Erol Bulut has said it is unlikely Cardiff's young guns will start against Birmingham City this week, but they should get minutes off the bench in the Midlands.
Cardiff take on the Blues at St Andrew's tomorrow and Bluebirds fans have pleaded with the manager to blood the club's young talent, with virtually nothing riding on City's final five fixtures. However, it looks unlikely that the likes of Joel Colwill and Cian Ashford will start, but they should get game time in the second half.
Ashford and Colwill Jnr, neither of whom were involved in Cardiff under-21s draw with Wigan on Tuesday afternoon, have been the standouts for Darren Purse's this season. Indeed, Ashford is the one player who has impressed his team-mates in senior training with his "amazing finishing", according to Manolis Siopis.
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It has led for fans to call for greater game-time for Cardiff's young guns as they begin to turn their attention towards next season. Bulut has asked for patience from fans, saying they will get their opportunities when the time is right. But it now looks as though they will be given their chance on Wednesday night.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Birmingham, Bulut said of the youngsters: "We will take youngsters with us. Hopefully we are in a position where they can come on in the second half and get minutes.
"We want them to show their levels. We need to see if they are ready to be a part of the first-team squad next season. We believe our younger players are incredibly talented. I hope in the coming games they'll be able to show this when called upon."
Cardiff have a number of fitness concerns ahead of tomorrow's game, but it looks likely that Rubin Colwill will be included, having missed the defeat by Hull City with an ankle injury.
However, it looks like five others — Kion Etete, Mark McGuinness, Callum O'Dowda, Jak Alnwick and Josh Wilson-Esbrand — will be out for the season. While that, of course, is disappointing for them, it certainly hands opportunities to other players in the squad, particularly those with a point to prove heading into the summer.
"We've a number of players out injured - Kion Etete, Mark McGuinness, Callum O'Dowda, Ryan Wintle, Jak Alnwick and Josh Wilson-Esbrand," he added. "We hope to have Rubin back with us tomorrow. He has a small pain. We will assess him before the game.
"Ryan may be back with us for the weekend, but the others are likely more longer term. We may not see them again this season."
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Birmingham are in the bottom three and are fighting for their lives, however the Bluebirds boss is expecting a tough game tomorrow night.
"We have seen their form, of course, but I believe they're better than what their league position shows," he added. "I believe they're underrated and they need points.
"They'll be sharp against us, but we also want to take the points with us from Birmingham. I'm expecting my players to concentrate from the first minute. In the last game we woke up in the second half. We want to go for it from the opening moments and get a good result."
The Bluebirds' game against Birmingham City takes place on Wednesday, April 10. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
