By Gareth James
Aaron Ramsey is on the mend and has taken his first steps back into football after picking up a knee injury in training after the south Wales derby win against Swansea City way back in September.
Aaron Ramsey is back in training for the Bluebirds, taking part in light training at Cardiff City’s Vale training base ⚽
But boss Erol Bulut hasn't set a date for Rambo's return yet ❌#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/fd0aqTJZ7g
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) January 18, 2024
Having already suffered one set-back on his road to recovery, which has meant he has so far missed four months of football and 23 games in all competitions for Cardiff City, the Wales skipper is now hopeful of returning in time for the Euro Championship play-off game against Finland in March.
“Aaron trained with us for the first time today. It was only the first part, not total training, and we have to go step by step,” said City boss Erol Bulut.
“We will see how he is and then next week he will be more involved in sessions. Next week we can speak much, much better about when he will come back.
“When he is back, his team-mates are happy, we are happy to see him back. We will be even happier if Callum O’Dowda comes back so we can have our offensive players back and have a full squad.
“In that position we have issues. We have illness, sickness and injuries and we are having to find players to play in those positions.
“We only have 15 fit players for the game against Plymouth at the weekend. Joe Ralls will miss the next two games and we have to see if Rubin Colwill is fit to play after picking up a knee injury against Leeds.”
Cymru Captain Aaron Ramsey is back in training with Cardiff after missing four months due to injury.
Welcome back Rambo 🏴 ♥ pic.twitter.com/a02S4yzVHE
— Red Wall News 🏴 (@RedWallNews1) January 18, 2024
Bulut has at least turned the Bluebirds into a far more competitive side this season after they finished just one place outside the play-off zone last season and has been hoping for backing from his board to bring in much needed recruits in the January transfer window.
But having said he hoped to announce two signings in the first week of the window, he is still waiting to welcome any new faces.
1,700 #Bluebirds will be travelling to Plymouth this weekend! 💙
A reminder that away tickets for this fixture have sold out. ❌
Find travel, parking and tourist tips in our Away Days Guide ⬇️#CityAsOnehttps://t.co/ftu5MMTICB
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) January 18, 2024
“We’ve seen two players leave – Jonathan Panzo and Ike Ugbo – and nobody has come in as yet. We need five or six players to help us push for the play-offs,” added Bulut.
“It is possible we won’t have any transfers. I am hoping, but from today I will start praying.”
Erol Bulut makes Cardiff City transfer plea as he reveals he has only 15 players for Plymouth Argyle trip https://t.co/hYvmVVUBdF pic.twitter.com/3AsYzlpXNf
— Cardiff City Online (@CardiffCityLive) January 18, 2024