Bluebirds boosted by Wayne absence

CARDIFF City boss Neil Harris is hoping the absence of “huge personality” Wayne Rooney and the trend of away wins helps his side earn victory away to Derby County tonight.

Harris believes the Rams are missing skipper Rooney, who is in selfisolation following a coronavirus scare.

Derby have lost their three home fixtures so far, while the Bluebirds have picked up both of their wins away.

“I think you won’t see a Derby team play similar to what they did a

few months ago when they came to the Cardiff City Stadium (won 2-1 by the Bluebirds),” said Harris.

“They’ve got good players and important players back in the group. They’ve got attacking intent.

“It’ll be a completely different game to Boro (1-1 draw) the other evening. We have to handle it completely differently. You have to have great shape, good pressing triggers and organisation. When we have the ball we have to hurt them.

“Wayne is a top player in world football, let alone the Championship. He’s a huge personality. I’m sure it would be a loss to any team.

“Whatever team Derby put out will be a good side.”

Tonight’s game will also see former Rams loanee Harry Wilson return to Pride Park.

The Wales international winger scored 18 goals in 50 appearances during a superb loan spell at the club in 2018-19, will be hoping to make a similar impact with Cardiff after dropping back to the Championship.

“He had a great loan spell – he scored a lot of goals at Derby a couple of years ago,” said Harris.

“But you’re probably also doing his loan spell last season a bit of an injustice, scoring seven or eight goals in the Premier League for a team that was relegated.

“He’s had two great spells and he started very well for us as well. He creates chances, great free kick deliveries, great corners, gets lots of shots off and he’s a handful to play against.

“I enjoy seeing him every day in training and he’s a real breath of fresh air within the group as well, personality-wise, and will just go from strength to strength.”