Cardiff City

Cardiff facing tough times ahead
Cardiff deputy chairman Peter Ridsdale admits the club will undergo major changes in the coming weeks. "We have to get the squad payroll to an affordable level," he told the Wales on Sunday in the week new City manager Dave Jones takes up the job in earnest. "That means persuading players we can't afford to keep that there's another club somewhere for them. "At the same time we need to bring in the players that the manager wants and that the club can afford." The Bluebirds are £30m in debt, and it is understood that they need to slash £2m off the annual player wage bill. That could mean the sale of up to eight players at Ninian Park, but Ridsdale says that the decision has not been taken over who stays and who goes. "The next player who goes will be the one I don't expect, it never happens the way you expect it to," said Ridsdale. "But who comes and who goes remains the domain of Sam Hammam."

Isaac sacked from Cardiff board
Rebel director Michael Isaac has been booted off the Cardiff City board in a row over £500,000. "The decision was taken after a vote by the directors," said Bluebirds deputy chairman Peter Ridsdale. Isaac had previously threatened to quit the club, who are £30m in debt, unless he was given greater control. Ridsdale claims Isaac failed to meet a pledge to put £500,000 into the club in March and criticised interest he says Isaac is charging on previous loans.

Cardiff 'can pay for new stadium'
Peter Ridsdale insists Cardiff will be able to foot the bill for the planned 30,000-capacity stadium. Cardiff City Council recently claimed it would step in to build the £100m project if the cash-strapped Bluebirds failed to match the financial burden. "I don't believe we will reach a situation where the council steps in," said the deputy executive chairman. "We've a management team committed to bringing the stadium about and every day, I believe we're getting closer."

City boss asks fans for patience
Cardiff City manager Dave Jones has told fans to be patient as they await new signings at Ninian Park. Jones is settling down to his first full week in charge at Cardiff, and admits he has his work cut out to recruit his main transfer targets. "It's a frustrating time for you as a manager and it's frustrating for supporters as they want to know who's coming in and who's going out. "If everything ran smoothly we'd all be very happy," he told the club website. Cardiff chairman Sam Hammam has already warned players will need to be sold before any new signings can be made. The priority is to offload some the club's high earners as the cash-strapped club aim to halt its alarming slide into debt. But Jones expects little movement in or our of Ninian Park for the next few weeks as clubs assess the health of the transfer market. "We're all looking for the same players and sometimes teams will hang on to players to see what they can bring in before they move people out," said Jones. "It normally gets frantic a few weeks before the season starts - certainly this season because there's a deadline for the division which can either help or hinder you."

Earnshaw set for Cardiff return
Robert Earnshaw will make an emotional return to Ninian Park next month when his West Brom side play Cardiff City in a pre-season friendly. The striker, who scored 107 goals for the Bluebirds before a £3m move, will be back on his old stomping ground for the first time on 31 July. Cardiff have arranged four away warm-up games, but this is their only home game on their schedule so far. The new Championship season kicks off on Saturday, 6 August.

West Ham recruit Cardiff physio
Cardiff City physiotherapist Steve Allen and assistant Paul Hunter have quit Ninian Park to join newly promoted Premiership side West Ham United. Allen, who only joined the Bluebirds a year ago from Crystal Palace, replaces John Green who has left the Hammers. West Ham boss Alan Pardew told the club's website: "I am extremely delighted to welcome Steve to West Ham. "This is another massive boost for the club. I now have my staff complete ahead of next season."

Holloway cool on Langley return
Queens Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway says he is "a million miles" from signing Cardiff's Richard Langley. The 25-year-old midfielder moved from QPR to the Bluebirds in August 2003. QPR previously expressed interest in re-signing him, but he has a year left on his contract and wages are thought to be double what he got in London. "If you want to talk percentages, the chances of us signing Rich are 20%," said Holloway. "We can't pay what he's getting at Cardiff." Cash-strapped Cardiff face the task of trimming their playing squad over the summer. They need to reduce a wage bill that the Ninian Park side, more than £30m in debt, can ill afford. But the only prospect of Langley's return to QPR would seem to be if the Bluebirds agreed to part-fund his wages at the London club.

