We’re Gunnar have to wait for Aron – boss
ARON Gunnarsson has suffered yet another injury setback ahead of Cardiff City’s Premier League clash with Man City.
The Iceland international is yet to feature for his club this season due to a knee problem, despite Neil Warnock revealing ahead of the 4-1 loss to Chelsea that the midfielder could have featured at Stamford Bridge.
Warnock also admitted he was eager not to rush the 29-year-old back to action to ensure he doesn’t suffer any further issues.
But speaking ahead of the Bluebirds’ clash with Pep Guardiola’s side at Cardiff City Stadium, Warnock revealed that Gunnarsson picked up another knock in training ahead of the visit of the reigning champions.
When asked if the midfielder was edging closer to a return to action, Warnock responded: “No. Aron picked another knock up in midweek.
“A couple of the lads clashed so we’ve got a couple of lads with knocks and we’ll have to wait and see about them.
“I don’t know the extent of them. “We want his (Gunnarsson’s) type of leadership on the pitch, but in all fairness the midfield area is doing really well considering we don’t have too much competition in there.
“There’s two or three lads we’ll have to make decisions on. They have to be 100 per cent to be considered tomorrow.
“If one or two do play we’ll probably have to think about changing things after an hour anyway but circumstances will decide that.”
Man City will be without several players for their trip to the Welsh capital, including Belgium star Kevin De Bruyne who is out of action until November at the earliest.
Guardiola has other concerns surrounding the likes of Benjamin Mendy, but Warnock admits Man City’s strength in depth means it’ll be a tough ask for the Bluebirds on Saturday, regardless of which players are unavailable for the away side.
The visitors go into the game on the back of a 2-1 loss to Lyon in the Champions League.
“He (Pep) will probably go with what finished the (Lyon) game,” said Warnock.
“He rested one or two for Saturday but whoever players, that’s the difference at the top level, we saw it at Chelsea when they brought Willian on.
“It’s a blip. It just showed the standard of the opposition.
“They made a few changes didn’t they. They looked stronger with the regular on in the second half. Lyon played very well too.
“Thanks goodness we only play them twice! It might give them a kick up the backside. I don’t think it helps us.
“It’s very difficult to get a shock against them now. You’ve got to be very lucky with one or two things going for you. I hope we get a handball goal.”
■ Former Bluebirds ace James Collins is hoping to win a contract with Aston Villa after being released by West Ham over the summer.
The 35-year-old centre half is training with the midlands giants after declining a contract offer at Ipswich.
Collins is currently recovering from a hamstring injury.