Neil Warnock considering loan signing but says potential return of Rhys Healey has tempted him to avoid looking for permanent deal.
By Chris Wathan
Friday 11th August 2017
Neil Warnock has revealed he is considering a loan signing before the transfer deadline after admitting he still has concerns of Cardiff City being exposed by injuries.
But the Bluebirds boss says the progress and potential return of Rhys Healey has tempted him to avoid a permanent arrival in the final few weeks of the summer window.
Rookie forward Healey, 22, had made an impact under Warnock last season after being recalled from a loan period at Newport.
But, less than a month after his debut goal, the lively attacker was struck down by injury when he damaged his cruciate knee ligament against Rotherham.
It left fears he could be sidelined for around a year after surgery, but he has now insisted he could be back before Christmas – and it has left Warnock wondering about a short-term loan to cover front players.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with Aston Villa, Warnock confirmed he's been pleased with Healey's progress and said: “That’s probably what we’re lacking in the squad at the moment, a Rhys Healey.
"While I’m looking to sign someone, it might just be a six-month loan if I can bring somebody in.”
Warnock also has goalkeeper Lee Camp to come back from the knee injury he suffered before signing this summer, as well as fellow newboy Callum Paterson who is not expected back until October after knee surgery while with previous club Hearts.
Warnock added: “We've got them to come back but we are short in certain areas if certain main players get injured we are a bit thin.
“Hopefully I’ll have a chat with the hierarchy and if I can get a couple in - but at the same time I would have to move a couple out to accommodate them.”
Craig Noone, Declan John and Stuart O'Keefe have all been linked with exits, with Noone attracting interest from Burton and Ipswich. Question marks have also been placed on Anthony Pilkington's future.
Warnock did hint in the week Noone could leave on loan, but said he doesn't expect any updates on any departures until the final days of business.
The veteran boss – who has no fresh injury concerns for the visit of Villa - said: “That will all be last-minute won’t it? People will be looking around. Some will have lost two or three games and wonder what they can look at, others will be looking for a certain type, then it will be everybody in the hat on the last day, as stupid as it always is.
“I don’t know why it is like that but why I’m delighted to have got most of my business done before we got back to training. It’s very unusual for me to do that. I probably had a gamble on a few players this summer, but I felt we had to do that, financially-wise, to get the type of person I wanted at the club and fortunately they’ve all fitted in very well.”
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