Omer Riza shuts down Cardiff City job talk as Aaron Ramsey update issued

Omer Riza says he's still none the wiser on Cardiff City's search for a new permanent boss as he bids to continue the club's recent resurgence at West Bromwich Albion this weekend.

The current interim boss is now the bookies' favourite to succeed Erol Bulut in the Bluebirds hotseat, having guided Cardiff to a sterling run of four games unbeaten.

That run has contained two impressive wins over Plymouth Argyle and Portsmouth, and Riza may now feel he's in a strong position to be handed the job full time.

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Having already said he wanted 'clarity' on what might come next, Riza is keeping coy on his own chances, and says there hasn't yet been any meaningful movement in the club's search.

"I don't really want to talk about the job any more in respect of whether I'm right for it or wrong for it," he said. "It's down to the board now, any sort of communication in that respect."

Riza recently revealed he spoke to Vincent Tan on Tuesday morning, but hasn't yet held any further discussions with the Cardiff owner.

"We speak all the time about the same things, but other than conversation I had the other day, I have spoken to him since, so anything in respect of the position, I think it's best that the board answer those questions," he added.

Asked if there had been any update at all, Riza said: "Not in respect of the position, no."

Cardiff bid to continue their recent rich run of form against a Baggies side without a win in their last five, although Carlos Corberan's men still sit fourth in the table and Riza believes it will be a good test of where his team are at the moment.

"There's no free hits in football," he said. "Obviously, you can look at it that way, but for us it's about gaining momentum and continuing our path in respect of not losing a game in three, and we want to continue that.

"We're going away from home, to a tough opposition. For us, it's a really good test. For us it's to really see where we've come from and where we are at the moment, and where we're trying to get to at the moment. It's a great gauge we've got.

"There are some tough games coming up and we're fully motivated to try and get a result."

Cardiff will once again be without injured midfielder Aaron Ramsey, whose currently out with a hamstring injury.

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The initial prognosis was up until the upcoming international break next month, but Riza admits he's not sure if the 33-year-old will be available for selection, as Wales boss Craig Bellamy prepares for the upcoming games with Turkey and Iceland.

"I'm not sure in what capacity he could be available for Wales or not. I don't have any part to play in what Wales do," he added.

"Time-frame wise, it was three to four weeks. I think that takes us up to that period. For me if he hasn't played any domestic football up until that point, it will probably be quite difficult for him to feature in any sort of footballing capacity.

"But like I said, he might be there to go in and support the players in another capacity. I understand it, and if those conversations take place and I get the call from Craig, I'm quite happy to have a chat."