The latest Cardiff City injury news detailed by Dafydd Pritchard ahead of this weekend’s game with Sunderland

Former Sunderland and Newcastle United goalkeeper Jak Alnwick will not be available for Cardiff City this weekend.

The Black Cats and Bluebirds are set to face off in the Championship at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. However, head coach Omer Riza will be without first-choice shot-stopper Alnwick, who spent time at both Sunderland and Newcastle United’s academies as a youngster.

The 31-year-old Hexham-born player featured six times in the Premier League for Newcastle before stints at Port Vale, Rangers, Blackpool and most recently, Cardiff City. Jak’s brother, Ben Alnwick, played 22 times for Sunderland before stints with Tottenham and others.

Ahead of the game, The Echo caught up with Cardiff City insider Dafydd Pritchard, who covers the Bluebirds regularly for BBC Sport Wales. During his appearance on The Roar Podcast, Pritchard provided an extensive Cardiff City injury update before the clash and spoke at length about Jak Alnwick and his current injury.

Cardiff City have been “unlucky” with injuries this season

“They have been pretty unlucky with injuries recently, especially in defence,” Pritchard explained. “They have been short of centre-backs there. So the likes of Jesper Daland, he's been injured. They've had injuries in midfield as well. People like David Turnbull, they are long-term absentees and then the likes of Callum Robinson and Will Alves have been out with these little niggles. So it feels like Riza has never really had a fully fit squad to choose from.

“They've had a couple of suspensions recently as well. And the goalkeeper, Jak Alnwick, he's out for the season now. So Ethan Horvath's been deputising for him. So it does feel like some things hit them just at the wrong moment at different points this season. It is a little bit patched up in places but not ravaged by injury like they were, say, around Christmas, January time. So, yeah, a few injury concerns, but they are not as bad as it's been at points this season.”

Jak Alnwick’s career arc at Cardiff City explained after latest injury

“Jack Alnwick himself, you know, he's been an excellent signing,” Pritchard added. “I think they brought him in, initially, two or three years ago as someone to play backup. But he's not just played really well, but he's a really popular figure at the club as well. He's actually been capped in quite a lot this season, and he's had a really good season. I think I, and most fans and other media, probably thought that he was harshly treated to lose his place under Bulut.

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“Horvath then made quite a few big mistakes, and since Alnwick's come back in, he's never looked back, really. And he's had a really good season. So, yeah, losing him was a blow, although Horvath hasn't dropped the clangers that he did previously. So it's not been as big a blow as it might have been. He’s definitely a popular figure and just signed a new contract as well, Alnwick. So, you know, hopefully, you'll see him next season in a Championship fixture.”