With Marlon Pack not expected to play again this side of Halloween, Cardiff are sifting through the existing raft of free agents. Here are our pick of the bunch;
Lewis Holtby
http://gty.im/1139479194
Guys, we’ve covered this one. Sign him up already! The German born, former Under-21 captain is probably the pick of the freebies, having seen a mooted move to Turkey fail to materialise.
Holtby joined Spurs from Schalke in January 2013 and subsequently moved to Fulham on loan, when they were relegated from the top flight along with Cardiff. He joined Hamburg on loan ahead of a permanent move in July 2015 and played 138 games for them. He departed under a cloud though, as the 28-year-old was not selected as a starter for a trip to Union Berlin and under those circumstances expressed that he would rather not travel.
It did not go down well. He did not train with the first team again and was not considered for selection from that point on. It was reported that Holtby knew he had made a huge blunder, but the board were livid that a ‘healthy player’ would act in such a way and the coach Hannes Wolf claimed that trust had been permanently betrayed.
Not a particularly glowing reference, I know, but Holtby is a very good player and a particularly appealing option as a free agent, having recorded five goals and five assists last term, despite his banishment.
Danny Williams
http://gty.im/1139306604
USMNT international Danny Williams departed Huddersfield in May and still remains in the footballing wilderness. The German-born destroyer would be an able replacement for Aron Gunnarsson, as ball retrieval and retention are his thing. He’s dead cool too, and can fill in at right back if required.
Having made his name in Germany with Freiburg and Hoffenheim, Williams joined Reading in 2013 and spent four years there before Huddersfield offered him the opportunity to fulfil his dream of playing in the Premier League when his contract expired.
Two years down the line, he is again a free agent, with a chequered injury record, but still represents an attractive option.
James Morrison
http://gty.im/1139175287
Having enjoyed a 15-year career at only two clubs, West Brom legend and former Middlesbrough youth team graduate James Morrison finds himself without a club at the age of 33. Aberdeen, Hibs and Hearts have all been linked with the Scottish international, but as September approaches, he has yet to commit to any offers.
Another that has struggled with injuries, Morrison has been recently quoted as saying that he feels better than he has in a long time. Having spent 12 years with the Baggies, he has a wealth of experience and is well versed in both the Championship and the Premier League.
Morrison is very much a Warnock type too; low maintenance, no frills, a head down and get the job done sort. A wise head patrolling midfield would not go amiss right now, I think we can all agree.
Jack Rodwell
http://gty.im/1138722380
Wait, come back! I know his reputation is in tatters, but Rodwell was once classed as one of the brightest prospects in the game and did not twice move for eight-figure sums for nothing. He has struggled with fitness and motivation in the past, but did rather well at Blackburn last year and they were keen to retain him.
Were Dave Jones in charge, you just know he would be all over this one and I would back Neil Warnock to get him on the straight and narrow. Adept in both central midfield and central defence, you effectively get two players for the price of one. I also think he represents a better bet than the likes of Joe Ledley and Mile Jedinak, who are currently being touted.
A calculated risk or a bad idea? You decide. Personally, I think it could be a shrewd move.