Aron Gunnarsson could be fit to face Middlesbrough as Cardiff City star's injury isn't as damaging as first thought
Saturday 14th October 2017
Cardiff City fears of a damaging lay-off for Aron Gunnarsson look set to be eased with the Viking warrior being tipped to be back in time for the clash at Garry Monk’s Middlesbrough.
Gunnarsson has once again been a driving force for the Bluebirds during their storming start to the season under Neil Warnock.
But a bad night at Birmingham looked set to be compounded when Gunnarsson hobbled off with an ankle problem with ten minutes remaining at St Andrew’s – leaving the Bluebirds down to ten men having already used all three subs. Cardiff lost their second league game of the season at Birmingham with Che Adams scoring the only goal for the hosts.
With Gunnarsson known never to shirk, it prompted real scares that the midfielder could face a significant time in the treatment room which would represent a real blow for Warnock.
But it is thought the 28-year-old’s issue isn’t as bad as first feared – and could even be ready for Saturday’s trip to promotion rivals Middlesbrough.
Gunnarsson had started on the bench against Blues having starred in Iceland’s historic World Cup qualifying matches the week before.
It came after he had missed Cardiff games against Leeds and Derby with a groin strain, though Warnock admitted he had eased his stance over the national team’s captain’s involvement.
But the problem was nothing to do with previous issues and was caused as he jarred his ankle while attempting to cut out a late Birmingham attack having come on for Craig Bryson with 22 minutes remaining.
Gunnarsson tried to continue not to leave his side short but looked in some pain and was eventually helped from the pitch as Cardiff failed to grab a leveller.
It left Warnock fearing the worst, but initial assessments have proven positive and there is hope that it will heal sufficiently in time for the game against Monk’s men at the Riverside.
It will be a needed boost for Cardiff with Gunnarsson – last year’s player of the season – an integral part of the central midfield alongside Joe Ralls.
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