Jay plays down transfer talk

Bothroyd: Linked with PL move

Sought-after striker Jay Bothroyd insists he is fully focused on Cardiff's promotion push amid speculation surrounding his future.

"There are always rumours but I am concentrating on getting to the Prem with Cardiff - that's my sole focus."
Jay Bothroyd Quotes of the week

The 28-year-old is out of contract with the Championship side at the end of the season and will be allowed to speak with any interested clubs when the transfer window opens next week.

Bothroyd has been linked with a return to former club Blackburn, while fellow Premier League outfits Birmingham and Fulham are also reportedly interested in his services.

But the in-demand hitman has responded to the transfer talk by insisting getting the Bluebirds, currently second in the table, into the top flight is his sole priority.

Focus

Bothroyd said via his Twitter account: "There are always rumours but I am concentrating on getting to the Prem with Cardiff - that's my sole focus."

Meanwhile, Bothroyd's fellow forward Craig Bellamy, on loan from Manchester City, has warned Cardiff's title rivals that he is ready to take the Championship by storm after overcoming the worst of a long-standing knee injury.

The 31-year-old scored his fourth goal of the campaign in the Bluebirds' 2-0 Boxing Day victory over Coventry, and believes his form will only improve in the second half of the season.

"Coventry was my best game for Cardiff and this is the start. It's the level I want to hit," Bellamy said in the Daily Star.

"I'm capable of reaching that target because I'm feeling good. I need to get to the level I expect.

"But it's been a tough battle fitnesswise.

"I didn't feel sharp or comfortable and that isn't what playing football is all about for me. I enjoy training and feeling sharp because that's a big part of my game.

Injury

"But I've dealt with the injury week by week. I kept with my programme and listened to the physiotherapists and, by November, I was getting less swelling.

"I didn't want to say this publicly going into games but I knew after Christmas would be the crunch time.

"There are 24 big games left and I knew if I was going to have a big impact I need to be here, playing very well and making sure I am out there for the last moments."