Welsh interest in the current international window has ended thanks to Rob Page’s team’s performance in Riga, when they defeated Latvia 2-0 to maintain their chances of securing automatic qualification for Euro 2024.
Many people’s focus has now returned to domestic issues and what many will view as one of the season’s most important games this weekend.
There are many things on the line for both teams, including the crucial bragging rights, in Saturday night’s first South Wales derby of the season between Cardiff City and Swansea City at the Cardiff City Stadium.#
Over the next several days, both camps’ preparations are going to pick up, and we’ll probably have a better idea of how the two sides are developing. However, before the big one, there are a couple lines that you might want to see.
The Wales captain Aaron Ramsey will undoubtedly be the key area of concern for the hosts, who are trying to avoid suffering their fifth straight loss in this game.
The midfielder was taken off early in the second half of Monday night’s victory over Latvia, raising some questions about his likely fitness for the Swans’ visit. But concerns about his fitness have already been downplayed.
Page said when questioned about the injury: “We don’t know exactly [what it is]. If I’m being completely honest with you, I wouldn’t be too worried that he ran off the field.
It is merely a precaution, said Ramsey. I won’t have any problems during the weekend, but I didn’t want to take any chances.
But dynamic wideman Callum O’Dowda appears to be one player the Bluebirds will be without.
The Irishman missed the weekend’s loss to Ipswich Town due to a tendon problem, and he may not play against the Swans either.
“Callum O’Dowda’s tendon is hurting,” Before the international break, Cardiff manager Erol Bulut said, “I initially believed it would be a few days, but it seems like two to three weeks. There is better news on Nottingham Forest loanee Josh Bowler, who has been out with a calf injury.
Josh Bowler will be joining us after the international break, I saw him on the field today.
Finally, it’s uncertain if Callum Robinson will take part. The forward, who was dismissed in this matchup a little over a year ago, has been dealing with a back issue lately and has thus far been out from four of his team’s previous five games.
After the Carabao Cup victory over Birmingham City, Bulut said that Callum had an ailment that had its origins in Portugal. “He had back muscle issues, so sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s not. I’m hoping he will return soon because he doesn’t feel comfortable right now.
With the exception of Liam Walsh and Nathaniel Ogbeta, who have been long-term absentees, Michael Duff has the luxury of selecting from a nearly full squad for Swansea.
Before the Swans’ loss to Bristol City last Saturday, the manager said, “Everyone came through the other night, we had a couple of knocks, and everyone should be fine for the weekend.”
Walshy is working out on the grass, but he hasn’t done any contact work and really needs a preseason, so it will be a while.
Although Duff might not have any new injury concerns, there will probably still be some important decisions to be made before Saturday’s match.
Bashir Humphreys, Kristian Pedersen, Josh Tymon, and Jamal Lowe, the club’s four deadline day signings, weren’t in place in time to take part in the team’s defeat to the Robins last time out, but they are all still eligible for the journey to the capital.
Lowe is well-versed in this matchup, having scored a fantastic brace against the Bluebirds during his first season with the Swans, but starting any of the other three on derby day might potentially be a risk.
Swansea, who haven’t been able to get going in the Championship this year, will need to make some changes.
Duff responded when questioned about the quartet’s potential involvement, “They’re all fit. “We will have to assess how fit they are. Within the coming week, we’ll have a general idea. Josh played on Saturday and Tuesday for 90 minutes each. Tuesday saw Bashir play for 90 minutes. In the preseason, Jamal and Kristian have been active players. Jamal isn’t really active, but we’ll
