, in case anything happens to anybody," Riza explained.

"Raz (Conte) knew that when he came back in. It's been difficult for him, he's been working hard and playing for the under-21s."

Riza says he is not actively targeting the free agent market, but is keeping his options open with Cardiff only two points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

"I am not looking now. I'm happy with what we've got at the minute, but I always feel if you get through March, April and potentially there is a player who could come in and cover an area, I think it's important to leave that open," he said.

One player who could yet depart the Cardiff City Stadium this season is defender Jamilu Collins, who has featured only three times for the Bluebirds this term.

The 30-year old was linked with a departure in January and Riza has hinted he could still leave with an agreement on terminating his deal potentially in the future.

"If every window closes around the world, he will either look to stay or some sort of agreement will be made," Riza added.

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Cardiff City boss Omer Riza says Wales captain Aaron Ramsey is available for Saturday's Championship game against Bristol City at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Ramsey missed five months through injury before returning for the Bluebirds' FA Cup fourth-round win over Stoke City last weekend, but did not feature as Cardiff slipped to a midweek defeat at Portsmouth.

The loss at Fratton Park means Cardiff are only two points clear of the Championship relegation zone ahead of the Severnside derby, which has come to mean a great deal to supporters of both clubs.

With just six points separating seven clubs at the bottom of the division, Riza says Ramsey's availability could a key factor for his side.

"We have to manage the players correctly. The games are coming thick and fast, everyone has the same problem, you can't select the same players for every game," he said.

"Aaron played in the FA Cup and couldn't be involved in the game after.

"He will be available for Saturday and we will see what selection we come up with."

Riza says Cardiff will be without winger Ollie Tanner who has a fractured foot and midfielder Alex Robertson, who has picked up a hamstring injury.

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Cardiff City manager Omer Riza says Aaron Ramsey's fitness will have to be "managed accordingly" after his latest return from injury.

The Wales captain was not included in Cardiff's matchday squad for the 2-1 defeat against Portsmouth on Tuesday night.

Ramsey, 34, played 63 minutes in the FA Cup win against Stoke City last Saturday, his first appearance since injuring his hamstring while playing for Wales last September.

"He's been out for five months, he's had a lot of injuries," Riza said.

"The plan for him is not to go game after game after game - he's not able to do it at present.

"We have to manage him accordingly which I've said many times."

Ramsey only made seven league starts and six substitute appearances for Cardiff last season in a campaign ruined by a knee problem.

The former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder looked to have turned a corner this season as he started Cardiff's first four Championship matches, before he suffered a hamstring injury playing for Wales in their 2-1 win against Montenegro.

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Cardiff City manager Omer Riza hopes his return to the touchline can help instigate an upturn in form for his team.

Riza has had to watch the Bluebirds' past three games from the stands following his red card towards the end of last month's 3-0 win over Swansea City.

Having been on an eight-match unbeaten run, Cardiff have not fared so well since Riza's touchline ban, with a 7-0 thrashing at Leeds and Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth coming either side of last weekend's FA Cup win at Stoke on penalties.

The loss to relegation rivals Pompey was the third and final match of Riza's suspension, and he will return to the dugout on Saturday when Cardiff host Bristol City.

When he was asked if his return to the touchline might help his team rediscover their winning touch, Riza told BBC Radio Wales: "I'd like to think so. I hope so.

"It's been hard up there for three games but the boys, the coaches, have been brilliant while I've been away. It's my fault – I acknowledge that. We've got Bristol City at home on Saturday and we need to pick up points."

Defeat at Portsmouth saw Cardiff slip to 20th in the Championship table, where they are now only two points clear of the relegation zone.

"I told my players we can do better, we can play better than that," Riza added.

"Now we've made it hard work for ourselves again. Now we've got to go back with our tails between our legs and get ready for the game on Saturday."

The draw for the FA Cup fifth round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties involving Championship teams left in the competition.

Games will be played over the first weekend of March.

• Aston Villa v Cardiff City

• Crystal Palace v Millwall

• Manchester City v Plymouth

• Preston North End v Burnley

You can find the full draw here.

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Boss Omer Riza reckons Cardiff City's Stoke City spirit could be a turning point for their season as they prepare to take on survival rivals Portsmouth.

The Bluebirds made it through to the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in more than a decade when they beat the Potters on penalties and have been rewarded with a March trip to Premier League Aston Villa.

Cardiff have not been in the last-16 since 2014 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but – having thrown away a two goal lead at the Bet265 Stadium - booked their place after coming from behind to level the tie 3-3 before going through on spot kicks.

Riza knows full well, with his team still only three points above the drop zone, focus has to be on retaining the club's Championship status.

But he says not only does cup success propel the momentum built up since the turn of the year – with just one defeat in ten - but it underlines the unity now in the squad.

Cardiff's only loss since Boxing Day was the previous weekend's 7-0 trouncing at Leeds, but Riza said: "Leeds was disappointing and embarrassing to a certain extent - but it can happen. They were rampant on the day and punished every mistake; for me they will be champions unless they do something silly.

"But we've put a line under it. We came through extra time [at Stoke] and we will have to recover properly – but the togetherness it brought is more important. Coming through that on the pitch, the subs that were made, the starters, that togetherness can see us through to the end of the season.

"It could be a real big turning point for us; we're already doing well, but that togetherness we showed is really important."

Portsmouth – a place and a point behind the Bluebirds in 19th - welcome Cardiff to Fratton Park without a win in four, including a 5-1 defeat at West Brom.

But they did manage a goalless draw with promotion-chasing Burnley and were edged out by second-placed Sheffield United on Saturday.

