Harris hits out over Adomah’s loan exit

NEIL Harris believes Cardiff City would have allowed his own player to stay out on loan at a top-six rival if the situation was reversed as he confirmed Albert Adomah will return to Nottingham Forest, writes Glen Williams.

The Bluebirds manager has hit out at the EFL for their handling of the situation, claiming they should have taken ownership over extending players’ loans, and also questioned the integrity of Forest for recalling their player in the knowledge he cannot play for the remainder of the season.

The Ghanaian has been a mainstay for Harris since he was brought in on deadline day in January and has earned widespread praise for how he has performed in a Cardiff City shirt.

And while Harris concedes that Forest have been put in an ‘awkward’ situation due to the EFL’s inaction over the whole saga, he believes that if the tables were turned then City would have afforded the loan club the luxury of keeping the player until the end of the season.

“I can’t be any clearer with what I’ve said. I can’t be any more scathing with my criticism of the EFL,” Harris said after the 0-0 draw with Charlton Athletic.

“I can’t be any more honest. We can’t do any more as a club.

“It’s not a fair situation for Albert to be in and in some ways it’s not a fair situation for Forest to be in, because they look like the bad guys.

“What would we have done? Would we have let the player stay on loan?

“I think we probably would have done.

“My board have certainly said to me they would have done.

“So, Forest don’t come out of it looking great and the EFL are looking like a shambles.

“Weak, soft and falling short for their clients.”

The manager does, however, hope that Josh Murphy will be fit for the next game, so he could potentially fill that wing berth up at Bristol City on the weekend.

But Adomah certainly won’t be playing for the remainder of the season.

His contract stipulates that he will not be allowed to play for Forest despite being recalled and, given they are play-off rivals and the quality he has, brings at least some comfort for Harris.

“I’m pleased he is not playing for Forest because I think he is a super player,” Harris added.

“He has shown he is a super player for Cardiff City, so I’m pleased they haven’t got him to call upon in their remaining games.”

Harris, meanwhile, confirmed that Dion Sanderson is all signed up until the end of the season, as is Bournemouth loanee Brad Smith.