Bluebirds boss reveals Smithies concern as Gunnar set to return
NEIL Warnock explained the mystery injury that has been ruling Alex Smithies out of action for the past seven weeks, though hinted that both the Cardiff City goalkeeper and midfield talisman Aron Gunnarsson are ready to return.
He also revealed Joe Ralls has suffered a chipped bone in his knee, which will sideline the midfielder – already suspended after his red card against Tottenham – for a few more weeks.
The Bluebirds will now make a decision on whether Gunnarsson will start against Fulham today.
“Ironically enough, (Ralls) was bad when he got sent off (against Tottenham) and we’ve done some checks and he’s chipped a bone in his knee, so he’s going to be be out for a few weeks,” said Warnock, before adding tongue-incheek: “He could have told me that before we appealed, couldn’t he?”
It leaves Cardiff threadbare in midfield with Harry Arter walking a disciplinary tight-rope after picking up four yellow cards this season.
Warnock hinted that forgotten Frenchman Loic Damour could return to the fold, having not featured in the league this season and confirmed he wants to bolster his midfield in the January transfer window.
“Loic Damour has done really well this last week, so he’s a bit of a forgotten lad,” added Warnock.
Gunnarsson, if fully fit, will be a welcome presence in the defensive midfield position Ralls has occupied this season, Warnock argued. The Iceland captain, who has struggled with an ankle injury, hasn’t featured for Cardiff since the 2-0 win over Hull City on the penultimate day of last season.
“Aron is a leader, he’s good to have around, a calming influence if you like,” he added. “And I’m going to leave it to him, I’m not going to put any pressure on.”
On Smithies, whose absence has not been explained, Warnock revealed the goalkeeper he signed from QPR in the summer has been laid low by a shoulder problem.
“Smithies is back tomorrow, he’s had a bad shoulder injury which didn’t really respond to treatment,” Warnock revealed. “He’s been training for this last 10 days and he’ll be back on the bench tomorrow.
“(Gary) Madine has got a virus so he’s struggling and on top of (Danny) Ward, it means we’re short in the strikers area.”