Croft to fight for Bluebirds spot
Gary Croft says he is determined to win a new contract at Cardiff. The 31-year-old full-back, a long-term injury victim, has been given the chance to prove his form and fitness to new manager Dave Jones. "I've had a number of clubs ringing me, but if there's a chance here I want to stay," Croft told the South Wales Echo. "You know some people don't make it back, but I've trained all summer, done a hell of a lot of conditioning and fitness, and I'm ready to roll."

Whitley agrees to Cardiff switch
Jeff Whitley is set to become Cardiff City's first signing under new manager Dave Jones. The 30-year-old midfielder, who helped Sunderland win the Championship title last season, is expected to sign on a free transfer in the next few days. "He has been released by Sunderland and we are delighted he is joining Cardiff City," Cardiff chairman Sam Hammam told the South Wales Echo newspaper. Whitley scored for Northern Ireland in September's 2-2 draw with Wales.

Swansea handed difficult cup test
Swansea have been handed a tough draw in the first round of the Carling Cup after being drawn away to Reading. But the Swans came away with a 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium last season in the FA Cup, narrowly losing the replay 1-0 at the Vetch Field. Cardiff City are also away in the first round, to be played the week commencing 22 August, at Colchester United. Wrexham are the only Welsh side with a home draw, with Colchester's League One colleagues Doncaster the visitors. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carling Cup first round draw: Preston v Barnsley Chesterfield v Huddersfield Blackpool v Hull Mansfield v Stoke Rotherham v Port Vale Nottingham Forest v Macclesfield Sheffield United v Boston Derby v Grimsby Leeds v Oldham Wrexham v Doncaster Scunthorpe v Tranmere Stockport v Sheffield Wednesday Bury v Leicester Rochdale v Bradford Hartlepool v Darlington Wolves v Chester Lincoln v Crewe Burnley v Carlisle Reading v Swansea Gillingham v Oxford MK Dons v Norwich Plymouth v Peterborough Shewsbury v Brighton Cheltenham v Brentford Northampton v QPR Millwall v Bristol Rovers Watford v Notts County Rushden & Diamonds v Coventry Bristol City v Barnet Colchester v Cardiff Torquay v Bournemouth Ipswich v Yeovil Southend v Southampton Crystal Palace v Walsall Swindon v Wycombe Leyton Orient v Luton Ties will be played on the week commencing 22 August. Clubs entering in the 2nd round: Aston Villa, Birmingham, Blackburn, Charlton, Fulham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Tottenham, West Brom, West Ham, Wigan. Clubs entering in the 3rd round: Arsenal, Bolton, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle.

Thorne completes move to Canaries
Cardiff's clear-out is continuing with striker and top-earner Peter Thorne joining Norwich on a free transfer. The Canaries will have to pay Cardiff £200,000 if they win promotion to the Premiership in the next two years. The highly regarded 32-year-old Thorne signed from Stoke for £1.75m in 2001 and has scored 51 goals since then. Lee Bullock joined Hartlepool from Cardiff Thursday, and a contract offer to Darren Williams was withdrawn, but Willie Boland has signed a new deal. With the Bluebirds over £30m in debt, the club are desperate to reduce the wage bill from an estimated £6m, and they need to bring in over £2m in transfer fees. Cardiff owner Sam Hammam says it was a difficult decision to release Thorne, who scored 14 goals from 31 starts last season, but that new manager Dave Jones had his own ideas about players. "When fit, Thorney was undoubtedly the leader of our line, a tremendous player in every sense," said Hammam. "I believe a lot of Rob Earnshaw's success here was down to his partnership with Thorne. "But our manager has a different idea of how he wants our front line to work, a different style of approach. "Thorney is also easily the biggest earner at the club. We've got plenty of big earners, but he's at another level again. "To get players in we have to get players out. "We have to change because the team has stood still, clearly it wasn't a team that was going to get us promotion." Thorne will wear the number eight shirt vacated by Gary Holt at Norwich next season. "I'm really excited by the move, it's a great opportunity," Thorne told the Canaries' website. "I'm joining one hell of a squad of players and I have heard nothing but good things about the club, from top to bottom." Norwich boss Nigel Worthington added: "I'm absolutely delighted to get a player of Peter's experience and quality to add to an already very strong forward line at this club. "He'll be a valuable asset to us for the challenge ahead." Nottingham Forest defender Matthieu Louis-Jean and Wigan midfielder Jason Jarrett have also signed for the Canaries.

