Here's your round-up of all the latest Cardiff City headlines for Thursday, October 13.
Door still open for Watters
Cardiff City interim boss Mark Hudson insists out-of-favour striker Max Watters remains in his thinking over the coming weeks, despite the return of Kion Etete to full fitness.
Watters was a regular starter during the opening few weeks of the season, but the arrivals of Callum Robinson and Etete have seen him slip down the pecking order.
The former Crawley striker hasn't been included in Hudson's last two matchday squads, with his only run out under the interim boss coming in the 1-1 draw at home to Burnley.
But with question marks still surrounding the fitness of Callum Robinson ahead of this weekend's clash with Coventry City, Hudson insists Watters is still part of the first team conversation.
"I think everyone’s in our plans," he said. "You look at what the team are achieving. They have to showcase themselves every single day. That’s what the standards are and you’ve got to want to be on the pitch.
"That’s all you can ask. It’s not just one player it’s every player. That’s the importance of the squad."
Hudson keeping close eye on young Bluebirds
Mark Hudson says he's keen to ensure there is still a pathway to the first team for Cardiff City's brightest young stars, after watching the club's under-21s claim a thrilling win over Swansea City in the 'mini' South Wales derby this week.
Jack Leahy was the hero for Darren Purse's side at Leckwith, netting the decisive goal in a 4-3 win.
Despite a certain degree of uncertainty around his position, Hudson insists the pathway from the academy to the Cardiff first team remains open.
"I watched it all," Hudson said when quizzed on the derby day win. "I thought it was full-blooded. Lots of eventful parts to the game. For Pursey and the boys to get a win that’s good for them. Just watching individual performances within that is something that we do. We’re really invested in the youth coming through. We had a couple of our boys playing in that as well."
Asked specifically on whether some of the youngsters had given him something to think about over the coming weeks, Hudson added: "We’re looking at how they’re performing. We watch the training. We speak with Pursey [Darren Purse] regularly.
"We have detailed conversations on the players. We’re heavily invested in what’s going on in our academy so we know that’s important. We know there’s a pathway for young players at our football club and that’s something we’re keen on."
Ng thrilled by season so far
Perry Ng says he's willing to play anywhere if it means he can help the cause and drive Cardiff City up the table.
The former Crewe star has been a mainstay in Cardiff's first XI this season, playing a vast majority of games at centre-back, and admits he's currently enjoying his football.
“I’m loving it," he said when asked how he's finding the season. "I’ve played every game I’ve been available for so far.
“The way we’re playing, I’m really enjoying it. We’ve had a lot of clean sheets so far too.
“I think I do prefer centre half. As long as I’m playing though, I’m not too bothered. I’ve always been versatile.
“I think that’s why, when I was younger, I probably got a look ahead of some of the other lads I was playing with. I wasn’t the greatest player back then, but because I was versatile, I got more opportunities because I could play anywhere on the pitch.
“It is something I’ve had throughout my career. I’m not the strongest or biggest, but instead I have to use my brain and use my heart."
Eight players called up for Wales u17s
Cardiff City are heavily represented in the latest Wales under-17s squad, with around 40 per cent of the latest squad coming from the Bluebirds academy.
Alyas Debono, Cody Twose, Dakarai Mafico, Dylan Lawlor, Gabriele Biancheri, Luey Giles, Luke Armstrong & Troy Perrett have all been called up to the 20-man squad for the upcoming European Under-17 Championship qualifiers against Croatia, Sweden & Albania.
It's another feather in the cap for Cardiff's academy, with head of academy coaching Dane Facey, lavishing praise on each of the club's young talents.
He said: “It’s a great achievement for those players selected to have the opportunity to represent their country in some highly challenging fixtures as part of these UEFA qualifiers.
"As an Academy, we are proud to see our young players testing themselves against some of the best players in Europe, and we’re excited to see how these opportunities will challenge and test their learning.”
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