Cardiffs Wildig hoping for run

Last updated : 19 January 2010 By BBC Sport

Teenager Aaron Wildig hopes to persuade Cardiff City boss Dave Jones against signing midfield reinforcements in the January transfer window.The 17-year-old academy graduate wants to save the hard-up Bluebirds much-needed funds by continuing his impressive first-team performances.

Cardiff face a winding-up over a reported £2.7m debt to the taxman.

Wildig said: "I'm not sure which players are coming in but if I get opportunities, I will keep performing."

The Bluebirds face their their second winding up order over an unpaid debt to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs as the Championship club was issued a petition to appear in the High Court on 10 February.

Wildig has been the silver living in Cardiff's midfield injury crisis cloud as the latest graduate off the Bluebirds' renowned production line has caught the eye when he has been thrown into the Championship play-off battle.

The Wales youth international has followed James Collins, Aaron Ramsey, Chris Gunter, Joe Ledley and Adam Matthews through Cardiff's academy and he has capitalised in the absence of Stephen McPhail and Gavin Rae.

I wanted to bring Aaron in at the right time and take him out at the right time but due to our circumstances, unfortunately he has to go and play

Cardiff City manager Dave Jones

Jones has been linked with moves for Wigan Athletic midfielder Ben Watson and Blackburn's Steven Reid but the club insist they will not buy until they pay their HMRC debt.

Wildig has yet to suffer a defeat in his two Cardiff starts as the Bluebirds drew 1-1 in their FA Cup Third Round clash at Bristol City before a mature, battling performance in a 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe United.

The central midfielder is desperate to continue performing well, not only to keep himself in the side but and save Cardiff some cash.

"I've started twice in a week so I'll have to see what happens," said Wildig, who is set for his third successive start in Cardiff's FA Cup Third Round replay with Bristol City.

"This opportunity has come earlier than I expected because the club has a lot of injury and illnesses.

"I didn't expect to get a start in the Championship so soon as I'm only 17. But it has been good as I have have to take these opportunities - and I think I've done okay.

"Playing at this level has been a good experience as both games so far have been different and that should stand me in good stead.

"I've always been quite a composed player on the ball, I've never really felt the pressure of the opposition.

"At the moment its going well but I realise I'm only as good as my last game."

Wildig, the club's under-18 captain, enjoyed cameo appearances in Cardiff's Carling Cup campaign but was promoted to the first team after McPhail was forced out after being diagnosed with a form of cancer.

He was excellent on his league debut when he replaced Riccardo Scimeca at second-place West Bromwich Albion at half-time and helped Cardiff to a superb 2-0 win at The Hawthorns.

Can Cardiff City teenager Aaron Wildig develop into a top player?

Now Scimeca has retired and Joe Ledley is set for a double hip operation that would keep the Wales international out for the rest of the season, Wildig is hoping his run in the first-team will continue.

"The youngster is doing really well," praised his manager Jones.

"I wanted to bring Aaron in at the right time and take him out at the right time but due to our circumstances, unfortunately he has to go and play.

"We tried to protect him a little by putting three men in midfield we changed it on Saturday as it wasn't working so we changed it to two - so it was a case of learn your trade son."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport