I won’t risk fitness gamble on star duo, says Bluebirds’ boss
NEIL Warnock says he doesn’t want to risk Kenneth Zohore or Aron Gunnarsson as his side take on Millwall today.
The Bluebirds star duo are on the road to recovery following ankle problems and have returned to training for today’s visit of the Lions.
But Warnock is not prepared to risk either as looks to make sure he can call upon the pair for key forthcoming games with Ipswich and Bristol City.
Cardiff beat Middlesbrough 1-0 last weekend without two of their most influential players with Danny Ward deputising up front for the Dane, while Craig Bryson has impressed in midfield.
And Warnock doesn’t want to inflame either players’ injuries, saying the form of others has eased the manager’s fears about losing Zohore and Gunnarsson.
On their fitness, he said: “They’re doing light training, but I don’t think they’ll do enough to push for Saturday. I’m not convinced,
“You just don’t know with Gunnars, he could play anytime, but I don’t want to play if he’s not right and I’ve told him that.
“Zohore is still a bit tender, he did some light work, but with three games in a week and then two weeks off, I don’t think we should jeopardise anything longer-term even though I know they’re important games.”
With Derby loanee Bryson, who has begun life at Cardiff with some sublime midfield performances, Warnock said Gunnarsson’s absent won’t be so harshly felt.
Warnock added: “He’s like Joe Ralls, low maintenance, you don’t know he’s there but on the pitch he’s a credit to you.
“They’re smashing lads, I think they both enjoyed the challenge without Gunnars last week. I wasn’t sure they could do it but they did it admirably.”
Warnock also confirmed Lee Camp would be out for a further three weeks after a fresh injury hampered his quest for a first-team return.
“His knee is perfect but he’s had a bit of a groin issue for the last three weeks,” he added.
“We thought it was because it was him not kicking for so long. We saw someone and we thought he might need a minor operation to release the tension in it, but then he pulled his thigh. That’s going to take three weeks, so we thought he might as well see the surgeon and he’s had the little nick in the groin he needed, so it will take the same amount of time.
“The poor lad because he’s desperate to be playing again and it’s frustrating for him. Same as Kadeem who’s flying in the gym but that’s two good players to come back.”