Cardiff City boss holds talks with Super Eagles defender who is out of favour for club and country

Cardiff City manager Omer Riza has held crunch talks with experienced left-back Jamilu Collins, who is out of favour for club and country. 

Collins has struggled to regain his spot in the Cardiff City team due to injury and stiff competition from his teammates. 

The defender has not played a single minute in the last six games contested by the Super Eagles, with the likes of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi and Ola Aina ahead of him in the pecking order of national team fullbacks. 

Collins suffered an injury setback during pre-season and was sidelined for Cardiff City's opening seven games. 

Since his return to fitness, Collins has found himself behind Callum O'Dowda and Joel Bagan in the left-back pecking order and the demotion is likely to be frustrating for the former Paderborn star. 

Collins' contract expires at the end of the season, and he can begin discussing terms with other clubs in January. 

His last appearance for Cardiff City was in Riza's first game in charge, a 4-1 defeat at Hull City. 

However, he has not featured in the squad for five of the last six matches.

"I've had a good chat with JC and he's had his injuries, he's had a few issues with his body, " Riza was quoted as saying by Wales Online. 

"He's come back in and been training, but at the minute he's got Callum O'Dowda, who is playing very well, and Joel, who has had to come out for Callum, who is also doing well.

"There are two left-backs who can both play higher and lower. He has got to wait and be patient. I've had that conversation."

The 45-year-old gaffer also acknowledged the challenges of managing players' emotions, particularly when they're not getting playing time. 

The Cardiff City boss then went on to emphasize the importance of Collins staying focused and prepared for his opportunity.

"Some players get the hump and they're not happy with me, but I've said this before, it's hard for me when that happens because the players are really important and I want them to be in a good place.

"I can't control everything in respect of their feelings, no matter how much I talk to them or how I try to help them in that way.

"He has to stay patient and if he gets his opportunity he has got to take it. He has to be ready," Riza stressed.

Since the conclusion of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Collins has only made four appearances for Nigeria.

Ejim Kaycee

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