Friday, 15 March 2013

Cardiff bring in Barnett on loan

Championship leaders Cardiff City have moved to cover recent injuries to captain Mark Hudson and Ben Turner by bringing in Norwich’s Leon Barnett on loan.

The 27-year-old will join the club for a month, with his spell ending once Cardiff have hosted Nottingham Forest at the Cardiff City Stadium on April 13.

It is hoped the paperwork will be completed in time for the Bluebirds’ trip to face former manager Dave Jones’ Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday (March 16), in which case it is believed he will slot in alongside Matt Connolly at centre back.

Speaking of the deal, manager Malky Mackay said: “Leon is an experienced defender and will add quality to our ranks over the coming weeks. He’s quick, aggressive and a combative player – an excellent professional who has been involved in promotion pushes, and [he] is a good lad too.

“I’ve no doubt he’ll fit in very well with the squad and I would like to thank Chris Hughton and Norwich City for their help in bringing Leon in, it’s very much appreciated.”

He definitely fits the “experienced” mold Mackay has recently favoured. Barnett twice tasted promotion to the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City, although his chances have been somewhat limited at Carrow Road this season.

He has made 55 appearances for his current club – 18 during their first top flight campaign and 11 this term, where he was a regular at the beginning of the season before losing his place.

Incidentally, his last league appearance for the first team was in their 4-3 victory at Swansea City in December. His last game was Norwich’s shock 1-0 home defeat against the club where he started his career, Luton Town, in the FA Cup fourth round in January – the first time a non-league side had beaten a top flight club in the Cup since 1989.

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