Aaron Ramsey to make Cardiff City return after five months as duo ruled out of Stoke City clash

The Bluebirds boss spoke ahead of the FA Cup clash with Stoke City this weekend

Aaron Ramsey is available for Cardiff City's first team for the first time since September, with the Wales captain up for selection for this weekend's FA Cup clash with Stoke City.

The Bluebirds travel to the Potteries this weekend in the hope of progressing to the fifth round of the storied competition, with the fellow Championship outfit standing in their way.

And Omer Riza will have Ramsey to call upon for the first time since he took charge of the club in what is a boost not only for their FA Cup chances, but also the crucial league run-in in the coming months.

The former Arsenal and Juventus man has been out since picking up a hamstring injury on Wales duty back in the September camp, but looks set to add to his four Bluebirds appearances this season to date. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.

"He is in a good place, happy, smiling and training regularly with the group," Riza said of the 34-year-old. "He is up for selection like any other player. He could be involved on Saturday.

"We will manage Rambo accordingly. He is a senior player, just like with all our senior players, we will manage them hand rest them when we need to. Every player is really important to us in this second part of the season.

"He has got all the experience in the world, played at the highest level in the game. He has just had really bad luck with injuries, not being able to sustain long periods of playing. Hopefully he will get over that and be able to play.

"But we will have to manage him, the medical and coaching staff, Rambo, we are all in discussions all the time regarding it all."

Cardiff have brought in Will Alves on loan from Leicester City, however Ollie Tanner and Yakou Meite will miss this weekend. Tanner has been missing since the South Wales derby win with a foot injury and on Thursday posted a photo of himself in a protective boot. Meite, meanwhile, missed the trip to Leeds last weekend.

“We’ve had him in a boot as a precaution," Riza said of Tanner. "He’s had scans and stuff. Hopefully we’ll know the outcome [soon]. He’s injured at the moment and we’ll see how long he’ll be out in the future. We’re not quite sure at the moment.

“[Meite] has picked up a slight strain in his thigh. It isn’t too bad hopefully. He should be alright for next week hopefully.”

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Isaak Davies is closing in on a return, too, with the winger set to play for the under-21s before making a first-team return.