Tonight's Cardiff City news as Riza holds talks with player, Norwich City 'bottled it' and star out until January

Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Friday, November 8.

Riza holds talks with out-of-favour Collins

Omer Riza has held talks with Jamilu Collins and urged him to be patient after his recent omissions from match-day squads.

Collins has fallen behind both Callum O'Dowda and Joel Bagan in the left-back pecking order. Given the 30-year-old is considered a senior player and an established international, that is likely to be irking him.

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Collins, who can begin talking to other clubs in January with his contract up at the end of the campaign, started started Riza's first game in charge, a 4-1 defeat at Hull City, but has not featured since. He has, in fact, not been selected in the squad for five of the last six matches.

"I've had a good chat with JC and he's had his injuries, he's had a few issues with his body. He's come back in and been training, but at the minute he's got Callum O'Dowda, who is playing very well, and Joel, who has had to come out for Callum, who is also doing well," Riza said of Collins' position.

"They are two left-backs who can both play higher and lower. He has got to wait and be patient. I've had that conversation.

"Some players get the hump and they're not happy with me, but I've said this before, it's hard for me when that happens because the players are really important and I want them to be in a good place.

"I can't control everything in respect of their feelings, no matter how much I talk to them or how I try to help them in that way. He has to stay patient and if he gets his opportunity he has got to take it. He has to be ready."

Isaak Davies out until the new year

Isaak Davies still looks to be more than two months away from playing again with Omer Riza revealing the young Welshman is unlikely to feature until the new year.

Davies did his hamstring in the final game of the club's pre-season tour of Salzburg and had to undergo surgery to rectify the problem. Riza said last week Davies had suffered "a setback", but when pressed on a timescale for his return, he said: "We think it's going to be mid-January. He has had a setback and he is working hard in the gym now. He is a focused lad and he will come through that and be a good asset when he's back."

Kion Etete, another striker who suffered an injury in the same game as Davies, made his comeback for the under-21s this week, scoring in the win over Bristol City to serve as a reminder of what he can provide. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.

"Kion makes me laugh on a daily basis," Riza said of the forward. "He is training hard, working hard, moaning hard! But it's all in good spirit. It's good to see him get time with the under-21s, 45 minutes, scored a goal, which is good for him after so long out."

As for the weekend, Cardiff will be without Joe Ralls, but welcome back Alex Robertson. Ralls could have been fit enough to play, Riza said, but the club did not want to risk him, instead opting for him to come back fresh after the international break.

Callum Robinson continues to manage a chronic Achilles issue but will be fit enough to face Blackburn Rovers tomorrow.

Ng: Norwich 'bottled it'

Perry Ng said Norwich City 'bottled it' at Cardiff City Stadium last week after the home supporters helped ramp up the atmosphere during a thrilling finale.

The Bluebirds' last home match saw them come from behind against the Canaries to claim a 2-1 win in the dying minutes of the game. And Ng, who was on the bench for the win over the Canaries as he sat out the game owing to suspension, hopes the supporters bring the same level of noise when Blackburn Rovers visit tomorrow lunchtime.

“The [finish] to the game was class,” Ng said. “I feel more pressure when I’m not playing to be honest, but it was boss; me, Rallsy (Joe Ralls) and Robbo (Alex Robertson) were behind the bench celebrating and we felt like proper fans in the moment! It was a nice experience, but it’ll be even nicer being back on the pitch tomorrow hopefully.

“I think when the fans really got behind us in the second half, Norwich bottled it a little bit. The atmosphere caused that. It was maybe a bit quiet in the first half, but our fans have been brilliant the past few weeks.”

Cardiff's defeat by Luton Town in midweek saw a six-game unbeaten run under Omer Riza arrested. But there is no doubt that City have looked a far more dangerous prospect since Riza took interim charge.

Indeed, for Ng, who has been at the club since January 2021, it's the most enjoyable football he's experienced since playing for the Bluebirds.

“Since Riz has come in it’s been brilliant, and probably the most I’ve enjoyed my football since I’ve been with the club. We’re a really attacking side with young lads all working hard and enjoying what we’re doing on the pitch,” he said.

Looking ahead to Rovers tomorrow, Ng added: “They’re a good young team that plays attacking football.

“I think they are similar to us to be fair and it’ll be a good game. If we can stop their threats and impose ours then hopefully we can take the three points. We’re all looking forward to it.

“Our home games last year weren’t that exciting, maybe a bit slow, but I think these last four games have been brilliant. Hopefully that’ll bring the fans out again tomorrow and we can score some goals."

Cardiff duo miss out on awards

Rubin Colwill and Omer Riza were both nominated for the Championship's player and manager of the month awards.

Colwill enjoyed a stellar October on the pitch, growing into that playmaker role following Erol Bulut's departure and becoming a central part of the Bluebirds' good form last month.

Riza, meanwhile, oversaw an unbeaten October, a month in which Cardiff rose from the bottom of the table and out of the relegation zone, and he was also recognised with a nomination by the EFL.

However, Norwich City's Borja Sainz was crowned player of the month, while Sunderland's Regis Le Bris won the manager gong.

Ollie Tanner, meanwhile, has been nominated to win the October goal of the month award after his scorcher against Bristol City in the Severnside derby. Voting closes at 5pm on Monday and you can vote for Tanner to win the award here.

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Welshman could return for Blackburn

Owen Beck might make a comeback for Blackburn Rovers tomorrow after recovering from a back injury.

The Welsh left-back was notably missing from the squad that faced Stoke City on Wednesday night, with Harry Pickering filling in for his first start since the last international break. Beck was forced to miss out due to back stiffness that arose early in their previous encounter with Sheffield United.

Manager John Eustace said: "Owen got a kick in the back in the first minute against Sheffield United. He did well to come through the 90 minutes and continue in the game. It's stiffened up over the last few days, unfortunately.

"Hopefully, he will be available for the weekend. We had a young bench tonight (against Stoke) but that's where we are. The group's attitude has been fantastic."