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Cardiff City news as Rubin Colwill an injury doubt and Burnley star makes Craig Bellamy Bluebirds claim

Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Thursday, September 29.

Hudson: Colwill an injury doubt

Mark Hudson has spoken about the importance of Rubin Colwill within this Cardiff City squad, but revealed he is an injury doubt for the Burnley game at the weekend.

Colwill was used sparingly by previous boss Steve Morison, however the player has struggled with fitness issues in recent months which may have compounded that.

READ MORE: New Cardiff City boss Mark Hudson clarifies managerial situation as he reveals his talks with Vincent Tan

And Hudson believes Cardiff have a real talent on their hands, but says the club have to monitor a niggle he sustained during the international break with Wales over the last week.

"I’m not going to talk about previous (managers). If I talk about Rubin, we know what a talent he is," Hudson said of Colwill.

"He wasn’t involved in the first fixture with Wales, he came on in the second fixture. We know what a talent he is. Between us and Wales there is a link and communication. He has grown so much over the last six months, physically and mentally, there is a lot of pressure on him.

"He has a little niggle at the minute and we will monitor that over the next couple of days. It’s something we will communicate between the club and international setup, between myself and Mr Page. Trying to get the best out of him with a global approach. He has shot up. He has grown up to be a man.

"He excites us and he excites the fans.

"He has got a knock at the moment, we have to look at it over the next few days. He is important to the fans and the international setup.

"He is a good human being and he wants to achieve as much as he can for this club. That’s what he wants and that’s what we want as well."

Wintle: A shame I won't get to work with Morison anymore

Ryan Wintle has spoken of his disappointment over the sacking of Steve Morison, but believes there is no time to dwell on something that has already happened.

Wintle has been one of the players to flourish under Steve Morison, with the former manager even handing him the captain's arm band on a number of occasions.

The midfielder said he sent Morison a message after his sacking and admits it was a shock to the players. But, with games coming thick and fast, he has urged his team-mates to get cracking and close that gap to the top six even further.

"It's a difficult time for everyone involved at the club when a manager gets changed," Wintle said. "For us as players, it’s about working hard and hopefully you get in the team for the new manager.

"I seen [the news] like everyone else. It was a shock at the time. We are only four points off fifth. It's a tight league, but this is football, it can be a ruthless game. It's time to move on and get more wins than we have been getting.

"[Steve] was brilliant for me and my development. Had the armband a few times. It was a joy for me to work under him. It’s a shame it won’t happen anymore here. But we have a new manager involved and hopefully we can continue."

Whyte's attitude 'spot on' as Hudson urges players to 'grab the shirt'

Bluebirds boss Hudson also praised Northern Ireland forward Gavin Whyte for scoring and assisting for Northern Ireland during the international break.

Whyte does well consistently on the international stage and has been excellent while on loan away from Cardiff over the last two seasons, but scarcely gets a look-in with the Bluebirds.

Speaking about Whyte, Hudson said: "Gav has been excellent. He has gone away, come off the bench, scored and assisted. He has only just come back from the Tuesday night game where they lost 3-1.

"Gav's attitude to training and to this spot-on has been brilliant."

It is certainly a case of the slate being wiped clean now Morison has left. Every player has a fresh opportunity to stake a claim and that is exactly what Hudson believes.

"I think every player should want to grab the shirt and be involved in that team," the interim boss added.

Wales star claims Bellamy 'isn't a Cardiff fan'

Wales and Burnley defender has made the jarring claim that Clarets assistant coach and former Bluebirds star Craig Bellamy is not a Cardiff City fan.

Bellamy has spoken previously about watching the Bluebirds with his dad on the Bob Bank at Ninian Park and is known to be a big Cardiff fan. After all, he realised a dream by playing for his boyhood club and donated a substantial amount of money to get the Fred Keenor stand erected to celebrate the club's storied history.

Roberts, a former Swansea City player, was concerned that when Bellamy joined Vincent Kompany's coaching staff, the pair would not see eye to eye due to the bitter rivalry between the two clubs. However, Roberts claims Bellamy is a Liverpool fan.

"He's not a Cardiff fan!" he told the Burnley Express.

"When I came here I checked, but he wasn't. He's a Liverpool fan so it doesn't really bother me too much. I think if he was a proper Cardiff fan he would have something to say."

Bellamy will be back in the Welsh capital this weekend when the Clarets take on the Bluebirds. And Wales international Roberts believes the experience the former forward has within the game has helped to light a fire beneath Burnley's players.

"With Bellas [Craig Bellamy], I know he's Welsh, but the first time I spoke to him was when he came here," said Roberts. "It's good to get peoples' ideas and different views.

"To have two names, Kompany and Bellamy, who have both achieved what they have, playing at the top level for numerous years, to get any kind of feedback is good. If it's bad you try and learn from it and if it's good it gives you a bit more of a buzz to hear it from someone like that."

Oliver Denham injury update

Oliver Denham has been suffering from a similar issue to Rubin Colwill and his growth issues have taken their toll, according to Hudson.

Denham was withdrawn from Wales U21s' squad during the international break and Hudson has revealed why that was the case.

"He is another body that's growing, because of his age. He has had another growth spurt, we have had to monitor and periodise his training," Hudson said of Denham.

"He is not far off being involved in the international setup but it was just too soon.

"We are just making sure his periodisation is right for him to be in and around training every day. Because of the growth, we have to dip him in and out, that's something we have all agreed on it as a staff and medical department.

"Ollie has been brilliant. A great character and a great personality."

READ NEXT

- Every word from Mark Hudson during his first press conference as Bluebirds boss

- Cardiff City news as Burnley star hails Bellamy impact and ex-Bluebirds midfielder sent message

- Sacked Watford manager Rob Edwards now among favourites to take Cardiff City job

- Cardiff City news as Morison outlines ambitions for future and Bluebirds claim another South Wales derby win

- Cardiff City transfer news as outcast becomes game-changer, defender suffers injury blow and Warnock linked with job

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