Vassell out for season, says Harris

NEIL Harris has delivered a full injury bulletin ahead of Cardiff City’s clash with Barnsley this weekend.

The Bluebirds head to Yorkshire with one eye still fixed on the Championship’s top six, with 10 games of the season still to play.

Harris’ side currently sit 11th, five points off the play-off spots as the campaign enters the business end. The Bluebirds haven’t been helped by injury concerns, though, with Nathaniel MendezLaing, Lee Tomlin and Issac Vassell all out.

The latter pulled up lame for the under-23s on his comeback from injury earlier this week, with Harris revealing the striker’s emotions. He said: “Obviously Isaac Vassell is one we’ve had really bad luck with.

“It was a real shame to see him come off as he did. It was a different quad to what he had before so there was no recurrence of the old injury, just really bad luck. He’s had a scan and he won’t play again this season.

“Our hope for him is that he’s like a new signing in the summer. I hope he gets the fortune his character deserves.”

Harris also provided an update on Jazz Richards, as well as Greg Cunningham and Mendez-Laing, adding: “Jazz has been back on the training pitch so will be a possibility to include this weekend.

“A special mention to see Greg Cunningham back on the training pitch and Nathaniel MendezLaing just out jogging. It’s great to see them back out doing what they love with their team-mates and it’s nice to see them back.”

Harris was keen to stress that supporters are unlikely to see Cunningham play again this term, although he was more upbeat about Mendez-Laing.

He said: “Cunningham, no he can’t [play this season]. There’s an outside chance [for Mendez-Laing] but there’s no pressure from outside of the group to have him back soon, you can’t rush hamstring injuries as we know. Tomlin is improving and he’s had an injection into his knee which will help his healing process, he’s on the track day by day.”