Brayson rejects Stevenage offer
Striker Paul Brayson has rejected a move to Stevenage Borough to stay with Conference North side Northwich. Brayson, 27, was wanted by Boro boss Graham Westley after scoring 13 times last season but has instead signed a new contract with the relegated Vics. The former Reading and Cardiff striker will now spearhead Northwich's attempt to bounce straight back up along with Jonny Allan, who has also agreed terms. Vics have also signed ex-Oldham and Carlisle midfielder Carlos Roca, 20.

Forest continue chase of Barker
Nottingham Forest remain on the trail of Cardiff full-back and player of the year Chris Barker. The Midlands club are thought to have had a bid of £100,000 for the 25 year old turned down last week. Cardiff owner Sam Hammam told BBC Sport Wales that he did not think a move for Barker to Forest was "plausible". But they are thought likely to come back with another bid next week, meaning Barker could follow Peter Thorne and Lee Bullock out of Cardiff. West Ham are also expected to prise Danny Gabbidon and James Collins out of Ninian Park, as the troubled Welsh side look to cut the wage bill and reduce their £30m debts. Jason Koumas is a possible new arrival at the club, though. The Welsh international midfielder is unwanted by West Brom and could come to Ninian Park on a loan deal. Barker joined Cardiff from Barnsley for £600,000 in 2002. He initially failed to impress and was thought to be on his way out of the club when he was loaned to Stoke last season. But hard work and consistent performances saw him regain favour and become a key member of the Cardiff team.

Thorne shocked by Bluebirds exit
Norwich striker Peter Thorne says he expected to end his career at Cardiff. "I was shocked and surprised at what happened," the 32-year-old, who signed on a free transfer at Carrow Road last week, told the South Wales Echo. "I don't feel any bitterness towards anyone at Cardiff over this because we all know the club is in trouble. "But I don't know how to react because I love Cardiff through and through. I always knew it was a possibility but I didn't think I would be the one to go." Thorne was the highest earner at Ninian Park, meaning that the financially stricken club were prepared to let him go. Cardiff will net £200,000 from the move if Norwich win promotion to the Premiership in the next two years. But that is small change from the £1.75m they paid Stoke for the striker four years ago. New Cardiff manager Dave Jones says he was disappointed to lose Thorne but that the club had to move on. "I told Peter that it would have been nice to work with him, but I won't have that opportunity," Jones told BBC Sport Wales. "I've taken on a tough job and we've lost players, but this club is alive and kicking. "The recruitment of Jeff Whitley shows our intent. I don't sell people things I don't believe in and I've told the players they have to buy into what I believe and expect."

Bluebirds track West Bromwich duo
Cardiff are thought to want West Brom's Jason Koumas and Darren Purse. Skilful Welsh international midfielder Koumas was transfer listed by the Baggies after manager Bryan Robson criticised his work rate and attitude. Everton are thought to be interested in signing the 25-year-old and a loan move would seem to be Cardiff's best hope. Ex-Birmingham and England Under-21 defender Purse, 28, had limited first team chances at the Baggies in the second half of last season.

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