Neil Warnock's Neil Etheridge decision ahead of Cardiff City's clash with Middlesbrough and his Lewis Holtby admission
Friday 20th September 2019
The Bluebirds' No 1 has been out since the first game of the season
The Bluebirds' No 1 has been out since the first game of the season
Neil Warnock has admitted he faces a selection dilemma for Cardiff City's clash with Middlesbrough as Neil Etheridge nears full fitness.
The Philippines international has been missing since he sustained a grade three hamstring tear against Wigan on the opening day of the season.
Alex Smithies took the gloves the following game and has grown in confidence in recent weeks, turning out an impressive display against Derby County last weekend.
Etheridge, however, made a return to action earlier this week when Cardiff's Under-23s beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-2 and has trained well this week.
It means Warnock now faces a tough decision as to whether to reinstate his No.1, who had an outstanding season in the Premier League, or stick with the incumbent who has visibly grown in confidence for the visit of Middlesbrough on Saturday.
"I will be speaking to Neil," Warnock said. "I have watched him as well. You've just got to be so careful with those things. Players always tell you they are fit. So I will have to make a decision on that. I will speak to them both today, but I think Smithies has done well as well.
"We always knew we had good keepers. I feel a bit sorry for Joe (Day) because I thought one of the keepers would leave in the summer. Joe’s done nothing wrong, either. We are in the best situation we could be in regarding keepers."
Alex Smithies has grown in confidence in recent weeks
While Cardiff are well stocked between the sticks, there is enough room for only one player. So, does Warnock believe Etheridge is the outright No.1?
"You see the season he had last season, it was a tremendous season. I bought Smithies to give him competition and that’s exactly what he’s done, I would think two of the best keepers in our division.
"Etheridge has had quite a severe hamstring injury which he has not had before. It's the same with Marlon Pack, he has not had one of those either, so you’ve just got to be a little bit careful with them."
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