Cardiff's Ramsey fit for derby showdown

Wales captain Aaron Ramsey is fit for Cardiff City's Championship derby clash away to Swansea City on Sunday.

Manager Erol Bulut says the 33-year-old midfielder has recovered from an injury which caused concern after last Saturday’s 5-0 defeat at Burnley.

That news will also be welcomed by Wales manager Craig Bellamy, who announces his first squad next week for the Nations League game with Turkey, which will be played at the Cardiff City Stadium on 6 September.

Bulut said: “Ramsey will be with us. He had training on Wednesday so everything was fine.

"In the game, the position looked really bad that he twisted his ankle, but thankfully it was not something serious.”

Ramsey, capped 84 times for his country, scored his last goal for Cardiff in the 2-0 Bluebirds win against Swansea in the corresponding fixture in the Welsh capital last September.

Because of injury, Ramsey only made seven Cardiff appearances after that derby win.

His availability sets up the prospect of a midfield battle with his former Wales teammate Joe Allen, who has been declared fit after injury by Swansea manager Luke Williams.

Ramsey and Allen were mainstays of the Wales side which reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

But Cardiff club captain Joe Ralls is doubtful for Sunday's showdown as he looks to chalk up his eighth South Wales derby.

The midfielder played only 35 minutes against Burnley before being replaced because of hip and groin trouble by Wales international Rubin Colwill.

Ralls will be assessed after training on Friday, with Bulut saying: “I hope if he can train with us then the possibility looks higher that he can be with us."

Defenders Callum O’Dowda and Calum Chambers have shrugged off slight problems ready for the game.

Bulut admitted new Norwegian defender Jesper Daland will come into consideration for a debut in the highly charged encounter.

The Cardiff boss said: “I think he is more than ready because before he came he had a league game. Before that he had an international Europa League game. He had six games where he played 90 minutes. So he will be available."