Full-back cover a concern for Harris going into window
NEIL Harris has highlighted the fullback areas as a key department in which he wants to improve Cardiff City’s squad in the January transfer window.
While Harris has repeatedly said he would like to streamline his already bloated Bluebirds squad next month, he believes he is somewhat light at full-back.
Lee Peltier and Joe Bennett have been the mainstays at right and leftback respectively this season, with little to no back-up should either one of them fall foul of injury over this congested winter period.
At right-back, Cameron Coxe has largely been Peltier’s understudy this season, however Jazz Richards made a welcome return to the bench against Barnsley last weekend.
On the other flank, however, Bennett faces no competition for his spot.
While Harris has spoken highly of 18-year-old prospect Joel Bagan, who has impressed for the under-23s and has been training with the first team, he believes it might be too big of a step up to Championship football for him at present.
And with Greg Cunningham both injured and on loan at Blackburn Rovers, Harris believes it is an area in which he might have to invest next month.
“I think we have to look at the fullback areas,” Harris said of his January transfer plans.
“Obviously Jazz came back into the squad in the weekend.
“I have spoken highly of Jazz. My teams in the past have played against Jazz as a right-back and a left-back, so I have seen him in both positions.
“When you have someone who can cover both positions that really is ideal.
However we have to be mindful of Jazz’s injury record in the last two seasons and Jazz has to prove himself day in, day out he can train and play at a continuous standard to be considered regularly for a starting position.
“So full-back areas, left-back probably in particular, is an area we will have one eye on definitely for January.”
The Bluebirds are unbeaten in four games since Harris took over the reins from Neil Warnock and they will be looking to extend that record at Brentford tomorrow night