Tonight's Cardiff City news as Aaron Ramsey told what to do next and star launches new project

Jamilu Collins with kids from his home town wearing Cardiff City kits -Credit:Instagram/Jamilu Collins
Jamilu Collins with kids from his home town wearing Cardiff City kits -Credit:Instagram/Jamilu Collins


Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Tuesday, May 21.

Page's verdict on Ramsey

Wales manager Rob Page wants Aaron Ramsey to get "fighting fit" for a rigorous Championship campaign with the Bluebirds before any talk over his international future can take place.

Ramsey, 33, had an incredibly bright start to life back at his boyhood club, but was plagued with injuries throughout the season and registered only 13 appearances for the Bluebirds, starting just seven times.

Current Bluebirds boss Erol Bulut suggested Ramsey forget about summer internationals with Wales in order to get himself in peak condition to hit the ground running next term.

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Speaking about Ramsey, Page told the BBC: “He is our captain at this moment in time, he wants to get his body into a position where he is fit and can cope with the demands of Championship football which is not easy.

“If he can do that I have no doubt he will carry on [with Wales].

“As far as I am concerned he has a year left on his contract at Cardiff, I think he needs to get himself in a position where he can go through the demands of another Championship season and if he does that, I have said you don’t become an average player with the ability and skill he has. He still offers a lot.”

Asked about the prospect of Ramsey retiring from international football, Page said: “We will have that conversation when the time is right.

“But right now he is looking forward to getting fighting fit and getting his body in a position where he can play and have the demands of a domestic season with Cardiff two games a week. If he can do that then no doubt he will continue.”

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Collins launches 'Project JC'

Cardiff left-back Jamilu Collins has launched a new football project in his native Nigeria.

Collins was a huge part of Cardiff's season, which was a real positive after his maiden campaign was cut short after just four games owing to his ACL rupture.

But the Nigeria international turned out 36 times for the Bluebirds this term before missing the last three games through injury. He has deserved a summer off. Sign up to our Cardiff City newsletter here.

However, he is using his downtime to launch an initiative in his home town of Kaduna. Posting on social media, Collins showed young stars from the town donning Cardiff's grey away kit from last season, having clearly pooled together clothing and resources to get the project off the ground.

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"Am honoured to announce this wonderful project in my hometown Kaduna, the city where you will find the best of best talents in Nigeria," Collins wrote on Instagram.

"The JC project is to create opportunities for this amazing talents for the next step In their career."

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Harris shows off shiner

Former Cardiff star Mark Harris sported a nasty-looking black eye during Oxford's promotion-winning celebrations.

Harris was a key man for Oxford throughout the season after leaving Cardiff a year ago. He scored 19 goals as United made their way to Wembley in the play-off final.

It was Josh Murphy, another former Cardiff man, who proved the match winner, netting twice against Bolton to get Oxford up to the second tier.

Oxford's celebrations took place over the weekend and Harris took it all in. Unfortunately, the Wembley win was not without its collateral damage as the Wales international sported a black eye with stitches after an incident at the game.

Former Cardiff City player Mark Harris during Oxford United's promotion celebrations -Credit:Instagram/Mark Harris
Former Cardiff City player Mark Harris during Oxford United's promotion celebrations -Credit:Instagram/Mark Harris

Speaking to Sportsboom, Murphy, who was one of four ex-Cardiff players on Oxford's team, said: "For me and the club, it’s just a dream," reflected Murphy. "It’s just great to help get the club back where it belongs."

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"Even if it had been someone else getting the goals, it’s just great to get the club promoted.

"I’d love to be in these colours next year. I’m happy and settled at this club. I’m still enjoying it.

"I’m buzzing for the gaffer (Des Buckingham), its been an up and down time since he’s been here. But I think he’s a brilliant coach and a brilliant manager, he got what he deserves. I’m just happy for him and the boys."

"I’ve got every faith we can do well in the Championship next season. We play a good brand of football and this is an exciting group of players."