Cardiff City Midfielder Peter Whittingham has backed young attacking midfielder Joe Mason to force his way into the Bluebirds’ starting XI after his stunning display against Bristol City.
Mason’s mix of direct running and vision inspired the home side to a 3-1 win after coming off the bench to replace the injured Aron Gunnarsson at the Cardiff City Stadium.
The 20-year-old Ireland U21 international, who signed at three-year contract at the club this summer after joining from Plymouth Argyle, has already received huge praise from manager Malky Mackay.
And now Whittingham has backed the Ireland under 21 international to seal a first start against Brighton tomorrow night.
“Joe has been brilliant ever since he came here. He has been amazing in training and it is just good for him to go on the pitch and show everyone what he can do,” Whiitingham said
“He picks up some great positions and he seems to ghost past people, which is great for the team. Hopefully he can carry on his form.
“After a performance like that you’d have to say he is pushing for a starting place.
“He’s played really well and he’s put himself in the frame. Good luck to the manager to make that decision,” he added.
Wolves mananger Mick McCarthy has revealed that Irish striker Andy Keogh is to join Cardiff City.
McCarthy left the Dublin born reland international out of his side's 2-1 Carling Cup win over Southend on Tuesday so the player is not cup-tied.
"It's a racing certainty that Andy will be going to Cardiff," said McCarthy.
Keogh, 24, will join Bluebirds signings Craig Bellamy, Seyi Olofinjana, Danny Drinkwater, Jason Koumas, Lee Naylor and Tom Heaton in south Wales.
Keogh has scored 49 goals in 180 competitive appearances for Leeds, Scunthorpe, Bury and Premier League Wolves since 2004 and is now set to join the Bluebirds bid to win promotion from the Championship.
McCarthy told Wolves' website: "He didn't want to be cup tied and Cardiff didn't want him to be cup tied and it was a chance for us to give Ashley Hemmings a game [against Southend].
"Andy has been fabulous here both for me and this football club. It's a good move for him to go to Cardiff and good luck to him.
"He wants to play football and doesn't want to be fourth in line here which I can fully understand.
"It was my decision to let him go but he goes with our best wishes and warmest regards."
Keogh has scored 49 goals in 180 competitive appearances for Leeds, Scunthorpe, Bury and Wolves.
