These are your Cardiff City headlines on Thursday, February 3.
Wells 'disappointed' Cardiff move broke down
Bristol City striker Nahki Wells has revealed he was "disappointed" that a deadline-day move to Cardiff City fell through.
The Bluebirds were in for a forward to replace Kieffer Moore and enquired about both Wells at Ashton Gate and Sam Surridge at Stoke City.
They ended up signing Uche Ikpeazu, who scored on debut against Barnsley on Wednesday night, but things could have been very different if the Robins had allowed Wells to leave. Instead, the West Country club were demanding a permanent transfer, something Cardiff would not entertain.
“At first, I wasn’t too keen on trying to leave [the club]. I was focused on playing hard going into the [transfer] window," Wells told Bernews.
“However, circumstances didn’t allow me to come on in games, so, naturally, it was disappointing. There were a lot of injuries and first-half substitutions, which impacted my minutes.
“It did push me to a place where I thought, ‘If I can go out [on loan] and play, I’ll do it. It didn’t transpire. The club had other thoughts, and I accepted that.
“We’re footballers at heart, and we’re at our happiest when we’re playing and doing well. I entertained it, and the club knew my wishes respectfully, but nothing came of it because of their approach to not wanting to lose me and because they would need to replace me. I’ll just get my head down and keep working hard.”
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The next day, Wells turned out for Bristol City's under-23s against Cardiff in the dramatic 3-3 draw, a game in which he scored two goals for the Robins.
And the 31-year-old sees the irony, claiming that 24 hours before he could quite easily have been a Cardiff player.
“I’m a professional, and I conduct myself properly,” he added. “That’s why I put myself forward for the U23 game, to get some minutes under my belt and show the manager my approach.
“It was a good performance. I scored some goals and felt good fitness-wise.
“The irony is, it was against Cardiff, and I thought I could have been a Cardiff player hours before that.
“Physically, I’m still in my peak, and I genuinely feel like I’m in my prime. I don’t think I’ve lost anything; everything is still there.”
On his future as a whole, Wells said: “I know how the game goes; if things don’t work out, we’ll reassess things in the summer.
“There’s a lot of football left in me, and I have so much more to offer. I’m a proven Championship striker, and if I’m playing in the right set-up, I think I’ll thrive.”
Tackle on Alfie Doughty 'a disgrace'
Steve Morison has branded Mads Andersen's tackle on Alfie Doughty "a disgrace".
The Barnsley captain flew into a challenge on City new-boy Doughty on Wednesday night and the pictures were not pretty in the aftermath.
Morison said after the game that it was one of the many reasons the post-match melee took place as tensions heightened from that tackle onwards.
"The big disappointment is that we could have possibly lost Sean (Morrison) and Alfie for a sustained period," Morison said.
"That will be tough for us to take because Sean’s is unavoidable, but the Alfie one is, well, if it happens on Sunday, he’s sent off.
"It’s a disgrace of a tackle. It is what it is, but it could affect us long-term."
The early prognosis does not look good for the left wing-back, either.
"Alfie was having a scan at one but looking at the picture of it, it’s not pretty," Morison added.
"Touch wood, but I'm not holding out much hope."
Colwill: I understand the pressure but want to play
Rubin Colwill has said he understands the club are trying to ease the burden on academy graduates but insists he wants to play week in, week out.
The Wales youngster has seen his career shoot through the roof over the last year, but has just been taken out of the firing line in recent weeks.
Morison has omitted the playmaker from the last three matchday squads, two of which Cardiff have won. Tommy Doyle has come in and stamped his mark on that No.10 role, too, which hasn't helped Colwill's cause.
But Morison has wanted to add some more experience to take the weight off these youngsters' shoulders. And while Colwill understands that, he is desperate to play.
"I want to play every game like everyone else," Colwill told Sgorio.
"But it is a difficult time for the club to put all the pressure on young players like me, so it is tough.
"I can see what he says, but everyone wants to play!"
He will hope that his opportunity comes this weekend.
Morison has alluded to wanting to play some of the younger players this weekend, plus with a number of first-team stars cup tied, it looks likely he will get his shot in some capacity at Anfield.
And he is taking inspiration from the cup-winning 1927 side, hoping that if they can get over the small speed bump of Liverpool this Sunday lunchtime, then they can go all the way.
"Growing up in the club, we were always hearing that we had won the Cup in 1927, so it's a bit surreal really to be playing in the FA Cup," he added.
"And if we can win this game, hopefully we can win the whole thing.
"I'm not promising anything, but with a bit of luck, maybe!"
Murphy back in training
Josh Murphy is making tentative steps back to fitness, Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe has revealed.
Murphy, who is on loan at Deepdale from Cardiff, suffered ankle ligament damage at the end of October, requiring him to wear a protective boot.
He suffered a setback to his rehab in January but, Lowe said, the winger is back on the training ground.
“Josh Murphy is out on the grass now and we are hoping to get a bit of ball work in to him next week," Lowe said.
"So, he’s going well at the moment.”
Murphy's contract at Cardiff City Stadium expires at the end of the current season.
He has played just seven Championship matches this season, coming off the bench in all of them.
Cardiff team up with Robson-Kanu
Wales striker Hal Robson-Kanu has teamed up with the Bluebirds with his company becoming nutritional partners of Cardiff City.
Former West Brom striker Robson-Kanu founded The Turmeric Co., who supply turmeric-based shots which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and energising properties, a drink which hopes to improve athletes' performance and aid their health.
Players from Everton, Celtic, Leicester Tigers and Sal Sharks rugby as well as British Gymnastics gymnasts have used the company.
Now, though, they have become official partners with the Bluebirds and head of fitness Carl Serrant has spoken about the partnership.
“We are delighted to link up with The Turmeric Co. as a specialist nutrition partner for the club," Serrant said.
The Turmeric Co.’s range of naturally sourced shots have excellent anti-inflammatory properties and will undoubtedly aid with recovery. Since introducing them earlier this season, the shots have become a great addition to our performance nutrition provision.”
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