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Cardiff City star says 'it's pretty obvious what we want' as Omer Riza gives Robertson update

-Credit: (Image: ITV Sport)
-Credit: (Image: ITV Sport)


Cardiff City boss Omer Riza says Alex Robertson's absence from the 2-1 win over Norwich City on Saturday was "precautionary".

The midfielder, who has been superb since his summer switch to south Wales, was left out of the squad for the visit of the Canaries but interim boss Riza has allayed fears of anything serious.

Quite simply, the Bluebirds are managing him, with the 21-year-old feeling some tightness in the week. With another big game against Luton Town on Wednesday night, Riza says he has to use the squad to lighten the load with matches coming thick and fast.

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"He picked up a little tightness in his hamstring," Riza said after the late win. "Nothing too serious. We'll monitor him through today and tomorrow, and the beginning of the week and see where we get to by Wednesday.

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"It's precautionary as he's had issues with that hamstring before, and he's played a lot of games. He's played five or six games. He's covered a lot of distance. I think he's covered 10 or 11km every game so there's a lot of working going into those legs.

"Sio's come in, and he was brilliant today. Worked really hard. He was dogged and had energy all over the pitch. So it's important that we use the whole squad before they're all good enough. It's just about them being given the opportunities at the right time.

"Providing they keep showing the right attitude and application, which they are, I need to make sure I'm fair with them because I don't like it when players don't get onto the pitch. It frustrates me because they all deserve to play."

Goals from Callum Robinson and Callum O'Dowda sparked wild scenes of celebration at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon and the latter was firm in his belief that Riza should be given the opportunity to take over on a full-time basis.

"It was a great win, I tell you what I do love a last-minute winner," he told ITV after the match.

"I had the same feeling last season but we've been really good this season, ever since Riza's stepped on board. It's pretty obvious what the players want, I'd say, for the record.

"It would be good to see him take full ownership of us and take us forward. Since I've been here this is probably the best football I've seen us play."