By Gareth James
Rubin Colwill is facing a fight to prove his readiness to go to the World Cup with Wales next month.
The Cardiff City striker is set to miss two more Bluebirds games this week after a freak training accident ruled him out of last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Burnley.
Interim boss Mark Hudson confirmed the Qatar hopeful won’t feature in Tuesday night’s home game against Blackburn Rovers and unless he gets back on the grass this week won’t feature at Wigan this weekend.
That leaves Colwill with eight games to press his claims in the Championship before Wales leave for the tournament.
Colwill suffered an ankle problem at the start of the season and has had knee and hamstring injuries previously, but both club and country have often been non-specific in the nature of the issues and have suggested they are down to “growing pains” suffered by the 20-year-old.
“He had a slip in training last week. He has got a knock and we are waiting for a time scale on it,” said Hudson.
“I don’t think it is too bad and I don’t think either we or Wales should be worried. We both know where he’s at.
“He has had a huge growth spurt and the physios are working together with the aim of getting him back on the grass as consistently as possible. He has got something big to focus on with Wales and we want him to have a big impact in our side.
“He’s not on the grass at the moment and we don’t want to break down.
“It’s a great time for him. It’s a big focus, everyone in Wales is focused on him. We want him on the grass and impacting our team and we are looking forward to that.”
Colwill has only started one game in the Championship for Cardiff so far this season and has not scored since March, when he netted for Wales in a friendly against the Czech Republic.
🎙 | Mark Hudson: “It is an honour. To be stood in the technical area for Cardiff wearing the badge is a proud moment.”
Great to hear how much it means 💪 pic.twitter.com/ohWUmLvoaz
— CityView (@C1tyView) September 29, 2022
Given Wales manager Robert Page’s admiration for the youngster, he had looked set to be on the plane for Qatar providing he is fully fit, but he has only managed four and a half hours of football to date this season for his club and 18 minutes for his country.
On a more positive note, Hudson is hoping that with a first goal for the club under his belt, new striker Callum Robinson will kick on and add a few more.
“For any striker to get his first goal for a new club is important. He worked his socks off to the end of the game before he got his goal and he has been brilliant since joining us,” said Hudson.
The caretaker boss has also said he will add to his coaching staff over the coming days, with former Cardiff and Wales midfielder Joe Ledley having been linked with a role.