Cardiff City

Cardiff City
Out-of-favour striker Andy Campbell says he is prepared to take a pay cut and move away from Cardiff City to gain regular first-team football. Campbell cost Cardiff £950,000 in 2002, but the 26-year-old has not started a game since January. He has recently returned from an unsuccessful loan spell with League One outfit Doncaster. "I need first-team football and if that means I need to look elsewhere and take a pay cut, then so be it," he said. Campbell has scored 9 league and cup goals in 90 appearances for the Bluebirds.

Kavanagh windfall boosts Cardiff
Cardiff are in line for a cash windfall after Wigan sealed promotion to the Premiership next season. The cash-strapped south Wales club sold skipper Graham Kavanagh to Wigan in March and are now due an extra payment because of the Latics' success. "We had a little clause in the deal (for more money) if he played a certain amount of games and they went up," Cardiff boss Lennie Lawrence said. "Both of those have occurred, which is good for us and I'm pleased for Kav." While Lawrence confirmed that the amount involved is unlikely to be the difference between a player staying at the club or going, any extra money is welcome. Lawrence faces the task of trimming his playing squad over the summer to reduce a wage bill that Cardiff, more than £30m in debt, can ill afford. "Players' contracts go on until the end of June so nothing is likely to happen until then," Lawrence added. "It is difficult to predict the changes that will take place but the wage bill has to be reduced somehow. "I cannot discount any offers that come in for my players, but no one will leave Cardiff City unless the deal is in the best interests of the club." However, top earners such as Peter Thorne and Danny Gabbidon would also fetch the best price on the market - solving two different financial problems for the Bluebirds in one fell swoop. But the sale of Thorne, Gabbidon and James Collins would leave Cardiff much the poorer on the pitch next season.

Lawrence unfazed by exit rumours
Cardiff City manager Lennie Lawrence says there is no reason to believe his two-and-half year reign at Ninian Park may be coming to an end. The ambitious Bluebirds finished a disappointing 16th in the Championship but Lawrence said: "Until somebody tells me otherwise, I'll carry on. "Any manager's job is a very intense and pressurised one. "With the unbelievable media attention at Ninian Park it's magnified more so than in most Championship clubs." Lawrence guided Cardiff to promotion from the old Second Division via the play-offs in 2003. The Bluebirds finished a creditable 13th last season, but the expected challenge for the Championship play-off places failed to materialised this season. Instead, Cardiff found themselves embroiled in a fight against relegation - their goal-shy strikers responsible for the poor results. Lawrence accepts the season fell below the club's expectations, but he believes in his own ability to turn things around in the next campaign. "You just do the best you can and its up to other people to make their judgments," he added. "I'm happy there; it's a terrific club. We've had our ups and downs, but the ups have been great and long may it continue as far as I'm concerned." As well as the on-field problems, Cardiff's £30m debt added to Lawrence's worries. His main concern now is to reduce the club's wage bill - believed to by around £750,000 a month. One of the three senior goalkeepers is certain to move on, so too some of the high earners who have failed to deliver. Lawrence also wants to add to his squad, with Wrexham top scorer Juan Ugarte and Yeovil's prolific Phil Jevons confirmed targets. But after his most difficult season to date at Ninian Park, Lawrence admits a break away from the training ground will be a welcomed relief. "There are still things to do but you come back next season refreshed and hopefully we can get off to a good start and do better."

Bluebirds eye Ugarte and Jevons
Cardiff City boss Lennie Lawrence has identified strikers Juan Ugarte and Phil Jevons as potential signings. Yeovil's Jevons is the League Two top scorer with 25 goals, while Ugarte has scored 19 goals in all competitions for relegation threatened Wrexham. "He'll be keeping his options open and no doubt his agent will be looking to see what's available," said Lawrence of Ugarte, whose contract ends in May. Cardiff have struggled for a goalscorer since selling Rob Earnshaw last August. But with an ever dwindling transfer pot available at Ninian Park, Lawrence is aware he needs to look to the lower leagues for potential signings. "There are lot of them around," added the Bluebirds boss. "I had Jevons at Grimsby so I know all about him." Cardiff's interest in Ugarte will bring back bitter memories for Wrexham fans. After winning promotion to League One two years ago, the Dragons lost Lee Trundle (to Swansea) and Andy Morrell (to Coventry) on free transfers. The pair scored over 40 goals between them that season, and Ugarte's scoring exploits in his first season at the Racecourse suggests Wrexham will struggle to keep him for another season. Meanwhile, Cardiff's battle against Championship relegation continues away to Preston on Saturday. The Bluebirds are just one point above the relegation zone with five games left this season. "We need a win and a draw to be safe," claimed Lawrence. "You never know - you can't be absolutely certain but I'd be quiet surprised if 50 points wasn't enough. "We've got 46 points and the best goal difference as well. "It might just be one of those freaky things where you need 51 or 52 points to be clear of the bottom. "But we'll just keep going and go to Preston looking for a win."

