Gabbidon Back To The Bluebirds?

Gabbidon linked with Bluebirds return

6:47pm Tuesday 22nd May 2012 in Sport
CWMBRAN’S Danny Gabbidon could be set for a return to former club Cardiff City after being released by Premier League side Queens Park Rangers.

The Wales international is one of eight players set to leave the club when their deals expire at the end of June as the Hoops look to slash a sizeable wage bill.

Gabbidon leaves Rangers after just one season at Loftus Road having failed to establish himself under former boss Neil Warnock and his replacement Mark Hughes.

The 32-year-old central defender made just 17 appearances in the league following his move from London rivals West Ham.


“It's not really a surprise for me,” he said. “I’m just happy the club were able to stay in the Premier League and hopefully they can push on and do a bit better next season.

“I still feel I can play at a good level and that’s one of the aims," said Gabbidon, who has previously said he wants to play again for Cardiff before his career ends.

“But obviously at the age I’m getting to now, I don’t want to be sitting on the bench. I want to play as many games as I can in the next few years before I finish playing.”

Gabbidon was strongly linked with a return to Cardiff last summer and may be a target for Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging for promotion to the Premier League next season.

Gabbidon and Newport’s James Collins left Ninian Park for West Ham in a joint deal in 2005.

The pair were both left out of the Wales squad to travel to New York to face Mexico on Sunday, although national manager Chris Coleman insists the door is not closed for anyone.

Coleman, who also omitted Cardiff striker Robert Earnshaw, said he wanted to look at players who he could “learn more about.”

Gabbidon, who retired from international football in 2010 before being persuaded to return by Gary Speed, says he would like to add to his 46 caps.

“I want to keep making myself available for Wales but I know I’m not going to play in all the games,” he said.

“I’m happy if I can be around the squad and help the younger lads by passing on my experience. When I’m called upon to play then I always try to do my best.

“A few of the older players have not been selected and he (Coleman) rang me to say he wanted to have a look at a few of the younger players. I understood everything he was saying,” he added.

“But he said he still wants me to be involved with my experience going into the next qualifying campaign and I'm happy to do that.”