Harris injury could be a worry for City

NEIL Warnock feels his Cardiff City squad is still somewhat light as Kadeem Harris handed the Bluebirds an injury scare during their pre-season win over Livingston.

The winger replaced Junior Hoilett at half-time in the 4-0 win at Cardiff City Stadium but was forced off with an ankle problem just 14 minutes later.

Warnock doesn’t fear the winger’s problem is too serious, but admitted that Harris’ injury was undoubtedly the low-point of what proved to be a very useful workout for the Bluebirds.

“The disappointment was the little injury to Kadeem on the same ankle,” said Warnock.

“He took about five or six days (to recover) last time but obviously we don’t want to lose somebody that can give us another string to our bow.

“He’s been really fresh in pre-season so that’s the one disappointment of tonight.

“Of all the things, he actually trod on the ball. It’s sod’s law really, with the same ankle.”

Greg Halford started the match at right-back as Jazz Richards was named on the bench – with Warnock admitting he didn’t want the Wales international to start due to a slight muscle issue – while Lee Peltier was omitted from the squad altogether.

Another defender Matthew Connolly was also absent for the clash against the Scottish club.

And after the game, Warnock revealed midfielder Loic Damour was unavailable to face David Hopkin’s side, despite being named among the substitutes for the clash with the Scottish Championship outfit.

“We had Loic missing injury,” added Warnock.

“He couldn’t have come on even though he was sat with us. When Gunnarsson went down, we didn’t have options on the bench really other than Greg Halford who was playing rightback at the time.

“We’re just a little bit short on cover in that area so we’ll have to look into that.

“He’s hurt his ankle (Connolly). He’s getting better, but we’re progressing with him slowly.

“His Achilles was a bit sore so it’s just got to calm down which it has with an done, so we’ve got to tread carefully really.

“We don’t want to rush anybody back when they could be out longer. We need everybody available.

“I think he (Manga) was comfortable at right-back. I said, ‘don’t worry, I know there’s a winger running at you’ but I thought he coped with that very well. We haven’t got much options at the back really.

“Jazz has had a bit of, not a muscle pull, but a tightness so I didn’t really want to put him on and when I put him on I wanted him to go in-front really.

“The other two centre-halves needed a game so I didn’t want to take them off.

“I thought we were a little bit thin again on the bench.”