RUSSELL: WE'RE READY FOR SATURDAY

Club News

As the Bluebirds return to Cardiff City Stadium after the international break, Russell Slade spoke to the assembled Press and Media, looking ahead to the visit of Huddersfield Town.


Firstly, he gave a fitness update on his internationals as several players, including David Marshall, Bruno Manga and Aron Gunnarsson, retuned to South Wales this week.

“I’m happy everybody’s back,” began the manager. “It’s good to see everyone in the camp again, although Marshy, Bruno and Aron have only had their first training session with the whole group on Thursday.

“It can be a bit disjointed when players go away, but I’m happy with how it’s gone, and we’ll have a twenty-man squad that is strong for Saturday’s match.”

With the transfer window now closed, Russell next revealed his satisfaction with the Bluebirds’ business over the summer months, and with the squad which he now has at his disposal.

“It wasn’t just about bringing players in,” he explained. “It was just as important to retain the players that we wanted to keep in the squad.

“There was interest in several of our players – and rightly so considering the start which we’ve had. But I’m happy with our group. Everyone knows their own job and that of those around them. We are in a very good place.

“Idriss Saadi is progressing really well too. We’re following our stringent protocol to ensure that he’s fully recovered, but we expect him to be out on the grass within a couple of weeks.”

Finally, Russell set his sights on Chris Powell’s Terriers, who visit CCS looking for their first win of the campaign.

“They’re a dangerous team to be playing tomorrow,” warned Slade. “As they’ll be looking to end that run soon. They’ve not scored or conceded many, so we think it will be a tight game.

“It’s a very important game for us, as the first one back after the international break. It’s one that we feel we want to be winning, but we know that it will be tough.

“We’ve had two home games so far and we want our form here to be strong. We’ll be looking to put in another resolute performance and get another positive result.”