Cardiff City manager Neil Harris believes it will be like getting a new signing when Arsenal loanee Jordi Osei-Tutu returns from injury.
The 22-year-old full-back, on a season-long loan from the Gunners, has been sidelined with a hamstring issue but could well step up training this week, and may even play some part in the FA Cup clash with Nottingham Forest on January 9.
In a triple-pronged injury update, Cardiff boss Harris said: “Jordi is doing parts of training at the moment, the very start of the warm-up, possession, passing drills, but then has to continue his rehab with the sports scientists.
“We’re hoping to have him back in to train at some stage [this] week.
“We’re thinking a chance for the FA Cup game for him to get some minutes, from the start or off the bench.”
That third round cup fixture will probably come too soon for Wales and Cardiff goal-scorer Kieffer Moore, though, who is recovering from tearing his hamstring.
Harris said of the talisman: “FA Cup would probably be too soon, but we’re hoping after that so maybe the middle of January to be back within the group, whether that’s straight back into the team or back into the training group and more likely the end of January.
As for Bluebirds playmaker Lee Tomlin, who underwent groin surgery in November, his return is further forward in the diary.
Harris added: “Lee Tomlin, we’re looking at February, but to be back on the grass with the players probably the end of January.”
Speaking after the 3-2 Boxing Day defeat to Brentford – in which, according to Harris, the Bluebirds “threw three goals into our own net in the space of 20 minutes” – the Cardiff boss reiterated his wish to get injured players back sooner rather than later.
“Missing our Player of the Year from last year, our top scorer from this year, and the only recognised right-back at the club – they are three very important players for us. Every squad member is really important, we want them back as soon as possible.
“We have some good ability within our squad, but we need everybody fit. We then need them firing, and to cut out the individual errors.
“We showed real aggression in the first 50 minutes [against Brentford], to affect the game and play on the front foot, and that’s how we have to play.”
When Harris has a fit and firing squad to select from, it is hoped it will add to the desire to perform with more consistency – and will free up players who have been plugging gaps outside their best position.
Despite an off day against Brentford, Leandro Bacuna has been praised for covering at right-back in Jordi’s absence despite being missed in midfield.
Harris said of Bacuna pre-Brentford: “At times, I certainly do [miss him in midfield], only because I see real different attributes in Marlon [Pack], as we know, his passing ability, in Will Vaulks his competitive nature, Joe Ralls is just all-round centre-midfield player in the Championship.
“Leo balances off lovely with everybody else and is really athletic and calm.
“With the amount of games, I’d certainly liked to have had more options there, combinations-wise.
“You look at last Saturday [vs Norwich] – was it a game too far? Was Joe Ralls fit enough, just a game too far for the three of them in there?
“Yes we have missed Leo but it’s been all hands to the pump over the last weeks.”
He admitted that restrictions on budgets and squads meant the club took “a bit of a risk” in having Osei-Tutu as the only right-back.
Harris added: “Leo played there really well at the end of last season but you do miss that balance of them being able to move into midfield if need be.
“Getting Jordi back at the start of January will be absolutely vital to our plans.
“He will be like having a new signing, it will be like having a new player.
“Then we’ll have to adjust after that to whether we think we need cover in that position or not.
“We’ve missed Jordi and we’ve missed the option of Leo Bacuna in the middle of the park at times.”
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