Toshack calls Margetson for Wales
Martyn Margetson has joined Wales' San Sebastian training camp (17-23 May). Manager John Toshack sent for the 33-year-old Cardiff keeper when Wolves' Paul Jones was a late withdrawal. "This feels like a good reward for all the hard work after hardly playing for a season with injury," Margetson told the South Wales Echo. Ben Thatcher, Robert Page, John Oster, Jason Koumas, Sam Ricketts and Danny Collins were also withdrawals, with 12 more out due to injury or club duties. Thatcher is out "on fitness grounds", Page faces a minor cartilage operation, and Collins and Koumas are unavailable. Wrexham's Chris Llewellyn and Mark Jones were called up last week. Promising young Cardiff midfielder Joe Ledley travels as a non-playing member of the tour party, injury keeping him from taking an active role. The other absentees are Ryan Giggs (FA Cup final), Lewis Price, Carl Fletcher, Gavin Williams and Gareth Roberts (play-offs), Simon Davies (club tour), Craig Bellamy, John Hartson and David Partridge (Scottish league still playing). Toshack has still resisted making a call to Blackburn midfielder Robbie Savage, though. "I never say never in football, but at the moment it looks very doubtful I'll be selected for Wales because the manager doesn't see me as part of his squad," said Savage. "I still have ambitions left - to stay fit, win something with Blackburn and maybe play for Wales again." Members of the Under-21 squad have been given a chance, including Oxford's impressive young striker Craig Davies and Yeovil's Arron Davies. Wolves' Wales Under-19 goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is the surprise choice.

Croft shown exit door by Cardiff
Cardiff City have released defender Gary Croft as part of a summer clearout that sees 11 players depart. The 31-year-old has hardly figured in the Bluebirds' first team this season after a serious knee injury in August. Croft has failed to recover from reconstructive surgery following an accidental training-ground collision. However, Croft revealed he can still train with the club and has a slim chance of earning a short-term deal for next season if he can prove he is fit. "I knew they weren't going to offer me a full year, but I did get told by the management they were going to try and offer me a month-to-month deal," the former Blackburn, Grimsby, Ipswich and Wigan player told BBC Wales. "But when it came to it, the gaffer (Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence) told me he was unable to persuade the people upstairs to give me that. "What was on offer was the... opportunity to train with Cardiff and perhaps secure an extended deal once I returned for pre-season. "But it's very vague and there's nothing in writing to say this is what is going to happen, so it's end-of-contract time really but with that opportunity. "It's a time for reflection now and moving on and perhaps looking at other things." Tony Vidmar is the other big name to go, with the Australia defender already set to join Dutch side NAC Breda. However, Neal Ardley and Willie Boland have both been offered new deals by Cardiff boss Lawrence. Ardley joined as a free agent from Watford in March on a short-term deal and the 32-year-old has proved a hit. Boland has been another stalwart, while there are also deals on the table for Toni Koskela, Darren Williams, Jonathan Kift and Anthony Taylor. The other players allowed to leave Ninian Park on free transfers are drawn mainly from the reserve and youth ranks. They are Kirk Huggins, Richard Ingram, Arran Lee-Barrett, Michael Parkins, Danny Thomas, Craig Attard, Sean Cronin, Michael Hartley and Jamie Rewbury.

Ardley extends Cardiff City stay
Neal Ardley has been rewarded with a new contract at Cardiff City. The 32-year-old midfielder signed a short-term deal with the Bluebirds when he moved from Watford on a free transfer near the end of last season. He scored one goal in eight appearances as he helped Cardiff avoid relegation from the Championship. "We know that with the right mix we can do some real damage this year - I want to be part of that," Ardley told Cardiff City's official website. "I hope I can bring a smile to many a Cardiff City supporter. "Despite coming in late last season while the team was in trouble, it was easy to see we had enough in the locker to get out of it - I'm glad I could be a part of that." Cardiff are still waiting to hear if three other out-of-contract players - defender Darren Williams and midfield duo Willie Boland and Toni Koskela - will accept new deals.

Koskela aiming to prove his worth
Toni Koskela has promised to make a name for himself at Cardiff City after accepting a new one-year contract. The former Finland Under-21 midfielder joined the Bluebirds last January but played just two games as a substitute. "My main aim is to become a regular for Cardiff, though I know we have some quality players fighting for a starting place," he told the club's website. "That's football though. We all know what we can do and the competition is healthy for the club's progress."

