BLUEBIRDS BOSS WARNOCK EYES NEW RECRUITS AS INJURIES BITE
Neil Warnock has revealed Cardiff City’s injury malaise means he will delve into the January transfer market with as many as six players currently on his radar.
The Bluebirds boss admitted he’s likely to sign a forward on loan as he awaits the return of star striker Kenneth Zohore in the New Year.
Danny Ward and Omar Bogle have also been struggling of late – the former will miss today’s clash with Hull City although the Bogle is in contention to feature against Hull City on Saturday evening.
So Warnock – after previously claiming he would only do transfer business if the right player became available – wants a bolster his squad for the promotion push in 2018.
“Injuries do change it,” he said on the transfer situation.
“We’ll look to possibly loan, it’s a difficult to buy in this window unless money is no object – like it is for one or two clubs.
“It might be more advisable to loan a player, pay a loan fee and bring somebody in and possibly agree a (permanent transfer) fee if we get promotion. You can rush into things.
“But there’s four, five or six players I’m looking at who aren’t involved in their clubs. And every one of them could do a job for us.”
Cardiff have been linked with out-of-favour West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho and German forward Dominic Drexler in recent weeks, as well as versatile Wolves man Ben Marshall.
And while admitting the transfer market will be vital in determining the Bluebirds’ promotion fate, Warnock remains eager to usher back the injured Zohore, whose 12 goals last season helped Cardiff soar up the table from January onwards.
Warnock added: “Hopefully I’ll be able to sign the best striker in the division… in Zohore! And make him have a second half of the season to remember like last year.”
The veteran boss expects bigspending Championship leaders Wolves to splash the cash again in January, but insisted there is no outstanding team in the division.
“I know people talk about Wolves, but there’s 46 games we’ll wait and see if they can do a Newcastle or a Brighton,” said Warnock
“I don’t think they are a Newcastle or a Brighton, if I’m honest. They’re a good side and they’ll probably improve in the January window.
“It will be interesting what we can all do to improve our squads and what we spend and then look forward to the second half of the season.”
Besides striker Ward, captain Sean Morrison is unavailable for City’s fixtures with Hull.
Ward wasn’t in the Bluebirds’ matchday squad for the 2-2 draw with Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Monday after suffering a knee problem, and Neil Warnock has revealed the forward is set to be out for a few weeks after requiring surgery to heal the problem.
And Morrison – who was substituted after just 34 minutes of the clash with the Royals – will also miss the visit of the Tigers due to a muscle problem.
“Morrison will be out, I think he’ll miss a few games, with an adductor problem around the groin area,” said Warnock.
“It’s not serious, but he’s gone down for oxygen. Over the last few weeks I haven’t really risked anyone if it might damage it long-term.
“Knowing him I know he wants to play but with the Bolton game and the Christmas games we need to give him every opportunity. But I keep saying that and we keep getting more injuries.
“Danny Ward has had an operation so he’ll be out for a few weeks. It’s the side of his knee.
“We don’t know the time limit yet, the surgeon is going to give us an idea soon.”
Bogle was the Bluebirds’ only fit striker for the trip to Reading, although the 24-year-old was taken off in the final stages of the draw due to what Warnock later revealed was cramp.
Like Ward, Scot Craig Bryson also missed the match along with fellow central midfielder Aron Gunnarsson, and Warnock does not expect the duo to be in contention for the game against the Tigers.
“We hope that Bogle comes through, we don’t think he’s pulled anything but he’s done rehabilitation the last couple of days and he’ll probably do something in the morning (on Saturday),” added Warnock.
“It’s at the back of his calf. It could be fatigue and cramp, that’s what we’re hoping rather than a niggle.”