Cardiff City boss confirms major injury blow ahead of Leeds United clash as update given on six players
Leeds United’s weekend hosts have a number of fitness issues to contend with.
Cardiff City will be without Aaron Ramsey for the visit of Leeds United this weekend, with the talismanic midfielder suffering a hamstring injury while on international duty with Wales.
Ramsey missed last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Derby County after coming off during his country’s Nations League win over Montenegro, although the severity of his injury was not known at the time. The 33-year-old had played 90 minutes in all four games before that break and wore the armband in Joe Ralls’ absence.
Cardiff are still on the hunt for their first Championship win of the season and after scoring just once in five league games, would love to have called on Ramsey. But speaking in his Thursday press conference, head coach Erol Bulut confirmed he will be without the Welshman.
Asked whether Ramsey will be available for the weekend, Bulut told Wales Online: “No. An injury which will take a few weeks. He will have a scan in two weeks. It could be eight to 10 weeks."
Cardiff already have a long list of fitness issues and lost attacking pair Isaak Davies and Kion Etete before a ball had been kicked. Summer signings Callum Robinson and Jesper Daland have also been sidelined in recent weeks and all four are expected to remain out for the game against Leeds.
“[Etete] started running but not where he can start with us,” Bulut explained. “Isaak is progressing well, so he starts running next week. [Robinson] will not be available because of a groin problem. He had a groin problem in the last training session before Derby.
“We were planning for him to start. He sprinted and felt something. [Daland] is doing really well. The boot is off. From next week, after Hull, he could start training with us."
One positive for Cardiff came with news that left-back Jamilu Collins will be available for the first time this season, having picked up an injury in the summer. “He’s trained with us all week so he’s available,” Bulut added.
Leeds also have a number of issues to contend with, albeit most seem minor. Joe Rodon (muscular), Junior Firpo (knee), Joe Rothwell (ankle) and Manor Solomon (back) are all doubts for the weekend, albeit Farke hopes all can be okay with the ‘biggest question mark’ hanging over Solomon. Dan James remains out with a hamstring injury.