Jones is named new Cardiff boss
Dave Jones has been appointed the new manager of debt-ridden Cardiff City. The former Southampton and Wolves boss has signed a three-year deal to succeed Lennie Lawrence, who is staying on in a consultancy role for six months. Jones, 48, has been out of work since he was sacked by Wolves in November last year after a poor run of form in the Championship. Cardiff City also announced that Peter Ridsdale has become the club's executive deputy chairman. The former Leeds United chairman joined the Bluebirds as a consultant in March on a three-month contract to help tackle the club's £30m debts. Former chief executive David Temme is now in charge of Cardiff's new stadium project, which owner Sam Hammam describes as "the single most important and strategic activity that we have to manage". Jones, who becomes the fourth Cardiff manager under Hammam's five-year reign at Ninian Park, said he fully accepts that his task is to take the club into the Premiership. "I'll try to do my best to do what this club deserves, which is to try to get them where everyone wants to go," said Jones. "So with the help of Sam and Peter, that's what we're going to try to do. "It'll be hard, we know that. But with everything put into the pot - luck, good players, coaches, manager - we'll come up with the right formula. "I'm also privileged to be in a position where I'm now back in the game, and that's thanks to Sam." Jones took over at Wolves in January 2001 and guided them to promotion into the Premiership through the play-offs almost two years ago to the day. But they finished bottom of the top-flight table the following season as they lost their survival battle. Jones began his managerial career at Stockport in 1995, winning promotion to the old First Division in his second season before getting his big break in the Premiership with Southampton. The ambitious Bluebirds finished four points above the Championship relegation zone last season. But Jones is unlikely to be given much of a transfer kitty to strengthen his squad, and his first task could be to oversee the sale of Cardiff's best players to raise much-needed funds. "If that what it takes then that's what we'll do," said Jones. "I'm sure there'll be a lot of disappointed people when certain players leave. "But the only way to make sure to keep your players is to make sure you're playing in the top division." Assistant manager Terry Burton and the rest of the back-room staff will remain at the club.

McAnuff completes Palace switch
Cardiff's Jobi McAnuff has completed his move to Crystal Palace after signing a four-year contract with the London club. The midfielder, 23, had previously said he wanted to stay at Ninian Park where he had one year left on his deal. Cardiff owner Sam Hammam told BBC Wales Sport last week that the two clubs had agreed a fee of around £600,000, but the final figure is undisclosed. McAnuff scored three goals for Cardiff after joining from West Ham in August. "I'm very sorry indeed to see him go," said Hammam, who said a chunk of the transfer fee would go towards paying the remaining instalments on McAnuff £400,000 move from the Hammers. "I've known him since he was 10 years old when he was at Wimbledon. I know his family and I've been to their home. "He's one hell of a player and it is a major loss. "But as I've explained before, we're going to have to create a pool of money to give Dave Jones. "Quite a few of our players are on high wages and we have to get them out before we can get people in."

Jones rues recruiting restriction
New Cardiff City manager Dave Jones says he may have to bide his time as he attempts to replace players departing the cash-strapped Welsh club. Jobi McAnuff is agreeing final terms to sign for Crystal Palace, while other players are expected to leave Cardiff. Club skipper Graham Kavanagh and top scorer Rob Earnshaw were both sold during last season's campaign. "I've always got people in mind but whether I can get those people is a different thing," Jones said.

McAnuff completes Palace switch
Cardiff's Jobi McAnuff has completed his move to Crystal Palace after signing a four-year contract with the London club. The midfielder, 23, had previously said he wanted to stay at Ninian Park where he had one year left on his deal. Cardiff owner Sam Hammam told BBC Wales Sport last week that the two clubs had agreed a fee of around £600,000, but the final figure is undisclosed. McAnuff scored three goals for Cardiff after joining from West Ham in August. "I'm very sorry indeed to see him go," said Hammam, who said a chunk of the transfer fee would go towards paying the remaining instalments on McAnuff £400,000 move from the Hammers. "I've known him since he was 10 years old when he was at Wimbledon. I know his family and I've been to their home. "He's one hell of a player and it is a major loss. "But as I've explained before, we're going to have to create a pool of money to give Dave Jones. "Quite a few of our players are on high wages and we have to get them out before we can get people in."

Cardiff goalkeeper joins Weymouth
Cardiff goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett has joined Nationwide South side Weymouth FC, after being released by the Bluebirds at the end of the season. The 25-year-old was fourth choice at Ninian Park behind Neil Alexander, Martyn Margetson and Tony Warner, and had failed to climb the pecking order. Lee-Barrett started with home-town team Ipswich before moving to Norwich City youth and Chelmsford Town. He came to Cardiff on trial in February 2003 and gained a short-term contract.

Jones gets Blake seal of approval
Ex-Cardiff, Wolves and Wales striker Nathan Blake says new boss Dave Jones will be a success at the Bluebirds. "He's a good appointment, knows what's needed and will have a plan," said Blake, who made the Premiership with Wolves after Jones signed him. "He's a good guy to work for and I'm surprised no club came in for him before Cardiff." Blake is considering retiring from professional football after being released by Leicester last month. "I'm in limbo at the moment," he told the Western Mail. "I've not finished playing altogether, but I don't know what I'm going to do. "I've got other interests in my life. I may decide to play on, I may not."

Cardiff arrange Stanley friendly
Cardiff City's preparations for the 2005/6 season will begin with a pre-season friendly at Accrington Stanley on 16 July. Stanley, who finished 10th last season in the Nationwide Conference, are managed by John Coleman. The Bluebirds play there on their way to a three-game tour of Scotland. They face Hamilton Academicals (18 July), Kilmarnock (20 July) and Falkirk (23 July), then hope to arrange a Ninian Park friendly on their return.

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