Former Bristol City winger in line for Ashton Gate return after six-month injury layoff

Former Bristol City winger Callum O'Dowda is closing in on a return to action for Cardiff City and could play at Ashton Gate this weekend.

The 27-time Republic of Ireland international has spent half-a-year on the sidelines with various injuries. He has not played since the end of August but could now feature against his former club that he departed in the summer of 2022.

O'Dowda underwent groin surgery in September and was initially sidelined until the New Year but suffered a setback and has missed a further two months. O'Dowda is back in training and it is hoped by the Bluebirds boss Erol Bulut that he can get some pitch time before the international break.

The 28-year-old has been limited to 44 appearances in a season and three quarters. He played four games this term before suffering his injury. O'Dowda did grace the Ashton Gate surface back when the two sides met in August 2022, and he ended up being on the losing side that day following a 2-0 win for the Robins. He played in the corresponding fixture then in March in which Cardiff won 2-0.

O'Dowda spent six seasons as a Bristol City player and made a total of 176 appearances with 16 goals and 10 assists. He is one of several players that has crossed the Severn Bridge from England to Wales.

Another former Bristol City player has been missing for Cardiff for a considerable period too. Callum Robinson was a one-time loanee for City in the 2015/16 season and played a total of seven games, scoring one goal which came in an FA Cup defeat to Luton Town. He has been out since early January but isn't expected to play a part this weekend.

Famara Diedhiou, who played 169 times for Bristol City, scoring 51 goals is also in line to make his return. The 31-year-old rejected a contract offer from City in 2021 and moved to Alanyaspor, before joining Granada in 2023. Diedhiou joined Cardiff on loan until the end of the season but has yet to score from the six appearances he's made.

Elsewhere in the Cardiff camp, goalkeeper Jak Alnwick is nursing an injury and will be touch and go for the weekend. Karlan Grant and Kion Etete both had to be substituted in Cardiff's 2-1 win against Stoke and will be assessed.

Cardiff will also have to do without the services of Wales captain Aaron Ramsey, who has had a difficult season with injuries. Ramsey was out for five months with a knee problem and having returned to action in February, he suffered a calf issue which is to rule him out until the end of March. He is expected to miss Wales' EURO 2024 qualifier with Finland.