Championship round-up: Cardiff City boss eyes permanent appointment, pundit makes Sunderland play-offs claim

Bristol City could be forced to face Middlesbrough with a potential eight absences this weekend. The Robins are looking for their first win in three matches.

George Tanner will miss out on the trip north after picking up a red card against Sheffield United. Meanwhile, Tomas Kalas is a step closer to recovering from a calf problem but Saturday’s clash is likely to come too soon for the defender. Rob Atkinson has also resumed training and will be assessed ahead of the match. Meanwhile, Kal Naismith, Ayman Benarous and Kane Wilson all remain sidelined.

Ahead of City’s clash with Middlesbrough, we take a look at today’s latest headlines from across the Championship.

Mark Hudson ‘eyes’ Cardiff City job

Cardiff City interim manager Mark Hudson has admitted he is hopeful that he will be confirmed as the club’s new permanent boss next week. The 40-year-old took charge following Steven Morison’s sacking.

Hudson enjoyed a brilliant start at the helm as he won two and drew one of his first three games, however has since lost four out of five. Despite this, the Bluebirds boss still expects to claim the position permanently when he meets with owner Vincent Tan and the board.

“What I’ve been told is they’re not looking at anyone else,” Hudson said, via BBC Sport. “I hope so [to be confirmed as permanent manager]. As I’ve said before, I want to be here as long as I can. I’m meeting with the board and the owners next week, which will be good. I’m hoping that the clarity will come. That would be something we all want and we can keep cracking on and going forward.”

Cardiff currently sit 18th in the Championship and are set to face Sunderland this weekend. They can move up to 14th with a win at the Stadium of Light.

Pundit makes Sunderland play-offs claim

Former West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer has backed Sunderland to compete for the Championship play-offs. The Black Cats moved up to 12th after their win over Huddersfield Town.

The Wearside club are arguably the best performing of the three promoted clubs and have won six of their opening 18 matches of the season. While they have won only two of their last nine games, they have showed glimmers of promise and have impressed Palmer.

Speaking to Football League World, Palmer said: “Tony Mowbray’s doing what Tony Mowbray does. He’s a very good manager. It’s as simple as that. Of course, you’ve got to consider them.

“After getting promoted last season, you would have been saying, ‘this season’s all about consolidation, make sure we stay in the Championship’. But they’re five points off the play-offs, and they’re in the mix. So, you know, the priority was to remain in the league. They’re exceeding expectations and I suppose they’ve just got to keep plugging away to the end of the season and see how it all ends up but they are definitely in the mix to be in the playoffs.”

Blackpool submit sports village plans

Blackpool FC have submitted new plans for community sports pitches beside Bloomfield Road stadium. The plans will be the first step of investment before a new East Stand is eventually developed.

The Seasiders are planning to build a full-sized 11-a-side artificial pitch, an FA sized five-a-side artificial grass pitch and changing rooms - taking the place of the North Car Park, which will be relocated. The club previously applied for a much bigger plan which would included three five-a-side pitches and a multi use games area.

If planning permission is granted then the work could begin in autumn 2023.