It’s no-go for Joe, but Cardiff ponder adding to squad
NEIL Warnock has dismissed claims that Joe Ledley is bound for a return to Cardiff City, but did not rule out the possibility of signing other free agents in the coming weeks.
The Bluebirds have been knocked sideways by a number of injuries to key players in the early weeks of the season, the most recent of which was a hamstring tear which is set to sideline Marlon Pack for a couple of months.
And, on the surface at least, it appears Ledley, who has been out of action since terminating his contract at Derby last season, would fit the bill to prop up the numbers in midfield.
The former Celtic and Crystal Palace midfielder has been training with Cypriot club Pafos FC in a bid to maintain his fitness levels. However rumours emerged on social media on Thursday night claiming the
Wales international is nearing a return to his hometown club.
The Bluebirds boss, however, offered a conclusive response to those reports.
“I think Joe has been mentioned a few times over the last couple of years,” Warnock said. “I think Joe is a super guy, really did well for me at Crystal Palace, but I’ve not made any enquiries for Joe at the minute.”
Given the club’s injury crisis, Warnock did leave the door ajar to recruiting free agents in the near future, but he wants to see how the next few fixtures pan out first before he takes stock.
“I think we are going to have to see,” he added. “Because we’ve got not just Blackburn, but Fulham, who are probably the best team in the league. So two tough games.
“I think then we’ve got the two weeks’ break. We’ve got to just see, wait up another couple of games really.”
Meanwhile, Ledley’s Adam Matthews is training with Championship new boys Charlton Athletic.
The 27-year old has been without a club since being released by Sunderland earlier this summer, having suffered back-to-back relegations with the Black Cats.
Speaking ahead of the visit of Brentford, Addicks boss Lee Bowyer today announced Matthews was training with the club alongside Tyrone Mears.
He said: “Adam was at Sunderland last year, he’s a Welsh international. He’s 27 a bit younger than Tyrone, but they are two good players who are trying to compete for the same position.”