Fowler is still an option

Last updated : 07 May 2008 By Michael Morris
It's looking unlikely with Fowler not considered for the 16 that beat Barnsley on the weekend and with only 10 days to go to Wembley time is not on Fowler's side. He's not played any competetive football since a 2 minute run out in December.

"There is less than a fortnight to go to the final and I do have a team in my head, but things can change," said Jones.

"I am going to watch Portsmouth next weekend, and if anything I find concerns me and I have got to change things as a result I will.

"Robbie is not ruled out. He has now got at least 10 days to prove himself. If he can prove he is fit enough then that gives me a great option. If I feel it is right he will be included.

"He has worked hard to get to the level he is, but it is not just about one game. It is really about his future."

Fowler aside Jones has a full squad to choose from. Glenn Loovens was subbed on Sunday to avoid picking up a booking that would have seen him suspended for Wembley and Tony Capaldi had a slight twinge but not thought to be anything serious.

If Jones were to use the 16 on duty against Barnsley then there would be no place for Fowler or for Riccy Scimeca or Darcy Blake.

Fowler himself is naturally disappointed with how his season has panned out. He is City's 6th highest scorer this season with 6 goals from 13 games. Paul Parry and Joe Ledley lead the way with 11 goals each but both played 30 more games than Robbie.

"It was unfortunate the way that I came to Cardiff and I'm as disappointed as anyone, as I wanted to be fired up, playing every game and scoring loads of goals," said Fowler. "But I've said before, it's not the ideal world we live in. I'd passed my medical and everything was fine.

"I know that everyone was saying, 'He's had a hip operation before', but in fact it was my right hip that was my issue previously where I had an operation.

"The medical at Cardiff found a problem in my left hip as I was training and in pain playing games.

"I'm not kidding myself or making any excuses as to why I've not set the world alight.

"But it has been giving me problems and hopefully now that I've got it sorted, touch wood, following the operation and recovery I've trained a few days and seem to be moving all right.

"I won't really know though until I get back into things fully - and that's by being involved in competitive games which is a different thing altogether.

"Unfortunately I've not played so many games as I would have liked, but I've always been made to feel a part of things here and that's down to the set-up we have with the coaches and players.

"Every one of the players have made me feel as involved in the success as they are, so I can only thank all of them for that as they have been great with me.

"And with the FA Cup Final coming around soon, obviously it's a massive thing for the club to be involved in.

"It's a massive achievement for this club to get anywhere near a cup final and, first and foremost, it's a wonderful chance for the players of this club to go down in the history books in Cardiff - and that's what we'll be aiming to do.

"We won't make it easy for Portsmouth, that's for sure."

It seems likely that Dave Jones will offer a new deal for Robbie for next season to try and get the best out of him and to put aside the disappointment of this season.