"We have a game in hand but we will go there with no other intention other than to win," Riza said, who will again be absent from the touchline as part of a three-game ban for his red card against Swansea City.

"It's 11 years since we've gone this far in the cup, it brings the fans and the club together, but now we're focusing on what's coming on Tuesday,

"The cup is good for morale but it's about momentum and we want to be ready for league games.

"It will be a real tough battle, they've been very good at home - but we know what we've got to do."

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Cardiff City's FA Cup win over Stoke City shows they are starting to answer their critics, according to former captain Jason Perry.

Bluebirds icon Perry has been among those to air his worries over his old side after a season of struggles.

That included claiming Omer Riza's men looked "like a side that were going to get relegated" when they were beaten at Oxford United on Boxing Day to leave them nine games without a win.

But they have lost just once since then – albeit in a 7-0 hammering last weekend at Leeds – and Perry says the spirit and fight showed in a topsy-turvy fourth round tie at Stoke suggested they have what it takes to put behind them any lingering fears.

Cardiff progressed to the fifth round on penalties having led 2-0 only to concede three times before levelling.

And, speaking on BBC Radio Wales Sport, Perry said: "What a game of football, both sides were superb, end to end stuff, such an entertaining and exciting game of football.

"It had absolutely everything - and Cardiff's performance was outstanding, especially in the first-half.

"With the ball, without the ball, all the things we questioned them about. The way they went hunting for the ball, we've said they were passive in their press but they were right at it.

"And when their character was tested they gave an answer, got themselves back in it, and that character shone through in the penalties."

Cardiff will be in the hat for Monday's draw having reached the last-16 of the competition for the first time since 2014.

But their priority will remain easing away from relegation worries in the Championship, starting with Tuesday's visit to a Portsmouth side just one point and one place below them in the table.

Cardiff, in 19th, are still only three points clear of the bottom three, and Perry said: "They did all the things we've questioned in the past [at Stoke].

"Now the challenge for these players is consistency - can they do it on a consistent basis?

"There were loads of positive and this will do them the world of good."

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Cardiff City could be without defender Jesper Daland for Tuesday's visit to Championship relegation rivals Portsmouth.

The Norwegian suffered a leg injury shortly after making a substitute appearance during Saturday's FA Cup win at Stoke City - an incident which also saw the player give away a penalty after he collided with forward Emre Tezgel.

The 25-year-old had to be replaced and was helped off the pitch by medical staff.

"Jesper says he kicked the ball and hasn't kicked the man, who has caught his leg. It was quite a nasty one," said Cardiff manager Omer Riza.

"It can happen, the downside to the cup game with injuries, but we've got a squad and the boys have got to get on with it."

The Bluebirds face a quick turnaround after extra time and penalties at Stoke but Riza is confident his team can cope.

"We'll recover properly," he said. "I think the togetherness is more important, coming through that [against Stoke], all the subs that were made and all the players that started.

"That togetherness to see us through to the end of the season - that could be a big turning point for us. We're already doing well but that togetherness is really important.

"Portsmouth lost to Sheffield United [in the Championship] so we've got one game in hand over them.

"We want to win every game, we'll go there with no other intention than to win. It's going to be a real tough battle, we know that, they've been really good at home but we know what we've got to do".

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Ethan Horvath hopes his penalty shootout save in Cardiff City's FA Cup win at Stoke City can further his case for more regular first-team action.

After Saturday's game had finished 3-3 after extra time, Horvath made what proved to be the decisive save in the shootout from Michael Rose and Rubin Colwill converted his spot-kick to send Omer Riza's team through to the fifth round.

Horvath had come into the Cardiff team at Stoke as one of nine changes, having lost his starting place in the Championship to Jak Alnwick.

"I want to do my best for the team whenever I get the chance to play," said Horvath.

"We all know how historic the FA Cup is. It's kind of a no-pressure game, it doesn't count towards the league but we want to go as far as possible."

Cardiff can now look forward to a first fifth-round FA Cup tie in 11 years, with the draw to come on Monday.

Horvath will likely keep his place for remaining cup games, and he will be studying opposition penalty takers after his analysis on Rose helped him to make Saturday's crucial save.

"Before every game, as keepers we watch films [of opponents' penalties] and do our homework, try to make the best of the situation," the United States international added.

"It's not just myself, all the keepers do the homework on the opposition before every game.

"All credit to the team, we stayed together and showed how far we've come from the start of this season."

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Cardiff City manager Omer Riza says he was disappointed by Stoke City fans booing Aaron Ramsey on his latest return from injury.

Stoke's supporters jeered the Wales captain every time he touched the ball during Cardiff's FA Cup win at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday, his first club appearance since August.

But the reason for such treatment from the Potters' fans was another injury, as it was at the same ground that, in 2010, Ramsey had his leg broken by then-Stoke centre-back Ryan Shawcross.

It was an horrific injury that kept Ramsey out for eight months, and Stoke fans have booed the former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder whenever he has returned to play there since.

"I was really surprised by that and disappointed for Aaron because it's not nice," Riza told BBC Radio Wales.

"But he's got a character big enough to deal with it. He's got a lot of people around him who care for him, a lot of people who love him.

"So a bit of booing at Stoke will only push him to be better."

Ramsey, 34, was playing for the first time since injuring his hamstring while playing for Wales last September.

He managed 63 minutes against Stoke before being replaced, as was planned beforehand.

"The qualities he's got and had over the course of his career, you could see a mile away," Riza added.

"Hopefully we can ease him in slowly and see him a lot more."