Jlloyd Samuel vows to lift Bluebirds
By Steve Tucker (Western Mail)NEW Cardiff City signing Jlloyd Samuel has vowed to play his part in helping the Bluebirds into the Premiership.
The 29-year-old left-back arrived in the Welsh capital this week on season-long loan from Bolton and is in contention for the visit of Derby on Saturday.
Samuel has not played at all this campaign, but insists he is now over a thigh injury and ready step in for Cardiff’s last eight games of the Championship season.
And Samuel said he has slotted straight into manager Dave Jones’ regime.
“It’s going to be a good test for myself here. I have come here to play games. I want to get my sharpness and fitness back and at the same time help Cardiff to promotion,” said Samuel.
“I’ve been out for five-and-a-half months with an injury. It was hard to get my way back into the Bolton side because they have been doing so well.
“Rather than sit around, I wanted to come here and push on. The games will be coming thick and fast now and the Championship is a good league.
“I’ve played in the Premiership for most of my career which has been good for me, but now it’s going to be a nice test here because they are playing for something here. They want to push on for promotion.
“What Cardiff have got here is a Premiership set-up really.”
Samuel has made 75 appearances for Wanderers since arriving in May 2007, but made his name at Aston Villa where he was a trainee and enjoyed 200 outings.
Samuel earned seven caps for England at under 21 level before pledging his allegiance to his native Trinidad and Tobago back in 2009.
But it was his time in the England set-up which has helped Samuel settle in quicker at Cardiff having played in the same side as Bluebirds striker Jay Bothroyd.
He also lined up alongside Peter Whittingham at Villa.
“I know Jay. I played with him for England Under-18s and things like that. It’s always nice to know people,” said Samuel.
“I’ve known Jay for a few years and his attitude hasn’t changed. He’s still a very good player, although he does like to throw his dummy out a bit, but that’s Jay. That’s just the way he is. He’s a good lad.
“There’s also Peter Whittingham, who I played with at Aston Villa, so it does make it easier to settle in and all the lads have been very helpful.”
Samuel could answer the call at full-back as Jones reshuffles his defensive set-up.
Centre-half Mark Hudson could be out for up to six weeks with a knee injury and Jones has a decision to make.
Hungarian Gabor Gyepes could slot straight into the heart of defence or Kevin McNaughton could shuffle across, opening the door for Samuel.
“The manager has spoken to me, but I think he’s just been letting me settle in. He will probably get more into it as the week goes on,” added Samuel on the club’s official website.
“He’s checked if I’m fit and hopefully he will think I’m fit enough to be involved.
“Derby will be a good game and it is obviously one that we need to win because we are playing for promotion here.”
