Neil Harris explains Lee Tomlin's 'complex situation' as Cardiff City boss issues play-off message ahead of Fulham test
The Cardiff head coach has spoken about Tomlin's current situation as well as discussing the play-off picture ahead of his side's clash with Fulham
By Ian Mitchelmore
Thursday 9th July 2020
Neil Harris will make a late call on his team selection for Cardiff City's Championship clash with Fulham after revealing he has to monitor Lee Tomlin's progress on a daily basis.
The No. 10 was set to miss the remainder of the campaign after sustaining medial ligament damage in February, although as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, he has been able to play a part in the Bluebirds' run-in.
However, Tomlin is yet to start for the Bluebirds since the resumption, with all five of his appearances coming as a substitute.
And following the disappointing 3-2 loss to Blackburn, the Cardiff faithful are keen to see their talisman feature more than ever.
But Harris admits he's having to be hugely cautious with Tomlin, adding that he will pick his team to face the Cottagers on Friday.
NEIL HARRIS:
"It’s a complex situation. Is he ready to start? We’ll have to see. We have to see how he is every day when he wakes up," explained Harris.
"That’s certainly not for a lack of desire through Lee Tomlin. But It’s a complex situation with how he’s feeling injury-wise.
"That’s why decisions are late and that he doesn’t take part in a lot of sessions, so we’re managing him through every day to see what we can get out of him in games. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.
"The biggest thing for me is that Lee Tomlin wants to play. He wants to be involved and he’s put himself forward for every game so far.
"It’s frustrating, and Tommo’s more frustrated than anybody, because he’s desperate to offer more to us as a group, but for the moment, I’m just pleased to have him involved in games in some shape or form, because back in March, he wasn’t going to figure again for us.
"The bigger picture is there’s stuff we’ll have to take care of in the off-season. We'll just have to accept it for what it is and we’ll just keep nurturing him along."
Cardiff remain in sixth place with just four matches remaining, despite suffering their first post-lockdown loss last time out.
But they sit just one point above South Wales rivals Swansea City at what is a crunch period of the protracted 2019/20 campaign.
However, Harris was keen to highlight that the Bluebirds remain in the box seat to secure a top six place going in to their clash with Scott Parker's side.
"Nothing has changed since probably February," said Harris.
"Swansea were top of the league for a period at the start and were going great guns and fell away, but like us found a way to find some form and get back in the mix. Swansea haven’t been out of it. Teams haven’t been out of it, it’s just about finding consistency.
"We’re in sixth spot because we got 10 points in five games. So we’re going great guns. Ultimately, Swansea, Derby, Preston, Blackburn, Millwall, it doesn’t matter to us, we just want sixth spot.
"All that’s changed is that the team behind us is slightly closer. It’s about what we do first and foremost in fixtures, the amount of points we can get to, but you look at other teams because that’s a natural assessment of the division at the top and bottom, you have to be aware of things around you, but for me we focus on ourselves and on Friday evening, against a tough opponent in Fulham.
"We’ll look at the results over the weekend, because you want them to go in your favour, that’s natural.
"You expect at this stage of the season and the magnitude of the games that some results go for you, and some won’t.
"It’s a time for cool heads at this stage of the season, and with four games to go, we’re holding that sixth position so we’re there to be shot at."
The Bluebirds' clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage gets under way at 8:15pm on Friday.
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