KIKO: I CAN'T WAIT TO GET GOING

Striker targets selection and performance in the Cup

Cardiff City striker  Kiko Macheda is eager for a chance to impress for the Bluebirds at Port Vale this Tuesday, following a frustrating spell on the side-lines.
 
The former Manchester United man enjoyed a fruitful pre-season, but injury in July hampered his hopes of playing a prominent part in August.
 
“It was frustrating as I started pre-season but then I got injured,” said the Italian international. “I wasn’t able to train with the team for four weeks but now I’m fully fit and I just can’t wait to get on the pitch.

“I had a back problem that I picked up in a pre-season game. But I’ve been back in training for the past ten days now, so I’m good. I just really need to get some game time now.

“This will be my début for Cardiff City so of course I really want to do well for the team. I’m confident in my own ability and I want to show that to the manager from tomorrow onwards.”

The Capital One Cup offers Kiko the perfect opportunity to do just that. But he’s also aware that he and his teammates will have to hit the ground running, both to impress the manager and progress to the next round. He continued: “The manager has made sure that we don’t underestimate the other team and have a right good go from the start. I think that as long as we do that then we’ll be fine.

“We’ve got to be focused on the game though, because they will be keen to show us that they are a good team as well. We have to make sure that we start the game well in order to come back to Cardiff with the right result.

“It is a good competition and if you progress you can face some other great teams. I think it would be exciting for us to go as far as we can in this competition as we would like to get the chance to face some of those big teams ourselves.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjær evidently has a wealth of striking talent at his disposal this year, but Kiko feels that he can bring something extra to complement his attacking colleagues throughout the campaign, saying: “Obviously there’s a lot of competition for forward places but I’m confident that I can earn a place in the starting XI, as that’s what I intended when I came to the club. I’m ready to show from tomorrow that the manager can count on me to play in league matches.

“Everyone has their own style of play. Kenwyne is a big strong lad and Javi, Alfie and Nicky are all small and sharp. I think I’m a different player to them and I can offer something else.”

And finally, with regard to this season’s objectives, Kiko has revealed that a Cardiff City promotion is top of the list, ahead of any personal achievements.
 
“Before coming here, my time at Manchester United was a bit frustrating as it wasn’t that easy to get a chance with the players that were in front of me," he added. “I don’t have anything to prove to anyone though. I just have to prove things to myself as I know what I can do. I just have to make sure that I do it.

“Our goal this season is to go up and that’s what we are working for. We’ve got a lot of new players and we need to establish the new team well. But with the players that we’re got, I’m sure that if we work hard and do things right then we will do well this year.”

Watch Kiko's full interview - plust the thoughts of the Gaffer - on Cardiff City Player, now.