Your Cardiff City headlines for Wednesday, March 1.
Bologna keen on Cardiff target
Bologna have joined the race to sign Motherwell’s Max Johnstone, a player Cardiff City have had their eye on.
Cardiff scout Alex Stafford was in attendance at Motherwell's clash with Hearts last week to cast his eye over the right-back, who can also play in midfield.
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It's claimed City are among a number of clubs to have shown an interest recently, with Championship rivals Sheffield United, Luton Town and Preston all believed to be tracking the Scotland youth international along with Premier League side Brighton.
The 19-year-old is heading into the final four months of his deal in North Lanarkshire, and has emerged as a key player for Motherwell since returning from his loan at Cove Rangers.
And it appears if City are serious about him, then they could have to fight off a pitch from Bologna, according to the Daily Record, as well as many of their rivals in this country this summer.
Reading could be dragged into scrap with points deduction
Reading could be dragged into the relegation battle with Cardiff City with reports claiming they could be deducted six points before the end of the season.
The Royals are currently sitting comfortably in 14th place in the Championship, 13 points clear of the relegation zone. However, the Daily Mail claim they could have points taken away amid concerns they have failed to comply with an EFL business plan.
The Berkshire club had a six-point deduction for breaching financial rules last season, however, they had a six-point deduction suspended until the end of this season.
And that, it is claimed, is on the verge of being triggered with the club reportedly having failed to cut their spending in accordance with the agreed plan.
It is, however, yet to be seen whether the deduction is to be handed down this season, with the disciplinary process yet to begin.
Cardiff, though, who beat Reading in their last home game, would no doubt welcome another team being embroiled in the relegation battle. If the deduction was sanctioned now, the Royals would be just three points above Cardiff, level with Birmingham City in 19th.
Loan players in action
Both Kieron Evans and Ollie Tanner were in action for their loan clubs on Tuesday night.
Evans was one of the stars for Torquay United in their clash with Bromley, despite coming out on the losing side thanks to a late penalty from Adam Marriott.
Evans was instrumental in Torquay's attack and had a number of attempts saved by the Bromley keeper. After serving a suspension at the weekend, the Welshman's return was a welcome one.
As for Tanner, who also missed York City's weekend match, he made a cameo off the bench in his side's National League defeat by Eastleigh.
The winger, who came on in the 74th minute, had a late chance to level the tie when he latched on to a cross, but saw his effort creep over the cross bar.
Pearson's attention turn to Cardiff after Man City loss
Nigel Pearson's attention has turned to Cardiff City this weekend after his Bristol City side lost 3-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup last night.
Speaking ahead of the Severnside derby on Saturday, Pearson said: "We need to see how good we can be between now and the end of the season. There is potential for us to push for a play-off position but you can't blow hot and cold.
"The Championship is relentless. The threshold for success or lack of a wide margin for error is just not there.
"You've got to be able to perform week-in-week-out and we've done pretty well recently. We can't let a defeat like tonight impact that.
"Our aim for the rest of the season is to finish as strongly as we can. Whether we can get to the play-offs is another thing.
"We've put some distance between us and the bottom sides but everybody knows how difficult the Championship is."
Purse glad to get youngsters back
Darren Purse spoke of his disappointment following yesterday's 2-0 defeat by Charlton Athletic, but expressed his delight at having Cian Ashford and James Crole back from injuries.
Ashford has not had the season he would have hoped for, having been out for five months with injury, but is now back and ready to make his mark at the back end of the campaign.
Crole cut his loan spell at Torquay United short after aggravating an ankle injury, which is a disappointment for him personally, but having the young striker, who has certainly shown where the back of the net is, available will please Purse to no end.
"I'm gutted for the boys, because I think that the work-rate that they put in, and some of the individual performances we had made it that we played really well," Purse said after the defeat.
"In the second half we let them back into the game a little bit, and didn't start it as well as we could've done. Other than putting the ball in the back of the net, we played really well.
"I'm disappointed with the result, but the performance was really good. It was nice to get some of the lads back from injuries, so getting some more strength in depth to the U21 squad is a big positive.
"It's a learning curve for us, and I don't think we started the second half in the same way that we did the first, but again, it was a good performance overall and we deserved something from the game."
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