Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Friday, September 9.
Leandro Bacuna trains with Birmingham City
Former Cardiff City and Aston Villa midfielder Leandro Bacuna is training with the latter's arch rivals Birmingham City.
Bacuna was bombed out of the Bluebirds squad at the turn of the year following a horror challenge against Bournemouth which saw him receive a straight red card. He never played for the club again.
It was unsurprising when he was let go following the expiration of his contract, but he is yet to sign for a new club and we are eight games into the 2022/23 Championship season.
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But Bacuna has been training with his brother Juninho's club, Birmingham City, as he looks to keep his fitness up following a lack of pre-season.
“He has been training,” Blues boss John Eustace said. “He is staying with his brother at the moment so he is unattached. He asked if he could come in and train – no problems. We have done it with Jordon (Ibe) and we did it with Cyrus (Christie), I know them well. When Bacs asked me if his brother could come in and train - ‘Yeah, that’s absolutely fine’.”
Asked if there was any prospect of a deal, the head coach said: “Not that I am aware of. We will see on that. He certainly isn’t coming in on trial or anything, he has come in to get fit and keep his fitness up. So that’s where we’re at.”
Sol Bamba still training with Bristol City
Cardiff hero Sol Bamba is still training with Severnside rivals Bristol City, however no decision has yet been made over whether the Ivorian will sign a contract with the club.
Robins boss Nigel Pearson confirmed Bamba was still the club, adding: “It’s to help Sol get fit, that is why he is here. He’s thankful to be able to come in and train.
“He’s a very positive person to have around the place. I don’t have any issues. I have already spoken about trying to help people in the game who need a bit of a leg up. It is really what it is.”
When asked about signing free agents, Pearson downplayed the prospect, saying: "I will bring players in if they make us better.
“I know we don’t have a lot of numbers but what is the point of bringing players in who aren’t going to affect the quality of the team?
“There is no point for me. There may be players out there, the fact that they are still out there will suggest that there are reasons why deals aren’t done.
“I think you’re aware of what most important is and that is financial implications for the football club.
“Everybody is finding the climate to operate in very different, there are Premier League clubs who are having problems.
“It’s all relative to your own circumstances, we will endeavour to build our squad and develop at the rate we can. That doesn’t mean we don’t discuss it internally that there are discussions we don’t all agree on but that is healthy.”
Games called off
Cardiff City's game against Hull City this weekend has been called off, along with every other game in the EFL and Premier League this weekend.
The EFL announced today that every match will be called off as a "mark of respect" to the Queen, who yesterday passed away at the age of 96.
In a statement on Cardiff's website, the club said: "Further to discussions on Friday morning it has been determined that all EFL fixtures from 9-10 September will be postponed as a mark of respect by the National Sport to the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
"This is aligned with the approach that the Premier League and the FA will take with their competitions this weekend.
"Further information, in respect of how football, Clubs and their supporters will commemorate Her Majesty’s reign will be confirmed at an appropriate point. Details regarding rearranged games will be announced in due course."
Regarding tickets, the club said: "Tickets for our clash with Hull City, new date TBC, will remain valid for the rearranged fixture. Alternatively, there is also an option to change to another fixture.
"If you wish to obtain a refund, contact either the Ticket Office, or for Hospitality tickets, the Corporate Team."
It is expected that Tuesday's game against Middlesbrough will go ahead as things stand.
Cardiff under-18s' PDL fixture with Sheffield Wednesday, also due to take place tomorrow, has also been cancelled. The Genero Adran Leagues have confirmed this weekend's fixtures are also postponed, too, so Cardiff City Women's clash with Cardiff Met WFC will be rearranged.
Bluebirds CEO Ken Choo issues statement on Queen
Cardiff City CEO Ken Choo has offered his condolences to the Royal Family following the passing of the Queen.
In a statement on the club's website, Choo said: "On behalf of Cardiff City Football Club and its Board of Directors, I’d like to offer my most sincere condolences to the Royal Family at this time of great sadness.
"Her Majesty’s passing signifies a moment of great change in world history, with her loss felt not only in the United Kingdom, but in the realms and across the Commonwealth, including my home country of Malaysia. She was a woman dedicated to a life of service; friendly, warm, patron to more than 600 charities and of course a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
"At this time of significant change and reflection, we respectfully stand with all those mourning, including our friends and colleagues in the world of football."
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