Wales captain Aaron Ramsey has been ruled out of Cardiff City’s Championship encounter against Derby County on Saturday due to a hamstring injury.
Ramsey returned from international duty with an issue, having played 72 minutes of Craig Bellamy’s inaugural Nations League goalless draw against Turkey on Friday.
Ramsey, 33, then came off the bench to replace Harry Wilson with 10 minutes of normal time remaining in Monday night’s 2-1 triumph over Montenegro.
Cardiff manager Erol Bulut is currently awaiting the results of Ramsey’s latest injury.
Bulut stated, “We will miss him for Derby.” He played 10 minutes (against Montenegro) and felt a little pain in his hamstring, so he has to take some time off. I hope it isn’t something serious.
He continued, “I just know from our medical staff that he played the national game and then felt soreness in his hamstring.
“Now we have to wait to get the full report, but he will not be with us on Saturday.”
Ramsey, who has 86 international caps, made only seven league starts and six substitute appearances for Cardiff last season due to a knee injury.
But, after working hard in the summer to regain his fitness, Ramsey has started all four Championship games for Cardiff this season and made an impressive international return against Turkey.
Cardiff will be without Norwegian defender Jesper Daland as they attempt to move up from the bottom of the early Championship standings with their first league win.
Daland, a summer acquisition from Cercle Bruges, was called up for Norway’s Nations League games against Kazakhstan and Austria but was forced to withdraw due to an injury sustained in Cardiff’s 2-0 home defeat by Middlesbrough on August 31.
Bulut explained: “He didn’t (team up with Norway) because he still has this boot on his leg, which he injured in the previous game. He’ll get out of the boot tomorrow (Friday). He will gradually begin small-group training sessions. I’m hoping that he’ll be able to return to full training soon.
Cardiff will be buoyed by the return of club captain Joe Ralls, who has been out since the 5-0 defeat at Burnley on August 17.
Bulut stated, “Joe Ralls has trained with us and will be available.” Rallsy is the team’s captain and a strong leader both on and off the field. It’s always fantastic to have him on the squad.”