Ainsworth and Langley return to Ninian Park

Last updated : 22 March 2006 By Michael Morris
Gareth Ainsworth had a short spell at Cardiff at the end of 2002 / 2003 season and was immediately taken by the City fans. "Wild thing" only played 9 games and thanks to a red card just before the end of the season he lost his place and missed out on the play offs, including the final. Then just after Lennie changed his mind and decided not to offer Ainsworth a new contract.

An immediate offer came from Q.P.R and he's been there since.

"I loved my time at Cardiff, and wanted to stay there permanently," Ainsworth told the Western Mail.

"But, having initially been told I'd get a contract, Lennie changed his mind two days after the play-off final and said he wanted to go for bigger players.

"On my way back to London from Cardiff, though, I got a call from QPR saying they wanted to talk to me."

Ainsworth is currently Rangers' top scorer with 7 goals. He predicts a close encounter this Saturday at Ninian Park.

"I don't think you'll be able to call this match on the two teams' league positions - we're quite closely matched and it'll probably be a tight game.

"Gary Waddock has done a great job since taking over from Ian Holloway and I think we're getting stronger all the time.

"He's changed our style - advocating us playing more football - and we're learning more and more as we go along.

"We're in a comfortable position - 13th in the table - but we're determined to finish as high as we possibly can.

Of course Richard Langley will be remembered by more supporters as he only left Ninian Park last summer to return to his former club. Langley spent two seasons in Cardiff playing Championship football before his move back to Loftus Rd.

Langley has scored three time this season for Rangers in 20 starts. He has been the subject of a possible loan move this week. Langley is out of contract in the summer and his name has been linked to Luton and Watford.

"Richard's contract is up in the summer and we'll have to wait and see," said Rangers boss Gary Waddock.

"He played a lot at the start of the season, but he's not been in the team because of Marc Bircham and Steve Lomas.

"He came to see me and asked me why he wasn't playing and we had a chat, but nothing's happening (regarding a move) at the moment."

Cardiff City v Q.P.R.
Saturday 25th March, ko 3:00pm.