El Ghazi, Siopis, Davies - full Cardiff City injury bulletin ahead of Swansea City clash
The latest fitness update ahead of the Bluebirds' clash with Swansea
Cardiff City take on Swansea City this weekend in the second South Wales derby of the season.
The Bluebirds levelled the game in Swansea at the start of the season courtesy of a Callum Robinson strike, with the forward set to return this weekend after a three-match suspension.
Here, we run through the latest injury update from Omer Riza ahead of the clash this weekend.
Anwar El Ghazi
Anwar El Ghazi is back in training after injury and illness, however this weekend might come too soon for the winger.
It's been an in-and-out season for the Netherlands international, who took time to get up and running before making his Bluebirds debut in the reverse fixture in Swansea.
El Ghazi has not played since a 21-minute cameo at Oxford United on Boxing Day and has been out of the squad for the last four matches in all competitions.
Speaking about the player, Riza said: "Before he was ill, he had a slight knock with his hip.
"His illness knocked him, a bit of weight loss. He’s training, back in with the group. It might be a bit too early for him but he’s trained today."
Manolis Siopis
Manolis Siopis missed the midweek draw with Watford owing to illness, but looks set to play a part this weekend.
The Greek midfielder had grown into that role in the middle of the park in recent weeks and turned out some of his best performances in a Bluebirds shirt.
And in a welcome bulletin for City supporters, Riza revealed he will be in contention this weekend. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
“Sio was unwell so we couldn’t have him in the squad," he said. "He’s trained today so he’ll be up for selection."
Isaak Davies
Isaak Davies is nearing a return to action and is set for an outing for the under-21s soon.
The absence of Davies has been a big blow for the Bluebirds this season, with his raw pace sorely missed since he suffered a hamstring injury on the club's pre-season tour of Austria.
But he is looking close to getting back out on the pitch, with Riza saying: "Isaak’s training well, looking sharp.
"He needs to complete more training sessions and minutes with the under-21s before we can unleash him. Hopefully next couple of games he could get some minutes.”
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Roko Simic
Roko Simic is being eased back following his loan recall from KV Kortrijk.
The Croatian forward played just four times for the Belgian club before suffering an injury prior to his loan recall in the Welsh capital.
And Riza explained that the striker has been dipping in and out of training with the frantic schedule that the first team has been subjected to in recent weeks.
“Roko trains," he said. "He trains with the under-21s and us, if we’ve got a certain number we’ve got train with.
"I haven’t been able to cast a proper eye over him because with games the training sessions we’ve got are few and far between.”